Video Updates
Video Update #1: July 21, 2011
Chief Adam Fiddler of Sandy Lake First Nation talks about current evacuation and fire situation:
Oji-Cree Version
English Version
Video Update #2: July 22, 2011
Chief Adam Fiddler gives an update on the Sandy Lake fire situation:
A group update from the crew who are left to help with the fire situation:
Group Update
Some other video clips throughout the day:
Chief Adam Fiddler - Helicopter Flight
Video Update #3: July 23, 2011
Chief Adam Fiddler gives an update on the current fire situation in Sandy Lake:
Video Update #4: July 24, 2011
Video Update: July 25, 2011
Helicopter Flight - An aerial view of the fires
Video Update #5: July 25, 2011
Chief Adam Fiddler gives an update on the fire and evacuation situation including new information about returning home and payroll and social assistance payment arrangements.
Video Update #6: July 26, 2011
Chief Adam Fiddler gives an update regarding the plans for people to return to Sandy Lake and payment arrangements for pension, social assistance and family allowance.
Video Update: Watch the evacuees come home July 27, 2011
Today, evacuees started to return home to Sandy Lake after forest fires forced them out their homes last week.
Watch the video clips on youtube as the evacuees get off the plane.
Video Update #7: July 30, 2011
Chief Adam Fiddler gives an update on the current fire and evacuation situation in Sandy Lake on July 30, 2011.
In the video update on July 30, 2011, Chief Adam Fiddler mistakenly referred to Wellington County as Wentworth. "My apologies to Wellington County for my mistake and again, I express my thanks for your community's generous hospitality", Chief Adam Fiddler.
Video Update: More evacuees return home July 30, 2011
By the end of Friday, July 29, 621 evacuees had returned home to Sandy Lake. Over the next several days, hundreds more will be arriving in Sandy Lake where they are welcomed home by Chief Adam Fiddler and other community members.
Video Update: The process of returning home August 1, 2011
The process of returning evacuees home after a full evacuation is a long one that requires the hard work of many individuals. The leadership, volunteers, support staff, MNR and EMO have dedicated themselves in all aspects of returning the evacuees home.
Sandy Lake is a "dry" reserve. This means that all contraband including alcohol and drugs is prohibited from entering the community. In addition to regular search and security procedures, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) K-9 Unit is being utilized to search all incoming baggage.
Click here to watch a video clip of the K-9 Unit's dog at work.
A typical day of returning hundreds of evacuees means flight after flight and makes for one busy landing strip.
Click here to watch a video clip of the plane traffic at the Sandy Lake airport.
Final Video Update: Saying Thank You August 11, 2011
Now that everyone has returned home safely, Chief Adam Fiddler and the entire council say meegwetch to everyone who made a difference during the full evacuation of the community.