Evacuees from 5 First Nations continue waiting to return home

Hundreds sit and wait in hotels to return home to their First Nations after fire and smoke caused hundreds to evacuate south. Mitchell Ringos reports.

By Mitchell Ringos

While hundreds sit and wait in hotels like this one to return home to their First Nations after fire and smoke caused hundreds to evacuate south, many are looking for ways to stay occupied and keep fellow members updated on what’s going on.

With Marcel Colomb First Nation under a full evacuation order and four other First Nations evacuated due to heavy smoke. Hundreds have come to Winnipeg for safety, including Adeline Harper of Red Sucker Lake First Nation. She arrived Wednesday, and her family evacuated due to health concerns.

“I’m okay right now, but I really want to go back to my home, I want to go back to my reserve,” said Adeline Harper, from Red Sucker Lake First Nation.

Hotel where northern Manitoba wildfire evacuees are staying. (Photo Credit: Mitchell Ringos, CityNews)

“My daughter has a heart problem she had heart surgery and my baby Blake who is almost 18 has asthma, so I brought my two kids along with me.

“I’ll be happy if they send us back home as long as the fire is out.”

While Harper made her way to Winnipeg, her husband stayed on the First Nation and has been tracking the fires, which are currently threatening a nearby transmission line. She says everyone has come together to make sure the community is informed.

Hotel where northern Manitoba wildfire evacuees are staying. (Photo Credit: Mitchell Ringos, CityNews)

“My reserve, they told me to keep on posting they want updates, that’s what we’re doing updates,” said Harper.

Over 200 members of Marcel Colomb First Nation are also in the City. CAO Don McCallum says he is grateful for the support received since arriving, and feels it’s essential to keep members occupied, instead of just sitting in hotels.

“We’ve created some activities for membership to go to, so we rented a bus service to take to venues across the city,” said McCallum.

McCallum says unfortunately, funding for activities and events in the city is not part of the Red Cross mandate and hopes the government can step up to provide these supports.

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