TS’UUBAA-ASATX EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Risk mitigation starts with strategies to prepare for any threats faced by the community and most importantly implements activities to reduce the negative effects of potential emergencies and disasters. Ts’uubaa-asatx prioritizes risk mitigation with a hazard, risk, and vulnerability assessment. Mitigation work to-date has focussed on utilizing FireSmart principles to reduce the risks associated with wildfire. We have assessed homes for wildfire risk, demonstrated forest fuel reduction, and built firewood sheds away from our homes. Ts’uubaa-asatx is a recognized FireSmart community. Ts_uubaa-asatx FireSmart Community Plan Ver 4 October 31 2021 Appendix III Individual Home Assessments Appendix IX - Ts_uubaa-asatx Wildfire Tabletop Exercise Oct 5 2021 - ANSWERS Appendix V Community Presentation September 9 2019 Appendix VI EOC Fundamentals Appendix VII Ts_uubaa-asatx FireSmart Regulation Documents June 2020

Central to Ts’uubaa-asatx preparedness activities is the Ts’uubaa-asatx All-hazards Emergency Management Plan. The purpose of the all-hazards plan is to provide a framework for mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery activities to be undertaken during and after an emergency, and to protect the health and safety of our community members and our critical infrastructure. Planning has been supported by training and tabletop scenario playing exercises. Public Version of the All-hazards Emergency Management Plan Community engagement is important for the success of our program and Ts’uubaa-asatx has used newsletters, Facebook posts, community meetings and open houses, a home preparedness planning workshop to share ideas.

While the All-hazards Plan provides advice for recovery operations during and following an event, specific and detailed recovery planning will be further developed as time and resources permit. Emergency Team Resources Community Resources In Case of Emergency FireSmart

Ts’uubaa-asatx response planning focuses on response support, with site response provided by our partners the Cowichan Lake RCMP, the Lake Cowichan Fire Department, and the BCEHS Ambulance Service. In the case of a disaster the Ts’uubaa-asatx emergency operations centre (EOC) will activate.

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The Ts’uubaa-asatx people have resided along Cowichan Lake since time immemorial. Our traditional territory stretches the entire Cowichan Lake watershed, which includes the height of the various mountain ranges circling the lake as well as the tributaries flowing into the lake. Due to its location in the middle of Vancouver Island, the area was known as a distinct trading area with neighbouring tribes. The Ts’uubaa-asatx people were once numerous, prior to contact, however numbers began to decline due to: warring with neighboring tribes to protect our land; diseases that were brought over from first contact with the European settlers (smallpox, flu, etc.); and loss of land due to settlers forcibly taking land and laws that were imposed on our people. The first Indian Agent assigned the current reserve (where we are today) to the members that were residing at the Lake. The Ts’uubaa-asatx people’s name was changed to the Lake Cowichan First Nation. The village and people were almost completely wiped out. The population has remained quite small for the past 80 years as our relatives have endured the harmful effects of government and church policies and institutions. Our children were forced to attend Residential School, with the result that they scattered far away from home to escape the pain caused by such terrible abuse. A majority of these members never returned. Lost Generation(s) of families now either do not know about their roots or have been fostered out and lost contact. LCFN is in the process of trying to track these members down to re-establish their roots, culture, and heritage, and to bring them home. Racism has been prevalent for over a century and produced a hostile climate that drove members away. Those who stayed were faced with obstacles and challenges to employment and health, resulting in poverty and addictions. For the past 20 years, respect and understanding are slowly taking the place of prejudice and mistreatment.

Our vision is to build a solid foundation for our current and future generations to grow and prosper while acknowledging our culture and heritage as distinct people of Lake Cowichan. Our governance system has been customized to meet the needs of our community and help guide us towards a successful and sustainable future by blending the best of the past with modern planning and management systems. Chief and Council have been entrusted by the Citizens of the Ts'uu-baa-satx Nation to carry out the business of the First Nation in a fair, responsible and ethical manner, and to respect the traditions and values of the First Nation. The goals of the Ts'uu-baa-satx Nation include the preservation and promotion of traditional knowledge, language and culture, community and social development and wellness, land and resource development, economic investment and self-government.

Ts’uubaa-asatx’s traditional territory encompasses the entire Cowichan Lake watershed including the Indian Reserve that is the community core. It houses the residential and administration buildings and is located on approximately 100 acres between the Youbou Highway and Northshore Road. Since ancient times, Ts’uubaa-asatx people have inhabited and used a wide range of resources throughout the traditional territory, encompassing the land surrounding Cowichan Lake, its shoreline, and the adjacent streams and forest inland, the small lakes in the vicinity, and the uppermost portion of Cowichan River. Traditional uses of resources has continued into modern times. That is why Ts’uubaa-asatx is active in various working groups and initiatives aimed at protecting our resources. Although small in number, Ts’uubaa-asatx takes very seriously their role as stewards of their traditional territory.

Our membership has remained resilient and there is now a reawakening of our culture, song, dance, and heritage. We are hoping to share these with our neighbours and community. Ts’uubaa-asatx wrote a letter highlighting the lack of awareness and acknowledgement of the First Peoples of the Cowichan Lake area. This letter served as a catalyst to the decision of the Town of Lake Cowichan to name the square after our people. A Totem Pole was gifted from the Ts’uubaa-asatx people to the residents of the Cowichan Lake area. It was raised at the newly-named Ts’uubaa-asatx Square. The pole was a testament of the New Relationship that Ts’uubaa-asatx has with the Town of Lake Cowichan. We are re-learning our traditional songs and dances. The totem pole carver (who carried the traditional knowledge, history, song, dance, and art of the Nuu-chah-nulth people) offered to teach our community songs and dances. The resurgence of cultural pride was unprecedented and we saw a 90% participation rate at each practice leading up to the pole raising ceremony. Community members are learning how to make shawls, drums, vests, and are documenting traditional sites within our traditional territory. We are establishing a cultural center that houses the rich history of our people. The artifacts have been preserved for generations, and we plan on repatriating pieces from various museums and private collections in the future.

Treaty Liaison/ Housing, Lands, and Resources Support Georgina has been employed with Ts'uu-baa-satx for the past 19 years and has also served on Chief and Council. In 2016, Georgina assumed the role of Chief Councillor. Her passions are treaty and housing and her main tasks currently include: Communications to the Ts'uu-baa-satx community to involve them as full participants in the treaty process Liaison between consultants, HTG, and the Ts'uu-baa-satx membership Supporting Chief and Council at the negotiations table Becoming knowledgeable of community needs and history to speak on treaty related issues and on Ts'uu-baa-satx interests Processing and reviewing rental agreements with LCFN membership Ensuring Housing Policy is being followed by community members and the Housing Committee Assisting in long-term planning for minor/major capital projects and providing advice in implementation of the First Nation Community plan Obtaining new housing units to assist in moving Ts'uu-baa-satx membership back home.

Chief Sha e’ lum (Cyril Livingstone) is remembered as the cornerstone to the Lake Cowichan First Nation people, who he proudly represented as hereditary chief for 38 years until his death in 2016. Chief Sha e’ lum worked tirelessly to put Lake Cowichan First Nation (Ts'uu-baa-satx Nation) on the map and bring his people home. He was dedicated to providing opportunities for his community to grow, including actively pursuing treaty negotiations, economic development, and housing for his people. He met with various levels of government and other proprietors to ensure that our rights were protected and that we were recognized as the original inhabitants of the Lake Cowichan watershed. Chief Sha e’ lum represented LCFN on various organizations including: First Nation South Island Tribal Council; First Nation Island Wildlife Committee; Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group; Inter Tribal Health Authority; Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services; Tale’awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation; and First Nation’s Summit. [omit?] In 2013, Chief Sha e’ lum signed a protocol agreement with the Town of Lake Cowichan on behalf of the LCFN, which aimed to establish a new and ongoing relationship between the communities, founded on the basis of mutual respect and understanding. Over the years Chief Sha e’ lum represented LCFN on various organizations including: From 1990 – 1999 served in various capacities within the First Nation South Island Tribal Council including: Chairperson, Border Crossing, and assistance with the bookkeeping. Participation on the First Nation Island Wildlife Committee Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group Board of Directors Finance Committee Parks Committee Inter Tribal Health Authority Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services Tale’awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation First Nation’s Summit Chief Sha e’ lum always made time for his family and community as they were the most important people and what he worked so tirelessly for.