PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION – On the one-year anniversary of a tragic fire that killed nine people in Pikangikum First Nation, Nishnawbe Aski Nation leaders have called for an inquest into the tragedy.
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, in a release issued on Thursday, said is beyond past time.
“We remember the tragedy in Pikangikum a year ago and we pray for strength and healing for the families, chief and council and the entire community. It is unacceptable that house fires continue to claim lives in our communities,” Fiddler said.
“We are calling for an inquest into fire safety in memory of all those we have lost in fires across NAN territory over the years, and to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again.”
Fiddler went on to say NAN leadership has sent a letter to the chief coroner for Ontario, outlining how the deaths seem to have originated from a common cause, adding that once brought to light the systemic issues would advance public safety.
The inquest would look into the cause of the fires and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths, while also promoting fire safety and prevention.
“Last year’s tragedy shook our community to the core and we are still struggling to come to grips with it. Overcrowding, unsafe building standards and a lack of firefighting equipment continues to put lives at risk in Pikangikum and communities across NAN territory,” said Pikangikum First Nation Chief Dean Owen.
“We experienced our worst nightmare with the terrible loss of nine of our members and today we honour their memory. We fully support an inquest to help prevent similar tragedies.”
Fiddler said the inquest would be synchronized with Amber’s Fire Safety campaign, launched last May in memory of Amber Strang, a five-month-old who was the youngest to die in the March 29, 2016 fire.
The campaign calls for a long-term plan to address fire protection and safety across NAN territory.
