A First Nation community in Saskatchewan is speaking out against what they perceive as a lack of urgency from the province’s public safety agency in responding to a recent fire.
The fire, which occurred on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation on June 30, destroyed a home and left a family of five homeless. According to Chief Kelly Wolfe, the community’s fire department responded quickly and did their best to contain the blaze. However, they were unable to access the necessary resources from the provincial public safety agency.
Wolfe claims that the agency took over an hour to respond to the fire, despite being located only 20 minutes away. He also alleges that the agency did not provide any assistance or resources to help fight the fire, leaving the community to handle the situation on their own.
The chief expressed frustration and disappointment with the agency’s response, stating that it was unacceptable and put the lives and property of community members at risk. He also pointed out that this is not the first time the agency has been slow to respond to emergencies on the First Nation.
In response to these claims, the public safety agency released a statement saying that they are committed to working with First Nations communities and ensuring their safety. They also stated that they are investigating the incident and will take appropriate action if necessary.
However, Wolfe and the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation are calling for more concrete action and accountability from the agency. They are urging the province to address the issue and ensure that all communities, regardless of their location, have access to timely and adequate emergency response services.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by First Nations communities in accessing essential services and resources. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing these issues and working towards equitable and efficient emergency response systems for all communities.
The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is determined to continue advocating for their community and holding the public safety agency accountable for their actions. They hope that this incident will bring about positive change and prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
