The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) government announced today that they would be opening the Batoche Festival Grounds to the northern wildfire evacuees seeking a secure place to wait out the current situation.
Evacuees should contact the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency at 855-559-5502 to register their destination. To register for Batoche call 1-877-MétisSK (ext. 9).
As of 8:30 this morning (June 5), there were more than 100 people at the Festival Grounds in various living spaces. Evacuees will be offered trappers tents outfitted with cots, wi-fi service to keep in touch with family, traditional food, and cultural activities.
MN–S President Glen McCallum said in a release, “The Batoche grounds are open to anyone who needs a safe place. In northern Saskatchewan, when you take any community, they’re mixed: Métis, First Nations, and non-Indigenous. Wildfires have no borders, and we’re not going to create borders, it’s just a matter of fine-tuning the partnership we have with Métis, First Nations, and non-Indigenous people. As always at Batoche, there’s room for everyone.”
A donation centre for Batoche’s emergency relief efforts has been established in Saskatoon at CUMFI, 315 Avenue M S.
The current pressing needs for evacuees Toiletries (such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products), diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, and clean bedding. Other priority needs include masks, air purifiers, and work gloves. The donations made at CUMFI intended for Batoche will be delivered accordingly.