Secwepemc declare emergency plan own Emergency Response Centre

Photo: SNTC

The Shuswap Nation Tribal Council has declared a state of emergency due to numerous wildfires burning within its traditional territory.

Chiefs from the 16 communities of the Secwépemc Nation made the move to ensure the continued safety of and to reduce the threat to vulnerable elders, immuno-compromised members, children, and community infrastructure.

Approximately 11,000 Secwépemc people live in the territory, which covers 180,000 square kilometres.

The autonomous communities have their own emergency plans in place; "however, as a nation, we work together to exercise our collective rights and sacred responsibilities for the health, safety, and well-being of all Secwépemc within Secwepemcul’ecw (Secwépemc Territory)," the chiefs said in a press release.

"Since the 2017 wildfire season, many reports have been written reviewing past events as well as recommending improvements to future emergency responses. Reports such as With Us Not for US by the First Nations Health Authority ... The Fires Awakened Us by the Tsilhqot’in National Government ... Trial by Fire by the Nadleh Whut’en ... and #TahltanStrong, a report on the 2018 Alkali Lake Fire.

"The Province of B.C. also released Responding to Wildfire and Flood Risk” in 2019 with 108 recommendations. Many of these recommendations have yet to be implemented...

"The current wildfire situation in the territory requires prompt co-ordination of resources to protect the health, safety, and well being our nation."

The Secwépemc Nation is currently working to establish an effective and efficient Emergency Response Centre to co-ordinate activities in response to the 2021 wildfires.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth also declared a provincial state of emergency Tuesday afternoon.

The 16 communities are:

• Sexqeltqín – Adams Lake
• St’uxwtéws – Bonaparte
• Tsq’éscen – Canim Lake
• Stswécem’c/Xgat’tem’ – Canoe/Dog Creek
• Esk’étemc – Alkali Lake
• Llenllenéy’ten – High Bar
• Tk’emlúps – Kamloops
• Sk’atsin – Neskonlith
• Simpcw – North Thompson
• Ts’kw’aylaxw – Pavilion
• Kenpésq’t – Shuswap
• Skítsesten – Skeetchestn
• Xats’úll – Soda Creek
• Splats’in – Spallumcheen
• T’éxel’c – Williams Lake
• Stil’qw/Pelltíq’t – Whispering Pines/Clinton