Chief Gary Quisses says Neskantaga First Nation's evacuation lasted 46 days — but he wasn't ready to bring his community members home.

The remote Ojibway First Nation has been under a state of emergency since April 13, prompted by flooding and a strong smell of fuel at its nursing station , the only access point for medical services in the community.

That week, more than 130 evacuees and their pets were flown roughly 450 kilometres to Thunder Bay, Ont., in order to have their health-care needs met. In all, more than 175 evacuees ended up staying in the northwestern Ontario city for well over a month.

Quisses said evacuees returned to Neskantaga last weekend, after Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) sent him a letter saying the federal government would no longer support its evacuation

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