WFN declares state of local emergency

Last week, Westbank First Nation chief and council declared a state of local emergency, due to flooding in close proximity to reserve lands I.R. No. 9 and I.R. No. 10, and associated threats in the proximity of WFN reserve lands.

In a two-page press release, the WFN said that “WFN council, its employees, servants and agents take such immediate steps as may be necessary to do all acts and implement all procedures that are considered to prevent, respond or to alleviate the effects of the emergency, including:

• Acquiring or using any land or personal property considered necessary to prevent, respond or to alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster;

• Authorizing or requiring any person to render assistance of a type that the person is qualified to provide or that otherwise is or may be required to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of any emergency or disaster;

• Controlling or prohibiting travel to or from any area within the WFN reserve lands and at all times where access is provided to emergency personnel, access shall be provided to WFN's authorized personnel and emergency decision makers;

• Providing for the restoration of essential facilities and the distribution of essential supplies and providing, maintaining and coordinating emergency medical, welfare and other essential services in any part of WFN's jurisdiction;

• Causing the evacuation of persons and the removal of livestock, animals and personal property from any area of WFN's jurisdiction that is or may be affected by an emergency or a disaster and making arrangements for the adequate care and protection of those persons, livestock, animals and personal property;

• Authorizing the entry into any building or on any land, without warrant, by any person in the course of implementing an emergency plan or program or if otherwise considered by the WFN Chief and Council to be necessary to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of any emergency or disaster;

• Causing the demolition or removal of any trees, structures or crops if the demolition or removal is considered by Chief and Council to be necessary or appropriate in order to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster;

• Constructing works considered by the WFN Chief and Council to be necessary or appropriate to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster.

The issue was signed by Chief Roxanne Lindley on May 11 and will be in effect until midnight, May 22.