First Nations leaders call on governments to free up Winnipeg hotel space for Manitoba wildfire evacuees

First Nations leaders say hotels in Winnipeg and other major Manitoba cities are largely booked up as they continue to seek temporary housing for evacuees fleeing communities surrounded by wildfires. 

Manitoba First Nations leaders gathered in Winnipeg on Saturday to call on the federal, provincial and Winnipeg municipal governments to direct city hotels to make space for their community members. 

"Our families are displaced. Right now, we have people that are evacuating to different urban areas: Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson. And in the city of Winnipeg right now, there are absolutely no accommodations within any of the hotels within the city," said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson during the Saturday press conference, calling for an "all hands on deck" approach to providing shelter.  

"I ask all levels of government, please come together, work together, ask that these hotels and these accommodations make space for our people. We are in a state of emergency, you can give that directive."

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a provincewide state of emergency on Wednesday, announcing more than 17,000 people are expected to be evacuated from wildfire-affected communities. 

That figure includes 5,000 Flin Flon residents, who were displaced by a 38,000-hectare wildfire that started over the Saskatchewan border and was still burning out of control, according to the government's most recent fire bulletin as of Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT. 

Kinew said Friday that hotel rooms are hard to come by, but are being prioritized for evacuees with medical or accessibility needs. Others are being sent to large evacuation centres, like those being set up in arenas and soccer fields. 

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said there has been "a lot of movement" evacuating First Nations community members on Saturday.

Many more evacuees are expected to arrive in Winnipeg,  but he said support has been lacking for those who are already there.

"This is a matter of basic human dignity. When our people arrive here, they are not afforded that basic human dignity they deserve," Settee said. 

"We can't wait anymore, we need to ensure that there are spaces for our people when they come here. And it can be done, if the political will is there," he said. 

As of Friday, more than 8,900 evacuees were registered with the Canadian Red Cross, the fire bulletin said. 

There were 25 active wildfires burning across the province as of Saturday night. 

The fire near Pukatawagan, also known as Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, has grown to 9,800 hectares and is still out of control, according to the fire bulletin. 

Pukatawagan Coun. Kelly Linklater said Saturday that the northern Manitoba First Nation had evacuated about half of its citizens. 

About 500 people were expected to be flown out on Saturday, he said. He said he hopes they can evacuate everyone on Saturday, if the weather allows. 

However, Linklater said some evacuees are leaving the community without knowing where they will be able to stay.

"We are asking the City of Winnipeg, the hotels, to see if they can free up accommodations for evacuees," Linklater said, adding priority should be given to elders, children and community members with medical needs and disabilities.

He said about 800 community members will be sent to Niagara Falls, Ont., where more hotel space is available. 

"Most of them are tired, they're hungry, they're scared," Linklater said.

Last weekend, Pimicikamak Cree Nation began evacuating some of its most vulnerable residents over smoke from a nearby wildfire. At the time, Chief David Monias told CBC News that community leaders had been struggling to find space for displaced residents at hotels in Winnipeg. 

A week later, Monias is still asking for help housing citizens from Pimicikamak, also known as Cross Lake.

"I've been begging and pleading for government and the Red Cross to do something simpler, more practical, be creative and be flexible. That's what we want," he said during the Saturday news conference.  

"Everything is booked up and our people are sleeping on floors," Monias said. 

There were still about 500 people waiting to be evacuated as of Saturday afternoon, he said. 

Monias said he's hoping the provincial and municipal governments can issue directives to get hotels in major Manitoba cities to open up hotel rooms and prioritize evacuees' needs. 

"You need to get rid of the bureaucracy, the jurisdictional issues, the paperwork and get them to bed as soon as they arrive. That's the first thing you should be doing."

The out-of-control wildfire near Pimicikamak and the community of Cross Lake was 3,300 hectares as of Saturday afternoon, the province said. 

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said she has met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and was happy to see him initiate the incident response group to address wildfires in western Canada. 

"Governments need to be pulling all resources into this and we know that they are doing their best," she said.

She thanked first responders, government officials and everyday Canadians for their support as First Nations continue to evacuate northern Manitoba. 

"In tough times, the country comes together. And this is one of those times," Nepinak said. 

CBC Manitoba has reached out to the federal, provincial and Winnipeg municipal governments for comment.

A spokesperson for the city said Winnipeg officials are working closely with the province and the Red Cross to provide support as needed.