Grateful but uncertain: Siksika Nation after the flood

Times Contributor 

 

When a flood swept into the Siksika Nation June 21, more than 1,000 people left their homes, expecting to return in a few days as they had after the flood in 2005. But the 2013 flood was not like the flood of 2005.

Inspectors said 15 houses were irreparable and uninhabitable. Over 100  homes would be re-habitable after significant repairs. After weeks of sunshine, with standing water in basements, those statistics are likely to change – and not for the better.

Many residents could only return with Samaritan’s Purse volunteers, who were there to help clean out basements and carry clothes, documents, food, photographs, family heirlooms, and traditional artifacts to the dumpster.

Despite loss and trauma, displaced residents are thankful for many things.

When Shawn Redgun’s family of six moved into a tent on higher reserve ground, “the first thing to help us out (was) financially, the money,” he said.

Donna Weasel Child and her daughter stayed in the Strathmore Travelodge. She’s grateful for the kindness there. 

“They are super hosts,” she said. “Very understanding about the little kids racing around all over the place, and poor grandmas trying to keep them quiet and keep them still.

“To everybody who donated, and those who are praying for us, we really appreciate it … it’s just overwhelming that people care that much.”

But “the kids are going through trauma too,” Weasel Child said. “They’ve been displaced, and all of their belongings are gone. Their bedding, their toys, their home is gone.”

Muriel Kirby also moved to Strathmore. She hopes to move home once it’s cleared out. 

“We go out there every day and come back to the hotel every night,” she said. “I go (to the house), just like I’m going to work. And I’m tired when I get back.” 

She misses her dogs, who are in shelters. Loss intensifies the exhaustion. 

“My children’s younger… pow-wow outfits, their old ones that had been put away — those were just thrown out in the dumpster,” Weasel Child said. “I lost a lot of stuff, but (my daughter) — she lost everything.”

The loss continues. When we asked Redgun what his family needs, he said, “right now, a tent. I have four kids and the wind blew down our tent.”

Weasel Child and other displaced band members could only stay in the Travelodge until Heritage Days opened; after that, all hotel rooms were booked, and she didn’t know where they’d go.

But even if Weasel Child’s house is repairable, she won’t move back. 

“I love my community. I love my home,” she said. “But I will not live there anymore. Two floods, that’s enough for me.”

The Nation has moved in ATCO trailers as temporary housing. Weasel Child said permanent homes might not be available for two years, perhaps longer.

“Where everything lies is not knowing,” said Kirby. “Still everything up in the air and I keep hoping. Hoping I’ll hear something every day.”

You can donate to Siksika Nation Flood Relief Fund at Bank of Montreal. 

See Facebook: Siksika, AB – Flood 2013 Info.