Indigenous resource centre raises money for employee after house fire

Staff members at a Winnipeg resource centre that helps indigenous families are coming together to help one of their own after he and his family lost their home in a fire.

Will Hudson, a volunteer co-ordinator at Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, said he and his family were shocked when they arrived home last Thursday night to find it was up in flames.

"I seen fire trucks, firemen, the doors ripped, the windows punched in," said Hudson. "They came in there and just asked me to stay outside and I was like, 'What happened, what happened?"

As much as I do for people, it's hard for me to help myself.- Will Hudson

Hudson said fire inspectors told him a hamper near the oven somehow caught fire. The kitchen, charred throughout, was significantly damaged.

Hudson said the family was renting the home and didn't have insurance.

"It's going to take a financial toll on us," he said. "The emotional impact; my kids were crying when they seen it."

Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata is helping the Hudson family by paying for them to stay in a hotel.

Crystal Leach, one of his co-workers, said Hudson's generous and helpful nature inspired staff at Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata to start a fundraiser.

"It's really heart-breaking to see his family go through these things right now and we are willing to do anything we can to help him," said Leach, adding the goal is to raise money to help the Hudson family pay for a new home.

Hudson said he is thankful to his staff for the support his family has received since the fire.

"As much as I do for people, it's hard for me to help myself, so it's good."

Forever the helper

In a bizarre twist that further supports his reputation as a helper: on Saturday, Hudson was swimming at the hotel pool when another potentially tragic incident unfolded.

Hudson noticed a young boy face down in the pool. He swam over and found the boy was unconscious, so he pulled him up out of the water and called for help.

"As soon as I was about to start CPR compressions on him, I heard a gurgle noise in his mouth, and more water poured out and he just let out this weird, death-defying gargle and ... huge scream," he said.

Hudson was later told the boy was OK.

"With all the pandemonium going on, it worked out for him. Happy about that situation."

Donations for the Hudson family can be dropped off at the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata building at 445 King St.