Kukpi7 James Tomma overlooks his charred property. (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WILDFIRE RECOVERY

Skwlāx aiming for community rebuild in early 2024

Nov 22, 2023 | 5:30 PM

SKWLAX — It’s now been three months since the Bush Creek East wildfire ripped through the Shuswap region. As of last Friday (Nov. 17), Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw residents whose homes survived the fire were finally able to return.

This past week, the band held a homecoming ceremony to celebrate the community’s resiliency and Ku̓kpi7 James Tomma spoke to media Wednesday (Nov. 22) to outline what the rebuild process looks like for the 31 properties that were destroyed.

“Because of the speed of the fire, it was incredible that 100 per cent of the people made it out,” said Tomma.

It’s a catastrophe that brought people together. That’s how Tomma describes the community’s response to the damage caused by the Bush Creek East wildfire.

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“They’re asking, ‘But you lost so much?’ But we’re gaining back our people. Being a band again.”

Tomma takes his leadership title to heart. He and his brothers were the last to leave when the fire hit and he will be the last to rebuild.

“I have to put my people in front of me. You know, when the last band member can open a door and close it behind them and say that they’re home, then I can build mine. That’s what Ku̓kpi7s are — people first.”

As important as it is to return to their land as soon as possible, Tomma says people want to come back to a place that feels like home, not a temporary evacuation shelter.

“If it was just one house, then that’d have been no problem. But we’re talking about a community here and that comes with a lot of hard work and a large price tag,” he says.

Out of the 82 properties within Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw, 31 homes were lost to the wildfire. Temporary housing options are being used in the meantime for displaced residents and the band estimates more permanent work on the build won’t begin until spring of 2024.

Displaced band members were staying in the Rayleigh evacuee camp in Kamloops, but after it became clear they wouldn’t be returning home for some time, many made other arrangements. Tomma is staying in Kamloops, and says there are band members staying in Sorrento, Salmon Arm and all over the region.

“We have an extremely robust and phenomenal rebuild team working right now,” reiterated Tomma. “They’re in there working right now.”

Today, there is one subdivision that is still on evacuation order, as the band is waiting on a safety assessment to determine if the charred hillside behind the remaining homes is at risk of a mudslide.

It’s expected that the community’s rebuild will be paid for by a blend of insurance coverage, band money, and funding from the federal and provincial governments.

“We’re fortunate that we have coverage on (the burnt homes) but we do have to come up with a bit of our own coin, too, and that’s a big ask,” explains Tomma.

Tomma says the emotional toll will fully sink in eventually, but for now, the Skwlāx Ku̓kpi7 is focused on bringing people home, and maintaining that renewed sense of band unity.

“Quite proud to say Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw is here. Always will be.”