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CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Communities, organizations stepping up to support Sask. wildfire evacuees
For elders who have lived in northern Saskatchewan all their lives, getting displaced to a big city in the south can be disorienting and stressful. That's part of the reason Métis Nation-Saskatchewan has opened the festival grounds at Batoche for families who have needed to evacuate due to wildfires. "I was talking to some of the northern leaders, the chiefs, about how the elders that come from northern Saskatchewan don't like being cooped up in four walls," said MN-S president Glen McCallum. "It's very difficult for the elders." Low on power or data? Use CBC Lite for the latest on wildfires Evacuees with campers or tents can call to register for a site (1-877-Metis-SK), and there is also a limited number of cabins and tents on site. Meals are being provided along with 24-hour security. During Back to Batoche Days last year, 43,000 people were accommodated at the national historic site, McCallum said, so there's plenty of room. It's not just elders who will benefit from the cultural activities there, he said — young people will too. Many First Nations in the province have also been offering supports to those displaced from the north. They include James Smith Cree Nation and Muskoday First Nation, which are close to the routes that evacuees are travelling on their way south. James Smith said two busloads of evacuees are in their community, and Muskoday has closed its school so it can be used as an emergency shelter. They've put calls out for donations of everything from socks and underwear to diapers to toiletries. Between 35 and 40 evacuees are staying in the gymnasium in Beauval, while others have come through the community on their way south. Natanis Roy, an education student in La Ronge, had to evacuate due to the wildfire there, but has family in Beauval and has been helping other evacuees. "At first, it was very hard for me, because the first few days, I was so worried about my home being burned down," Roy said. "So the first few days, I was making myself stressed out and sick.… And then, I said, you know what, I have to support these people. I'm not the only one going through this struggle right now." Roy is working the night shift helping evacuees, many of whom are from Hall Lake and have lost their homes. People from communities throughout northwest Saskatchewan have been making donations, Roy said. Towns and cities are organizing supports, too. The City of Prince Albert is offering evacuees free RV and trailer campsites at its campground, while the City of North Battleford has partnered with local agencies to support the 200 wildfire evacuees who have arrived so far. WATCH | People had to leave their pets behind to escape the wildfires. Here's who's helping: People had to leave their pets behind to escape the wildfires. Here's who's helping 5 hours ago Duration 2:12 Volunteers are trying to help those animals left behind when people evacuated La Ronge, Sask., and the surrounding area. But the hodgepodge of supports has been a source of frustration for many evacuees. Some say they have had trouble getting through to the Red Cross or the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to register. Viviana Ruiz Arcand is in Saskatoon after evacuating from La Ronge. She said there's big holes in the available supports and people are struggling. "I want to see access to transportation, so that if they are at a hotel and need to go to the evacuation centre to eat, they can get there," she told Saskatoon Morning host Stephanie Massicotte on Thursday. Money for gas and vouchers for food and groceries are sorely needed, Ruis Arcand said. In his daily briefing to media Wednesday, SPSA vice-president of operations Steve Roberts acknowledged the multiple evacuations have been complicated and confusing. "There's a dynamic going on and we have to be honest, as much as we and other agencies are trying to find places, people are independently doing stuff as well," he said. More than 30 communities in the province were under evacuation orders as of Thursday, affecting between 10,000 and 15,000 people. Those needing support can contact the SPSA at 1-855-559-5502. Saskatchewan evacuees can also call the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
RCMP says Saskatchewan commanding officer away, interim head in place
Assistant commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, speaks during a news conference in Regina on Thursday, June 6, 2024. A report into how Mounties responded to a mass killing and manhunt in Saskatchewan has found some communication problems but nothing that significantly impacted the outcome. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards REGINA — RCMP say Saskatchewan's commanding officer will be away for an undetermined period of time effective immediately. Mounties didn't provide details on Rhonda Blackmore's absence but say assistant commissioner Robin McNeil will serve as interim commanding officer. They say the decision won't affect front-line policing and that they have confidence in all officers in the province. Blackmore took command of the Saskatchewan RCMP in April 2021, after serving various posts across Canada for 30 years. She spent her first years as an officer in the Saskatchewan communities of Assiniboia, Regina and Buffalo Narrows. In 2022, she launched the RCMP's first unit aimed at recruiting Indigenous people to ensure Mounties represent the communities they serve. She was also the public face of the force after the mass killings on James Smith Cree Nation in 2022. -This report was first published by The Canadian Press on June 4, 2025.
CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Rhonda Blackmore removed as commanding officer of Saskatchewan RCMP
Assistant commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, speaks during a news conference in Regina on Thursday, June 6, 2024. A report into how Mounties responded to a mass killing and manhunt in Saskatchewan has found some communication problems but nothing that significantly impacted the outcome. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore says she's been removed as the commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP – following 'anonymous complaints.' According to a report by 980 CJME, Blackmore sent a message to employees of Saskatchewan RCMP Tuesday, indicating that she had been removed as the Commanding Officer of 'F' Division. In the message, Blackmore she claims the decision was made by the 'Senior Executive' at the service's national headquarters. 'I have been informed this action is being taken as a result of anonymous complaints made against me,' she wrote. The Saskatchewan RCMP declined to comment on the situation – referring all inquires to the National RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa. CTV News has reached out to the national headquarters for more information and is currently awaiting a response. Blackmore has served as the head of federal police service in Saskatchewan since April of 2021 – presiding over several historic incidents – such as the James Smith Cree Nation stabbings and the resulting manhunt for Myles Sanderson. Growing up on a farm near Hanover, Ont., Blackmore first joined the RCMP in 1995 and spent her first seven years conducting general policing duties in Assiniboia, Regina, and Buffalo Narrows. In 2002, Blackmore transferred to RCMP National Headquarters in Ottawa. During her time there, she joined the Operational Policy Unit, the National Division Emergency Response Team, the Criminal Intelligence Directorate of National Security Investigations, the National Use of Force Program and the Contract and Indigenous Policing Executive Team. In 2013, she became the officer in charge of the National Police Intervention Unit – where she oversaw the implementation of 19 of the 64 Macneil Report recommendations following the deadly shooting of three RCMP officers in Moncton, New Brunswick. In 2015, she was promoted as the Director of Operational Policies and Programs before being promoted to Chief Superintendent in May of 2018 as the district commander of the western Alberta District. As the head of the Saskatchewan RCMP, Blackmore oversaw nearly 1,600 employees, consisting of 1,100 sworn officers at 80 detachments.
CBC
30-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Sask. RCMP officer shoots suspect in arm after car chase, watchdog investigating
Social Sharing Saskatchewan's police oversight organization is investigating after a chase Wednesday ended with an officer shooting a suspect in a field near Canwood, Sask., about 130 kilometres north of Saskatoon. According to the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), RCMP located a vehicle connected to a person wanted on firearms charges from incidents on James Smith Cree Nation. When officers tried stopping an SUV near Crutwell, Sask., it took off. SIRT's relelase said the SUV left the road and drove through fields several times. The SUV finally hit an embankment in a pasture and came to a stop. RCMP say the man at the wheel got out and was holding a gun. An officer fired two shots, hitting the suspect in the arm, RCMP say. The man was then arrested. He and a woman who was inside the car were both taken to hospital. The 30-year old woman was treated for potential injuries from the SUV's collision with the embankment. RCMP said their injuries are not considered life threatening. SIRT said a handgun was recovered from the ground at the scene. The 32-year-old man was wanted by Melfort and Île-à-la-Crosse RCMP for multiple firearms and weapons charges. He has not been identified. The passenger is Jasmine Head, a 30-year-old woman from Peter Chapman Band. Head faces robbery and weapons charges related to a May 17 incident at James Smith Cree Nation. SIRT's investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man's arrest.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to release names of residential school priests
An Every Child Matters Flag flies during a powwow at James Smith Cree Nation, Sask., on Friday, September 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu OTTAWA — The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation says it will soon release the names of 140 priests or brothers who worked in residential schools. Along with their names, the centre says it will also post online their personnel files and the names of the schools where they served. The list was developed with the Oblates of OMI Lacombe Canada, which the centre says played a 'fundamental role in Canada's residential school system.' The centre says the records are a 'vital' resource for families and communities as they research survivors and those who never made it home, and that the names of the priests and brothers will be 'updated on an ongoing basis.' Raymond Frogner, head of archives and senior director of research for the centre, says the files tell the story of the schools. He says they are 'creating a central source to examine, understand and heal from one of the longest serving and least understood colonial programs in the history of the country.' Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
