The province is providing First Nations with funding for culturally inclusive planning for local emergencies such as wildfires and floods.
A total of $$580,000 is being delivered to 22 First Nations — including four on Vancouver Island — to provide training so community emergency supports can be delivered in a more inclusive way, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness said Friday.
The Tseshaht First Nation in Port Alberni will receive $20,000 for a two-day workshop where emergency-response staff will focus on the history of residential schools, the effect of displacement on Indigenous Peoples and how to create culturally inclusive spaces in emergency reception centres.
The Kyuquot First Nation, west of Port McNeill, will receive $17,800 for training on artifacts that could be in danger in the event of an emergency.
Mindy Ogden, heritage place specialist at Kyuquot First Nation, said a “salvaging sacred belongings” workshop will provide community members with the skills to recover precious belongings such as regalia, drums and masks.
“In the event of an emergency, we need locals who have these skills, as we are a very remote community,” said Ogden. “We are looking forward to equipping more community members, including the youth, in the future.”
The Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations around Port Renfrew are receiving $30,000 each from the funding stream.
