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Deer Lake Celebrated KO's 10th anniversary along with North Spirit, Poplar Hill, Keewaywin, Fort Severn and Balmertown through our Video Conferencing connections. The Celebration took place at Deer Lake's E-Center. Community Members were invited to come to the celebration. Snacks and Refreshments were served. See the pictures here.

Deer Lake Sports and Recreation is hosting yet another invitational baseball tournament August 14-18, 2002. Travel Date: August 13, 2002 Scheduling Deadline: Monday, August 12 @ 3pm central time Entry Fee: $ 1000 outisde teams $ 1200 local teams Prizes will be determined later Rules and Regulations will given upon arrival Bring your own sleeping gear Accommodations will be provided NO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ALLOWED IN DEER LAKE FIRST NATION For more information please contact Recreation & Sports: Zack Meekis (807)- 775-9259 Brad Meekis 775-9259 Andy M Meekis 775-9453 Beverly Kakegamik 775-9456 Delilah Quill 775-9312 Aretta Meekis 775-9364 Please note that you can contact them after 5pm You can also phone the band office during office hours at 807-775-2141 or 807-775-2100 and ask for Deer Lake Recreation or Cory J Meekis.

At the time, there is a light southeast wind. Deer Lake is under light smoke. All information here is current to July 23, 2002. Yesterday’s rain has helped the efforts of firefighters and reduced the dangers to our communities. Suppression crews are working to keep the fires away from Sandy Lake. Fire 57 has moved into northwestern Ontario from Manitoba. Most of the 10,700 hectares consumed by this fire are on the Manitoba side. This blaze has been declared inactive and will be monitored. Fire 21 is being observed at 3895 hectares. This fire has no resources on it at this time, since it has been contained on the northwest side of Loon Lake. Fire 27 is being observed at 4933 hectares. Resources dedicated to fighting this fire include: • 1 FB-4 (water bomber) • 6 type 1 crews • 2 type 2 crews • 4 light helicopters • 2 medium helicopters 34 is being observed at 3502 hectares Fire 41 is a new blaze, and my sources did not know at what time or date this fire started. At the moment, it is being observed at 80 hectares. To view maps of the fires surrounding our communities.

7 planes with over 300 people have been evacuated to Thunder Bay. Phase 1 included those with chronic illnesses and respiratory problems. Phase 2 consisted of children under 2, prenatals and all individuals with respiratory problems. The forest fire watch does not seem to give any encouragement at this time, with Fire 56 being declared out only because it has merged with Fire 34 at 3,200 hectares on Sunday. Fires 27, 28 and 29 have also merged at 5,000 hectares. There are 4 crews altogether fighting this fire. There are 2 Type 1 crews and 2 type 2 crews. This is the fire that has caused the heavy smoke in the community of Deer Lake. Fire 23 is growing in size, and as of Sunday was 4,500 hectares. Fire 21 has been contained at 3,700 hectares. Deer Lake has been fortunate and is staying at the Confederation College campus in Thunder Bay. However, the stress of evacuation seems to weighing on the evacuees, in spite of their gratitude for their beds and rooms. Check out the photos Phase 2 of the evacuations.

A fourth plane has landed in Deer Lake, to take 40 to 45 people to Thunder Bay due to the seriousness of smoke caused by fires nearby. The group included infants, children, women and people with medical problems to be evacuated immdiately. A fifth plane is schedule to be arriving at 4:00pm on Saturday. See pictures of the Deer Lake evacuation process.

Heavy smoke has created the need for evacuation in our community. Even those of us without breathing problems have noticed symptoms such as sore throats. The heat of the day helps to keep the smoke from completely obscuring our vision, but the coolness of night brings the choking smoke. The elderly, babies, prenatals and others with health and breathing problems will be the first to be evacuated. As of 4:00pm, it appears that the evacuees will be sent to Thunder Bay. It is not known whether or not other residents will need to be evacuated. We are waiting for the planes to arrive for the over one hundred residents, who due to medical reasons must leave. For more information you can call the Deer Lake band office at 807-775-2141.

Fathers day, June 16 2002, will be the fifth year since our father passed away in Winnipeg. So here is something I wrote to remember my father, my dad, my Papa, my Friend .... Ennis Meekis - October 11 1932 to June 16 1997 It has been five years since, God called you home Now our Mom is with you, today cause god called her home too, Now you and mom are together again walking down the beautiful streets of gold But it still feels like yesterday when we saw you smiling, laughing. They say the pain gets easier but it's still there, it never seems to fade even though we know that You & Mom are very happy, together once again. We wish we could see you again hold you , hug you , kiss you even though you are both still with us in our hearts and around us all the time it's not the same when we can't talk on the phone, and say Hi, how are you today, How's my little angels (grand children) today. We miss you very much Love, always in our hearts Robert , Donna & Keifer, Roberta & Joey

TO OUR FAMILY OUT THERE, WE ARE HAVING OUR FIRST MEMORIAL FEAST FOR MY GRANDMOTHER SARAH RAE, ON MAY 9TH. PEOPLE KNOW HER AS MAH SHINA IN POPLAR HILL AND PIKANGIKUM. WE WOULD LIKE KNOW IF STACEY RAE IN ROUND LAKE IS GONING TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND? LET US KNOW.

Once again we lost one our most respected elder, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Claudia Meekis died on April 9th 2002, she left us so sudden. The death of her sister must have been too much. She leaves behind 7 sons, 3 daughters, 6 daughters-in-law, 3 sons-in-law and 37 grandchildren, 4 greatgrand children. We will miss her deeply.

April 9, 2002 at 3:21am, Nora Suggashie (maiden name–Meekis) passed away at her home in Deer Lake, Ontario. She was in her 50's and had been struggling with illness for a long time. The wake will be taking place at the house she shared with her husband, Charlie Suggashie. There has been an outpouring of community support, not only from the from the family of Nora, but other community members as well. Our condolences go to the family during this difficult time. Donations of food and flowers for the funeral are needed, as well as people willing to cook for the feast and during the wake.