More People, Resources Helping Flooded FNs
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 15:36
An additional five people have been brought in to help First Nations that are dealing with flooding.
These pepople will deal with supplies, moving sandbags and training residents on equipment.
Duane McKay, Director of Emergency Response for the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, says there are now skid steers and more barriers.
He says Cowessess and Sakimay are top priorities for the emergency response team because both are under a local state of emergency and have already felt significant impact from the flooding.
Red Earth Cree Nation also remains under a local state of emergency.
McKay says in total, 14 communities have declared states of emergency, although he says the good news is Radville’s has been lifted.
Meantime, an official with Indian Affairs is explaining more about how the funding breakdown works between the federal and provincial governments at times of flooding.
Trevor Sutter acknowledges the province has been providing most of the support to the floods in Saskatchewan so far.
However, he explains this is often the case, as the federal government pays the bill later.
He adds INAC’s chief concern is that people’s needs are being met during flood-times and that’s mostly done through the provincial government.
Indian Affairs has also released a breakdown of the dollars they’ve given to First Nations so far.
The department says it gave $2.1 million in 2010 to help bands prepare for the 2011 season.
One-point-one million of that went to the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority.
Some of the bands receiving aid include the Red EArth Cree Nation, which received $21,600, the Kawacatoose First Nation got $350,000 while the Fishing Lake First Nation received $106,000.
Eleven other bands split the rest.