News

The forest fires in Northern Quebec this Spring and Summer are an extraordinary disaster, with both immediate and long-term effects for people, wildlife, and the land. For the people of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee, the impact of these fires has been devastating. Thousands of Crees, including children and Elders, have been displaced from their communities. Many have lost the traplines and bush camps that are essential to the Cree way of life.

According to Cree Nation Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty, “Every person I’ve spoken to – every elder – has shared the same thing: ‘I’ve never seen this happen before.’ If this is the harbinger of things to come, the impacts will be incredibly harsh, and could change the entire face of Eeyou Istchee and the 20,000 Crees who live and work here.”

The Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation has established a special 2023 Forest Fire Emergency Fund to help Cree families who have been severely affected by the fires. The Foundation is working closely with the Cree Trappers Association and the Cree Nation Government to identify and support those most in need throughout Eeyou Istchee.  

Foundation Chair Tina Petawabano emphasizes the urgency of this need: “The fires are volatile and unpredictable, and likely to continue for months to come. Our ability to act quickly and help people and communities will make a profound and important difference.”

Donations can be made by cheque payable to Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation.

Please send to:
‍Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation
700 De La Gauchetière West, Suite 1600
Montreal, Quebec H3B 5M2

OR

By credit card through Canada Helps

For more information, please contact Ross Clark at ross@creefoundation.ca or by telephone at 514-910-2075 or Tina Petawabano at tina.petawabano@cngov.ca