Prince Rupert and Port Edward are set to enhance their emergency management strategies by incorporating Tsimshian cultural teachings, thanks to $110,000 in funding from the Province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. The initiative aims to create culturally informed emergency response plans to better serve Indigenous communities.
The funding will support workshops and online training to educate emergency staff and council members about Tsimshian history, values, and cultural practices. This project is a collaborative effort between the North Coast Regional District, Prince Rupert, and Port Edward.
Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond emphasized the importance of cultural safety training, especially since over 40% of the community is Indigenous. The goal is to ensure that emergency management is sensitive to the cultural, linguistic, and social needs of affected communities, ultimately improving trust and resource accessibility.
The plan includes developing an Indigenous communications protocol and creating cultural humility training for emergency responders. The initiative aims for long-term sustainability, with ongoing education for staff and responders, with full integration into the communities’ emergency plans expected by late 2025 or early 2026.
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