SASKATCHEWAN, Canada — Government officials have blamed Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation for not using the money it received to ensure the ability to fight a fire Tuesday that killed two toddlers.
APTN.com reported that Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt said his department had given the reserve enough money to deal with fire services.
“This particular band has received consistent funding for fire protection services,” said Valcourt. “And the fact of the matter is that each band council is responsible for fire protection on the reserve … that First Nation, like others, received sufficient funds to deal with fire safety.”
NDP Aboriginal affairs critic Niki Ashton said Valcourt was shirking his responsibility.
“First Nations and Canadians across the country have been moved by this tragedy,” said Ashton. “Instead of stepping up, the minister chooses to blame everyone else.”
NDP MP Romeo Saganash also criticized Valcourt for the failures of his department when it comes to providing resources for fire safety on reserves.
“Those living on reserves have a 10 times greater chance of dying from a fire"” said Saganash. “Does [Valcourt] find it acceptable that while adults are fighting over a bill children are dying in fire in 2015?”
Valcourt said the department was providing adequate funds, according to the report.
Local RCMP officers were the first responders at the scene of the fire and they saw the children’s father bring his two-year-old boy and 18-month-old daughter out of the burning home.
The two children were pronounced dead at the scene and their grandmother, who was also in the house, was taken to hospital, treated and later released.
The Loon Lake volunteer fire department sent First Nation a letter more than two weeks earlier notifying the community that their fire-protection contract was void due to First Nation being three months behind on its bill. Fire Chief Larry Heon said he received a call about the fire, but his department didn’t respond because of the voided contract.
Makwa Sahgaiehcan Chief Richard Ben said he thought the reserve was paying for firefighting. They also have a fire truck but it doesn’t run, according to the report.
Kent Stewart, Chief Coroner for Saskatchewan, said they’re investigating the fire to determine whether a probe is needed.
“Our big focus is prevention,” said Stewart. “I will sit down and go over the investigation’s information and make decisions on how to move forward and it may or may not involve an inquest.”
It could take six months for his office to make a determination.