Exploring Theme: "Fire Protection on Reserves"

Sandy Lake First Nation among plaintiffs in case, which alleges underfunding of fire services CBC News: Two Ontario First Nations, including one in northwestern Ontario, are suing the federal government over what they allege is underfunding of fire protection services in First Nation communities. The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Friday. The plaintiffs —...

‘Fire-related injuries resulting in hospitalization are also disproportionate to Indigenous peoples’ says report. The fire in Tataskweyak Cree Nation left two people in hospital. Photo: submitted  APTN News: According to a new report, inadequate housing, lack of smoke detectors, underfunding of fire services and a lack of legislation “mandating adherence to building and fire codes”...

2 dead, 3 others remain in hospital as a result of the blaze, say police Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the chronic lack of fire-firefighting, fire prevention, and emergency services in First Nations communities contribute to fatal fires. (Marc Doucette/CBC) CBC Indigenous: Police have confirmed two adults have died as a result of...

NationTalk: Indigenous Services Canada – The Assembly of First Nations hosted the three-day event in Ottawa to focus on advancing First Nations fire protection priorities An inaugural First Nations First Responders Gathering was held in Ottawa over the past three days. The event brought together Indigenous fire protection and emergency responder leadership to explore how...

Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation band hall packed with donations CBC News: On April 24, Ameilia Young woke up to a loud sound at her home on Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation, 125 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. “The shingles from my roof were flapping or something,” she said. “I thought...

NationTalk: I would like to start by saying I am writing in the capacity of a Webequie First Nation member, resident of the community and caretaker of my homelands which happen to be located in the area known as the Ring of Fire where high-grade critical minerals like nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, platinum and palladium...

2nd Manitoba First Nation to declare a state of emergency in the past week CBC News: A First Nation in northern Manitoba, recently hit by a major fire that left several families without homes, has declared a state of emergency. Shamattawa First Nation Chief Jordna Hill has called a news conference for 1:30 p.m. Monday in Winnipeg....

Officials question how many more fires need to happen before long-term solutions put in place CBC News: Three people, including an eight-year-old child, have now been confirmed dead after a fire tore through a home in Pikangikum First Nation.  The fire broke out in the Ojibway community in northwestern Ontario last Wednesday evening.  Community officials said cold weather caused...

The Globe and Mail: A remote northwestern Ontario First Nation lacked the facilities to extinguish a house fire that left one dead and two others missing, two local leaders said as they implored the federal government for help bolstering fire services. The CEO of the Independent First Nations Alliance, a group that represents five communities...

On Jan. 28, a 10-year-old girl from a remote Cree community died in a house fire CBC News: People in First Nations are 10 times more likely to die in a fire than people from other communities in Canada, according to the Indigenous Fire Marshal Service. On Saturday, Jan. 28, a 10-year-old girl from the...

Peawanuck has bought a fire truck but it’s stuck in Winnipeg CBC News: A 10-year-old girl died in a house fire in the remote northern Ontario community of Peawanuck, Ont., which does not have access to fire services or basic firefighting equipment.  Alison Linklater, grand chief of Mushkegowuk Council, said the small community is “in...

NationTalk: The federal government does not have a willing partner to find a way to introduce fire codes on First Nation reserves, a newly released document shows. The senior director for the Indigenous Fire Marshal Service, however, says there are steps Ottawa can take now to better protect communities. “Doing nothing is not an option,” said Blaine Wiggins. “Analyzing...

“NationTalk – There is no national fire protection code that mandates fire safety standards or enforcement on reserves. All other jurisdictions in Canada including provinces, territories, and other federal jurisdictions (such as military bases, airports, and seaports) have established building and fire codes. The Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC), National Indigenous Fire Safety Council...

Government of Canada – Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced Budget 2019 funding of $9.97 million over three years, starting in 2019–2020, to support the creation of an Indigenous Fire Marshal Office (IFMO). The funding will support Indigenous partners in the next steps in establishing a new IFMO, including how the...

Globe and Mail – Indigenous leaders weren’t included in the Regional Emergency Operations Centre where officials from municipalities, the province and Ottawa determined what to do to address the Fort McMurray wildfires. Metis communities weren’t eligible at all. Governments failed to consider the circumstances of Indigenous communities. Many houses damaged in the fire started off...

Toronto Star – “Fire and death in First Nations”. Not including funds for an Indigenous Fire Marshall and failure to enact building code regulations for home construction on First Nations reserves. Both were recommendations from the Aboriginal Firefighters Association after the high number of fire fatalities on First Nation reserves in the last year. A...