Saskatoon helps PAGC fire victims recoup with $24K grant

“We wanted to raise some money for the evacuees, not because of what happened to them but because of what happens after they come home, when they don’t know what happened to their stuff and they have to start over,” said Arcand. “It’s not about the amount of money, it’s about the amount that we support each other that means a lot and goes a long ways.”

The fires affected the Saskatoon community when thousands of northerners were forced to evacuate their homes and find refuge in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina, as well as other, more southern communities.

When people were evacuated, Arcand said they wanted to do their best to help.

“We come together as First Nations people,” said Arcand. “It doesn’t matter who we are, we should all step up and support each other in a devastating (situation) like this.”

Yuzdepski said evacuees also caught the attention of police and firefighters early on.

“Living in a soccer centre on cots is really no way to live and anything we could do was a very small measure in trying to make people feel welcome,” said Yuzdepski. “We’ll never be able to replace what you lost…but anything we can do as a small step is a good step.”

Organizations in Saskatoon stepped up, creating the HOPE Committee. Through that, the SPS, along with the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Tribal Council, put on an event at the Dakota Dunes Casino on Sept. 17. The dinner featured comedian Don Burnstick who roasted some of Saskatchewan’s First Nations leaders including Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, PAGC Grand Chief Ron Michel and Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief Edward Henderson.

When all was said and done, they ended up with enough money to present to the PAGC.

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On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by paNOW Staff

Saskatoon helps PAGC fire victims recoup with $24K grant

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