Indigenous communities in Canada evacuated as wildfires rage
:: June 4, 2025
It's hard for Joseph Garry to talk about the fires ravaging Manitoba's remote northern communities.
:: Sandra Yaworski
:: Flin Flon, Canada
:: May 28, 2025
Scores of wildfires have swept across Canada since the start of May, forcing more than 30,000 people to evacuate in three provinces.
Although Indigenous people make up only around 5% of Canada's population, they are among the most affected by this year's wildfires.
GARRY: "To tell you the truth [RUBBING TEARS AWAY FROM EYES] it's, it's scary. Not for myself, but for everybody else."
The 63-year-old Garry fled from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, also known as Pukatawagan, on a helicopter in late May with only a few sets of clothes.
"...we left everything behind."
:: Sandra Yaworski
The fire evacuation effort is Manitoba's largest-ever.
:: Selena Castel
:: June 1, 2025
:: Pukatawagan, Canada
Videos shared by residents with Reuters showed military and civilian helicopters buzzing back and forth over the remote community of roughly 3,000 people.
The helicopters landed on the school field as thick smoke enveloped the area and flames inched nearer.
Dozens of people huddled inside a Chinook military helicopter, including Selena Castel, a councilor for Pukatawagan.
"Very challenging, I'll tell you that right now. It was like nobody, nobody didn't want to hear us out when we pressed the emergency button." // "And it was very scary. Especially when you see big flames coming up from the other side of the, you know, close to the airport."
:: Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation via Facebook
:: May 28, 2025
:: Jenpeg, Canada
Indigenous leaders in Manitoba have criticized both federal and provincial governments for inadequate communication and delays during the wildfire crisis.
Indigenous Services Canada, which managed the evacuation, said emergency response is a shared responsibility and first response is generally up to local authorities.
:: Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation via Facebook
:: May 29, 2025
:: Cross Lake, Canada
Manitoba's government said in an email that smoky conditions near Pukatawagan early in the emergency response prevented water bombers from providing vital air support.
While early evacuees took shelter in Winnipeg, Castel and Garry are among the roughly 2,000 people from Manitoba now staying in hotels in the Niagara Falls area in Ontario.
A date to return home is uncertain.
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