The leaders of the first nations say that hotels in Winnipeg and other important cities in Manitoba are largely reserved as they continue to seek temporary homes for evacuated that flee from the communities surrounded by forest fires.
The leaders of Manitoba’s first nations met in Winnipeg on Saturday to call federal, provincial and Winnipeg municipal governments to lead the city’s hotels to make room for members of their community.
“Our families are displaced. At this time, we have people who are evacuating different urban areas: Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson. And in the city of Winnipeg at this time, there is absolutely no accommodation within any of the hotels within the city,” said the assembly of the Chief of Manitoba, Kyra Wilson, Wilson, during the Saturday conference on Saturday “All hands on the deck on the deck”.
“I ask all the levels of government, please, they meet me, work together, I 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 an emergency state throughout the province On Wednesday, more than 17,000 people are expected to be evacuated from communities affected by forest fires.
That figure includes 5,000 Flin Flon residents, who were displaced by a 38,000 hectare forest fire that began on the Saskatchewan border and were still burning out of control, according to those of the government. Most recent fire bulletin Until Saturday at 7:30 PM CT.
Kinew said Friday that hotel rooms are difficult to get, but that they are being prioritized for evacuated with medical or accessibility needs. Others are being sent to large evacuation centers, such as be installed in sands and soccer fields.
The great chief of Garrison of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Garrison Settee, said there has been a “great movement” evacuating the members of the community of the first nations on Saturday.
It is expected that many more evacuees will arrive in Winnipeg, but said that there is a lack of support for those who are already there.
“This is a matter of basic human dignity. When our people get here, they are not given that the basic human dignity they deserve,” said Settee.
“We cannot expect anymore, we must 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.
Until Friday, more than 8,900 evacuated with the Canadian Red Cross were recorded, said the Fire Bulletin.
There were 25 active forest fires throughout the province from 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 on Saturday that the first nation of Northern Manitoba had evacuated approximately half of its citizens.
It was expected that some 500 people would leave on Saturday, he said. He said he hopes they can evacuate everyone on Saturday, if the weather allows it.
However, Linklater said some evacuees leave the community without knowing where they can stay.
“We are asking the city of Winnipeg, the hotels, who see if they can release accommodations for evacuated,” Linklater said, adding priority to the elderly, children and community members with medical needs and disabilities.
He said that some 800 community members will be sent to Niagara Falls, Ontario, where there is more available hotel space.
“Most of them are tired, they are hungry, they are afraid,” Linklater said.
Last weekend, Pimicikamak Cree Nation began to evacuate some of its most vulnerable residents On smoke from a nearby forest fire. At that time, Chief David Monias told CBC News that community leaders had been fighting for space for residents displaced in hotels in Winnipeg.
A week later, Monias still asks for help to citizens who house Pimicikamak, also known as Cross Lake.
“I have been begging and begging that the Government and the Red Cross do something simpler, more practical, it is creative and flexible. That is what we want,” he said during the Press Conference on Saturday.
“Everything is reserved and our people are sleeping on the floors,” Monias said.
There were still about 500 people waiting to be evacuated until Saturday afternoon, he said.
Monias said that provincial and municipal governments can broadcast directives to obtain hotels in the main cities of Manitoba to open hotel rooms and prioritize the needs of the evacuees.
“It must get rid of bureaucracy, jurisdictional problems, paperwork and take them to bed as soon as they arrive. That is the first thing to do.”
The out of control forest fire near Pimicikamak and the Cross Lake community was 3,300 hectares from Saturday afternoon, the province said.
Assembly of the National Chief of the First Nations, Cindy Woodhouse, Nezak, said he has met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and was happy to see him Start the incident response group To address forest fires in western Canada.
“Governments must be attracting all resources to this and we know they are doing everything possible,” he said.
He thanked lifeguards, government officials and everyday Canadians for their support as the first nations continue to evacuate northern Manitoba.
“In difficult times, the country joins. And this is one of those times,” said Napinak.
CBC Manitoba has communicated with the federal, provincial and municipal governments of Winnipeg to comment.
A city spokesman said Winnipeg officials are working closely with the province and the Red Cross to provide support as necessary.
