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The Nooaitch First Nation is near Merritt. It has about 250 members with 104 living on the 2 reserves and 146 living off reserve. It is part of the Scw’exmx Tribal Council. It straddles the Nicola River and Highway 8. With the severe flooding, the bridge over Highway 8 was gone within an hour. It fell into the Nicola River. A second bridge over Spius Creek was also gone. The reserve was without electricity, internet and phones. A berm held to the main part of the reserve and the band office, but on the other side of the river four houses were totally and catastrophically damaged and are uninhabital. Eight more were heavily damaged and are being assessed. Farms were affected, livestock lost and acreage washed away. One house, a log house was completely lost. The water supply was also affected because of the lack of generators. The houses and farms which are damaged are on a flood plain which was not the traditional land of the Nooaitch people. The people were put on this land when reserves were set up. A helicopter had to bring in supples and there is now a temporary bridge. A cemetery was also threatened by the flooding. People are in temporary housing and hotels. The emergency committee is providing support for evacuees who include small children. Assessment of the damage is on-going. This area is under threat of flooding in the future.

To donate to this month's outreach:

  • give directly online here and select "Nooaitch First Nation Flooding" 
  • if you have an envelope number through St. George's, please mail in or drop off your blue outreach envelope any time to: 3909 St. George's Lane, Victoria, BC, V8N 4E3. 
  • or there is a collection plate at the inperson services on a table near the welcome area.

The Social Justice and Outreach Team appreciates the support you can offer to this our January agency.