First Nations in B.C. call for more control over firefighting, federal funding
VANCOUVER — First Nations in the path of British Columbia’s forests fires say to protect their communities they need equal funding and recognition of their expertise that is granted to other emergency response organizations.
The Assembly of First Nations adopted a resolution at its annual meeting last week in Regina calling for an end to jurisdictional disputes between different levels of government that disrupt Indigenous communities’ ability to respond to the recent fires in their own backyards.
Chief Judy Wilson of the Neskonlith Indian Band said First Nations must be more actively involved in negotiating agreements to ensure Indigenous firefighters and other service providers get the same recognition as regional and provincial authorities.
“They are front line and they need to be recognized the same as any other firefighters and also resourced properly,” she said.