Thunder Bay, ON — Yolanda Sakanee says she wants to go home, but there's too much uncertainty in her First Nation, which declared a state of crisis last week due to northwestern Ontario’s wildfires.
Sakanee is one of more than 130 evacuees from Neskantaga First Nation, a remote Ojibway the area about 440 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. Its chief and council declared a state of urgent response on July 16. Evacuees — families with children, older adults and people with underlying health conditions — were first sent to the Lakehead before flying further south to Toronto.
They're now staying in Mississauga. "There [were] no rooms in Thunder Bay for everybody and we all like to be in one place," Sakanee told CBC News on Tuesday. More than2,800 wildfire evacueesare staying in host communities throughout the province. First Nations have been most affected by evacuations.
"Once evacuated, our government, in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada, ensures communities have wrap-around support available including accommodation, food and health services." A spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) noted that critical incident management in First Nations is a shared responsibility across all levels of government, including First Nation leaders.
As well as the safety unease due to the wildfires, leaders say, they're facing mental health and other challenges. Sakanee confirmed the intensity of wildfire smoke in Neskantaga gave her children nosebleeds and breathing problems. Disruptions in the community's supply chain meant one of her daughters didn't have access to the right baby formula and went two days without it. Ryan Moonias, a Neskantaga member who's staying in Mississauga with his pregnant wife and their children, explained that the community's food is transported from Winnipeg to Pickle Lake before being flown up to the First Nation. However, a road closure on Highway 599 last week that was prompted by wildfires meant the delivery trucks were rerouted to Red Lake. After that, the smoke became too heavy for planes to travel north with supplies. "One flight did make it in with half a load," Moonias declared. "The pilot confirmed they barely landed, and [the smoke] was so thick and it was dangerous." A spokesperson for Ontario's minister of urgent situation preparedness and response confirmed in a statement to CBC News that the province is in "constant contact with First Nations" this wildfire season. "Any the public can request assistance from the province to evacuate. In circumstances where the fire is moving too quickly, communities may make the choice to self-evacuated," wrote spokesperson Julia Facca in an email. "Once evacuated, our government, in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada, ensures communities have wrap-around support available including accommodation, food and health services." A spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) noted that critical incident management in First Nations is a shared responsibility across all levels of government, including First Nation leaders. "When a First Nation local residents is evacuated, eligible costs related to a wildfire response are covered through ISC’sEmergency Management Assistance Program(EMAP) and can include accommodations, transportation, clothing, and security protection costs, as well as medical and mental wellness supports, urgent response social supports and practices that support cultural continuity," wrote ISC spokesperson Eric Head in an email. Many First Nations in the northwest are dry communities, which means they don't allow alcohol or drugs. This includes Eabametoong First Nation (EFN), which has sent more than 940 of its members to Niagara Falls. The region is urging people toavoid consuming substances while away from home. Ontario urgent situation minister's interview cut short after wildfire response questions First Nation chiefs call for public inquiry into Ontario government's wildfire response "EFN staff on site in Niagara Falls will be implementing programming to assist and support members who are having issues following our policies and receiving EFN support," declared a statement from the chief and council on Tuesday. With alcohol and drugs more readily available in host communities than in the north, “that's a worry for local residents members, for their family,” says Janet Gordon, vice-president of the area health for the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA), which represents 33 First Nations in the region. Evacuees are already dealing with a lot of stressors, such as staying in cramped hotel rooms and navigating unfamiliar places. Many elders face language barriers and aren't used to eating non-traditional meals, Gordon explained. As far as keeping busy, many evacuees may not be able to afford to eat at restaurants or visit area attractions, she added. “It is something that the leadership and the communities are very worried about for their families and for their friends as well." Mobile veterinary clinic set up in Thunder Bay, Ont., for animals affected by wildfires It's critical for people to reach out to the region leaders and liaisons for mental health support during this time, Gordon declared. "I think the host communities need to also be part of supporting people that are evacuated to their communities and identifying certain different organizations that might be able to do some activities or support." TheHope for Wellness Helplineprovides immediate, toll-free telephone and online chat-based emotional support and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people in Canada. This service is available 24/7 in English and French, and upon request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. Sarah Law is a CBC News reporter based in Thunder Bay, Ont., and has also worked for newspapers and online publications elsewhere in the province. Have a story tip? You can reach her at sarah.law@cbc.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 28, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
