The tragic death of Chief Donny Morris’s three-year-old grandson in a house fire on Monday has sparked renewed demands for the federal government to take swift action regarding the inadequate firefighting resources in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI).
KI, a remote Oji-Cree community with around 1,200 residents located in northwestern Ontario, is also referred to as Big Trout Lake. It’s situated about 580 kilometers north of Thunder Bay and can only be reached by plane or seasonal winter road.
“Our communities have been raising concerns about fire safety and lack of resources for years, and those concerns have not been meaningfully addressed. The conditions we are seeing today are the result of that ongoing neglect,” said Vernon Morris, chief executive officer with the Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA), in a statement released Wednesday.
IFNA, a tribal council representing KI along with four other First Nations in northwestern Ontario, filed a human rights complaint jointly with KI against Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) back in August 2025. They argue that systemic discrimination is causing chronic underfunding of fire services on reserves.
When contacted by CBC Thunder Bay, Donny Morris expressed his grief saying “it is a hard time for me” when asked about the recent house fire.
Just last month, he mentioned to that KI has a fire truck and firehall but needs more space. Additionally, KI is looking for ongoing funding and staffing for healthcare and emergency services like paramedics, nurses, mental health counselors, and housing for them.
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A house fire occurred within Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation located northwestern Ontario occurring May 2nd ,2019 resulting fatalities including four kids plus one adult shown top row left right Geraldine Chapman Angel Mc Kay Karl Cutfeet Thyra Chapman surviving Hailey Chapman Shyra Chapman bottom row also left right. Submitted through Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. First Nation
According National Indigenous Fire Safety Council Indigenous peoples face over five times higher risk dying fires compared non-Indigenous counterparts.
That number exceeds tenfold regarding people residing reserves.”their website states
Lac Seul First Nation’s leader Clifford Bull voiced concern over absent federal responses within statement issued Wednesday.
“Canada continues disregard our urgent needs related securing vital funds addressing fire safety concerns. We warned lives would be lost yet commission has made itself complicit failing respond appropriately our grievance”.
Sioux Lookout OPP urges anyone possessing information regarding recent incident contact them via phone number 1-888-310-1122.
Mental wellness counseling crisis assistance available round clock everyday through Hope Wellness hotline reachable via dialling numbers :1-855-242-3310 or online chat accessible here www. hopeforwellness. ca.
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2 adults treated for serious injuries
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), IFNA Regional Fire Rescue team, and KI Fire Department responded to the house fire at approximately 3:30 a. m. CT Monday. The OPP stated that emergency responders worked to ensure public safety while trying to contain the “fully engulfed house fire,” where one person was found deceased. Moreover, two adults were taken out of the community to receive treatment for serious injuries as reported by IFNA. The OPP confirmed that the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario are investigating this incident alongside KI OPP, Sioux Lookout Crime Unit, and Forensic Identification Services. The Canadian Human Rights Commission provided an update on the complaint this October but noted that no intake analyst had been assigned yet. Both IFNA and KI have stated they haven’t received any further updates from the commission since then. KI Chief Donny Morris, Chief Clifford Bull from Lac Seul First Nation, and Chief Paddy Peters from Pikangikum First Nation attended an Independent First Nations Alliance quarterly chiefs meeting back in February. (Independent First Nations Alliance) “IFNA chiefs are condemning the commission’s inaction and calling for our complaint to be moved forward without further delay,” said Wednesday’s statement. <p“Furthermore,” it added “considering how serious these issues are for First Nations communities; IFNA chiefs want Canada’s auditor general to look into how this complaint is being handled along with other systemic failures that continue endangering lives.” IFNA chiefs also urge the federal government to “immediately take responsibility ensuring equitable, sustainable funding for fire safety services within First Nations communities.” A spokesperson from the Canadian Human Rights Commission informed they can’t comment on specific cases before them but noted “there is a trend toward utilizing complaints under the Canadian Human Rights Act as a way to tackle service underfunding on reserves when requests for adequate funding have gone unanswered.” “The problems we’re seeing are longstanding serious issues,” wrote Véronique Robitaille who serves as acting director of communications at the commission. “That’s why we’ve long called out for real changes needed to address chronic funding shortfalls affecting First Nations communities.” has reached out again to ISC along with Canada’s auditor general seeking comments on this matter; updates will follow if responses are obtained. Sol Mamakwa who serves as Kiiwetinoong member of provincial parliament (MPP) and belongs to Kingfisher Lake First Nation released support Thursday afternoon backing IFNA’s calls for action alongside KI’s plea. “The death of this three-year-old child-and many others before him-stems from systemic discrimination coupled with neglect from both Canada and Ontario,” Mamakwa expressed. “It shouldn’t require such tragedies before governments act decisively. At this point if nothing happens following this event I truly don’t know what else could trigger urgent action.” ‘Canada continues to ignore our pleas’ Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug has experienced other fatal fires too. In May 2019, a woman along with four children passed away due smoke inhalation caused by another house fire. The individual Archie Mc Kay was convicted back April 2025 on five counts concerning second-degree murder. On Monday he received five concurrent life sentences. This particular blaze led KI declaring an emergency state concerning mental health effects stemming losses incurred during those events. KI didn’t even possess their own dedicated firefighting department back then.Source link
