Residents of a northeast Saskatchewan First Nation can breathe a sigh of relief.

"There will be some flooding on our surrounding marshlands but nothing that will really force an evacuation," said Red Earth Cree Nation Chief Ian McKay.

The combination of a slower ice melt and a dryer winter, have helped this year.

In years past, flooding has forced residents to evacuate. Only a handful of band members have remained behind to help mitigate the damage.

Chief McKay is just returning from a trip to Edmonton, where he met with representatives from Environment Canada. He made a presentation regarding the band's annual flood issues.

"We weren't there really looking for a solution, rather to inform them and acquire a better understanding by the agency to find a solution,' said McKay. "Not necessarily funding just better strategies to improve the overall quality of life for our people,"

He said there needs to be a better strategy in place between the federal and provincial levels of government to deal with the flooding. He hopes to hear a response soon.