Cariboo RD receives $$$ for building Indigenious Relationships during Emergencies

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- the Cariboo Regional District will be receiving $30,000 for relationship building for cultural safety and humility: Training program development and implementation from this funding announcement of the Provincial Government

Communities across B.C. will receive funding to enhance cultural safety in local emergency management, helping ensure First Nations, Métis and Inuit people are treated with inclusivity and respect during emergencies.

“We have heard that emergency management supports can be delivered in a more culturally safe and inclusive way. Supporting Indigenous people and communities begins with understanding their history and values,” said the Hon. George Heyman, acting BC Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, and BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “By creating more opportunities for staff and volunteers to learn about cultural safety, we are working toward ensuring Indigenous people feel respected, included and cared for during emergencies.”

The Province is providing approximately $580,000 for 22 local projects under the Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Training stream of the Community Emergency and Preparedness Fund (CEPF). This funding will be used by local governments and First Nations to make emergency management and supports more inclusive of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.

Projects include:

• Cultural safety and humility training will be provided for Town of Smithers staff involved with local emergency management, which is adapted to the cultural aspects and needs of the Wet'suwet'en community.
• A two-day workshop for Tseshaht First Nation emergency-response staff will focus on the history of residential schools, the effect of displacement on Indigenous Peoples and how to create culturally safe spaces in emergency reception centres.
• Training for emergency management staff, volunteers and elected officials across the Fraser Valley Regional District will increase understanding of cultural differences, the impact of words, the challenges that communities are grappling with, and recognizing how emergency decisions may systemically impact First Nations.
• Semá:th First Nation will develop a comprehensive training program to equip people with skills in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism. It will be offered to a range of partners involved in emergency management, which may include emergency responders, local government officials, health-care providers, community volunteers, non-government organizations, education institutions, social workers, and community leaders and Elders.
• Building cultural competency for collaborative emergency management to bridge gaps between emergency responders, partner agencies and First Nations in the Central Coast Regional District.

“It is crucial that local emergency-management programs and services are centred in cultural safety,” said the Hon. Murray Rankin, BC's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “With this provincial funding, Indigenous people in B.C. will benefit from more inclusive emergency management. These supports are part of B.C.’s work to build a better province where all people can access the services and programs they need.”

The CEPF helps communities to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate-related emergencies by funding local projects and initiatives in several categories. These include disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation, public notification and evacuation-route planning, and emergency-support services equipment and training.

The Province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since it was established in 2017. Approximately $176 million has been provided to First Nations and local governments through the CEPF for more than 1,700 projects.

Background can be viewed here