Key Responsibilities of an Emergency Manager in Disaster Resilience

1. Strengthening Indigenous-Led Emergency Management

• Work with Chief and Council, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and local emergency responders to ensure emergency management strategies align with traditional governance structures.
• Advocate for greater Indigenous control over emergency management, reducing dependence on provincial and federal agencies.
• Support Nations in developing community-specific emergency plans that prioritize sovereignty and cultural practices.

Example: A Nation/community establishing its own emergency operations/coordination centre (EOC/ECC) instead of relying on external agencies for decision-making.

2. Incorporating Traditional Knowledge into Disaster Planning

• Ensure that land-based knowledge and traditional ecological practices are integrated into disaster risk reduction and response planning.
• Work with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to apply fire management, flood prevention, and land-use strategies rooted in traditional knowledge.
• Support Indigenous communities in documenting historical disaster patterns to inform future resilience planning.

Example: Facilitating training on cultural burning practices to mitigate wildfire risks, drawing on the knowledge of Indigenous firekeepers.

3. Enhancing Climate Resilience and Infrastructure Protection

• Advocate for climate-resilient infrastructure to protect communities from extreme weather, flooding, and permafrost degradation.
• Work with federal and provincial programs such as the First Nations Adapt Program to secure funding for climate adaptation projects.
• Ensure emergency response facilities, housing, and critical infrastructure are built to withstand climate-related hazards.

Example: Collaborating with engineers and Indigenous leadership to design flood-resistant housing for communities impacted by rising water levels.

4. Building Community Capacity and Emergency Preparedness

• Organize training programs for community responders, including volunteers, youth, and Elders.
• Ensure emergency preparedness materials are available in Indigenous languages to improve accessibility.