"What happens to one, happens to us all": Towards Indigenous emergency management planning in a good way
Subject
Abstract
A 2022 report published by the Auditor General of Canada indicated that Indigenous Services Canada was not providing the support necessary to First Nations communities to appropriately address emergencies. Emergencies and disasters are happening more frequently and at a greater intensity and First Nations are being disproportionately impacted. This research explores the current Emergency Management Planning landscape in British Columbia (BC) relating to First Nations at a multiple jurisdiction legislative level. The goal is to identify gaps and suggest an appropriate way forward to improve BC First Nations experiences when disaster strikes. Findings reveal that First Nations Voices are needed to provide a holistic and culturally aware approach to Emergency Management Planning and a literature review concluded that the existing approach is flawed. Three recommendations are proposed to address this shortfall.