Kimberley city council has authorized an Indigenous engagement position agreement with the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEk) for a grant-funded emergency liaison position.
In 2023, the Emergency and Disaster Management Act received royal assent and promoted relationship building as a vital part of the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous Peoples. The province started offering funding to every local authority for increased Indigenous engagement.
The East Kootenay Emergency Management Program worked with local First Nation governments to find the best solution and came up with the liaison position.
“We’ve identified that this is probably the best opportunity for Kimberley and our partners have to collaborate and work together on this with our Indigenous governing body partners,” said Kimberley fire chief Will Booth.
The position will be the branch between local First Nations and the EKEMP when it comes to all phases of emergency management.
The EKEMP includes the RDEK, District of Elkford, District of Sparwood, City of Fernie, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it, City of Cranbrook, City of Kimberley, ʔaq’am First Nation, Village of Radium Hot Springs, District of Invermere, Village of Canal Flats, Shuswap Band and ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation.
The position will be managed by the RDEK, but to receive the funding, it had to be funneled through the City of Kimberley.
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