kashechewan_logoThe community of Kashechewan is heading back home.

The community’s Chief Leo Friday and council have formally withdrawn the evacuation orders from last week and have expressed the reserves frustration.

“Our members both at home and in Kapuskasing are miserable and angry at how past agreements with the Government of Canada has unraveled to this date…My people need to have comfort and safety in real terms to their lives.” Friday said in a press release.

The press release touched on many issues, including the trouble they encountered when trying to make progress with previous governments, as well as the barrage of youth suicide attempts they and other outlying reserves have had to desperately reach out for help with.  

The report said the river is vital to their peoples’ lives on social, traditional, and spiritual levels. He said the handling from the government in recent years has been lackluster and has resulted in damaging their lifestyle.

The evacuation order was hard on the health of their children and elderly, compounded by the numerous other problems these northern reserves face. These issues aside, Friday and his council have thanked those involved in the evacuation.