Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, Mb - Leaders from northern First Nations are calling for meaningful action to address the systemic failures exposed during the 2025 wildfire season, which forced more than 17,000 First Nations citizens from their homes and left Nations without essential services for weeks and months.
Acting Grand Chief Shirley Ducharme of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and Chief of O?Pipon?Na?Piwin Cree Nation stated:
“In the 2025 wildfires we were dealing with a fragmented emergency response from provincial and federal governments,” said MKO Acting Grand Chief Shirley Ducharme. “We are calling for a collaborative, inclusive, emergency management framework that improves the response, preparedness, mitigation and recovery for First Nations in northern Manitoba.”
“Entire families spent weeks and months in hotel rooms and congregate shelters far from home, without access to culturally appropriate food or language supports and our citizens faced many safety concerns.” said MKO Acting Grand Chief Ducharme. “Our Nations need real solutions that empower and protect our people.”
Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation stated:
“There remains jurisdictional ambiguity. Emergency response still operates across federal authority, through provincial systems,” Chief Monias said. “The public position we have is that First Nations are not service recipients within the Manitoba emergency framework, we are governments and we must be treated as such.”
Mathias Colomb Cree Nations Chief Gordie Bear underscored the severity of the infrastructure failures that left his Nation without reliable power for months.
“Our people endured a 128?day evacuation after wildfires destroyed the transmission line serving Pukatawagan.” said Chief Bear. “We could not wait for another crisis. We made the decision to purchase our own back?up generators at a cost of $8 million, to protect our people and ensure energy security for the future. We did this without any commitment from governments to reimburse us. No Nation should be forced to shoulder this burden alone.”
Northern leaders are calling for:
- Reliable back?up power systems in all northern First Nations
- A commitment to improve infrastructure, including reliable roads and bridges, water treatment plants, airports and hydro infrastructure
- Clear, timely supports for evacuees
- Dedicated and timely response to wildfires, recognizing the remoteness of each First Nation
- Culturally appropriate services and improved wellness, social and safety supports during displacement
- More expedient processes for response expenses and reimbursements
- Immediate action for social supports during recovery as people return to their Nations
- Enhanced mitigation and preparedness to support long-term emergency management planning
- Full First Nations participation in emergency response planning and review
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Grand Chief Kyra Wilson stated:
“During the 2025 wildfire season, at least 17 First Nations were evacuated, displacing over 17,000 people —many airlifted far from their communities and supports. This crisis exposed serious gaps in emergency response, including limited leadership involvement, delayed information, and conditions that failed to uphold our people’s dignity. First Nations are not stakeholders—we are rights holders and governments, and our authority must be respected. Moving forward, emergency management must be First Nations-led, grounded in our jurisdiction and focused on protecting our people.”
Leadership will compile its own First Nations-focused After-Action Review, which will address the framework needed to protect and serve our Nations.
