Helen Paavola

Helen Paavola

Canada CanadapoliticianFemale5.2Global Dominance: 0.00%

Helen Paavola is the Chief of Collins First Nation, a community that has been severely affected by recent wildfires in Northern Ontario. As the leader of her community, she has been at the forefront of the response to the crisis, declaring a state of emergency and coordinating efforts to provide support for residents who were forced to evacuate with little more than the clothes on their backs. Paavola's urgent appeals for assistance from provincial and federal governments underscore the challenges her community faces during this devastating natural disaster.

Power4,599
Reach106,389

Country presence

Recent news mentions

Collins First Nation Chief Helen Paavola said her community was left to evacuate without notice and support.

Aerial photos show First Nation devastation as wildfires scorch Ontario’s north
The Globe and Mail·CanadaCanada· 2026-07-23
6.0

Chief Helen Paavola, of the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, has said her community had to decide for themselves to get out, using boats to get across the lake from their community, which has been entirely wiped out.

First Nations chiefs demand public inquiry, resignations over Ontario’s wildfire response
The Globe and Mail·CanadaCanada· 2026-07-22
5.0

Helen Paavola, the chief of Namaygoosisagagun, had made inquiries to the federal government in the days leading up to the fire.

We received no alert, say leaders of First Nations communities razed by Canadian wildfires | Canada
The Guardian·United KingdomUnited Kingdom· 2026-07-21
5.0

Namaygoosisagagun First Nation Chief Helen Paavola called for evacuation help before fire destroyed her community.

Wildfires continue to rage across Canada as smoke eases in eastern cities
The Globe and Mail·CanadaCanada· 2026-07-19
6.0

Chief Helen Paavola of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation looks at video footage that shows the damage to her community.

Canada-U.S. deal on Gordie Howe bridge, WestJet flight attendants vote to strike and Ontario wildfires disrupt rail service: Must-read business and investing stories
The Globe and Mail·CanadaCanada· 2026-07-19
7.0

Chief Helen Paavola expressed her relief when she learned that all community members were safe during the evacuation.

Canada wildfires: An entire Indigenous community forced to flee
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-07-18
8.0

Helen Paavola is the chief of the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation who reported her community was devastated by wildfires.

Incendios forestales en Canadá deterioran la calidad del aire y afectan a Nueva York antes de la final del Mundial
La Prensa – leading Panamanian daily, est. 1980·PanamaPanama· 2026-07-18
5.0

Chief Helen Paavola said she called the Ministry of Natural Resources for evacuation assistance before the flames overtook the town.

Ford defends Ontario’s wildfire response as smoke blankets central Canada, Eastern U.S.
The Globe and Mail·CanadaCanada· 2026-07-17
6.0

The chief of the Namaygoosisagagun community, Helen Paavola, stated that their community was 'burned to the ground'.

Dim iz kanadskih gozdnih požarov poslabšuje kakovost zraka tudi v ZDA
Delo – major Slovenian daily, est. 1959·SloveniaSlovenia· 2026-07-17
5.0

Chief Helen Paavola was in Thunder Bay, about to board a flight to Ottawa to attend the Assembly of First Nations summer gathering.

Why did Collins First Nation members have to be ‘their own heroes’ amid wildfire?
The Globe and Mail·CanadaCanada· 2026-07-16
7.0

Collins First Nation Chief Helen Paavola described the emergency situation as some community members fled on boats.

Northern Ontario wildfires devastate First Nation communities and prompt evacuations
The Globe and Mail·CanadaCanada· 2026-07-15
6.0