Kashechewan’s close call on winter state of emergency

Emergency funding from the federal government to bring fuel into Kashechewan has helped the First Nation narrowly avoid a state of emergency as winter gets underway.
Kashechewan declared a state of emergency on Nov. 23, citing a lack of heating fuel and 21 houses that had become uninhabitable.
“Due to lack of proper heating for homes for families that have elderly, disabled and small children, we are left with no choice but to declare a state of emergency,” Chief Derek Stephen wrote in the declaration.
The shortages of fuel were caused by last year’s shortened ice road season. Extra supplies were supposed to come into Kashechewan by barge, but did not arrive.
Last week the federal department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) provided funds to cover the cost of flying fuel into the community. It also released $700,000 towards building supplies to renovate the 21 homes.
In the declarations, Kashechewan’s chief said earlier requests to AANDC for help were rejected.
“During a conference call with (Aboriginal Affairs) we had requested fuel to be flown into the community for our medical facility, administrative buildings and our schools, all of which were denied, “ the first declaration said.
The houses needing renovations had their electrical heating systems damaged during flooding last spring. Temporary repairs on the furnaces broke down, leaving the families without heat.
Kashechewan’s state of emergency came one year after Attawapiskat drew national attention to the plight of conditions in First Nations communities. Attawapiskat’s call for help with its severe housing shortage resulted in the community being put on 3rd party manager, a lawsuit against the federal government and eventually 25 mobile homes shipped up the winter road.