With around 600 members of the Eabametoong First Nation facing another evacuation due to wildfires in northern Ontario, community leaders are voicing their concerns about the factors that increase vulnerability during such crises.
“The conditions in which they [First Nations] are dealing with, just in terms of air quality, are already poor – and there’s very little fire support there, too,” says Riley Yesno, a member of Eabametoong First Nation, also known as Fort Hope, and a distinguished fellow at the Yellowhead Institute.
The remote Ojibway community is situated roughly 360 kilometres north of Thunder Bay and declared a state of emergency on Wednesday. More than 1,600 people live in Eabametoong; approximately 600 of them are being evacuated by military aircraft with help from the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Rangers.
Evacuation flights started over the weekend after federal minister of emergency management and community resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, approved a request for assistance from Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict to involve the Canadian Armed Forces. About 460 evacuees have already reached Niagara Falls.
has reached out to Eabametoong’s Chief Solomon Atlookan for further details and is waiting for his availability for an interview.
The majority of nearly 190 wildfires raging across the province are located in northwestern Ontario. There are around 1,800 evacuees from this area representing more than a dozen communities.
In light of all this, there have been increasing calls for government action coming directly from First Nations as well.
WATCH | Ford warns people refusing to evacuate are hindering wildfire response:
Ford warns people refusing to evacuate are hindering wildfire response
A new evacuation centre has opened in Thunder Bay for those displaced by wildfires in northern Ontario. Premier Doug Ford cautioned that individuals who refuse evacuation orders impede firefighting efforts.
Yesno has been closely communicating with friends and family amid the Eabametoong evacuation while also assisting with donations for evacuees in Thunder Bay.
This isn’t their only struggle. The First Nation has been under a boil-water advisory since 2001 which has been considered long-term since 2002.
“It’s always just so difficult when the infrastructure that we have there, like in so many remote northern communities, is just so insufficient to deal with the level of crisis that they are experiencing or could very soon be experiencing,” Yesno remarked regarding the wildfires.
“The conditions in which they are dealing with, just in terms of air quality, are already poor – and there’s very little fire support there, too.”
According to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), about 80 percent of Indigenous communities across Canada face risks related to wildland fires. Spokesperson Jacinthe Goulet stated this information via email to on Saturday.
“Indigenous communities are also more vulnerable due to factors like remoteness, community size, inadequate infrastructure, socio-economic conditions, limited access to emergency management resources and community capacity,” they wrote.
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About 600 wildfire evacuees from Eabametoong First Nation, also known as Fort Hope, in northwestern Ontario are being transported out of the community by the Canadian Armed Forces. They will be staying in Niagara Falls. (Eabametoong First Nation/Facebook)
“They are also significantly more likely to be evacuated than those off-reserve and take longer to recover due to their location and remoteness. Emergencies like this highlight the critical need for equitable and co-ordinated support.”
Goulet mentioned that the federal department “is working closely with First Nations leadership, Ontario and emergency management partners to support the immediate and evolving needs of impacted communities.”
However, leaders from various First Nations including Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and Anishinabek Nation have criticized both provincial and federal governments for not reacting quickly enough regarding wildfire situations. Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (Collins First Nation) was completely destroyed on Monday without prior warnings about incoming fires according to leaders’ statements.
WATCH | Thunder Bay wildfire evacuees receive urgent housing and essential relief:
Thunder Bay wildfire evacuees receive urgent housing and essential reliefVicky Woodbeck from the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) discusses how local residents feel about current fires affecting them while outlining ONWA’s initiatives aimed at supporting evacuees through vital needs such as housing food supplies etc.
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Thunder Bay wildfire evacuees receive urgent housing and essential reliefVicky Woodbeck from the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) discusses how local residents feel about current fires affecting them while outlining ONWA’s initiatives aimed at supporting evacuees through vital needs such as housing food supplies etc.
NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler expressed frustration stating that he wasn’t informed about Premier Doug Ford’s visit beforehand nor were any meetings arranged between him or other leaders ahead of time<
“The premier came up to meet local people coordinating Ontario’s wildfire response. That’s fine , but he also needs engaging first nations leadership managing this situation ” , Fiddler said on Facebook Saturday.< “I would like remind Doug Ford our people impacted most these wildland fires. If you’re going make effort come it can’t just photo-op ”.< It’s truly shameful we’re living country where Indigenous people forced become climate refugees own homelands – Riley Yesno , member Eabametoong First NationYesno expressed anger over lack engagement showing “colonial legacy essentially sets Indigenous communities up disposable”.“I’m really extremely angry not just government but all levels it generations underfunding communities mine experienced emergency services ” said Yesno.“It’s very shameful we’re living country where Indigenous people made climate refugees their own homelands.”< Yesno emphasized remote communities require greater sustainable long-term funding emergency management services.Additionally she wants federal government establish ambitious climate targets help prevent future increasingly severe wildfire seasons Canada.“That’s big ask feels insurmountable one if summers only going hotter then fires always happened will get bigger.”< The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate toll-free telephone online-chat based emotional support crisis intervention all Indigenous peoples Canada available 24/7 English French upon request Cree Ojibway Inuktitut.Source link
