AMC and Canadian Red Cross to collaborate on emergency response training for First Nations in Manitoba
September 27, 2018
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory, MB _ The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) signed a collaboration agreement today in Winnipeg. As part of the agreement, the AMC and the Red Cross will work together to develop a plan to increase multi-level first aid training that supports emergency response in isolated communities along with the exploration of developing the next tier of support to communities.
“We need to make sure our own citizens are trained and in place to help out at the ground level when emergencies arise, especially in the more isolated communities,” said Grand Chief Arlen Dumas. “Each year, a number of our First Nation communities have to be evacuated because of forest fires or flooding, I think it’s important that we have our own people trained to help in these emergency situations.”
“This agreement helps to solidify the already strong relationship the Canadian Red Cross has with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and its member First Nations,” said Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. “It is in this spirit of cooperation, respect and partnership that the Red Cross is committed to the development of strategies and initiatives intended to help improve the well-being of First Nations in Manitoba. This includes helping to enhance their emergency response capacity.”
As part of this new agreement, AMC will work with CRC on violence, bullying and abuse prevention, which includes developing a plan to ensure relevance to First Nations.
“First Nation citizens have unique needs when it comes to anti-bullying. We have to take into consideration intergenerational impacts and how that affects us; along with cultural relevance for the development of anti-bullying materials,” said Grand Chief Dumas.
“For many years, the Canadian Red Cross has helped to nurture safe and resilient communities through training and education on violence and bullying prevention. The Red Cross will work collaboratively with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to help identify and meet the unique needs their First Nations communities may have in this area,” said Sauvé.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Canadian Red Cross look forward to a successful relationship as we work towards keeping First Nation citizens safe and healthy in Manitoba.
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of 62 of the 63 First
Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in Manitoba accounting for approximately 12 per cent of the provincial population. AMC represents a
diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho (Cree), Oji-Cree, Dene and Dakota people and traditions.
About the Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. The Canadian Red Cross Society is part of
the largest humanitarian network in the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This network includes the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) and 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies dedicated to improving the situation of the most vulnerable throughout the world.