RezCross Emergency Evacuation Centre at Willow Cree Memorial Sports Centre
EAGLE FEATHER NEWS

RezCross Reactivated: Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation Emergency Centre for Wildfire Evacuees

Jul 21, 2025 | 12:27 PM

When thousands across northern Saskatchewan evacuated their homes and communities due to the wildfires, Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation (BOCN) opened their doors to those in need.

The First Nation launched ‘Operation Red Willow’ by activating their ‘RezCross’ Emergency Evacuation Centre, which opened on June 2nd at BOCN’s Willow Cree Memorial Sports Centre. The initiative supported all of the basic and essential needs for those fleeing and displaced due to the fires.

“Our nation provides whatever we can to make sure people feel comfortable and feel safe,” said Loressa Mike, BOCN Emergency Management Officer.

“There’s no limit to what we will try to accommodate for people. We try to accommodate every single person coming through the door,” she said.

The RezCross Emergency Evacuation Centre can accommodate about 200 people. In addition to a bed for each person, they provided three meals a day from the Blackhawks Grill in their arena, as well as 24-hour mental health and trauma supports, nursing staff for the elderly, education and daycare resources for children, and around the clock security.

To read the full story, visit eaglefeathernews.com

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