First Nation chief seeks federal help to rebuild burned band office

SASKATOON Cumberland House Cree Nation Chief Rene Chaboyer is asking the federal government to step in after the First Nation’s band office burned earlier this month, destroying records and leaving his community without vital services.

“We’re asking the governments to help us build capacity and rebuild,” Chaboyer told reporters at a Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) news conference on Thursday.

The band office caught fire on Dec. 2. Firefighters from local communities responded but were unable to stop the blaze from destroying the building.

Chaboyer said the building included a daycare, financial services, and administrative chambers. It also contained vital band records and irreplaceable items, including photos of elders.

He’s hoping Indigenous Services Canada, whose services flow out of the office, will help with rebuilding.

Minister Marc Miller met with Chaboyer on Thursday to discuss next steps.

Indigenous Services spokeswoman Martine Stevens wrote in a statement that work is continuing with the band’s project management team to replace what was lost in the fire.

In the meantime, Chaboyer said the First Nation is running its affairs out of a temporary location without access to many supplies.

On Thursday, during a news conference about new federal funding for suicide prevention among First Nations youth, Chaboyer said the fire was arson, and linked to poor mental health support in his community.