Nisga'a Nation to receive funding towards Marine Search and Rescue efforts

The Canadian Coast Guard will be providing the Nisga'a Nation with 312,815 dollars towards the purchase of a Search and Rescue vessel and related equipment for use by Marine responders from the communities of the Nass.

The money, which is part of the Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Pilot Program assists Indigenous governments with the resources to expand their marine safety capacity as members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.

“Investment through the Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Pilot Program recognizes the critical role of Indigenous communities as members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in protecting mariners, and their residents. Indigenous coastal communities have been stewards of the environment including oceans and shores for generations, and are unquestionably vital to Canada's marine safety system today. The program provides necessary funding and equipment to support their efforts.” - Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

One of the vessels that the Canadian Coast Guard
is providing to Indigenous communities in BC as part of
the Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Pilot Program

The funding announcement, which also included welcome news for the Ahousaht First Nation, was  made today, November 7, 2020, which marks the fourth anniversary of the launch of the Oceans Protection Plan. 

That program continues to Foster partnerships with Indigenous and coastal communities; Improve marine incident response; Prevent marine accidents and pollution; Protect Canada's endangered whale populations; and Preserve and restore Canada’s marine ecosystems.

Anthony Moore the Emergency Response Services Manager for the Nisga’a Lisims Government, outlined how the Nisga'a are making use of the funding.

“The Nisga’a Nation as represented by Nisga’a Lisims Government is committed to ensuring its programs, services and day to day operations reflect our vision, Sayt-K’il’im-Goot: One Heart, One Path, One nation. 

Using this vision, we are very excited to join the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary. The financial supports provided through the Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Pilot Program has allowed us to purchase a Multi-use Vessel with many capabilities to render response services in the northern waters of B.C. 

We have also acquired search and rescue equipment to provide our responders with proper PPE to keep them safe. Lastly this program has provided funding to develop a training plan to lay the foundation and strive sustainable prosperity and self reliance for the long term with a purpose to protect both mariners and citizens traveling throughout the northwest coast of B.C.” 

You can learn more about today's announcement here.

For more notes related to Emergency Responders across the Northwest see our archive page here.

A wider overview of themes from the Nass Valley can be found from our archive here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.