Global Emergency Response Fund Goal: $20,000
Many of us saw on social media or the news the videos and pictures of people fleeing wildfires in Northern Ontario this past week. We also saw news stories or have been experiencing the thick smoke, leading to some of our Canadian cities having the worst air quality in the world.
As of July 20, there are 190 active wildfires burning in Northern Ontario, with over two dozen displaced communities, ten of which are First Nations communities that have evacuated to Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie, Toronto, and Niagara Falls. Several First Nations communities have been lost (White Water Lake and Collins) and the crisis is not over.
In a 2024 study on the impact of wildfires on Canadians, the Public Health Agency of Canada found that:
It is estimated that First Nations communities make up 42% of evacuations due to wildfires but only make up 5% of people living in Canada….Indigenous communities disproportionately experience both adverse mental health and physical health outcomes due to wildfires…. Indigenous communities often depend on the land for food, water, recreation, and cultural practices. Therefore, wildfires disrupt Indigenous ways of life and threaten important cultural activities, such as hunting, fishing, harvesting, and gathering….
Furthermore, Indigenous communities are often excluded from emergency preparedness and relief measures, that undermine rights to self-determination and autonomy. For example, Indigenous Peoples are often left out of decision-making processes regarding forest management before and after wildfire events, despite being the traditional keepers and stewards of the land….
[T]he evacuation measures conducted in Indigenous communities served as traumatic reminders of being taken away to residential schools and/or the Sixties Scoop as some were forced onto buses and separated from family. (Public Health Agency of Canada 2024)
Some of our Alliance Canada workers have been actively involved in serving Indigenous communities affected by the fires right now:
Together, they are responding to the wildfire crisis in a variety of ways:
- Providing immediate care for the evacuees in Thunder Bay
- Offering relief to those in homeless encampments who cannot escape the smoke or heat
- Engaging in frequent communication with Chiefs and Councils to provide trauma care and meet specific requests, especially for the communities with whom they already have established relational partnerships, including:
- Eabametoong First Nation, who has already been evacuated to Niagara Falls (NorthWind is the main partner)
- Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation, who has been partially evacuated to Barrie (Redwood is the main partner)
- Coordinating with Indigenous leaders to be ready to act at a moment’s notice when called upon for help, and to develop a plan for long-term recovery
Left: Picking up requested items · Right: Donations sorting centre at the Superior Hotel in Thunder Bay
At the same time, the regular work of Redwood Park Church and NorthWind Family Ministries continues, which includes NorthWind hosting a group from Bayview Glen Alliance Church this week as they serve Indigenous children and families in the city.
Photos: The team from Bayview Glen Alliance Church participating in NorthWind's ministry this week
Milissa, Samuel, and Bonita are humbly asking our wider Alliance Canada family to join us in responding to the wildfire crisis in two ways:
- Pray for those most affected by the fire and those providing care and relief
- Give to the Global Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) to support relief efforts
We are raising at least $20,000 for the immediate care and trauma relief for the Indigenous communities most affected by the fires, as well as longer-term care for evacuees as they return home to heal and rebuild.
In Matthew 25, Jesus taught his disciples that the Kingdom of God is the inheritance for those who care for the most vulnerable, in this parable of a King dividing the sheep from the goats:
Matthew 25:34-40
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Let’s heed these Words together by partnering with Redwood Park Church and NorthWind Family Ministries at this crucial time of need. Your support will help bring dignity, healing, and restoration to communities that have been deeply affected by the wildfires.
Give to Global Emergency Response Fund
References
Public Health Agency of Canada. 2024. “Rapid Review: An intersectional analysis of the disproportionate health impacts of wildfires on diverse populations and communities.” Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/rapid-review-intersectional-analysis-disproportionate-impacts-wildfires-diverse-populations-communities.html
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.