Over 100 people unable to return home to Long Plain First Nation for Christmas

LONG PLAIN FIRST NATION, MAN. — There are still over 100 people who are unable to return home to Long Plain First Nation following the series of tornadoes that ripped through the community in late July.

At its peak, 800 people were left displaced following the tornadoes that tore through Long Plain in July. According to Chief Dennis Meeches, around 700 have been able to return home so far.

READ MORE: Tornado touches down in Long Plain First Nation, causes major damage

But, more than 100 people will remain in hotels, with friends or in unfamiliar territory during the holiday season as work continues on their damaged or destroyed homes.

Meeches said there were well over 170 homes that were damaged, and construction is ongoing until the return date of March 31, 2017 is reached.

“We’re shooting for March 31 to have everyone home,” said Meeches.

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Eunice Assinboine’s family is among those that will not be able to return for the holidays, but she said she’s remaining optimistic about her next chapter.

“I’m very excited, I’m so happy. After three months I’ll be home,” Assiniboine said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I'm very excited, I'm so happy. After three months I'll be home," Assiniboine said.

But, paired with the optimism there has been struggle for her family as they remain displaced five months after the tornadoes.

“We had to stay in a hotel for over three months, maybe four months. Then we finally rented a little small house in Portage,” said Assiniboine.

Meeches said it has been a collective effort to get everyone back on their feet. The Red Cross, insurance coverage and band assistance have all played a role in getting roofs back on homes, and rebuilding all that was taken away by the July 20 tornadoes.

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