Many communities in Prairie to Pine continue to suffer the impacts of a bad wildfire season. This includes Garden Hill/ Anishininew Okimawin First Nation (see below); Snow Lake, which is under mandatory evacuation for the second time; and continuing threats in the areas of Thompson, Flin Flon, Creighton, and so many others.  A number of First Nations in Northwest Ontario are again under evacuation, after a brief reprieve in the weather, including Pikangikum and North Spirit Lake First Nations. . People are being flown to communities as far away as Toronto.

This is a very hard time for so many. All of these communities are facing significant trauma and immediate needs. We are asked to offer financial and other material support, including to those evacuated to our communities; and to continue daily prayer for all of God’s creation affected by the wildfires: please use and share this resource from Keewatin Circle. Please also see the pastoral letter from Prairie to Pine’s leadership.

The Red Cross is holding a Manitoba wildfire appeal at this link.

Support for Garden Hill through the United Church Foundation

On July 10, Garden Hill First Nation, one of the communities that Indigenous Ministries and Justice serves, came under a mandatory evacuation order due to wildfires. The province of Manitoba has again declared a provincial emergency. Pastoral staff at Garden Hill, in consultation with community leadership, have said that in addition to prayers, donations to the community’s relief efforts would be appreciated. The United Church of Canada Foundation will accept these donations, provide you with a tax receipt, and forward the funds to Garden Hill First Nation.

How to donate

  1. Visit the United Church of Canada Foundation website: https://unitedchurchfoundation.ca/
  2. Click the ‘donate now’ button on top right corner
  3. Under ‘fund’, choose the ‘Ann Baker Estate Trust for Emergency Relief’
  4. Write a message indicating to direct the funds to Garden Hill First Nation for wildfire relief

Thank you for your generosity and support to Garden Hill First Nation and to all placed in danger by these fires.