‘We all need to work together’: Manitoba First Nations call for changes ahead of wildfire season

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Chief Gordie Bear, Acting MKO Grand Chief Shirley Ducharme and Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias are pictured at an April 22, 2026, news conference in Winnipeg, Man. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg)

Manitoba First Nations leaders are calling on the provincial government to commit to “meaningful action” to address systemic failures they say were exposed during the 2025 wildfire season – one of the worst in the province’s history.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) chiefs say their communities dealt with a “fragmented emergency response” from both provincial and federal governments last summer, as tens of thousands of First Nations people were evacuated.

Chiefs say families spent weeks and months in hotel rooms and shelters without access to culturally appropriate food, services or language supports. They also dealt with ongoing safety issues.

“A continuity of care model must be embedded into emergency response systems. A lot of our people are not used to the city. They fall through the cracks of the service systems,” said Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias.

Moreover, they say emergency response operates across federal authority, with money then trickling through provincial systems.

“The funds can no longer go directly to the province and our leadership are expected to go to the province for that support,” said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson.

“We all need to work together but how can we work together when the province has all the resources for emergency management?”

Instead, they are calling for a First Nations-led approach to emergency management and planning.

Specifically, the leaders are calling for reliable backup power systems, a commitment to improve infrastructure, like roads and hydro, clear and timely support for evacuees and enhanced mitigation for long-term emergency planning and review, among other action items.

Their calls come a day after the province released an initial report on the 2025 wildfire season, highlighting changes made ahead of this season.

Manitoba Emergency Management Preparedness Minister Lisa Naylor said Tuesday the province was as prepared as it could have been, but they’ve gone even further this year.

“We hope we won’t see a season like that this year, but at the same time, we’re going to be even more prepared,” she said.

A final report is still expected, and First Nations leadership say they want to be a part of that process.

“We have the solutions. We have the answers. Our leaderships know what they need for their communities,” Wilson said.

Speaking to the media Wednesday, the Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures, Ian Bushie, said the government plans on having First Nations more involved.

“They’re more impacted by wildfires based on whether it be remote fly-in communities or northern Manitoba. So having them be part of the conversation and part of potential solutions is key for us,” said Bushie.

· With files from Carie Wilson