Two Saskatchewan First Nations have been added to the 75 communities that have declared local states of emergency due to flooding.
Little Black Bear and Cowessess First Nations are part of the six First Nations that have declared states of emergency.
They join Star Blanket, Ochapowace, Peepeekisis and Kawacatoose First Nations which declared states of emergency earlier in the week.
Government Relations official Duane McKay says even though First Nations communities fall under federal jurisdiction, they are still able to access all flood recovery services the province offers.
“Anybody living within the confines of the province are treated the same and we respond equally to everybody,” he says. “No changes there.”
Patrick Boyle with the Water Security Agency adds even though the province remains on high alert, the threat of flooding has subsided substantially over the past few days.
“Generally, a lot of the levels in the system we’re seeing drop off and start to go in to recession and decline which is very good news,” he says.
Effective noon Friday, the province also opened a flood recovery centre in Melville.
Affected communities will be able to access officials and services from emergency management and fire safety, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program and Water Security Agency at the centre.