Despite its own recent trauma, Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc has opened its land to evacuees that had to leave their homes because of wildfires.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Tk’emlúps emergency operations manager, Dianne Kehler, says she’s not surprised to see how community members have stepped up over the past few weeks.
“You know in 2017, they opened up their Pow Wow grounds, the Arbour. When they’re required to step up and help out, they are here,” she said. “It is just kind of a silent volunteer group that gets out there and they just roll up their sleeves and everyone seems to sink into what the positions are.”
“Everybody here on board was like what does it take to become an emergency evacuation centre. We have a really good manual in place. And so, just one person phones another person and next thing you know, we got our commercial kitchen opened up and more helpers coming in and we’re talking about not just band membership, we’re talking about the local community too.”
Kehler says there are counsellors available for anyone who needs it as well as food and a place to stay for wildfire evacuees. She estimates the band has been feeding up to 300 people per day and lodging close to 100.
“We have everything from the local farmers, dairy producers, fruit growers, vegetable growers, and then of course the local community reaching out,” Kehler added. “We haven’t asked anybody for donations, they just hear about it and they are just bringing in things. We haven’t had to purchase any food yet, so its just incredible.”
“We are a busy centre, but we’re also really helping a lot of people.”
Kehler says Tk’emlúps has hosted evacuees from Lytton displaced by the Lytton Creek wildfire as well as people from Skeetchestn Indian Band who have been displaced by the Sparks Lake wildfire.
She says people from any fire evacuation area are welcome to come to Tk’emlúps, though they are being told to register at McArthur Island first so their loved ones can find them.
Officials are recommending that fire evacuees re-register if they move to a different emergency reception sites by calling Emergency Support Services toll-free at 1-800-585-9559.
If you are looking to donate, pre-paid Visas, fuel, and cellphone gift cards are in the highest demand, along with first-aid kits.
For more information on making donations, call 250-826-3884 to ensure donations are properly coordinated.
(Photo via Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc)
