The board of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Nov. 10 unanimously approved a staff request to apply for grant funding for Indigenous cultural and awareness training to Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) staff and to members of the East Kootenay Emergency Management Program.

Simran Sandhu, RDEK Emergency Program Coordinator, asked the board for approval of the submission of a regional application to Union of BC Municipalities (UCBM) for the request of $30,000 under the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund – Indigenous Cultural Safety & Cultural Humility Training Grant.

“The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is a collection of funding programs intended to enhance the resiliency of local governments and their residents in responding to emergencies. Funding is provided by the Province of B.C. and is administered by the UBCM,” Sandhu explained in a request for decision from the board.

“The Regional District of East Kootenay is planning to deliver Indigenous Culture and Awareness Training to all members of the East Kootenay Emergency Management Program. The training would be delivered by Ktunaxa First Nations and will be facilitated in a former residential school building (St. Eugene resort). This training would be facilitated over four days in three weeks. The intention is to provide more flexibility to partners, so they can attend any 1 day that works best for them. The training would include a tour of the building, videos of students from the school, a display of historical artifacts, and meeting elders and traditional knowledge keepers. The training will also include indigenous activities like beading, blanket exercise and tipi raising,” Sandhu stated.

“We plan to hold four one-day sessions for emergency program staff throughout the region. Participation in the proposed training will improve awareness of the Ktunaxa culture and the impacts of colonization and residential schools, and facilitate relations with first nations.

“During emergency responses, the East Kootenay Emergency Management Program heavily relies on its partners. Better relations between local governments and first nations will allow our emergency program to assist each other, thus building capacity. The training will also help emergency management professionals to understand the importance of Indigenous relationships to resources such as land, air, water and wildlife.”

The project will be 100% grant funded, with in-kind contributions of RDEK staff time, for overall grant management for the project.

All EOC staff from eight municipalities, four first nations and the East Kootenay Emergency Management Program members will have an opportunity to participate.

e-KNOW file photo

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