Wildfires dominate discussion with Alderville Chief, along with Trespass bylaw

Robert August 28, 2026 1 minute read

Wildfire damage is pictured from the air in Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (also known as Collins First Nation), a small, remote Ojibwa community located in northwestern Ontario, about 250 km north of Thunder Bay, Ont., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. — Wildfire damage at Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, on July 22, 2026.

This summer was especially bad for wildfires across Canada, with more than 5,000 wiping out nearly 4.5 million hecatres of forest.

At the time of this recording, about 2,000 evacuees from across northeastern Ontario have returned home since the wildfires began in mid-July. Still, just over 800 people remain displaced. More than a dozen communities within this region were impacted, mostly First Nations. Two First Nations Communities were completely destroyed: Collins First Nation and Whitewater First Nation.

In this conversation with Alderville First Nations Chief Taynar Simpson, he will discuss the devastation and its impacts on communities. As a member of the Chiefs of Ontario, he is calling for a public inquiry into what happened.

On a local note, Simpson will talk about a new trespass bylaw recently approved by the Alderville band council. It is designed to assist OPP enforcement.

Chief Simpson also provided updates on community events and announcements, including a baseball night, a meeting about the new trespass law, and planning for the 100th anniversary of the Alderville Cenotaph.