Luc Mullinder with the Red Cross and PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte. (Submitted Photo/Prince Albert Grand Council)

By paNOW Staff

COLLABORATION

PAGC and Red Cross sign partnership for more resources for evacuees

May 20, 2022 | 3:00 PM

Leaders with the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Canadian Red Cross came together to sign an agreement to better support First Nations during times of disasters.

The collaboration agreement, signed Friday morning, will help produce a working relationship between the PAGC and the Canadian Red Cross to improve the work needed to support communities affected by disasters such as fires and floods.

“I am thrilled to sign this agreement with the Canadian Red Cross to work collaboratively to prepare, plan and support evacuations of communities that are represented by the Prince Albert Grand Council,” said Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte.

“We will do our best to ensure that evacuations will not be necessary. However, we are confident we will be able to provide the best support and services to those in our communities who are affected by emergencies.”

This agreement is an addition to the one already in place between the two organizations. This add on includes more in-depth training for First Nations members on reserve so that during times of evacuation, they can assist Red Cross workers. It also allows for them to be present if a translator is ever needed.

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Hardlotte said these components will ensure their community members feel safe if they ever have to leave home to a larger, urban centre.

“They’re not facing any racism, any discrimination. That’s why this signing is important.”

This signing comes after members from Red Earth and Shoal Lake Cree Nations were evacuated due to wildfires burning near those communities. Upwards of 900 people were evacuated, many of them staying in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Regina.

“We are committed to being an ally to Indigenous communities as they build capacity to respond to emergencies in Saskatchewan,” said vice-president of Saskatchewan for the Canadian Red Cross, Luc Mullinder.

“We have the resources to help and creating agreements, such as the one here today with PAGC, is beneficial to the implementation of those emergency supports and resources.”

Mullinder added the signing on Friday was bittersweet as Red Earth and Shoal Lake Cree Nation are still searching for five-year-old Frank Young, who has been missing for over a month.

He said to be able to work alongside these communities to create a nation to nation support system is a privilege, adding he looks forward to helping train and create more resources for First Nations communities to leverage.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow