Statement on Wildfires in Northern Ontario by Chief Russell Wesley, Cat Lake First Nation

CAT LAKE First Nation – The catastrophic fires we have witnessed in Northwestern Ontario recently are not simply natural disasters. They are a warning that the current approach to forest management, emergency preparedness, and climate adaptation is not sufficient. Cat Lake First Nation is therefore calling on federal and provincial governments to take immediate action on the following priorities:1. Establish a First Nations Wildfire AuthorityCreate a First Nations-led wildfire authority with shared jurisdiction and decision-making authority alongside federal and provincial agencies. Develop a First Nations Climate Adaptation StrategyWork directly with First Nations to create climate adaptation plans that recognize changing fire seasons and the unique realities facing remote communities.