Southern Chiefs' Organization pitches in to help care for First Nations evacuees staying in southern Manitoba

The Southern Chiefs' Organization is stepping in to support First Nations residents forced out of their homes by wildfires in Manitoba, helping to operate reception centres, distribute supplies and provide on-site security in southern Manitoba outside Winnipeg.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee says his organization, which represents 26 northern First Nations, has been helping evacuees fleeing from communities affiliated with MKO, including Pimicikamak, Mathias Colomb (Pukatawagan) and Tataskweyak, in recent weeks. 

But the evacuation process has been a "massive undertaking" for the organization.

"There were a lot of things we were doing — supplies, accommodations, essentials that everyone needed," Settee said at a news conference Friday.

"We cannot do this alone and no one can do it alone."

With thousands of First Nations people still displaced, the Southern Chiefs' Organization is taking over co-ordination of evacuee supports for those staying in Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, Winkler and Morden, Settee said.

"We want to be here for you. We're here to help," SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said at the news conference.  

The organization, which represents 32 First Nations in southern Manitoba, will help with daily operation of reception centres, distribution of supplies and on-site security for evacuees staying in those four communities outside Winnipeg, a news release said.

MKO will continue supporting First Nations evacuees staying in Manitoba's capital, Settee said. 

The Canadian Red Cross is still leading the evacuee operation with municipalities, but First Nations groups, including both the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and SCO, are filling gaps when they appear, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak said. 

So far, 21,000 people forced from their homes by wildfires in Manitoba in recent weeks have registered with the Canadian Red Cross.

A spokesperson for the Red Cross said it is operating a reception centre in Brandon, while teams from the organization are visiting sites in Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, Brandon, Winkler and Morden to ensure evacuees receive the assistance they need. 

The organization said it is encouraged by MKO's announcement and is working along with Indigenous community leadership to support wildfire evacuees in Manitoba. 

Both MKO and SCO have also been collecting donations for evacuees. They are still in the need of some items, including baby supplies, underwear and hygiene products

"It's good to see that Manitoba has stepped up," Settee said. "Our people are not alone in this struggle."

The evacuees SCO is helping in Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, Winkler and Morden are staying in hotels and in congregate shelters, Settee said.

Premier Wab Kinew touted the idea of using the province's emergency powers to free up more hotel rooms in Manitoba for wildfire evacuees, as some families continue to sleep on cots.

When asked about Kinew's comments, Daniels said hotel owners should remember the province is in the middle of a crisis, and they "should rise to the occasion."

Southern Chiefs Organization pitches in to help care for First Nations evacuees

1 day ago

Duration 2:25

MKO has been helping co-ordinate housing and supports for some Manitoba wildfire evacuees, alongside other Indigenous groups like SCO. Grand Chief Garrison Settee called the effort a massive undertaking.