Local First Nations helping fire evacuees in Sault Ste. Marie
As wildfire evacuees from North Spirit Lake First Nation continue to settle into their accommodations in Sault Ste. Marie, nearby Indigenous communities are stepping up to ensure their stay is as comfortable as possible.
One way of doing that is to offer cultural support.
The leaders of Batchewana and Garden River First Nations said overcoming the hustle and bustle of a city -- particularly the noise -- can be a hard adjustment for people from remote communities.
"A lot of our people are not used to the city, and the noises of the city, the busyness of the city, all these buses and traffic, it can be intimidating," said Chief Dean Sayers of Batchewana. "I think it really calls for an opportunity to get on the land."
Chief Andy Rickard of Garden River said offering cultural experiences that mirror their home life can help evacuees to cope.
"The things that we enjoy here is access to our beautiful beach, we have some fishing spots because we know that some of the community members that came from those communities, fishing and harvesting is a big part of their life," Rickard said.
Meantime, Sayers and Rickard want to know what's behind the high frequency of evacuations of Indigenous communities across northern Ontario.
"I would call an inquiry into the displacement of or the evacuation of First Nations people," Sayers said. "Why is that incident rate so high? It just doesn't make sense."
"You talk about reconciliation, right? That's the big buzzword today is that some of these communities are still dealing with those challenges that they've been having with the feds, or the province, for 20, 30, 40 years," said Rickard. "Kashechewan is a prime example. They experience flooding every wintertime and they're having to evacuate every winter."
Sayers and Rickard said their communities are open to the evacuees from North Spirit Lake. They're organizing some activities to get the evacuees onto their traditional lands and waters.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.