Treaty 2 territory – On Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 a meeting took place to talk about the recent tragedy and loss a 2011 Manitoba Flood evacuee family is enduring and others being detrimentally experiencing.
FNT2T requested a progress report to date from ISC, the Province of Manitoba, Red Cross and any other entity that is assisting flood evacuee families and individuals.
The position of FNT2T a is that all flood evacuees from the FNT2T Nations are “ordinarily resident on reserve” and within Treaty territory. Just because the evacuees have been temporarily placed in urban or municipal areas this does not excuse Canada from its obligation and responsibilities.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the recent death of Michael Shane Dano (32 years) who was a flood evacuee, FNT2T requested immediate resources to:
1) carry out immediate review and follow up with the families and individuals in order to assess the impacts of the flood evacuees to be carried out through the FNT2T Government which will primarily focus on the wellbeing requirements of the evacuees;
2) this review this immediate review will be carried out from a trauma informed perspective; and
3) ensure any FNT2T emergency strategy contains a wellbeing component.
In 2017 Minoayawin – A Healing Guide to help the First Nations communities affected by the 2011 flood to begin to heal included RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ELDERS:
http://manitobafloodhealingvoices.com/wpcontent/uploads/2017/09/minoayawin.pdf
1. Request and lobby for an apology from all levels of government.
2. Involve Elders in advising the government on water and land use because the Elders grew up there and they know the land.
3. Form an Elders committee to oversee healing and rebuilding.
4. Build healing centres and mechanisms for healing.
5. Rebuild sustainable communities.
6. Teach children about their roots.
7. Create a First Nations specific emergency response plan.
8. Develop a communication strategy.
9. Establish policies to avoid future mistakes and recommendations for present and future direction.
10. Develop and make available a resource handbook to help evacuees adjust to their “new” environment(s) in the event of another evacuation.
11. Implement resources to deal with physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual traumas.
It was agreed upon that next steps would be carried out that will consist of a meeting in short order between the local First Nations affected, ISC and the Province of Manitoba with FNT2T assisting to continue discussions and establish a resource supported action plan.
The FNT2T also provided to ISC the 2019 FNT2T Children, Families & Nation Circle Action Plan Proposal that requires the implementation and mobilization of 11 employed positions within each local Nation that would provide advocacy, support, system navigation and access to resources for local Nation members in areas concerning child welfare, health, justice, education, urban and municipal systems to name a few. Pursuing these positions and assisting with the transformation of children, families and Nation wellbeing that needed immediately in the local Nations will continue to be pursued assertively. The formal mandate of FNT2T to carry out this work and provide this assistance has been provided through the FNT2T Governing Council (leadership) and the FNT2T Grand Council (the people).
Should you require more information or would like to provide your thoughts or recommendations please contact: Lorie Thompson, Children, Families and Nations Circle Keeper at lorie.thompson@treaty2.com or 431-200-0165.
Last modified: September 7, 2019
