Following the evacuation of the Kashechewan First Nation reserve, Matthew Wesley was unexpectedly thrust into the role of community spokesperson. The shy, soft-spoken 22-year-old says the experience is a little overwhelming, but he?s glad he?s able to help his community through this tough time.
 |
Kashechewan First Nation spokesperson Matthew Wesley, along with Ed Sackaney of the N?Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, have been working overtime in order the get the evacuees settled. |
Northern Life's associate editor Tracey Duguay sat down with Wesley to talk about the evacuation and how the community is settling into life in Sudbury.
How did you become the spokesperson for Kash?
The person running the evacuation process mentioned my name and that I?d be the person to be spoken to. That?s how I got involved in this.
Has the Kash administrative office been set up yet?
I really can?t comment on that because my political supervisors will be informing the other media about that this weekend. (Editor?s note: Kash representatives scheduled a news conference that took place yesterday (Saturday) after Northern Life?s deadline for this article).
What is the goal behind having your own administration office?
For us to be more independent, so we don?t have to rely on the city helping us.
Why is that important?
So we could feel more at home and don?t have to feel like refugees.
How has the community responded to being forced to rely on strangers for everything from health services, shelters, food, etc.?
This has happened to us for a couple of years now because our community gets flooded. The older people are getting used to this, but for the younger ones, it?s very negative. We?re adapting, it?s becoming a yearly routine now.
Do you think it?s a good thing that people are getting used to this?
The flooding shouldn?t be happening. Our land is too low. It should have been prevented, but there?s something to do with the dyke.
How has the community responded to being the centre of attention of such a media storm?
It?s a good thing for other native communities because we (are) probably leading by example. Other communities need the same attention because they have problems on their reservations and in their communities.
How are the Kash residents in Sudbury doing now?
They?re getting comfortable now. They were just tired of moving. They?re settling in to their sites and we?re now trying to organize some activities for the youth so they won?t get restless, so they won?t get themselves into trouble (laughs).
What are some of the activities you?re planning?
We?re planning to take them to some hockey games. The last times we went the Wolves won, so maybe the next time we go they?ll win again. They?re also planning a Science North trip and also Silver City. There?s also some powwows and fiddling for the older people out of town on Manitoulin Island.
What about the children and getting back to school?
The vice-principal of our school is here and he?s in charge of education right now. It?s going to take a couple of days to work on the building next week and students will be starting their schooling there. Maybe in about two weeks.
All the Kash children will be attending this one school?
Yes. One site. Both high school and elementary.
What are the other pressing needs facing the community?
It?s working on family reunification. This will start next week so they can visit or contact their families in and out of town.
What has been the most memorable moment for you?
The community youth representative called (to tell me about the evacuation) while I was still sleeping to ask if I could help with the evacuation. I didn?t have time to think, I just yes and had to be at a meeting right after the call. First they wanted me to be the translator for out of town, I don?t know how I ended up being the spokesperson.
From the start, there was talk about the community being able to return home in three to four weeks, do you think that?s possible?
We don?t really know when we will be able to return to our home. There?s been talk about four to five weeks, five to eight weeks, 10 weeks and so on. There?s also been rumours going around we might not be able to go home for five months. We really don?t know.
How does it make you feel knowing that, in the worse case scenario, you might not return home for five months?
As long as everyone is safe, I?m OK with that. And, as long as they get the problem fixed and it?s not just another Band-aid solution.
What do you miss most about home?
Riding around in my four-wheeler.
On the other side of the coin, what do you like most about your new temporary home?
I?m always running around meeting new people so that?s a good thing. Also knowing that I?m doing the best I can to help them. It has been a good experience.
Were you working in Kash?
No, I was looking for a job, but there?s a lack of jobs there. Only about 20-25 percent of the people have jobs. The others are on social services.
What do you hope will be the end result of this evacuation and all the resulting media attention?
For my people, I hope for a better, cleaner and more positive community...just being recognized as people.
Right now it?s opening doors for other native communities. I hope they take this opportunity to make their communities better.
Do you think people really understand how bad the conditions are on many native reserves?
Some don?t understand. In order for them to understand they have to come to the community to see what we?re going through.
Is there anything else you would like to say behalf of your community or the evacuation team?
This community and the people I?ve spoken to back home in Kash would like to say thank you to the city of Sudbury for opening their homes to us and making us feel comfortable.
To the many organizations that are supporting us and providing donations or activities for us, we would like give a big thank you to them. It?s been an overwhelming experience.
Meegwetch - that?s thank you in Cree.
