Red Cross confirms entire community of Sapotaweyak now back home

As of yesterday, the final evacuees from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation have returned home, more than two weeks after having to evacuate due to wildfires.
 
The return home began on Saturday with people who had access to personal vehicles driving back to the western Manitoba First Nation from hotels in The Pas, Brandon and Swan River where they had been staying. On Monday and today, the remaining evacuees went back either by personal vehicle or buses supplied by the Canadian Red Cross.
 
“We are pleased that the evacuees are now back to their homes and resuming their lives,” said Cailin Hodder, senior manager of disaster management for Manitoba and Nunavut, for the Canadian Red Cross. “The people of Sapotaweyak showed strength and resilience during the time away from their homes. Our team was glad it could help provide the support the community members needed.”
 
The evacuation of more than 900 residents started on May 20, when wildfires approached the community. It is now safer to return to the community.
 
Replacement refrigerators have already been shipped into the community and installed. Some replacement freezers are still to come. The replacement fridges and freezers were required because power had been off for more than a week, leading to spoiled food and possible damage to refrigeration equipment. The evacuees were also provided with gift cards to replace lost food.
 
This response, including the fridge and freezer replacement, is part of an agreement between the Canadian Red Cross and the federal government to provide disaster assistance to Manitoba First Nations.
 
Besides Sapotaweyak, more than 1,300 evacuees from Little Grand Rapids First Nation and Pauingassi First Nation, which were evacuated due to wildfires, are still out of their homes and staying in Winnipeg hotels. The Canadian Red Cross is working with those First Nations to support the planning for the two communities to return home, once it is time to go back.
 
The Canadian Red Cross has a team of trained volunteers who have the skills and resources to support evacuees in communities throughout Manitoba but more volunteers are needed. Anyone who wants to volunteer to help with future disasters can go to www.redcross.ca.
 
For more information please contact:
Canadian Red Cross Media Line
(204) 982-7301