KEHEWIN CREE NATION, Alta. — The chief of the home community of firefighter Jerry Gadwa says her First Nation is "devastated" by his death while on a firefighting assignment in northwestern Ontario.
Gadwa, who was in his late forties, died Thursday.
According to a family member, relatives have been told he was found unconscious, and died en route to hospital.
The cause of death, however, "is not known at this time," according to a spokesperson for the Ontario labour ministry.
She confirmed Monday that the ministry is conducting an investigation but that "no orders or requirements have been issued."
Gadwa was part of an Alberta crew helping the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on wildfire suppression in the Red Lake district.
Kehewin Cree Nation Chief Brenda Vanguard said in an interview Monday that he was the single father of a 10-year-old boy.
"Firefighters take a big risk. They put their lives in danger. We need to have a lot of respect for firefighters," Vanguard told Tbnewswatch.
Vanguard said she expects to learn more later this week about the circumstances of Gadwa's death, and about funeral plans.
William John, who's married to Gadwa's niece, said he's been told he may have been suffering from a health issue, but added "I don't really think he was the type of person to speak of any illness...he kind of kept that stuff very private," John said.
John, who is also a member of Kehewin's council, described Gadwa as "a well-built individual" who "loved to train. And any type of physical work, that's what appealed to him."
He said he was involved in fighting forest fires for more than 20 years, and enjoyed the seasonal work.
John added that Gadwa was "a very dedicated father," who always wanted to make sure his son was taken care of.
The extended family, he said, is tight-knit, and will provide plenty of support to the man's son.
According to Chief Vanguard, Gadwa's body is expected to be returned to Alberta soon, but arrangements for his funeral have not yet been finalized.
Kehewin Cree Nation is in eastern Alberta, northeast of Edmonton.
