THUNDER BAY – Money raised to help support Pikangikum First Nation evacuees during their stay in Thunder Bay will instead be redirected to help St. John Ambulance purchase a new vehicle.
The Thunder Bay Good Neighbour Fund was launched by the Thunder Bay Community Foundation late last week, quickly raising $13,000 to support the 1,000 people in the city that had displaced from their home community by a nearby forest fire.
The fund's steering committee announced the decision on Wednesday night, the same day self-evacuated people were given clearance to begin returning home and one day before flights were expected to start on Thursday.
Pikangikum First Nation Chief Amanda Sainnawap said the assistance provided to the evacuees by St. John Ambulance made them a worthy recipient.
“They have had medical first responders volunteering to support the community throughout this event and supporting our community members. We are proud to support them now and feel this is our chance to give back,” Sainnawap said in a written statement.
“We want to acknowledge and support their work, as they have supported us with nothing but professionalism, valour and dedication. We know they need an additional mobile unit as they are only operating on one vehicle. The Good Neighbour Fund has the ability to alleviate some of the burden of having a large number of evacuees present within the city of Thunder Bay.”
Independent First Nations Alliance chief executive officer Mathew Hoppe praised the organization for their assistance during the evacuees' time of need.
“St. John Ambulance has gone above and beyond in their support of our evacuees both at the Valhalla Inn and the Airlane Hotel, both of which are operated by the IFNA crisis response team,” Hoppe said.
The fund received donations from Thunder Bay Broom and Chemical Ltd., the Toronto Community Foundation, Happy Time Tour and Travel, as well as individuals in the community. The steering committee consisted of Sainnawap, Hoppe, a representative from Nishnawbe Aski Nation, City of Thunder Bay manager of Indigenous relations and inclusion Regina Mandamin, Matthew Lesnick from St. John Ambulance and Brent Massaro from Thunder Bay Broom and Chemical Ltd.
