University of Regina hosting hundreds of northern Sask. wildfire evacuees
The University of Regina is hosting more than 450 people from the Shoal Lake Cree Nation and the Red Earth Cree Nation who have evacuated their homes due to wildfires in the area.
Vera Young, a community member of the Shoal Lake Cree Nation, said they started arriving at the university of Friday after heavy smoke forced leaders to evacuate.
Young said it was the worst smoke she’s ever experienced from wildfires.
“The smoke was getting thick and every time people would step outside of their houses they could smell the smoke,” she said. “Even with their [air conditioning units] running, it would still get in.”
Some community members were brought to other centres including Prince Albert, Nipawin and Melfort.
Young said they are all thankful for the support from both the University of Regina and the Canadian Red Cross, who is also helping.
“The community leadership of Shoal Lake and Red Earth, and the Prince Albert Grand Council have handled this evacuation and we’ve followed their lead,” Luc Mullinder, the vice president of the Canadian Red Cross in Saskatchewan, said.
The Red Cross helped with lodging, food, safety checks and providing cash cards to evacuees.
The Chief of Shoal Lake Cree Nation Marcel Head said as of Tuesday, the air quality has improved, meaning some members are able to return home again. He said residents with respiratory conditions may be asked to wait longer until it clears up more.
As of Tuesday, there are still more than 100 people from the communities staying at the university dorms in Regina.
“Some of the families were homesick on Saturday, missing family [members] that they left back home that had to stay back to look after their houses and their belongings,” Young said.
The University of Regina said staff members from several departments have stepped up to accommodate the unexpected visitors and to help them feel as comfortable as possible.
COVID-19 protocols are in effect for those staying in the school’s two residence towers, which includes masking in indoor public places and enhanced cleaning.
Those staying on campus have access to recreational equipment and facilities, including the pool and play spaces for children.
Young said she’s hopeful most people will be able to head home on Wednesday.
She said although they are all eager to return, they have been finding the positives in this emergency situation.
“For some, it was a good weekend and couple of days to see their family they haven’t seen in a year,” she said.
The University of Regina said it has advised the Red Cross, who is organizing the initiative, that it cannot accommodate any more evacuees at this time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Beyonce becomes most decorated artist in Grammys history with 32nd win
Beyonce stands alone on her Grammy throne: With her fourth win Sunday night, she has become the most decorated artist in the show's history surpassing the 26-year-old record once held by the late Hungarian-British conductor Georg Solti.

First tank sent by Canada for Ukrainian forces arrives in Poland
The first of the Leopard 2 tanks Canada is donating to Ukrainian forces has arrived in Poland.
Advocates come together to help sailors stuck for months on tugboats in Quebec port
Groups that advocate for seafarers are expressing concern for 11 sailors who are spending a harsh Quebec winter aboard three tugboats that have been detained for months in the port of Trois-Rivières.
‘Natural power’: 17-year-old undefeated Quebec boxer gears up for Canada Games
She started throwing punches to get exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now 17-year-old Talia Birch is gearing up to compete in the Canada Games as it opens up to female boxers for the first time
Charles Kimbrough, best known for role in 'Murphy Brown,' dies at 86
Charles Kimbrough, a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor who played a straight-laced news anchor opposite Candice Bergen on “Murphy Brown,” died Jan. 11 in Culver City, California. He was 86.
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.
31,000 cards: Montreal woman passing along father's extensive collection of Expos baseball cards
A Montreal woman is passing along her father's extensive collection of over 31,000 Expos baseball cards. April Whitzman's father, Steve Whitzman, collected the cards from 1969 to 2016. A huge Expos fan, he's got every player covered.
Canadians Drake, Michael Buble, Tobias Jesso Jr. among early Grammy winners
Singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. became a first-time Grammy Award winner at the pre-broadcast ceremony where fellow Canadians Michael Buble and Drake also picked up trophies.
Canada sends military aircraft into Haiti's skies as gang violence escalates
Canada has sent one of its military planes to Haiti to help the country cope with escalating violence. A joint statement today from National Defence Minister Anita Anand and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canada has deployed a CP-140 Aurora aircraft to help 'disrupt the activities of gangs' in Haiti.