Leaders from Manitoba First Nations are expressing concern that their northern communities are struggling to protect themselves due to insufficient firefighting equipment.
“It feels like trying to extinguish a fire with a water gun. That’s the challenge our leaders are facing,” stated Garrison Settee, Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), during a press conference on Tuesday.
“We need equipment now. Wherever it can be sourced from, please send it to the north for our people,” Settee urged.
He was supported by Assembly of Manitoba Grand Chief Kyra Wilson, Chief David Monias from Pimicikamak Cree Nation, and Chief Gordie Bear from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, all appealing to provincial and federal authorities for assistance in combating the fires that have led to over 17,000 evacuations.
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Chief Bear mentioned that his community has only two fire trucks and hoses typically used for their ice rink.
“The pumps we have utilize one-inch hoses, no thicker than a garden hose,” Bear noted, joining the conference remotely.
“We are at risk. We constantly have to be on alert,” he added.
Chief Monias stated that the Cross Lake community has just one fire truck and is seeking an additional one.
“There’s a province-wide state of emergency, yet we are still fighting for resources that should be readily available to us,” he shared.
In a response, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) indicated that the federal government can only step in during emergencies once a request for federal assistance is made. Eric Head from ISC’s Media Relations noted that ISC reimburses all qualifying costs for wildfire response and provides advance payments for immediate needs.
The provincial statement mentioned that the Office of the Fire Commissioner has deployed sprinklers in First Nations communities along with local fire departments and has supplied pumps and hoses to Mathias Colomb.
“The Province is currently assessing the fire truck request from Pimicikamak Cree Nation and exploring available options with emergency response partners,” the province stated, adding that it does not disclose details about resource movements.
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