Remote reserves demand end to wildfire ‘cycle of failure’

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This article was published 08/08/2025 (295 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Four remote, wildfire-affected First Nations in northern Manitoba urged the federal and provincial governments Friday to do more prevention work to avoid future mass evacuations or airlifts.

More than 6,000 evacuees from the fly-in Island Lake region — composed of Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, St. Theresa Point and Wasagamack Anisininew nations — have been out of their homes since July.

“This could have been all prevented… if we tackled the fire right away,” Garden Hill Chief Dino Flett said of his community’s full evacuation, which involved military planes.

Flett said Garden Hill alerted the province when smoke was spotted five days before the blaze spread close to the First Nation and forced everyone to leave.

He said Garden Hill lacks the trained firefighters and equipment to respond to such emergencies on its own.

The Island Lake chiefs cited a report by Canada’s auditor general, which said Indigenous Services Canada spent 3.5 times more money ($646 million) on emergency response and recovery than it did to help First Nations prevent or prepare for them between 2018 and 2022.

Alex McDougall, grand chief of Aninew Okimawin, a council that represents the Island Lake communities, said Ottawa would save money and there would be less disruption to lives if it spent more on planning and prevention.

“This is a cycle of failure. Our chiefs in Anisininew nations are saying to Canada, ‘The cycle ends now,’” McDougall said.

The chiefs said Island Lake communities need wildland firefighting teams and fire breaks for protection.

The chiefs backed calls for Indigenous-led emergency response systems and greater collaboration with Ottawa and Manitoba, alongside demands for regional evacuation and national Indigenous fire strategies, and respect for Anisininew leadership.

Island Lake is accessible by air and winter road. The chiefs called on governments to fund a proposed $512-million, 252-kilometre all-season road, which they said would reduce the need for evacuation flights in the future.

Flett said fires burned two of three winter road bridges, which need to be replaced “as soon as possible.”

Indigenous Services Canada spokeswoman Jacinthe Goulet said the federal department is working with First Nations to develop multilateral emergency management service agreements that include First Nations “as full and equal partners in governance, planning, and delivery.”

She said funding is available through multiple programs for measures, such as firefighter training, vegetation clearing and emergency management planning, to help mitigate risks or prepare for wildfires.

Ottawa provides money for local emergency management co-ordinators in First Nations.

Goulet said the department has provided $58.9 million in advance payments since April 1 to support immediate response in Manitoba First Nations where residents have been displaced.

The department reimburses 100 per cent of eligible costs for emergency response and recovery, she said.

Ottawa pledged to fund “weather-resistant” infrastructure, including homes, and said it is open to working closely with communities and the province on long-term plans for all-season roads.

Ian Bushie, Manitoba’s minister of natural resources and Indigenous futures, said the province has expanded emergency firefighter training into the Island Lake region.

He said the Office of the Fire Commissioner was in the area this week to address any concerns.

Bushie said Manitoba and Ottawa have discussed the need to improve all-season roads.

“We agree with the Island Lake region chiefs that collaboration is the key to dealing with the ongoing challenges of increased fire seasons and will continue to work with Anisininew Okimawin to address these gaps, and welcome continued dialogue on proposals such as a tripartite emergency accord,” he said in a statement.

Thorough assessments of this year’s wildfires will take place to strengthen prevention, preparedness and emergency management across Manitoba, Bushie noted.

First Nations leaders criticized the Canadian Red Cross, which has co-ordinated flights, accommodation, meals and financial benefits on behalf of governments.

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said the Red Cross’ response was slow. She cited a lack of hotel rooms in Manitoba, forcing some people to be moved out of province, and a lack of food for some evacuees, despite the Red Cross receiving millions of dollars from governments and donors.

“Red Cross, if you cannot do the job, we will do it,” Wilson said. “You have tried your best, but your best is not good enough.”

Flett said some evacuees from Garden Hill are still sleeping on cots in congregate shelters and some are staying in campgrounds.

A Red Cross spokesperson said the agency has registered more than 31,000 evacuees, secured more than 2,500 hotel rooms and is operating two congregate shelters in Winnipeg.

“We understand this is a very challenging time for many people, and the Red Cross is working extremely hard to provide support, necessities and services to thousands of people impacted by wildfires in Manitoba,” an unnamed spokesperson wrote in an email.

“This is a fast-moving and evolving response, and the Red Cross is working with community leadership, the government of Manitoba and Indigenous Services Canada to provide support to people impacted, as requested and directed by the community.”

The Island Lake region is about 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

The region’s largest fire is an out-of-control blaze, measuring about 37,857 hectares, that forced the full evacuation of Garden Hill. The fire was caused by human activity and detected July 6, the Manitoba Wildfire Service said.

In a social-media post, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation said Friday it is moving evacuees from Winnipeg to hotels in Niagara Falls, Ont., in response to concerns about accommodations in Manitoba’s capital.

The post said there was space for 1,000 people at two hotels in Niagara Falls.

“We understand the challenges our NCN community (has) been facing,” the post stated.

The Manitoba government extended a provincewide state of emergency’s expiration date from Aug. 8 to Aug. 22.

The wildfire service reported 161 active fires as of Thursday, for a total of 405 since the season began in April.

Almost 1.7 million hectares of land has burned. That is the most since 1989’s record of more than three million hectares.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca