AMC Acting Grand Chief and Chiefs Call for Long-Term Emergency Preparedness as Thousands Remain Displaced
August 27, 2025
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, MB – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is sounding the alarm as First Nation citizens remain displaced by wildfires. Some, like the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, for as long as three months. Acting Grand Chief Heidi Cook said the situation is unacceptable and highlights the complete absence and gap of long-term measures within federal and provincial emergency programs.
“Our hearts are with our relatives who have been away from their homes for months. Children are out of their homes with school about to start next week, Elders are far from their homelands, and First Nations are waiting on Manitoba Hydro just to restore basic power. Leadership is still negotiating for generators in the middle of a crisis. This is not emergency management – it is abandonment,” said Acting Grand Chief Cook.
Chief Gordie Bear of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation underscored the devastating reality facing his citizens who remain displaced in Niagara Falls. “We have been told that we may soon have access to a vacant school for our children and youth for next week, but I remain deeply worried. These young people are being forced to walk through an amusement park just to reach their classrooms. The disruption to their education, their safety, and the toll this takes on their well-being is unacceptable. Our people should be safe at home, supported by the infrastructure and preparedness measures that every family in this country deserves,” said Chief Bear.
The AMC emphasizes that there are no federal programs in place to address climate resiliency, adaptation, or preparedness infrastructure. Chiefs have consistently called for investments in backup generators, clean air shelters, and other community-based measures that would allow citizens – especially children, Elders, and those with health vulnerabilities – to remain safely in their First Nations during emergencies.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is demanding immediate restoration of hydro services in affected Nations, the delivery of backup generators and clean air shelters without delay, and the creation of a permanent First Nations-led emergency management and preparedness model. Acting Grand Chief Cook emphasized that governments cannot continue with “band-aid” responses:
“Preparedness must replace evacuation as the default. Every dollar invested in prevention saves money, but more importantly, it saves our people from unnecessary harm. First Nations will not accept another season of crisis without real solutions.”
The AMC stands with all displaced families and pledges to continue advocating for First Nations-led emergency management solutions that ensure safety, dignity, and respect for Treaty rights.
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs:
The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe, Nehetho / Ininew, Anisininew, Denesuline, and Dakota Oyate peoples.