Hundreds of Kashechewan Evacuees Arrive in Niagara Falls Amid Water Crisis

On Jan. 17 2026, Niagara Falls welcomed more than 600 Kashechewan First Nation evacuees flying from the isolated community on the Albany River. The Cree community, whose 2,300 residents are plagued by a water‑plant failure that began in December, was declared a state of emergency on Jan. 4. Local authorities, fire chief Jo Zambito and risk‑mitigation executive Robert Garland are coordinating three hotels for the incoming evacuees, with a total of 1,700 expected to be housed in the city. Other resettlement sites include Timmins, Kapuskasing and Kingston. Indigenous support groups such as the Fort Erie Friendship Native Centre are offering cultural services and traditional medicines to help the displaced transition to city life.