Secwépemc Nation Declares State of Emergency

• July 22, 2021
• • Emergency Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2021

Chiefs from the 16 communities of the Secwépemc Nation declared a State of Emergency due to the wildfires within the territory. The Chiefs have identified this as a
drastic measure to ensure the continued safety of, and to reduce the threat to, vulnerable populations (Elders, immuno-compromised members with pre-existing and chronic health conditions, babies and young children) and also to communities’ infrastructure.

Approximately 11,000 Secwépemc people live in our traditional territory, which covers 180,000 square kilometers across the interior of south-central BC. The 17 autonomous communities have their emergency plans in place; however, as a Nation, we work together to exercise our collective rights and sacred responsibilities for the health, safety, and well-being of all Secwépemc within Secwepemcul’ecw (Secwépemc Territory).

Since the 2017 Wildfire Season, many reports have been written reviewing past events as well as recommending improvements to future emergency responses. Reports such as “With Us Not for US” by FNHA (First Nations Health Authority) 2018; “The Fires Awakened Us” by the Tsilhqot’in National Government 2018, “Trial by Fire” by the Nadleh Whut’en 2018; and “#TahltanStrong” a report on the 2018 Alkali Lake Fire. The Province of BC has also released “Responding to Wildfire and Flood Risks” in 2019 with 108 recommendations. Many of these recommendations have yet to be implemented and require immediate coordination of action to
protect our people’s health, safety, and well-being.

As the Secwépemc Nation continually grows its responsibility to support Secwépemc communities with emergency planning, response, and recovery over a range of issues impacting members’ well-being, the current wildfire situation in the territory requires prompt coordination of resources to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing our Nation.

The Secwépemc Nation is currently working to establish an effective and efficient Emergency Response Center to coordinate activities in response to the 2021 wildfires.

The 16 communities are:

• Sexqeltqín – Adams Lake
• St’uxwtéws – Bonaparte
• Tsq’éscen – Canim Lake
• Stswécem’c/Xgat’tem’ – Canoe/Dog Creek
• Esk’étemc – Alkali Lake
• Llenllenéy’ten – High Bar
• Tk’emlúps – Kamloops
• Sk’atsin – Neskonlith
• Simpcw – North Thompson
• Ts’kw’aylaxw – Pavilion
• Kenpésq’t – Shuswap
• Skítsesten – Skeetchestn
• Xats’úll – Soda Creek
• Splats’in – Spallumcheen
• T’éxel’c – Williams Lake
• Stil’qw/Pelltíq’t – Whispering Pines/Clinton