Register now for the First Responders Program in Anacla

The Bamfield/Anacla First Responder Training Program will take place from April 25 to 30, 2016. The community expressed an interest in developing First Responder capacity recently. So, at this time, committed candidates are needed to fill 18 available spots .

Please note that nine of the spots are reserved for Huu-ay-aht Citizens, as per the Nations’ funding requirements. This five-day course will take approximately seven hours per session, with breaks for lunch and coffee. Food and beverages are going to be provided. There is a written and practical examination on the final day.

This is a great opportunity being delivered by the Nation, in partnership with the Justice Institute of B.C. (JIBC), as the first step in potentially offering a series of courses in Anacla that would ladder up to paramedic training in the long run. In the short term, it helps to build capacity to handle emergencies in the area.

Registration:
Amelia Vos – Environmental Technician
amelia.v@huuayaht.org
Phone: 250.728.3414, Ext. 119

Fresh Food Program is on hold

The Fresh Food Box is currently on hold. The program is a non-profit alternative fresh food distribution system that started in May 2015 and was paid for, in part, through a one-time funding opportunity that the Nation received called the LNG Generations Fund.

We are currently working on ways to locate funding to continue the program for another year and during this year develop a longer term solution.

We will advise citizens as soon as we have further information.

 

Fresh Food Box Program on Hold

 

 

Christopher Williams explains why he admires Tayii Ḥaw̓ił Derek Peters

Tayii Ḥaw̓ił Derek Peters is Christopher Williams’ uncle. Christopher has found a role model in him. In this digital story, he explains how Derek has supported and cheered him up (čumqstup) in difficult moments of his life.  This young Huu-ay-aht talks about how to overcome intergenerational effects of colonization and Residential Schools through praying and “Native Pride.”

 

High wind and heavy rain warning for Wednesday evening and Thursday morning

Amelia Vos, Environmental Technician, shared this weather report. Heads up to everyone working in the field, crossing harbour or driving on the Bamfield road. High wind and heavy rain are expected later today. Look out for your neighbours and prepare for severe weather and potential power outage. For any questions about the Huu-ay-aht emergency preparedness plan, please contact Amelia via email (amelia.v@huuayaht.org) or phone 250.728.3414 ext.119

Weather Event Impacts:
Potential for tree damage, power outages, and localized urban flooding.

Weather Event Estimated Start Time and Duration:
Wednesday evening into early Thursday morning.

Description:
After today’s run-of the-mill low pressure system, a deeper more intense storm system will approach the west side of Vancouver Island Wednesday afternoon. Strong winds and moderate precipitation is expected over the South Coast beginning late afternoon Wednesday into the early morning hours of Thursday.

  • The strongest winds are expected along the west side of Vancouver Island.

 

  • Southeast winds up to 80km/h are forecast for the west side of Vancouver Island including Tofino and Bamfield.

 

  • A strong wind warning might be issued for the west side if the current forecast holds. Hurricane-force wind warnings will likely be issued for the West Coast Vancouver Island South marine forecast region.

 

  • Total rainfall amounts of 50-80mm are expected along the west side of Vancouver Island, the North Shore Mountains and the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

 

  • The freezing level will rise from 900m to 1500m with the approach of the storm so most of the precipitation will fall as rain for elevations below 1500m.

 

  • Strong winds are also expected to spread into the Georgia Strait Wednesday night.

 

  • Additional wind warnings and rainfall warnings may be issued as the make-up of the storm becomes more certain.

 

Confidence Level:

Moderate – Weather models have had particular difficulty with the intensity and path of recent storms. There is relatively good agreement among the various models for the strong winds and moderate rainfall amounts. As always, forecast certainty will increase with the approaching storm. Please monitor the latest forecasts and warnings as they will change.

Recommendations:
Prepare for potential power outages. Ensure culverts and storm drains are free of debris. Monitor forecasts and alerts for updates.

For updates and alerts:
Environment Canada Forecasts: www.weather.gc.ca/forecast/canada/index_e.html

Environment Canada Alerts: www.weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html

Marine Forecasts & Warnings: http://weather.gc.ca/marine/region_e.html?mapID=03

BC River Forecast Centre Flood Warnings & Advisories: http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings/index.htm

Environment Canada Weather Blog: www.avalanche.ca/weather<http://www.avalanche.ca/weather>

 

Source: Matt MacDonald

A/ Warning Preparedness Meteorologist

Prediction and Services Directorate  – Operations West Meteorological Services of Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada (EC3)

401 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC  V6C 3S5

(604) 664-9264

matt.macdonald@canada.ca

First Nations Leaders Call for Safety, Equality, Respect to Mark International Women’s Day

(Ottawa, ON):  Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde, together with Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson and AFN Women’s Council Chair Therese Villeneuve, today marked International Women’s Day by Canadians to celebrate the success of Indigenous women in Canada, and honour them by ensuring their safety, education and equality.

“Today we celebrate the many essential contributions women make at the centre of our families and our communities,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde.  “Our relationships with our mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters are sacred and they must be respected.  Today we celebrate the success of Indigenous women across Canada and we honour them by committing to their safety, education, employment and equality wherever they reside.”

 

Women

International Women’s Day is acknowledged annually March 8.  It celebrates social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.  This year’s international theme is focused on gender parity.

“First Nations women still have many challenges ahead of us in terms of equality and equity at all levels, whether it be among First Nation governments, provincial or federal,” said Okanese First Nation Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier who is the longest serving female Chief in Canada.  “Efforts must be made to promote, provide and support upper level management and political opportunities for First Nations women.”

“Indigenous women in Canada should have access to the same opportunity as every other Canadian – male or female,” said AFN Women’s Council Chair Therese Villeneuve.  “The AFN women’s council supports and promotes Indigenous women in leadership roles in our communities and across the country.  We celebrate our sisters who are thriving in their homes and family units and in business and high level careers.  Every role must be respected and every woman and young girl must be supported to fulfil their dreams for success.”

International Women’s Day follows the second National Roundtable on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls which last month brought together Indigenous families, leaders and federal, provincial, territorial leaders to set priorities to address and prevent violence.

“Safety and security for Indigenous women and girls is an urgent priority that requires immediate attention and long-term, coordinated action that will address head-on the vulnerabilities that lead to violence,” said AFN Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson who leads efforts in the area of justice and addressing violence against Indigenous women and girls.  “There is no quick fix or easy answer, but with the appropriate investments in shelters, day cares, education and housing (just to name some), we will be able to better achieve safety and better support success.”

For more information on work toward a national action plan to address and prevent violence against women and girls and the upcoming 2016 National Roundtable please visit:  http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/policy-areas/i-pledge.-end-violence.

The Assembly of First Nation is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada.  Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

For more information please contact:

Jenna Young Castro AFN Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext. 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca

Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext. 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca