Girl dies in First Nation fire, NAN says action needed to prevent future tragedies
An organization representing 49 First Nations in northern Ontario says it is mourning the death of a 10-year-old girl after a house fire on Weenusk First Nation.
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation says the weekend tragedy in the community in Peawanuck, Ont., has highlighted the lack of firefighting equipment and fire prevention services on First Nations.
Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum says it is unacceptable that the girl and her family were placed at such risk.
She says fires have killed too many Indigenous people over the years despite efforts to secure resources many First Nations desperately need.
She notes a report by Ontario’s chief coroner that found in 2021 First Nation children under 10 had a fire-related mortality rate 86 times greater than non-First Nation children.
Achneepineskum also says a report by National Indigenous Fire Safety Council First Nation found people living on-reserve are five times more likely to die in a fire.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2023.
Credit: Girl dies in First Nation fire, NAN says action needed to prevent future tragedies
