Earlier this year Kashechewan First Nation (“KFN”) and Missanabie Cree First Nation ISN Maskwa (“ISN Maskwa”) announced they will work together in collaboration to utilized each other’s services exclusively during emergencies facing Northern Ontario First Nations.
This partnership, which is fully supported by Indigenous Services Canada (“ISC”), is a groundbreaking first step in an Indigenous-led approach to First Nations supporting First Nations in crisis. KFN has directed that they will support their own community in partnership with ISN Maskwa. This is the hallmark of First Nation helping First Nation communities.
In the past, ISN Maskwa has worked with several Northern Ontario municipalities and towns in order to receive a number of Indigenous communities in their time of need. The municipalities and towns have been very welcoming and we thank them for their support.
This year, we again look forward to working with Northern Ontario municipalities and towns. We believe strongly in working together with local businesses and vendors in the areas that our First Nation members choose to relocate to and building meaningful partnerships.
ISN Maskwa team members are currently in Kapuskasing training Indigenous members from various First Nations on our Evacuation Specialist Community Support Training. Later this month, in Kapuskasing, we will train additional First Nation members on the Ontario Incident Management Specialist Training. Those who successfully complete the training then receive the opportunity to be employed by ISN Maskwa. Our experienced and diverse team at ISN Maskwa will continue to mentor our graduates with the goal of emergency management being Indigenous-Led with First Nations voices heard.
ISN Maskwa would like to invite the media, merchants and the public to attend a Meet and Greet in Kapuskasing at the Apollo Motel located at 100 Government Road West on Wednesday March 13th, 2024 between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Several members from ISN Maskwa, who have actively worked on evacuations and deployments, will be present and available to answer questions. We look forward to sharing accurate information about ISN Maskwa and getting to know community members and businesses alike.
Please direct any media inquiries to:
Jane Martynuck
Cell 705-941-8161
