May 6, 2015 Whitehorse, YK Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Brent Trueman (Holistic Emergency Preparedness and Response) providing training to Taku River Tlingit community members
Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of theHonourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced that Canada has invested in helping Yukon and northern B.C. First Nations protect their communities during emergencies.
Canada provided $90,000 toward key emergency management activities, including:
- reviewing and updating emergency management plans;
- providing training to community members on how to prepare their households for potential emergencies; and
- supporting community-wide simulation exercises that activate emergency plans. These exercises clarify the roles and responsibilities of First Nations, community members and regional emergency management partners in Yukon and B.C. in an emergency situation.
The participating communities were White River First Nation, Liard First Nation, and Ross River Dena Council in the Yukon and Dease River First Nation, Taku River Tlingit and Daylu Dena Council in northern B.C.
This investment is funded from the $19.1 million in annual funding Minister Valcourt announced in November 2013 as part of a new approach to emergency management on reserves. The funds aim to assist First Nation communities with projects such as emergency management planning and preparation.
Emily Hillstrom
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
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