Voice of the People on the Re-Location Issue: Kashechewan First Nation, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

When a federal government report recommended that the community of Kashechewan First Nation be relocated to Timmins Ontario, the community leadership decided to conduct its own community consultations. Direct and meaningful input from the community was the focus of this community-based initiative involving all age groups. This participatory research project was headed and conducted by Cree people who worked as a team to ensure that all community members had the opportunity to become involved in expressing their thoughts and aspirations for their traditional lands. The results strongly indicate the deep connection that the people have for their ancestral homelands. The community-driven endeavour reflects the determination and conviction of the people to protect their homelands as it is their sacred responsibility. Although there has been no movement on the side of the federal government, this community-driven process has been an empowering experience for the people.

Keywords: Flood, evacuation, community relocation, community consultation, First Nation, Kashechewan, northern Ontario, ancestral homeland, connection to the land