First Nation chiefs from northwestern Ontario are calling for a public inquiry into the provincial government’s response to the region’s wildfires, which have resulted in more than a dozen evacuations.
At a media conference hosted by Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) at the Superior Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in Thunder Bay on Tuesday, Gull Bay First Nation’s Chief Wilfred King said “the lack of communication and evacuation support should horrify all Canadians, and our community was on its own.”
“In the year 2026, how could this happen? More importantly, how do we make sure this never happens again? That’s what an inquiry must answer.”
There are more than 2,400 wildfire evacuees staying in host communities across the province. Namaygoosisagagun First Nation and Whitewater Lake First Nation have both been completely destroyed by wildfires in the past week.
King said the public inquiry should examine operational decision-making, emergency co-ordination, communications with First Nations, evacuation planning and execution, resource allocation and overall provincial preparedness.
He said chiefs are also calling for leadership changes within the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) — though he noted the chiefs recognize the efforts of those on the front lines, including firefighters and emergency personnel.
“The concern is not with employees who continue to work under extremely difficult conditions, but with senior leadership responsible for policy, planning, oversight and decision making,” King said.
In response to concerns from First Nation leaders on Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said “we have constant communication.”
“Now, keep in mind, on-reserve is a federal responsibility. Ontario’s taking the lead on this. I’m gonna repeat this: on reserve, the feds have the responsibility to take care of First Nations, but we’re taking care of them,” Ford said on Tuesday ahead of provincial and territorial leaders’ annual summer meeting, held in Charlottetown.
“We’re doing everything we possibly can. We have 155 fire crews out there, close to 8,900 wildland firefighters going out. It’s well organized in Thunder Bay.”
King said that while the federal government also bears responsibility, “we won’t accept any jurisdictional disputes.”
NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler agreed, while also bringing up the two governments’ focus on the Ring of Fire, saying: “In their haste to extract our resources in our territories, both Ontario and Canada are ignoring the immediate threats our communities are facing because of climate change.”
Fiddler said increasingly intense storms linked to climate change are making wildfire seasons more severe, resulting in regular evacuations for First Nation people.
“Climate change is real; all you have to do is step outside and smell the air,” he said.
CBC News is seeking further comments from the provincial and federal governments in response to Tuesday’s news conference.
First Nations leaders call for public inquiry into Ontario wildfire management
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he met with federal workers in Ottawa on Sunday who are supporting wildfire response efforts in northwestern Ontario and across the country.
“This is one of the most intense wildfire seasons in Canadian history due to extreme heat waves and record-breaking dry conditions,” Carney said on Facebook.
“Canada is mobilizing more than 5,000 firefighters and nearly 300 waterbombers, helicopters, and evacuation aircraft to contain, control, and mitigate the fires.”
Chief Lawrence Wanakamik of Whitesand First Nation said his people are afraid of what’s happened to their homes. The community was ordered to evacuate July 13; members are staying in Thunder Bay.
“We have people here that just want to go home — they’re not used to living in the city. They want to be with the land, whatever land is left behind with all the fire,” he said.
More than 940 evacuees from Eabametoong First Nation, also known as Fort Hope, have been flown to Niagara Falls with support from the Canadian Armed Forces.
Eabametoong First Nation’s Chief Solomon Atlookan said his people waited days for help.
A 14-year-old girl in the community came up to him to talk about the lack of government response, and asked if it was “another way of the government trying to get rid of Indigenous people.”
“It really struck me for a girl at 14 to say that,” Atlookan said.
Upsala residents returning home after voluntary evacuation
Mobile veterinary clinic set up in Thunder Bay, Ont., for animals affected by wildfires
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, who visited Thunder Bay on Tuesday, said it’s critical for both levels of government to engage with First Nation leaders.
“It just sounds again and again from the conversations I’m having with chiefs, with First Nations members who’ve been evacuated, that there was no real preparation and no real notice from government — and that they were asking for it,” Stiles said.
“What concerns me is looking back on what has not happened.”
2nd First Nations community in Ontario ravaged by wildfire in less than a week
Leaders of First Nations hit by Ontario wildfires speak out about way climate crises are handled
First Nations under evacuation include:
The Hope for Wellness Helpline provides 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.
