Mistissini cabin fire kills 5 in northern Quebec

The Cree community of Mistissini in northern Quebec is mourning the deaths of five menin a cabin fire.

The men were on a hunting trip north of the town,according to Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come of the Grand Council of theCrees.

In a statement, Coon Come gave the men's names as:

• David Jimiken.
• Emmett Coonishish.
• Chiiwetin Coonishish.
• Kevin Loon.
• Charlie Gunner.

The communitywith apopulation of about 3,400, is785 kilometres north of Montreal andhome to the Cree Nation ofMistissini.

Asnowmobiler came across the burnedcabinWednesday afternoon near LakeBussy,according to Quebec provincialpolice, although whenthe fire occurred isn'tclear.

Sgt. Claude Denis said police used a search plane to locatethe cabinin aremote stretch of wildernessabout 300 kilometresnorth ofChibougamau.

Investigators arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. ET on Thursday. The cottage was destroyed in the fire, Denis said.

"At a time of such unfathomable loss,we can only express our deepest sympathies to the families, and pray that the knowledge of the full support of the entire Cree Nation will help in some way in providing comfort and easing the terrible pain they are suffering," Coon Come said.

"May their memories be a blessing and a source of sustenance as we collectively come to terms with this frightful occurrence."

Denis said ahelicopter has left the scene with the remains of the five individuals and autopsieswill be conducted in the next few days.

He saidfreezing raincaused officers to leave the scene because of difficult flying conditions, but as soon as the weather permits, they will go back tocontinue the investigation.

Tributes also poured in on social media.

A message posted on aFacebookpage forMistissiniyouth rememberedChiiwetinCoonishishas beingpassionate about his culture, as well as a good hunter who "respected the land."

Gunnerwas awarded a Medal ofBravery by the Governor General in 2013.

Premier PhilippeCouillard, who was in Quebec City on Thursday,also offered his condolences to the community.