Nunavut government donates to Alberta wildfire relief

As seen in this satellite image, smoke billows over Fort McMurray, Alta. on May 3. (PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA-AQUA/MODIS

A member of the RCMP walks down a Fort McMurray street in this photo released May 5 from the Alberta RCMP. More than 300 RCMP officers have been sent to Fort McMurray to assist with the ongoing emergency there. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RCMP)

(Updated May 7, 7:45 a.m.)

The Government of Nunavut will donate $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to help those affected by the forest fires in and around Fort McMurray, Alberta, Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna said in a May 5 statement.

“Inuit societal values teach us to serve and provide for family and community. On behalf of all Nunavummiut, I extend our thoughts to all those in Fort McMurray. Stay safe and strong; we are with you in spirit,” Taptuna said.

The wildfire in and around the northern Alberta city, which this week forced the evacuation of 88,000 residents, continues to burn “out of control,” according to a May 5 evening update from the Government of Alberta.

“It is a pillar of this government’s mandate to keep families healthy and build resilient communities. On behalf of Nunavut, I’m pleased to help the greater Canadian community, and provide aid to those displaced,” Taptuna said.

More than 1,110 firefighters, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 air tankers continue to fight the huge fire.

“Nunavut Protection Services has contacted the Alberta Emergency Management Agency to offer any logistic or administrative supports we have available,” Taptuna said.

The Government of the Northwest Territories also said May 5 that it will donate $50,000 to relief effort.

You can donate to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires appeal here .

Many schools across Nunavut are also accepting donations which will be forwarded to the Canadian Red Cross. Netsilik school in Taloyoak had raised more than $900 by May 6, while Joamie elementary school in Iqaluit plans to hold a book fair, photo booth and bake sale May 20, with additional fundraising events, including a loonie-toonie sale, set for May 21.

All money raised will be donated by the schools to the Red Cross Alberta Fires fund.

On May 5, those at the Kitikmeot Inuit Association community feast in Kugluktuk donated $1098.95 less than five minutes for the fund. And in Cambridge Bay, Sheldon McCallum won a GN-Community and Government Services 50-50 draw, with half going to $1,400 to Red Cross.

The Rankin Inlet Music Society will host a benefit concert “for the people of Fort McMurray” May 12 at the Siniktarvik Hotel.

The federal government has said it will match any donations made to the Red Cross.

“Today, I’m pleased to announce that in addition to the government of Canada providing future… assistance, the government will also be matching individual charitable donations made to the Canadian Red Cross in support of disaster relief,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau May 5 in the House of Commons.

“The outpouring of goodwill and compassion from Canadians right across the country [to the fire] has not only been inspirational, it has been entirely characteristic of who we are and the fundamental human values we share as Canadians.”