First Nation fire fighters from northern Saskatchewan have won another National Aboriginal Firefighter Competition.
The event, hosted by the Aboriginal Fire Fighters Association of Canada, was held last weekend in Ontario.
Fond du Lac First Nation Fire Chief Georgie McDonald says another good effort was put in by his team against tough competition from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic region.
McDonald says preparing for the competition has a practical benefit since it enhances firefighting skills amongst those taking part.
He adds there is a fair amount of hard work involved.
“From the first week of June, we practice for the national competition,” he says. “If we get into the provincials, provincials are always held on July the 20th, so they practice every day to get in the fitness.”
In the past ten years, eight national championships have been won by firefighters from northern Saskatchewan.
Fond du Lac First Nation has won the competition four times and Black Lake has also picked up four national titles.