Volunteers and community members have been working long hours, helping keep evacuation operations going around Calling Lake.
Speaking May 31, M.D. of Opportunity Reeve Marcel Auger said people have been working around the clock to accommodate everyone.
“From what I’ve seen from our administrations, from both Bigstone and the M.D., and especially the community Calling Lake,” he said. “
He noted Calling Lake had “very minimal notice” in regards to that becoming the reception centre and registration centre for the influx of people.
“To have over 3,700 people come through there to register, and to make sure that they’re fed, and people are comfortable, and to make sure they have places to park or set up their tents,” he said. “Calling Lake the staff there — and the staff overall with both the M.D. and the band — my hats off to them for the effort they’ve made.”
Bigstone Cree Nation Chief Silas Yellowknee said June 1 the M.D. and band have been working “hand in hand.”
“The M.D. and the Nation are going to make Wabasca, everybody even on both sides,” he said. “We’re married for life. We’re going to be neighbours forever and ever.”
Yellowknee has been providing in-person updates around Calling Lake to Wabasca residents, explaining the firefighting strategies using photos and keeping people informed of what is happening on the ground at their homes.
Working together
A member of Bigstone Cree Nation as well, Auger said he is also an evacuee himself, working in the command centre in Wabasca while his family is staying elsewhere.
“I packed up my family and went, got them set up with family just outside of Athabasca,” he said. “Set the camper up there and then I came right back to Wabasca.”
He said he is just filling whatever role is needed as a political leader.
“I’m here as a resident,” he said. “If I could, it would be nice to be with your family and ensuring they’re all good, but it goes with the territory.”
He also said he is “extremely proud” of how the staff of the M.D. of Opportunity and Bigstone Cree Nation have come together.
“This is a relationship we have been working really hard at developing and making stronger,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, but at times, it’s a situation like this where you are really able to show the strides you have made, relationship-building between Bigstone Cree Nation and the M.D. of Opportunity.”
Auger, who has been reeve of the M.D. for two years, added it has been a group effort throughout.
“We are really trying to not see things in regards to any boundaries, in regards to people living on reserve or living in the hamlet,” he said. “You know, this is our community, and we’re going to do everything we need to do to accommodate and make sure people are comfortable in this difficult situation right now.”
As for costs, Auger said evacuation operations are a co-ordinated effort between the M.D. of Opportunity and Bigstone Cree Nation.
“We’re just making sure the food is available and made, and then we’re going to find out what types of grants or how we apply for reimbursement,” he said. “Basically, we’re using purchase orders to pick up all of the supplies for the evacuees at this point, through both the governments.”
He said Bigstone and the M.D. of Opportunity are footing the bills for accommodations at this point, as they just want to make sure people have a place to stay.
School closures
Evacuees are also staying at Calling Lake School.
According to the Northland School Division website, the following schools are closed in the division:
- Career Pathways School, Wabasca
- Mistassiniy School, Wabasca
- St. Theresa School, Wabasca
- Calling Lake School (school is being used as a reception centre)
- Chipewyan Lake School
- Pelican Mountain School (Sandy Lake)
- Paddle Prairie School
