WEENUSK FIRST NATION – A 10-year-old girl has died as the result of a house fire in Weenusk First Nation over the weekend.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation leadership say the fire remains under investigation by Nishnawbe Aski Nation Police, adding they are working to ensure the family of the girl and the community has the supports it needs.
“We are in touch with the family and community leaders and have assured them that we will do everything we can to help. Our Crisis Response staff are assisting, and we appreciate the efforts of Mushkegowuk Council and the many others who are providing the needed supports to the family and community. Please join us in prayer for strength and healing for Peawanuck over the difficult days ahead,” said Deputy Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum.
She added it’s beyond time for senior levels of government to do something to ensure each First Nation community has proper firefighting services. She noted First Nation children under 10 are 86 times more likely to die in a fire than non-First Nation children.
“Over the years, our communities have lost far too many people to house fires and other emergencies. It is unacceptable that the lives of this young girl and her family were placed at such risk because of the lack of basic firefighting equipment, fire prevention, and emergency services in their community. Our leaders are extremely frustrated that these tragedies continue to happen despite all our best efforts to secure the resources they so desperately need,” she said.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help the family. More than $36,000 of the $50,000 goal has been donated as of Thursday morning.
Weenusk First Nation is located about 400 kilometres northwest of Moosonee, Ont., near the Hudson's Bay coast.
