Kamloops and Merritt get provincial funding for cultural safety during local emergency management
KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops, the City of Merritt and Boothroyd Indian Band near Boston Bar received provincial funding to improve cultural safety in local emergency management practices.
In a news release issued Wednesday (Feb. 12), the B.C. government announced Kamloops will receive $40,000 for emergency program cultural safety and humility training while Merritt also receive $40,000 for emergency management program Indigenous engagement. Boothroyd will receive $31,000 for Knowledge Keepers’ information and sharing for culturally safe emergency response.
The province says it’s part of $1 million in funding through the Community Emergency and Preparedness Fund (CEPF) to make emergency management and supports more inclusive for Indigenous Peoples.
“This funding ensures First Nations are at the table informing decisions that affect them, their families and their territories in a way that also strengthens and supports the capacity for First Nation communities and local governments to be true partners in emergency management,” Christine Boyle, minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation, says. “By prioritizing cultural safety and Indigenous knowledge in emergency situations, emergency services can be delivered in a culturally safe and effective way and move forward together for increased collaborative community resilience.”
