In the heart of the Comox Valley, collaboration lies at the centre of emergency preparedness. Comox Valley Emergency Management (CVEM), a regional service administering emergency management for all four local governments, together with K’ómoks First Nation worked as one in order to build a safer, more resilient community. Recognizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives, these partners combined their resources to launch a unique Indigenous Witnessing Project.
To ensure the project’s success, CVEM partnered with Sa̱nala Planning, an Indigenous-owned planning consultancy. With Sa̱nala’s guidance, the team sought to honour Indigenous Engagement Requirements under the Emergency Disaster Mitigation Act.
Through Indigenous witnessing practices that include a rich tradition of objective storytelling, CVEM joined observers to witness how local governments and the K’ómoks First Nation can work together on two vital climate adaptation projects: the Community Wildfire Resilience Plan and the K’ómoks Estuary Flood Resilience Strategy.
Indigenous witnessing, at its core, observes what unfolds, reflects these moments back to the community, and fosters accountability for all involved.
As the stories and observations were shared, the project team listened and learned, making meaningful changes along the way to better align with Indigenous Engagement Requirements and ultimately to build a stronger, more inclusive future together.
Key Deliverables
Practical suggestions for CVRD and other local governments in the region related to:
- formalizing CVEM governance;
- clarifying roles, responsibilities, and accountability
- determining appropriate Indigenous Governing Body partnerships;
- improving cultural safety and consultant standards;
- strengthening Indigenous Knowledge and data-governance practices;
- embedding Indigenous collaboration into core service delivery.
Partners
Comox Valley Emergency Management, K’ómoks First Nation, City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Ministry of Transportation and Transit, Mid-Island Farmer’s Institute, Project Watershed, Comox Valley
Funding
This project was funding through provincial contributions from the UBCM Disaster Risk Reduction: Climate Adaptation grant ($150, 000)
