One bucket at a time
The smoke across Canada and the United States on July 14, the day after the entire Namaygoosisagagun First Nations had to evacuate. Courtesy NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin
As wildfire evacuees from Namaygoosisagagun First Nations begin rebuilding after losing nearly everything, relief organizations stress that financial donations remain the most effective way to help.
Helping was never a question for Karonhienhawe Nicholas.
“I heard that our sister communities are doing something,” said Nicholas. “Everybody says ‘we should do something.’ Well then, let’s do it.”
Nicholas is organizing a bucket drive for this Saturday, July 25, to raise money for those families displaced by the wildfires. She hopes to get help from volunteers to collect donations from motorists, working in shifts to ensure the buckets remain staffed.
“People don’t take initiative,” said Nicholas. “They just wait for somebody else to do it. If you want something, get it done.”
The fundraiser reflects what Nicholas sees as a longstanding tradition of Indigenous communities across Canada supporting one another during times of crisis.
“We are all we have,” said Nicholas. “We are the only ones that understand us, who know what we’ve all been through. We need to stay together, we need to support each other, especially in times of need.”
After speaking with a friend who knows people in Namaygoosisagagun, Nicholas said that immediate donation priorities have shifted away from clothing towards cash donations, allowing communities to purchase whatever families need most. Nicholas plans on sending donations through True North Aid, and potentially other organizations.
“It doesn’t take much, and we can do it,” said Nicholas. “Especially in our community. It’s a constant flow of people, so why not benefit from the traffic.”
Namaygoosisagagun First Nations chief Helen Paavola said in a news conference on July 21, that the destruction of the community is even worse than images circulating online.
“My members have suffered a great loss,” said Paavola. “The videos and the pictures out there don’t do it justice. It’s horrible, it’s awful, and those words are not enough to explain what we saw.”
Paavola shared that many residents escaped with only the clothes they were wearing after evacuating without warning on July 13.
“During a community meeting this morning it was confirmed that there is nothing left, just ashes,” said Paavola.
She also emphasised that Namaygoosisagagun First Nations is an independent First Nation rather than an organized township within Thunder Bay, stating that the community was built without support from the provincial or federal governments. But with the devastation from the fires, the community needs all the help it can get.
The national charity True North Aid is encouraging Canadians to prioritize monetary donations over physical goods.
“From what we have learned, physical donations are overwhelming most locations, and they have stopped taking any more,” stated the organization in a statement. “Financial support is really what is most needed, as it allows charity and agencies to immediately respond to the needs of the community.”
True North Aid also said cash donations eliminate shipping costs and logistical challenges associated with transporting donated items to remote northern communities.
The organization emphasized that community needs will continue to change as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress.
“We feel strongly that listening to what the community members need and want is first and foremost,” stated True North Aid.
True North Aid said that its approach is guided by Indigenous self-determination, with affected families and community leaders identifying priorities while the organization coordinates the support that is needed.
The organization deployed its executive director to Thunder Bay, where staff have already met with evacuation coordinators and community leaders from the affected First Nations. Initial assistance has included providing fit cards so families can purchase essential items.
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Nicholas said that she is focused on helping the communities in whatever way she can.
“I can’t imagine the devastation, losing your entire home, especially when you have kids. I’m emotional just thinking about it,” said Nicholas.
“I’ve gone through hard times in my life enough that I would have always appreciated anybody helping me,” said Nicholas. “It’s not about praise. It’s about being able to help. If I can do a little bit of anything to help, this is exactly what I need to do.”
As wildfires continue to affect the communities in northern Ontario, True North Aid said that collective responsibility will be essential in supporting families through both the immediate and the long recovery that lies ahead for the communities.
Community members can reach out to Nicholas to volunteer or donate or go directly through True North Aid.
Fern Marmont, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
