A team of firefighters from three First Nations in New Brunswick is helping Alberta battle wildfires.
The 10-person team, known as the Wabanaki Wildland Crew, consists of members from the Neqotkuk, Natoaganeg and Sitansisk First Nations, and they left for Western Canada last week.
A news release from the New Brunswick government says wildfire management officials certified 20 Indigenous firefighters from across the province earlier this year.
Get breaking National news
It says a special ceremony was held before the Wabanaki Wildland Crew’s deployment to the Prairies to honour the team and one of its members — John Eric Paul of Sitansisk First Nation — who recently died in an accident.
Eleven other firefighters from New Brunswick have joined the Wabanaki crew, and they’ll be in Alberta for two weeks.
In the release, Tim Plant with Sitansisk First Nation says Indigenous communities must be able to respond to weather disasters such as wildfires as the climate changes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2024.
- Trump doubles down after U.S. Supreme Court strikes down global tariffs
- Porter flight from Edmonton loses traction, slides off taxiway at Hamilton airport
- Coffee-hockey combo — or breakfast beers? — for bleary-eyed Olympic fans
- Are Canadian jobs any safer than before Trump’s tariffs were struck down?
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.