First Nations hit hard as help arrives slowly
1,000 residents of Siksika forced to leave when Bow River crested
CALGARY — Thousands of people in First Nations communities across southern Alberta have been displaced after flooding took out critical roadways, submerged homes and affected drinking water.
Since Thursday, at least 1,300 residents in six First Nations communities have been out of their homes.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” Siksika Nation Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier said in a news release. “It’s very stressful. The worst I’ve ever seen, it’s devastating.”
There are approximately 1,000 evacuees at Siksika, which is about 80 kilometres east of Calgary along the Bow River.
Four communities on Canada’s second largest First Nations communities, as well as the Hidden Valley Resort, received major flood damage. Homes are surrounded by water, and some residents are camping out on higher ground to keep an eye on their property.
Other displaced residents are at the Deerfoot Sportsplex, where an emergency reception centre has been set up. A boil water advisory has been issued and schools are closed.
“We are still in crisis mode,” Rabbit Carrier said.
Elsewhere, Tsuu T’ina Chief Roy Whitney said the nation on the western edge of Calgary is working with Redwood Meadows to recover.
“Our first responders, heavy equipment and leadership from the nation have worked side by side with emergency crews at Redwood,” Whitney said in a statement.
Some Stoney Nation residents in Eden Valley, Bighorn and Morley remain under an evacuation order and there’s a boil water advisory in place for parts of all three communities.
Heather Carnahan, tribal administrator for the Stoney Tribal Administration, said it’s been a difficult time across southern Alberta. “The magnitude of this event is obviously huge for everyone,” she said, adding that the combination of a spread-out community, such as a reserve, and people living in poverty intensifies it even more.
Carnahan said it didn’t help that assistance was slow to arrive in the communities.
“We are getting assistance now,” she said, noting they’ve received food and other donations on the weekend.
RCMP said there has been no widespread flooding from the Bow River in Morley, but noted rain water has washed out some remote roads, backed up sewers and filled up basements.
Further south, the Kainai Nation has not declared a state of emergency, but officials said they are keeping close watch on the rising waters.
Aboriginal relations minister Robin Campbell is “keeping a close eye” on the flooding situation in reserves.
“First Nations communities affected by flooding will receive the full support of emergency services that is being provided to all Alberta communities affected by the floods,” said Campbell’s press secretary Kevin Zahara.