Saskatchewan's helpful spirit comes to the fore amid forest fire devastation

CTV News

2 days ago

WATCH: Carla Shynkaruk reports the Saskatchewan spirit is shining through during these challenging times for the province's northern residents.
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Amid the devastation caused by the wildfires in Saskatchewan, there's been an outpouring of support for those who are affected.
It may come as no surprise that the Saskatchewan spirit of pitching in is shining through during these challenging times.
Shirley Isbister is taking the calls from evacuees looking for essential supplies in Saskatoon.
She's the president of CUMFI, the Central Urban Metis Federation, and works with volunteers and staff who jumped in to help those forced from their homes because of wildfires.
The CUMFI team has been accepting donations since Friday, and they're making every effort to fill all requests — even one that came from an evacuee who was an amputee.
'They forgot to bring the attachment for her wheelchair and so we managed to fill that request also,' said Isbister.
She's even filled a request for a traditional shirt for a youth who had a graduation.
The good deeds are not going unnoticed. Premier Scott Moe noted their efforts at a news conference Tuesday.
'We want to thank everyone across the province that is supporting those families that are displaced and, and all too often, are experiencing the loss,' Moe said.
The helping hands are plentiful.
'My phone was ringing off the hook with text messages and messages.'
Danny Brown owns an acreage south of Meath Park — about 30 minutes from Candle Lake. He and his wife are offering up their land for storage of boats and any equipment at risk of being lost due to fire. They posted the offer on Facebook last week.
'We're just the kind of people that just if someone needs, our parents raised us right, and you give them a hand when they're in need,' Brown said.
Sask. wildfires
Danny Brown says he's offered his acreage as a safe storage site for people's boats and other equipment during the wildfires. (Courtesy: Danny Brown)
He's had 115 units dropped off so far and expects more.
'We got, boats, ATVs, side by side, ski doos, campers and fifth wheels,' adding that the property is safe as they are on site everyday.
In Kindersley, a hotel owner there is providing free accommodations for anyone displaced by the fires. The Wolf Den Inn and Suites owner is expecting arrivals soon.
At Beardy's Okemasis First Nation, they are providing much needed services for evacuees, like medical or cultural services. They also have showers, food and mattresses, and importantly, internet access.
The Boston Pizza in Prince Albert is delivering pizza to crews battling the fires in and around Candle Lake as a show of appreciation.
The help doesn't stop there.
'We will be hosting a gospel jamboree at the amphitheatre at River Landing on June 5th,'
Country gospel recording artist Yvonne St. Germaine joins other Saskatchewan artists in a free concert in Saskatoon Thursday. It's meant to provide some entertainment for displaced people, but is open to everyone.
'I'm not a firefighter, you know, but that's the gift that, we can give back and do our best to uplift their hearts while they're heavy in this time,' she said.
At Cosmo Civic Centre, where many evacuees found shelter, CUMFI is hosting children's events to offer activities for families during the day.
With thousands of evacuees moved out of northern areas away from the fire danger, the good will of Saskatchewan residents is very much needed.
The province has offered $15 million to the Red Cross to help its efforts to settle evacuees, and the federal government is currently matching donations, dollar-for-dollar, to the Canadian Red Cross 2025 Saskatchewan Wildfires Appeal.