In April, as First Nations communities on the shores of James Bay were evacuated due to spring flooding, the people of several Northern Ontario cities opened their doors and their hearts to the men, women and children of Fort Albany and Kashechewan.
For approximately 262 residents of Fort Albany, the stay was a
matter of days.  For the people of Kashechewan who have
left their homes for the second time in six months, however,
the dislocation and disruption to their lives continues. 
More than 1,400 members of Kashechewan remain outside their
community while repairs and assessments continue.
This hardship has been lessened by the efforts and
thoughtfulness of the people of Thunder Bay, Greenstone,
Timmins, Cochrane, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Kapuskasing and
Hearst who have helped provide the basics of life including
food, shelter and healthcare.  We are pleased to know that
arrangements are in place to ensure the children of Kashechewan
will be able to complete their school year.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the people in these
eight cities and towns for having done and continuing to do
whatever they can to make lives more comfortable for the
residents of these two evacuated communities.  I also want
to thank the Province of Ontario for its assistance in
providing emergency preparedness and response services to these
First Nations.
Your collective efforts speak to the generous nature of
Canadians everywhere.
Jim Prentice
,
Minister of Indian Affairs
and Northern Development