Greetings to the people of Prairie to Pine Regional Council,
As the winds, heat and dry conditions continue to exacerbate the wildfires in many communities here, we would ask that you hold those who are affected in your hearts and prayers. Many of those being evacuated live in remote communities with few options travelling in or out. This adds to the challenge of an already monumental task for the emergency responders, fire fighters, and Indigenous, town and municipal leaders to navigate. More help is needed to bolster the water bombing effort and increase ground crew numbers. Our neighbours in the Living Skies Region face similar circumstances.
In the midst of stress, danger and loss, stories are emerging of groups coming together to provide food, communities opening their gymnasiums and halls for shelter, a farmer offering his yard with water and generators for those who may have trailers, or RVs. Such concrete demonstrations of care give us hope. They give us courage to trust that the Spirit is at work through our responses. Thank you for caring for your neighbours in whatever ways you can.
Prairie to Pine Regional Council asks all communities of faith to offer support to the many communities evacuating due to intense wildfires. We thank Rey Anderson, Community Capacity Development Coordinator serving Keewatin Circle, for helping us name needs and options for support.
Below please find some resources and prayer suggestions. Everything named below is subject to updates in this rapidly-changing situation. Do not rely on the list we offer here. Please check the links provided, and be aware of needs shared by local and provincial authorities. Check social media accounts from the organizations listed below.
At the time of writing, 31 May 2025, communities facing evacuation or stand-by orders included:
The First Nations of Pimicikimak Cree Nation, Pukatawagan (also known as Mathias Colomb Cree Nation) and Marcel Colomb First Nations; Flin Flon, Sherridon and Lynn Lake.
Norway House First Nation and Chemawawin Cree Nation (Easterville) are also under an evacuation notice. A wildfire is moving toward Tataskweyak Cree Nation, also known as Split Lake, Fox Lake Cree Nation and York Factory.
In Ontario: Whitedog (Wabaseemoong) north of Kenora has been evacuated, along with Saugeen (near Sioux Lookout) and Deer Lake (remote fly-in community). Webequie is another remote community under threat, along with Ingolf on the Manitoba border.
Supporting people who have evacuated to your community
Please start conversations on supporting any who need to come to your community, if this happens. Coordinate with other United Churches in the area where you can. Please be in touch with your local government for updates, and consider what you can offer (space, food, money, pastoral care, toys and activities for children, and more.)
insurance information
Ken Thomas from the Regional Property Commission shares this information: “I was asked to enquire about the effect on insurance coverage if one of our churches is used to provide shelter for evacuees. For churches under UCC Protect, there is no issue unless the occupancy lasts longer than a month. The insurer requested that they be advised regardless of length. In any case, if any congregation provides shelter during this emergency, they should let me know via the Regional office, and I will communicate that information to our insurer.”
Donations
The Southern Chiefs are asking for donations and specific items.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is accepting monetary donations to help evacuees:
“Cheques can be made payable to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Cheques can be dropped off at 286 Smith St (2ND FLOOR) or mailed to: Assembly of Manitoba Chief, 200-275 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2B3. All funds will go directly to supporting evacuees during this emergency. Thank you for standing with our communities.”
The Red Cross is also accepting donations; details have been posted here.
Prayers
Please pray for all God’s creation; for the safety and spiritual and mental health of those evacuating or awaiting such orders and of all first responders and leaders. Through our prayers, may we be moved to offer whatever help we can in this moment and over the longer term, as the reality of trauma and destruction make themselves felt.
Here is a prayer from the Aboriginal Ministries Circle in 2019.
Prayer also guides us into renewed commitments to address climate change. This can be a hard and transformative conversation. Here is one prayer to draw on.
In this time of increasingly devastating fires, we often wonder, “Why is this happening? What can be done?” We know climate change is one of the contributing factors behind these fires. Climate models have long predicted that wildfires in Canada will increase in frequency and severity because of climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
Naming climate change is an important part of naming our grief and fear, and of having conversations about the positive change we can create. What is our faithful response, at a time when even talking about climate change causes conflict and political division?
The call to love our neighbours transcends division. May we pray, speak, have courageous conversations, and act with love for neighbour and love of all that God has created.
In Solidarity,
Dawn Rolke & Lynne Sanderson, Co-Chairs, Prairie to Pine Regional Council
