The fire in Tataskweyak Cree Nation left two people in hospital. Photo: submitted
A series of fires on the weekend have devastated two First Nations – one in Manitoba and the other in Ontario – leaving dozens of people without a home.
On Sunday, a fire broke out in Tataskweyak Cree Nation, a community of 2,700, located 650 km north of Winnipeg.
According to Chief Taralee Beardy, two young members are still in hospital, including the 17-year-old girl who spotted the fire on her way to work and went in to warn the family in their home.
Thompson RCMP said the girl risked her life and saved children from an upstairs apartment. As she was saving the last child, a two-year-old boy, she lost consciousness due to smoke inhalation.
Both the young woman and the young child were rescued by firefighters and were transported to hospital, where they remain in stable, but critical condition.
Beardy said the two-year-old boy has since been transferred to Edmonton hospital for further treatment for his burns.
“Thankfully no lives were lost,” Beardy said. “However they lost things that were very valuable to them, and now they’re lost. We met with the families yesterday (Sunday) and they expressed, their emotions, their frustrations, about their situation and where are we going to go from here?”
Beardy said the loss of the 10-unit apartment building-which is less than a decade old is huge for her community.
“I’m just hoping that ISC (Indigenous Services Canada) is able to assist us, because it’s the families who are affected,” she said. “It’s very devastating and traumatic, what they experienced, Beardy said.
According to Beardy, the Red Cross has offered its help with accommodations off-reserve.
“When we spoke to the people yesterday, they don’t want to leave. This is their home, this is where they have their jobs,” she said.
“This is where their families are. So, right now, leaving is not an option.”
Beardy said that may change, as many of those displaced are staying with family who already live in crowded conditions.
Beardy said Tataskweyak’s fire truck is in need of repairs, and was not working. She is grateful to York Factory Cree Nation and to the town of Gillam for coming to their aid, and saving an adjacent apartment building from being lost in the fire.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), a political advocacy organization that represents 26 First Nations in Manitoba, offered its support.
“This is a terrible situation and I offer my heartfelt empathy to the families of this tragedy and the community of the Tataskweyak Cree Nation,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee.”MKO is offering our organizational support to our member community to assist them in their hour of need.”
Fire in Shoal Lake 40
An early morning fire in Shoal Lake 40, 165 km east of Winnipeg in Ontario left about 30 people from six families without homes, according to a fundraising campaign.
A six-unit apartment complex was destroyed. While no lives were lost, two people suffered minor injuries. No cause has been determined for either fire.
