Snuneymuxw First Nation works closely with the government of British Columbia to be prepared for emergencies in four ways:
Andrew VanBuskirk
Phone: 250-667-3276
Email: andrew@vbprojects.ca
Andrew has a strong background in Emergency Management, Emergency Operations and Resourcing and Site Safety.
Andrew holds various Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) Certifications and the
PMI-CP Certification.
Andrew is an accomplished Project Coordinator in both construction and emergency preparedness projects.
Andrew is happy to now be working on various Emergency Response initiatives on our lands.
Ojinya Ali Ikese MSc, MA
Phone: 250-740-2300
Email: ojinyaai@snuneymuxw.ca
With over 14 years of experience in environmental management and marine response, Ojinya brings a wealth of expertise that aligns closely with the objectives of the Marine Division.
As a Senior Environmental Scientist at the National Oil Spill Detection & Response Agency, Ojinya conducted comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), managed oil spill responses, effluents analysis, water quality monitoring and led remediation and restoration activities.
Focused on Aboriginal Rights and Titles at Seabird Island, BC, Ojinya managed projects related to fish and wildlife, flood mitigation, habitat restoration, and salmon spawning surveys.
Ojinya has a strong track record of working with Indigenous communities, including negotiating rights and title agreements, and conducting environmental assessments.
As the Marine Emergency Response Coordinator, Ojinya is committed to supporting the collaborative efforts in and around our waters.
Margaret Symon, Registered Professional Forester
Phone: 250-715-6983
Email: strathcona.fc@shaw.ca
Margaret has developed Community Wildfire Plans for over 30 years for jurisdictions on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, led Wildfire Mitigation Treatment Projects, and done FireSmart Program Coordination for Cowichan, North Saanich, and Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nations.
She has acted as the FireSmart Coordinator for the Town of Lake Cowichan, and Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation.
She has also been the Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) since 2017, advising through FNESS to Cowichan Tribes, Ts’uubaa-asatx,
Homalko, and Stz’uminus First Nations.
Margaret is happy to now be helping to identify and seek funding for wildfire mitigation risks on our lands.
FireSmart is a program developed with the BC government for living with and managing for fire on our landscapes and around our communities, to build our lands into wildfire resilient communities that protect life and property from wildfire.
A Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) is now in place to provide a comprehensive approach toward wildfire, including risk reduction and resiliency measures within our Nation lands.
Key goals are to:
Click here to find out more!
These are some of the FireSmart Projects that the Nation is working on:
The Community FireSmart Resiliency Committee (CFRC) will bring our Nation and partners together under a common vision.
The purpose of the CFRC is to strengthen collaboration with our key members that include several Nation representatives and volunteers, Nation Leadership, the local Regional District municipality and fire departments, BC Parks, and BC Wildfire Services.
COMMUNICATION POSTS PLACEHOLDER
Knowing which hazards you need to plan for is the first step to getting prepared.
Use this hazard map to see what could occur near you.
An emergency plan says how you and your family will respond to a disaster. Knowing what to do will reduce anxiety and help keep you focused and safe.
Complete the fill-in-the-blanks emergency plan. It records important information you'll need to stay safe. It will also help you find out how to contact others if you get separated.
Following a disaster, you may need to:
Here are some tips on how to prepare cost-effective emergency kits.
The Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) tool is a provincially funded program that provides basic supports like accommodation, food, clothing and other temporary supports to people who are evacuated during an emergency event.
Click here to pre-register for this program to receive help in an emergency.
This guide will help you prepare your household, protect your property and know what to do if a flood occurs.
This guide will help you prepare your household and know what to do if an Extreme Heat Emergency occurs.
A must-read for anyone on B.C.’s coast, where earthquakes and tsunamis are a real risk. This guide explains what to do before, during and after these events.
Learn how to identify hazards, make an emergency plan, and build an emergency kit.
Snuneymuxw First Nation has agreements in place with the Regional District of Nanaimo and the North Cedar Fire Departments to provide response and rescue services to our residents.
Please call 911 in an emergency.
BC Parks actively manages protected areas to conserve natural and cultural values found within our diverse system.
The objectives of their conservation programs are to:
Click here for more information.
We’re in this together. Wildfire prevention can happen at home.
Click here to find out what fire bans and restrictions are in effect in your area, what they mean, and why they are important for mitigating wildfire risk in British Columbia.
Click here for the B.C. Wildfire Dashboard
Click here for more information.
An Emergency Support Supplies container is a storage unit designed to hold essential items needed during emergencies. These containers will be used to provide immediate assistance in disaster situations, ensuring that necessary supplies are readily available to our members.
These containers are strategically placed within our community where quick access to emergency supplies might be needed. Some items that may be stored in these Emergency Supplies Containers are food and water, medical supplies, blankets, flashlights and hygiene items.
An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) container is a storage unit equipped with essential supplies and equipment to support emergency response operations. These containers are strategically placed within our community where, in case of an emergency, immediate coordination and support can be coordinated through trained community members from these EOCs.
Some items that may be stored in these EOC containers are communication equipment, power sources, medical supplies, food and water, personal protective equipment (PPE), maps and other supplies.
In partnership with First Nations communities, provincial and territorial governments and non-government organizations, Indigenous Services Canada's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) helps communities on reserve access emergency assistance services.
EMAP provides funding to First Nations communities so they can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to them.
Click here to find out more.
In the event of an emergency, Snuneymuxw First Nation may be able to support you in your recovery. When there is an emergency we will be proactive in sharing event-specific resources and information here.
Snuneymuxw First Nation is one of the largest Nations in B.C. with a population of approximately 2,000 people. We are one of the few Nations that have a pre-Confederation treaty with the Crown – the Sarlequun Snuneymuxw Treaty of 1854.
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