Peguis First Nation Welcomes Northern Evacuees, Calls for Community Support
May 30, 2025 – Peguis First Nation
There are now 144 evacuees from northern wildfires registered at the Peguis Multiplex. After an urgent call went out for essential donations to support the incoming guests, the people of Peguis responded and soon the organizers posted a message that they had enough supplies. By Friday, cots were set up on the Peguis Multiplex arena floor and the kitchen was open serving meals.
Carlina Trout is from Cross Lake. This is what she told about her experience:
"So, when we first when we first got evacuated, we were sent to Norway house. We went by the private vehicle with my brother's vehicle, but others were able to be taken by bus or by plane. And once we got to Norway house, we were with friends. We were taken care of there at the arena, or private homes. When I was taken care of, at Norway, they opened their restaurant to the public.”
They also provided buses for the public to be transported to the airport.
There were 5 planes I believe in total, and they We're able to take us from Norway House to Winnipeg, and then from there to Peguis which is where we are now, because Winnipeg is now full, so we're here now in Peguis.
Afraid that Sand Bay [where she lives in Cross Lake] is gonna get on fire, which is about 15 minutes away from Cross Lake, which is where we're from. So, this is going to be an ongoing process, and I'm really thankful for the community's generosity and their support.
I'm just really thankful, my son is here with me. My brother is here with me and his girlfriend.”
A volunteer said: “Peguis is a big place with a big heart. We are willing to share what we have with our brothers and sisters from the north. We recently had fires burning in Peguis and many firefighters came to assist us in our time of need. This is what we do.”
