Over 800 Deer Lake First Nation wildfire evacuees returning home after weeks in Toronto
After enduring a month of displacement due to the region’s largest wildfire, hundreds of evacuees from Deer Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario are finally returning home. Chief Leonard Mamakeesic confirmed that the first plane carrying essential workers departed from Toronto on Friday. The community is gradually bringing back its essential workers first to prepare for the large-scale repatriation of the rest of its members.
Deer Lake’s head councillor, Jeremy Sawanis, expressed the community’s eagerness to return home, emphasizing the desire to sleep in their own beds and escape the hustle and bustle of Toronto. The remote Oji-Cree community, situated in Treaty 5 territory, is only accessible by air or winter road and is located about 600 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay. The evacuation was prompted by the Red Lake 12 wildfire, which has now grown to over 194,000 hectares in size. Fortunately, the fire is moving away from the community, allowing crews to dismantle the sprinkler systems that have been safeguarding the First Nation’s homes and infrastructure.
Sawanis described his time in Toronto as a significant culture shock, longing to return to his traditional ways of fishing and hunting in the bush. Meanwhile, over 2,000 evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation remain displaced in southern Ontario due to the same wildfire. Mamakeesic is hopeful that all community members will be back in Deer Lake by Tuesday, despite the high demand for planes in recent days.
The community has not lost anyone during the evacuation, which remains Mamakeesic’s primary goal – to ensure the safe return of all its members. Fire information officer Alison Bezubiak reported that recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have provided some relief to FireRangers battling the blaze. However, as temperatures rise, the wildland fire hazard has worsened, primarily posing a moderate risk in the southern half of the region and a high risk in the Far North.
Mamakeesic reflected on the lessons learned during the evacuation, emphasizing the importance of patience, collaboration, and communication. He expressed gratitude for the accommodations provided in Toronto and the security services offered by ISN Maskwa, an Indigenous emergency operations center, along with the support from surrounding tribal councils, the Lions Club, and other organizations.
As the community members eagerly return home, they can stay informed about the status of wildfires in Ontario through the interactive forest fire map online. The journey back to Deer Lake signifies a new chapter for the evacuees, filled with resilience, unity, and a deep appreciation for the support received during their time of need.
