Peguis First Nation uses its disaster expertise to help northern Manitoba fire evacuees

When news broke that a massive evacuation was needed to protect people from wildfire, Peguis First Nation stepped up. 

The First Nation converted its multiplex — home to the Peguis Juniors hockey team — into an emergency shelter for up to 300 people. It was more than half-full this past weekend.

Located in Manitoba's Interlake, Peguis First Nation has repeatedly been flooded. Last month, a local state of emergency was declared after wildfires destroyed homes and heavy smoke put members' health at risk.  

"People from other communities stepped up, they helped us, we appreciated that. We couldn't have done it without them, so we're just trying to reciprocate. We're trying to give back to the people from up north," Chief Stan Bird told CBC News.

The Peguis chief and council decided to take in evacuees without knowing if any financial or other support would be available, because it was clear people needed help right away.

"We're never given or allowed the opportunity to do things the way we think they should be done. There's always criteria, guidelines, rules — and I think it hampers us," said Bird. "To see what's happening here, that shows that we are quite capable."

Bird is proud of the members who are working to make sure northern First Nations facing evacuation are cared for.

"They know what needs to be done and how to do it. They step up. I mean, we've been through so many disasters in our own lifetime that it's almost second nature for us," said Bird.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation members are the first evacuees to take Peguis up on its offer of safety and shelter. Located about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg on the shores of Cross Lake, Pimicikamak has 6,800 on-reserve members.

Lori Osborne, 29, spent more than a day and a half getting to Peguis, including a seven-hour wait for the ferry — the only way into Norway House — about 100 kilometres away by road from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. 

That was followed by a night on gym mats and another wait, this time for a military Hercules plane, which evacuated them out of Norway House. The evacuation centre became overcrowded by those who had driven south to escape the fire. 

Osborne grew tearful during an interview with CBC News as she recounted what her young children went through to escape the fire. She said the experience was hard on her and her four children, who range in age from eight months to 10 years.

"I cried in the bus on the way here, but when I arrived here, I felt so welcome," Osborne said. 

"When I got in the washroom, I noticed towels hanging everywhere, and toiletries and shampoos and toothpaste and toothbrushes — everything was all ready for when we got here. It was nice. I felt safe."