ISC BC Region Updates – August 2023
The ISC BC Region Update is published by Indigenous Services Canada on approximately a bi-monthly basis. It is intended to provide First Nation leadership and administrations with timely information that focuses on funding announcements, program and service changes, as well as relevant initiatives from other federal departments, the provincial government and community partners. We welcome your feedback at the link at the bottom of this page.
Emergency events have a significant impact on communities. This special edition of the ISC BC Region Update provides important information about how to prepare and what to do in an emergency to ensure the health and safety of your community members and the protection of your critical infrastructure.
Key Contacts In Emergency Situations
Indigenous Services Canada works in partnership with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR), the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS), and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to support First Nations through emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery in the event of a wildfire, drought or flood. In the event of an emergency this summer, the partners above will work in collaboration to ensure that First Nations in BC have the support needed.
Please see the attached Response Pathways document to learn how the partners are working together in emergency management situations.
Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
For emergency response support due to a wildfire, spring freshet, flooding or other emergency event, your first point of contact is EMCR at 1-800-663-3456. This connects to EMCR’s 24/7 Emergency Coordination Centre. You can also contact your regional EMCR office for information and updates on emergency events including evacuation alerts and orders.
During evacuations, community members are supported through the provincial Emergency Support Services (ESS) program. ESS provides short-term basic support to people impacted by disasters.
Indigenous Services Canada
For information regarding ISCs’ emergency management programs or funding supports, please contact the regional Emergency Management team at bcaandc.do@sac-isc.gc.ca or call 1-604-209-9709.
For information regarding ISC’s community infrastructure programs and funding supports, to prepare your community’s water infrastructure for drought, please contact your Community Management Officer (CMO) or ISC’s Capital inbox at projetsdimmobilisationscb-capitalprojectsbc@sac-isc.gc.ca.
First Nations’ Emergency Services Society
FNESS is available to support community emergency preparedness and response, and can be contacted at 1-888-388-4431 or 250-377-7600.
First Nations Health Authority
For information regarding FNHA programs and supports related to Health Emergency Management (HEM), please visit the FNHA website.
BC’s Wildfire Service
Report wildfire sightings or the presence of smoke to BC’s Wildfire Management Branch at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular phones.
For current information on fire danger ratings, regional fire prohibitions and wildfire activity call 1-888-336-7378 (3FOREST).
9-1-1
If anyone in your community injured or experiencing a life threatening incident, you should immediately call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
Emergency Management Assistance Program
In partnership with First Nations, provincial and territorial governments and non-government organizations, ISC’s Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) helps communities on reserve access emergency assistance services. EMAP aims to be flexible and culturally sensitive to provide funding to First Nations communities so they can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to them using the 4 pillars of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery. For a full list of response and recovery supports, please see the attached list of eligible EMAP expenses.
Drought
British Columbia is experiencing severe drought conditions. Drought conditions can impact communities and individuals by reducing the amount of water available for community use. Under extreme conditions, water systems could run out of potable water and be unable to meet fire suppression requirements. Please see the attached Water Shortages and Drought Conditions Tips Sheet on how to best prepare and respond.
On August 23, 2023, the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society is hosting an information session for First Nations on Drought Preparedness & Response in collaboration with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Indigenous Services Canada, the First Nations Health Authority, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The information session is intended to provide information and answer basic questions regarding drought preparedness and response (including funding programs). You can join the information session scheduled for August 23rd from 10:30am to noon via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85077175159?pwd=WjIrVjNnTXE2VEE0ZmVOOVlIZDQvdz09 (Dial up: 778-907-2071 / Meeting ID: 850 7717 5159 Passcode: 21254). If you have questions or would like more information about the session, please contact Casey Larochelle at CLarochelle@fness.bc.ca.
Contact information
We would also like to take this opportunity to share the contact information for our Executive Leadership Team should you or your team need to reach out regarding specific programs or services within their respective areas.
- Regional Director General: Allyson Rowe / allyson.rowe@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Acting Associate Regional Director General: Angela McCarthy / angela.mccarthy@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Director, Community Infrastructure: Averil Lamont / averil.lamont@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Director, Programs and Partnerships: Dena Duncan / dena.duncan@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Acting Director, Emergency Management: Laura Aucoin / laura.aucoin@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Director, Lands and Economic Development: Michele Morandini / michele.morandini@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Director, Funding Services: Jody Kaden / jody.kaden@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Acting Director, Child and Family Services: Bill McArthur/ william.mcarthur@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Acting Director, Community Development: Carina Chow / carina.chow@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Manager, Communications: Hazel Desharnais / hazel.desharnais2@sac-isc.gc.ca
For Residential Schools information and inquiries, you can contact the following:
- National Coordinator: David Russell / david.russell@sac-isc.gc.ca
- BC Regional Liaison Officer: Mercy Mura / mercy.mura@sac-isc.gc.ca
Emergency Management Resources
Partnerships
- First Nations’ Emergency Services Society
- First Nations Health Authority
- Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Wildfire Resources
- Regional EMCR Offices
- Emergency Support Services Program
- Emergency Management Assistance Program
- BC Wildfire Service
- Wildfire Preparedness Guide
- BC Wildfires Map
- Fire Danger Ratings
- Air Quality Advisories
Drought Resources
- Drought Planning Information for First Nations Communities
- Drought Information
- Water Conservation Tips
Additional Resources
Comments & Suggestions
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year.
Register now: https://ow.ly/KaoB50QHKzv
Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year.
Register now: https://ow.ly/KaoB50QHKzv
Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year.
Register now: https://ow.ly/KaoB50QHKzv
Foundations for Professional Communications, an offering from FNPSS and @nvit_83 , got off to a great start with our in-person week of learning in January!
In case you missed it!
We are pleased to share some of the plenary sessions from the First Nations Public Service Secretariat Conference 2023: Taking Root. Recordings are now available online.
Catch up now: https://ow.ly/6qU350QABv1
Sunday, May 5 is National MMIWG2S Awareness Day, also known as Red Dress Day. We encourage you to recognize the day by taking time to participate in an honouring activity or event happening in your community or area, wearing or displaying red, or by spending time increasing your awareness of this ongoing national tragedy.
For support:
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717.
For immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. This is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
#reddressday #MMIWG2S #NoMoreStolenSisters
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year, including the non-renewal of funding, the expiry of funding agreements, the impact on employment agreements, and related layoffs. Recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code will also be discussed to help you prepare for the new year, including the recent amendments to reasonable notice requirements, employment statements, employment expenses, and more. Finally, health and safety obligations and end of year reporting requirements will be covered to ensure understanding of, and compliance with, various legal obligations.
Register now: ow.ly/teWf50QHKzu
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Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, Scott McCann, Joshua Sutherland, and Abigail Owen will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year, including the non-renewal of funding, the expiry of funding agreements, the impact on employment agreements, and related layoffs. Recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code will also be discussed to help you prepare for the new year, including the recent amendments to reasonable notice requirements, employment statements, employment expenses, and more. Finally, health and safety obligations and end of year reporting requirements will be covered to ensure understanding of, and compliance with, various legal obligations.
Register now: ow.ly/teWf50QHKzu
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Join us for another Webinar Wednesday!
In this webinar, employment lawyers Scott McCann, Partner, Joshua Sutherland, Counsel, and Abigail Owen, Associate, from Zacharias Vickers McCann LLP (zvmllp.com) will discuss various important employee issues that arise at the end of the fiscal year, including the non-renewal of funding, the expiry of funding agreements, the impact on employment agreements, and related layoffs. Recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code will also be discussed to help you prepare for the new year, including the recent amendments to reasonable notice requirements, employment statements, employment expenses, and more. Finally, health and safety obligations and end of year reporting requirements will be covered to ensure understanding of, and compliance with, various legal obligations.
Register now: ow.ly/teWf50QHKzu
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Foundations for Professional Communications, an offering from the First Nations Public Service Secretariat and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, got off to a great start with our in-person week of learning in January. Pictured here is the incredible cohort of First Nations communicators, and our amazing instructor, Davis McKenzie of Toxw oxw (Becoming Clear) Communications.
The students were able to hone their skills in key areas of communications, and at the end of the week were joined by Howard Grant, Executive Director of the First Nations Summit, and Jehan Casey, Director of the First Nations Public Service Secretariat, who were in attendance as they presented their very own communications plans. All their hard work, commitment, and enthusiasm made this week a huge success, and we are so excited for them as they complete this course and continue their journeys in communications!
Foundations for Professional Communications is a fully accredited course, free of charge for First Nations communicators. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the next offering, please email: ksposato@fnps.ca.
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Awesome, mussi