Message from Chief Angela Levasseur
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation  RE: Wildfire Evacuation Update

July 11, 2025

To all NCN Citizens:

Since Sunday afternoon, your Council and our dedicated Emergency Management Operations (EMO) team have been working non-stop to evacuate our community and protect the health and safety of our citizens.

With thick black smoke creating hazardous conditions, and our initial requests for urgent support going unanswered, we had no choice but to escalate this crisis to the highest levels of government.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the individuals who heard our calls and took immediate action to assist our Nation:
–  Deputy Minister Gina Wilson,
• Minister Mandy Gull-Masty,
• MP Rebecca Chartrand, and
• AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse

Thank you for stepping in to help secure hotel accommodations, prioritize our people, and ensure the federal response was activated. Your support has made a critical difference during this emergency.

To Premier Wab Kinew- we offer our heartfelt thanks for your consistent leadership and support from day one.

Your presence, along with the efforts of your staff, has brought real comfort and reassurance to our Nation. Kinanāskomitin Premier Kinew, thank you for always being there for all Manitobans!

We are also deeply grateful to our regional leadership:
• Grand Chief Garrison Settee and the MKO,
• Grand Chief Kyra Wilson and the AMC,
• and all of their dedicated staff
Your support continues to lift our spirits and reinforce the strength of our Nations when we need it most.

Above all, we thank and honour our NCN EMO team, who began planning for this emergency back in April and have continued to work around the clock to ensure the safety of every NCN citizen. You are truly the best EMO team on the planet.Kinanāskomitināwāw!!!

To our NCN citizens1 we know this evacuation hasn’t been easy. We know there have been challenges with hotel availability, food, and supplies. And we know that the stress of leaving home, especially for our Elders, families with young children, and those with health conditions, is incredibly difficult.

Please understand that wildfires are impacting communities across Manitoba and Canada right now, which has created an extreme strain on emergency resources. Despite our best efforts, the evacuation will not be perfect — and for any delays or difficulties, we sincerely apologize.

We ask for your patience, compassion, and understanding as we continue to navigate these complex challenges. Please be kind to one another and to our staff and volunteers, who are sacrificing their own well-being to serve our Nation.

Now more than ever, we need unity. We need strength. We need to stay connected and support one another to ensure no lives are lost and no one is left behind.

Let’s continue to be proud of who we are. Let’s be NCN Strong. We love you all and may God bless you all!

Ekosani,

Chief Angela Levasseur
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation