VIDEO: First Nations step up, offer shelter closer to home

Multiple first nations around Prince Albert launched into action when their members saw the Red Cross’s struggles to find shelter for those under mandatory fire evacuations.

Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation near Duck Lake transformed facilities into fully stocked shelters in a matter of days.

On Saturday, an emergency committee formed at Beardy’s to organize donations, volunteers, and fundraisers.

The decision was also made to offer a place to stay for any of the 12,000 evacuees from northern communities.

On Monday morning, about 30 people had made their way to the community’s arena, said Gerri Sutherland, a university student who lives in Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation and is a part of that committee.

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“We wanted to help people who are far away from home. We wanted them to have a comfortable stay somewhere. So we have the facilities, we have the resources, and we just wanted to help out,” Sutherland said.

The big motivation for Sutherland to pitch in was the confusion when mass evacuations were called over the weekend. Hundreds of people waited overnight after being transported to Prince Albert on Saturday afternoon and evening. Many didn’t know they would end up on buses to Cold Lake, Alta. The following day.

“Red Cross can only do so much, and when they can’t do so much, then what happens to the people who get turned away?” Sutherland said.

Some people ended up with no place to stay Sunday night when they arrived to register with Red Cross after hours, Sutherland said. That led them to Beardy’s newly set-up shelter.

She said about 60 people so far have offered their time to keep watch 24 hours a day or to do other tasks.

Due to the unclear timeline for how long people will be evacuated, the volunteers will stagger their efforts so people don’t get tired out, Sutherland explained.

So far volunteers have made bed rolls for people to sleep on, care packages, and collected so many toiletries and other items that collections are now on hold.

The arena and recreation centre kitchen have not yet been approved as an emergency shelter by the Red Cross, despite saying someone would come to inspect it on the weekend, Sutherland said.

As a result, those who register or are already registered with Red Cross can say they are staying with friends and family rather than with one of its shelters, she said.

For James Smith Cree Nation’s Chief Justin Burns, frustration bubbled over with the “red tape” of waiting to be certified before taking in evacuees.

Over the weekend he expressed on Facebook that he would not stay still waiting for certification from the province and the Red Cross:

“I told them I’m not gonna worry about approval, my community is gonna be there no matter what. I told the chiefs this am that we will take whom ever, my people are already gathering materials needed.”

He advises efforts will continue to prepare materials, and once those steps have been taken they’ll be ready to take people in.

Burns also wrote that he skipped an Assembly of First Nations meeting to be present during this time of crisis within Saskatchewan.

Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation is under similar circumstances. Administrative assistant Lanny Ahenekew said people have been preparing space in two gyms in the community’s schools, but are also awaiting approval from Red Cross.

The importance of empathy

In order to develop an evacuation centre “you kind of have to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes,” Sutherland said.

“If you’re hours away from home, you left with the clothes on your back, one backpack, and you’re being told you’re gonna get taken care of, you know, what happens to you and your family? It’s really heartbreaking.”

Sutherland says those coming south can feel a bit of a culture shock.

“They’re not used to the big city life… They’re not used to the food and the fast food, and the meals, it might not be their traditional diet,” she said.

“We are providing home-cooked meals. We have donations of wild meat as well.”

The outpouring of support is not only coming from the aboriginal community – it’s coming from Rosthern residents, and acreage owners, Sutherland said.

claskowski@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk

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