Tsilhqot’in Nation to be recognized as full partner in wildfire response
VANCOUVER — The Tsilhqot’in Nation has signed a first-of-its-kind agreement with the federal and British Columbia governments that recognizes the First Nation as a full partner in wildfire response.
Through the agreement, the three governments will work together to identify best practices, define roles and build the First Nation community’s capacity to manage emergencies.
Tl’etinqox Chief Joe Alphonse said he’d like to see a culturally-appropriate First Nations evacuation centre established, as well as a training facility.
Alphonse’s community, which he said has 400 trained firefighters and understands fire response better than anyone, defied an evacuation order in 2017.