Collins First Nation loses homes to wildfire; AFN calls for federal emergency support

Members of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, fled their community north of Thunder Bay by boat as a wildfire engulfed the area Monday, losing over 30 homes and essential infrastructure.

Chief Helen Angela Paavola said in a statement read to the Assembly of First Nations that the escape "was nothing short of a miracle." Members used only "small 12- and 14-foot boats" to flee the raging inferno. "We have lost everything," she said.

On Thursday, AFN chiefs passed an emergency resolution calling on the federal government to provide immediate support to the community and commitments to rebuild homes and infrastructure. The resolution also criticized both Ontario and Canada for failing to communicate evacuation support to northern First Nations facing wildfires.

According to the resolution, despite commitments from both governments, the only support and contact the community has received came from the Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 First Nations in Ontario.

Namaygoosisagagun has 130 registered members and is still in the process of being federally recognized. The community lost the band office, band garage, community centre, school, cultural cabins, warehouses, and other infrastructure supporting residents.

Indigenous Services Canada Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said her department's role includes support once evacuations are triggered, but did not commit to specific financial aid. When asked why the First Nation didn't receive warning to evacuate, Gull-Masty said that question was outside her department's scope.