This story is published through the Indigenous News Alliance.
In April, when an out-of-control wildfire threatened the remote Xeni Gwet’in First Nation in western Canada, local governments issued evacuation alerts. The blaze quickly spread to 618 acres before being extinguished a few days later, and people were allowed to return home.
Although the nearly 500 residents of Xeni Gwet’in were relieved, the crisis provided a reminder of what many Indigenous leaders say is Canada’s inadequate emergency communications with their communities. Authorities do not provide alerts in the Tŝilhqot’in language, the only one spoken by many elders in Xeni Gwet’in, and the mother tongue of nearly 650 people in the larger Tŝilhqot’in Nation. This adds an additional challenge during disasters because many families rely on them to make decisions in important moments.
“Our elders are who we look to for support,” said Chantu William, who is ... Read more
