Latest news with #KyraWilson
CBC
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Manitoba to give update on wildfire situation at 12:45 p.m.
Manitoba's officials are giving an update on the wildfires burning out of control across the province, forcing thousands out of their homes. CBC News will livestream the news conference at 12:45 p.m. CT on our website and on CBC Gem. Manitoba Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister for the Conservation Officer Service and Manitoba Wildfire Service, and Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister for the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, are expected to speak. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson told CBC News earlier Thursday that worsening air quality has forced five more First Nations in Manitoba to start preparing the evacuation of vulnerable residents with medical conditions. Four of those communities are in Manitoba's Island Lake region, about 470 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. The other community is Misipawistik Cree Nation, roughly 390 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. While getting members with respiratory issues out promptly is a primary concern, the leaders of their communities want to ensure hotel spaces are available in southern Manitoba before they start moving residents, Wilson said. The evacuation of other communities in recent days has been disorganized and unco-ordinated, Wilson said, with some people, including vulnerable residents with medical conditions, still waiting in line for accommodation or meals. "Unfortunately we have no real involvement," Wilson said, with the Red Cross providing evacuation services to First Nations under an agreement with Indigenous Services Canada. Wilson is calling for a regional emergency management strategy in which Indigenous communities have more participation than they do now. "We need First Nations leadership to be involved in the decision-making, and the response time needs to be quick," she said.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Trying to fight a fire with a water pistol': First Nations leaders call for more resources to fight wildfires in Manitoba
Paul Boissoneault from Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs discusses the need for a national fire service and what that would entail. First Nations leaders in northern Manitoba say they don't have proper equipment to fight the wildfires that are devastating their communities and forced thousands of people to evacuate. Multiple leaders spoke at a joint news conference Tuesday, calling on the province and federal governments to provide more support to help ensure people living in their communities are safe. 'Our chiefs, our leadership, they're having to respond and be reactive to what is happening right now, rather than being proactive,' said the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. 'If they had the tools and they had the equipment that they need to keep their community safe with any natural disaster, then they would have been able to approach this in a different way.' Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias and Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Chief Gordie Bear have both said their communities have not received any firefighting equipment since the state of emergency was declared by the province. According to the latest fire bulletin from the province on Monday, the fire near Mathias Colomb is around 10,000 hectares in size and burning out of control, while the Pimicikamak fire is around 3,300 hectares in size and also burning out of control. Bear said all the community has is two fire trucks and garden hoses used to flood the hockey rink. 'We have a pile of garden hoses and cots. We don't need those cots. We have beds at home. Give us equipment; we'll protect ourselves and we'll stop the fire,' said Bear. 'Give us resources; give us the power.' All but 50 essential workers have been evacuated from the community. Monias said his community has just one fire truck and nothing else. 'I even asked for a fire truck if they can even let us borrow one so we can spray the houses, the rooftops, and try and prevent any embers from flying off onto the shingles to make sure that we are protecting our property,' said Monias. Monias said the people who are fighting the fires are doing a great job, and he thanked them for all their work, but noted there aren't enough people. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee said Manitoba would be facing a very different situation right now if the proper supports were already in place in all of these communities. 'They could have put out many of these fires if they had basic fire suppression tools, water tankers, even things like hoses and protective gear,' said Settee. 'It's like trying to fight a fire with a water pistol. That's what our leaders are faced with. That's what our firefighters are faced with.' Wilson said it is time for the provincial and federal governments to step up and provide the support that is needed to get the fires under control and allow the 17,000-plus evacuees to return home. 'It doesn't matter about jurisdictional issues or who's responsible for what. We needed equipment in the communities yesterday,' said Wilson. Wilson said she is doing an assessment of what is needed in each community and will be sending her findings to both the province and federal government. CTV News has reached out to the Manitoba and federal governments for comment.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
First Nations leaders call on governments to free up Winnipeg hotel space for Manitoba wildfire evacuees
First Nations leaders say hotels in Winnipeg and other major Manitoba cities are largely booked up as they continue to seek temporary housing for evacuees fleeing communities surrounded by wildfires. Manitoba First Nations leaders gathered in Winnipeg on Saturday to call on the federal, provincial and Winnipeg municipal governments to direct city hotels to make space for their community members. "Our families are displaced. Right now, we have people that are evacuating to different urban areas: Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson. And in the city of Winnipeg right now, there are absolutely no accommodations within any of the hotels within the city," said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson during the Saturday press conference, calling for an "all hands on deck" approach to providing shelter. "I ask all levels of government, please come together, work together, ask that these hotels and these accommodations make space for our people. We are in a state of emergency, you can give that directive." Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a provincewide state of emergency on Wednesday, announcing more than 17,000 people are expected to be evacuated from wildfire-affected communities. That figure includes 5,000 Flin Flon residents, who were displaced by a 38,000-hectare wildfire that started over the Saskatchewan border and was still burning out of control, according to the government's most recent fire bulletin as of Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT. Kinew said Friday that hotel rooms are hard to come by, but are being prioritized for evacuees with medical or accessibility needs. Others are being sent to large evacuation centres, like those being set up in arenas and soccer fields. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said there has been "a lot of movement" evacuating First Nations community members on Saturday. Many more evacuees are expected to arrive in Winnipeg, but he said support has been lacking for those who are already there. "This is a matter of basic human dignity. When our people arrive here, they are not afforded that basic human dignity they deserve," Settee said. "We can't wait anymore, we need to ensure that there are spaces for our people when they come here. And it can be done, if the political will is there," he said. As of Friday, more than 8,900 evacuees were registered with the Canadian Red Cross, the fire bulletin said. There were 25 active wildfires burning across the province as of Saturday night. The fire near Pukatawagan, also known as Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, has grown to 9,800 hectares and is still out of control, according to the fire bulletin. Pukatawagan Coun. Kelly Linklater said Saturday that the northern Manitoba First Nation had evacuated about half of its citizens. About 500 people were expected to be flown out on Saturday, he said. He said he hopes they can evacuate everyone on Saturday, if the weather allows. However, Linklater said some evacuees are leaving the community without knowing where they will be able to stay. "We are asking the City of Winnipeg, the hotels, to see if they can free up accommodations for evacuees," Linklater said, adding priority should be given to elders, children and community members with medical needs and disabilities. He said about 800 community members will be sent to Niagara Falls, Ont., where more hotel space is available. "Most of them are tired, they're hungry, they're scared," Linklater said. Last weekend, Pimicikamak Cree Nation began evacuating some of its most vulnerable residents over smoke from a nearby wildfire. At the time, Chief David Monias told CBC News that community leaders had been struggling to find space for displaced residents at hotels in Winnipeg. A week later, Monias is still asking for help housing citizens from Pimicikamak, also known as Cross Lake. "I've been begging and pleading for government and the Red Cross to do something simpler, more practical, be creative and be flexible. That's what we want," he said during the Saturday news conference. "Everything is booked up and our people are sleeping on floors," Monias said. There were still about 500 people waiting to be evacuated as of Saturday afternoon, he said. Monias said he's hoping the provincial and municipal governments can issue directives to get hotels in major Manitoba cities to open up hotel rooms and prioritize evacuees' needs. "You need to get rid of the bureaucracy, the jurisdictional issues, the paperwork and get them to bed as soon as they arrive. That's the first thing you should be doing." The out-of-control wildfire near Pimicikamak and the community of Cross Lake was 3,300 hectares as of Saturday afternoon, the province said. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said she has met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and was happy to see him initiate the incident response group to address wildfires in western Canada. "Governments need to be pulling all resources into this and we know that they are doing their best," she said. She thanked first responders, government officials and everyday Canadians for their support as First Nations continue to evacuate northern Manitoba. "In tough times, the country comes together. And this is one of those times," Nepinak said. CBC Manitoba has reached out to the federal, provincial and Winnipeg municipal governments for comment. A spokesperson for the city said Winnipeg officials are working closely with the province and the Red Cross to provide support as needed.
CBC
01-06-2025
- General
- CBC
First Nations leaders call on governments to free up Winnipeg hotel space for Manitoba wildfire evacuees
Social Sharing First Nations leaders say hotels in Winnipeg and other major Manitoba cities are largely booked up as they continue to seek temporary housing for evacuees fleeing communities surrounded by wildfires. Manitoba First Nations leaders gathered in Winnipeg on Saturday to call on the federal, provincial and Winnipeg municipal governments to direct city hotels to make space for their community members. "Our families are displaced. Right now, we have people that are evacuating to different urban areas: Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson. And in the city of Winnipeg right now, there are absolutely no accommodations within any of the hotels within the city," said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson during the Saturday press conference, calling for an "all hands on deck" approach to providing shelter. "I ask all levels of government, please come together, work together, ask that these hotels and these accommodations make space for our people. We are in a state of emergency, you can give that directive." Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a provincewide state of emergency on Wednesday, announcing more than 17,000 people are expected to be evacuated from wildfire-affected communities. That figure includes 5,000 Flin Flon residents, who were displaced by a 38,000-hectare wildfire that started over the Saskatchewan border and was still burning out of control, according to the government's most recent fire bulletin as of Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT. Kinew said Friday that hotel rooms are hard to come by, but are being prioritized for evacuees with medical or accessibility needs. Others are being sent to large evacuation centres, like those being set up in arenas and soccer fields. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said there has been "a lot of movement" evacuating First Nations community members on Saturday. Many more evacuees are expected to arrive in Winnipeg, but he said support has been lacking for those who are already there. "This is a matter of basic human dignity. When our people arrive here, they are not afforded that basic human dignity they deserve," Settee said. "We can't wait anymore, we need to ensure that there are spaces for our people when they come here. And it can be done, if the political will is there," he said. As of Friday, more than 8,900 evacuees were registered with the Canadian Red Cross, the fire bulletin said. There were 25 active wildfires burning across the province as of Saturday night. The fire near Pukatawagan, also known as Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, has grown to 9,800 hectares and is still out of control, according to the fire bulletin. Pukatawagan Coun. Kelly Linklater said Saturday that the northern Manitoba First Nation had evacuated about half of its citizens. About 500 people were expected to be flown out on Saturday, he said. He said he hopes they can evacuate everyone on Saturday, if the weather allows. However, Linklater said some evacuees are leaving the community without knowing where they will be able to stay. "We are asking the City of Winnipeg, the hotels, to see if they can free up accommodations for evacuees," Linklater said, adding priority should be given to elders, children and community members with medical needs and disabilities. He said about 800 community members will be sent to Niagara Falls, Ont., where more hotel space is available. "Most of them are tired, they're hungry, they're scared," Linklater said. Last weekend, Pimicikamak Cree Nation began evacuating some of its most vulnerable residents over smoke from a nearby wildfire. At the time, Chief David Monias told CBC News that community leaders had been struggling to find space for displaced residents at hotels in Winnipeg. A week later, Monias is still asking for help housing citizens from Pimicikamak, also known as Cross Lake. "I've been begging and pleading for government and the Red Cross to do something simpler, more practical, be creative and be flexible. That's what we want," he said during the Saturday news conference. "Everything is booked up and our people are sleeping on floors," Monias said. There were still about 500 people waiting to be evacuated as of Saturday afternoon, he said. Monias said he's hoping the provincial and municipal governments can issue directives to get hotels in major Manitoba cities to open up hotel rooms and prioritize evacuees' needs. "You need to get rid of the bureaucracy, the jurisdictional issues, the paperwork and get them to bed as soon as they arrive. That's the first thing you should be doing." The out-of-control wildfire near Pimicikamak and the community of Cross Lake was 3,300 hectares as of Saturday afternoon, the province said. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said she has met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and was happy to see him initiate the incident response group to address wildfires in western Canada. "Governments need to be pulling all resources into this and we know that they are doing their best," she said. She thanked first responders, government officials and everyday Canadians for their support as First Nations continue to evacuate northern Manitoba. "In tough times, the country comes together. And this is one of those times," Nepinak said. CBC Manitoba has reached out to the federal, provincial and Winnipeg municipal governments for comment.
CBC
30-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Government response to wildfire evacuations from Manitoba First Nations slow, poorly communicated: leaders
Social Sharing Indigenous leaders in Manitoba are accusing the federal and provincial governments of poor communication, slow responses to resource requests and bureaucratic red tape as wildfires force the evacuation of 17,000 people in northern First Nations. "What we have seen… [from government] is delays in response times, delays in supports," Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said Thursday, a day after Manitoba declared a provincewide state of emergency. "Lives are being threatened by wildfires, yet we have to sit back and we have to wait. How is that fair?" Leaders from First Nations organizations held a press conference Thursday, after intensifying wildfires in northern Manitoba led to evacuation orders being issued in multiple First Nations Wednesday. People living in the First Nations of Pimicikimak Cree Nation, Pukatawagan (also known as Mathias Colomb Cree Nation) and Marcel Colomb First Nation are all under evacuation orders, as are residents in the northern Manitoba communities of Flin Flon, Sherridon and Lynn Lake. WATCH | Government too slow to move on evacuations, leaders say: Government not moving fast enough to evacuate First Nations in Manitoba, leaders say 53 minutes ago Duration 2:13 Several First Nations in northern Manitoba have been evacuated over the last 24 hours as wildfires burn nearby. Some people drove to find shelter, while others have been flown out by the military. Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias said Thursday nearly 800 people are still waiting to be flown out. Norway House First Nation and Chemawawin Cree Nation (Easterville) are also under an evacuation notice, with people told to be ready to leave. By Thursday evening, a wildfire moving toward Tataskweyak Cree Nation, also known as Split Lake, threatened that community, as well as Fox Lake Cree Nation and York Factory, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak said in a news release. Garrison Settee, grand chief of the northern First Nation advocacy organization, requested immediate evacuation support from all levels of government for people in those communities with health challenges, along with elderly residents and children. "People are in danger," with the wildfire advancing rapidly and threatening to cut off the communities, Settee said in a statement following Thursday's press conference. "We demand swift, co-ordinated action to protect First Nations lives." 'Everyone is going in a different direction' Wilson said she's had to make multiple calls to multiple different government departments to get any information about where people are going and what support is being offered. "Everyone is working hard," she said. "But everyone is going in a different direction." She couldn't answer questions about how many people have been evacuated and where they are staying because no one has given her that information, she said. Her point was echoed by Pimicikamak Chief David Monias, who issued an evacuation order for his community on Wednesday. He said he couldn't reach anyone from the federal government as he scrambled to evacuate 6,500 residents from the First Nation, about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg. He said people went south to Norway House and then waited for a ferry for nine hours. "That's unacceptable," Monias said, adding he was met with bureaucracy every step of the way. "Shame on you, Canada." Aerial view of Pimicikamak fire 2 hours ago Duration 0:47 Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Thursday they are currently helping to evacuate people from Pimicikamak and Pukatawagan. Mounties will patrol the evacuated communities to keep them secure and provide emergency response, the release said. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak's grand chief said he wants all affected communities to know they are not alone. "We are here to ensure that everything that needs to happen will happen," said Settee. "This is about saving lives, about bringing people to safety. This is about ensuring that everyone who has been evacuated will arrive at a place where they feel safe." Evacuees are being sent to Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson, and shelters have been opened up on Peguis First Nation and in Nelson House, leaders said at Thursday's press conference. Several chiefs suggested an emergency management centre should be established for First Nations. "We need to have one hub," said Wilson. "We need to understand what emergency management looks like in our province." Federal Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said in a prepared statement she has been in close contact with Chief Monias and has offered to speak with him at his earliest availability. Her department is "continuing to monitor the wildfire situation," she wrote, and commended "the hard work of First Nation leadership, the Canadian Red Cross and all emergency personnel for keeping communities and their people safe."
