A look in from Thursday's Firefighter Appreciation event at the WDM. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

United effort by many

Firefighters Appreciation barbecue recognizes team effort fighting wildfires

Jul 6, 2023 | 4:41 PM

The Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) held a Firefighter Appreciation barbecue at the Western Development Museum in North Battleford Thursday, showing appreciation for all those who played a part in fighting the wildfires in the Moosomin and Saulteaux First Nation area to keep those communities safe.

Director of Housing and Infrastructure with the BATC, Mervin Knight said Thursday’s event was important as a way to shine a light on not only all who helped out, but the collaborative effort it took.

“It’s recognizing the individuals, entities, and all the leadership that came together unified to support one another in the disaster that could have happened,” Knight said. “All the fire departments in the surrounding area, and the people, this event is just to give them some acknowledgment instead of them just walking away not getting the acknowledgment or thanks for the work they’ve done.”

Chief of Saulteaux First Nation, Kenny Moccasin, said there are many who chipped in to help in whatever way they could: from fighting the fires on the frontlines to donating food and goods and providing financial backing.

“There’s all the firefighters, the province coming out and assisting with the water bombers, the RMs of Meota, the village of Cochin, the North Battleford Fire Department, the federal government [and] ISC (Indigenous Services Canada) for stepping up financing… there was so much help and assistance from people in all areas,” Moccasin said.

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“People volunteering, those bringing in food to feed the firefighters, and there were long 12-hour, 14-hour days. It was just everybody coming together and working together, battling the fire for six, seven days with high winds which were a big factor.

“Everyone came together and we were able to save homes, save infrastructure, and community buildings. There were evacuations that had to happen and BATC coordinated all of that, making sure people had something to eat and somewhere to stay. Just everyone coming together was amazing.”

Fire Chief with the North Battleford Fire Department, Lindsay Holm said the way the communities were able to come together and lean on one another was something special to see.

“You can really tell a lot about what a community is about by times of adversity, and I think the two communities there had some of the biggest adversity you’re going to see,” Holm said. “I was able to get to see how two communities were able to pull together, the amount of work that was done in a very short period of time, getting fire equipment, getting food and water for everybody that was out fighting those fires, it was absolutely amazing to see.

“I think the two chiefs can be so proud of their communities because we didn’t lose a house out there. It was unbelievable the amount of effort that took to do, and I’m just very proud of each and every one who was out there fighting those fires and to the people who supported all the firefighters out there.”

Chief of Moosomin First Nation, Cheryl Kahpeaysewat thanked Knight and the BATC for hosting Thursday’s barbecue event and said it serves as a valuable reminder of what can happen when everyone works together.

“I’m at a loss for words,” she said. “It was awesome to see the Nations come together and work together as a group. The leadership came together and we made sure our community was safe. We had water delivered to us, and we had so many donations from surrounding communities which were greatly appreciated. We’d like to thank each and every one of them.

“The love that was there was really inspiring for myself, to see the togetherness.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1