RezCross Reactivated: Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation Emergency Centre for Wildfire Evacuees

When thousands across northern Saskatchewan evacuated their homes and communities due to the wildfires, Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation (BOCN) opened their doors to those in need.

The First Nation launched ‘Operation Red Willow’ by activating their ‘RezCross’ Emergency Evacuation Centre, which opened on June 2^nd at BOCN’s Willow Cree Memorial Sports Centre. The initiative supported all of the basic and essential needs for those fleeing and displaced due to the fires.

“Our nation provides whatever we can to make sure people feel comfortable and feel safe,” said Loressa Mike, BOCN Emergency Management Officer.

“There’s no limit to what we will try to accommodate for people. We try to accommodate every single person coming through the door,” she said.

The RezCross Emergency Evacuation Centre can accommodate about 200 people. In addition to a bed for each person, they provided three meals a day from the Blackhawks Grill in their arena, as well as 24-hour mental health and trauma supports, nursing staff for the elderly, education and daycare resources for children, and around the clock security.

As of June 9, Mike said the centre was accommodating a little over 150 people.

“The outpouring of support was incredible. The neighbouring towns and churches reached out to volunteer, and bring food and clothing. It’s been phenomenal,” said Mike.

RezCross initially launched in 2015 in response to the northern wildfires at the time. The name is a reference to the Red Cross shelters that most of the evacuees were staying at in Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert at the time.

This May, following mass evacuations from northern communities, Mike said that BOCN Chief Edwin Anasas called her, asking what their community can do to help those fleeing the wildfires. Knowing they had the resources and physical space to become a safe haven for those in need, the BOCN directors and coordinators decided to re-activate the RezCross. Within days, thanks to a full participation from the community, the RezCross was again in operation, said Mike.

“We’re doing it because we can. If you’re able to provide support, that’s what you should do,” said Mike. “First Nations people understand First Nations people best. We understand the trauma, the certain things that trigger people. We know that, and try to eliminate all of that to help this facility feel like a home.”

Mike didn’t specify the financial expense to operate the shelter, but said much of the expenses would be reimbursed by Indigenous Services Canada. She added that while some costs were not coverable, the priority was to make sure people receive the care they need.

“It doesn’t matter how much it costs to take care of people. You do this because it’s the right thing to do.”

Similar to BOCN, James Smith Cree Nation, One Arrow First Nation, Sturgeon Lake First Nation, and Montreal Lake Cree Nation also established temporary emergency shelters for wildfire evacuees.