Prince Albert Grand Council

PAGC Forestry has supported this project through EMAP funding for many years in the attempt to establish cultural burning for habitat restoration in the Saskatchewan River Delta. This concept is not new, and our involvement goes back to 2004 with participation in the development of the Cumberland Delta Moose Management Committee and supported by the Prince Albert Model Forest.

Through Field Camps we attempt to educate and involve other First Nation Communities that apply traditional ecological knowledge and the traditional practice of using fire on the landscape.

Muskrats to Moose Project Team (2023). We Are Fire: A Toolkit for Applying Indigenous-led Fire Practices and Western Fire Management in the Saskatchewan River Delta. http://www.wearefire.ca.

The Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is funding administered through the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency for Fuel Hazard Reduction projects identified in Northern Saskatchewan Communities and or Recreational Subdivisions that are not on reserve. It is administered through a public tender process in which PAGC was awarded 16 individual contracts to complete 145 hectares of fuel hazard reduction work. Through these contracts 220 individuals were employed from 10 First Nation communities after November 1, 2022 to complete before March 15, 2023.

Supported through Natural Resources Canada (NrCan), The objective of this Project is to document First Nations wildland fire knowledge of the Cree, Dene, and Dakota Cultural groups in Northern Saskatchewan.
In doing so, it will enhance community capacity of First Nations to engage in research; build networks of First Nations wildfire experts; mitigate wildfire incidents and risk in ways that reflect the concerns and knowledge of each First Nation; and generate Best Practices to inform provincial wildland fire management policies, operations and science, in addition to outside agencies.

We conducted a total of 161 Indigenous Knowledge interviews with Elders, firefighters, and land-users about fire and wildfire response. These interviews are currently being compiled by our fire research group. We are creating a report of recommendations from these interviews that we hope to release this fall following review from the Executive.

We provided training for 13 youth from across the 12 PAGC First Nations on research skills. Youth Community Researchers conducted interviews, land-based training activities, and produced a variety of creative outputs (e.g. ribbon skirt making, masks, art) for the program. We will be hosting an art exhibit based on the creative outputs this August.

Our weekly meetings introduced the Community Researchers to over 30 First Nations wildfire professionals, including firefighters, academics, PAGC Senators, and more, to build their interest and community connections.

The Prince Albert Grand Council along with other organizations including individual First Nations form a partnership called the Prince Albert Model Forest. The Vision Statement of the Model Forest is “We envision the Prince Albert Model Forest as a landscape demonstrating the spirit of Sustainable Forest Management through the power of working together”: Ma Maw Wechehetowin – working together/ helping each other.

The Forestry Program Manager is the current Vice –President of the Prince Albert Model Forest. The PAMF is a non – profit partnership, of forest users who are committed to enhancing forest sustainability through research, education and the equitable sharing of forest resources through current PAMF Projects. Funding through the Aboriginal Funding for Species at Risk (AFSAR) program has support from PAGC for the Prince Albert Model Forest’s participation in the Saskatchewan Woodland Caribou Recovery Strategy.

Purpose: The purpose of this procedure is to define the process by which SARSAV and its member chapters are activated to perform search and rescue (SAR) activities in the Province of Saskatchewan under the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Procedures: The RCMP SAR Coordinator will activate SARSAV. PAGC Search & Rescue will be activated and notified by SARSAV when a search will commence. In different circumstances, should a request by one of the 12 Chiefs to assist in a search in their respective First Nation is required, the PAGC Executive will notify PAGC-SAR to help.

Mission Statement: PAGC Search and Rescue is a community-based volunteer organization providing land, water search and rescue services. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of Search and Rescue services utilizing a team approach.
Values: PAGC Search and Rescue is guided by the following values. They influence our conduct collectively as a society and as individual team members. We strive to have our actions reflect these values, demonstrate personal accountability and be publicly defensible.

The success and skill level of PAGC SARR continue to rise with thanks and support from our communities, its leadership, our Chief’s, and all members. Teams will be present and prepared to response to all deployments at a safe and competent level.

*Integrity *Compassion *Respect *Dedication *Teamwork

SFNEM is committed to providing all Saskatchewan First Nations with qualified Emergency Management services, including training, mentoring and support to build resilience, capacity, and sustainability for First Nations communities throughout Saskatchewan.

SFNEM provides courses to help First Nations and has worked hard and long hours to provide the communities during the pandemic supplies and continue to do.

• Makeshift hospital/Medical supplies and supply delivery.
• PPE Supplies were delivered an on regular basis.
• EOC Kits
• Staff were on stand-by to assist the communities on a moment’s notice during the pandemic for any emergency that arise.

SFNEM provides courses to help First Nations respond to emergencies that are related to natural and human causes, such as wildfires, severe weather, and flooding.

• Incident Command System 100, 200
• Basic Emergency Management and P25 Mobile Radio Orientation.
• Emergency Communications, it provides a practical, step-by-step guide on providing effective communication support to leadership during emergencies.
• Emergency Response Planning for communities and serves as a liaison to the Canadian Red Cross.

SFNEM is dedicated to helping communities to build capacity and respond to a huge array of emergencies in and around their homelands. Courses are delivered free of charge by qualified staff who are members of the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC).

Courses include:

• Orientation and Fire Service History
• Health and Safety
• Fire Behavior and Control
• Building Construction
• Water Supply
• Fire Truck Safety
• Wildland Fire Suppression
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Pumps, Portable Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Hoses, and Ground Ladders

The CFSEP is to provide First Nation Fire Department with free donated equipment, such as Personal Protective Equipment, SCBA, Boots and other essential equipment. We also have the ability to help your community buy used Fire Trucks. The program requires a Fire Hall visit and a completed fire Prevention program.

The program has taken major leaps in the 2021 – 2023 year. Receiving and purchasing over 31 fire apparatuses from across the country and providing them to First Nation Communities across Saskatchewan. The program also rendered 3 full sea cans full of emergency service equipment, multiple ambulances, and various firefighting related materials. Working in conjunction with Firefighters Without Borders and ICS we can continue to expand as well as provide these services for our communities on a regular basis.

Communities across Saskatchewan that have received a fire truck and equipment this year alone are: Peepeekisis, Carry the Kettle, Onion Lake, Southend, Deschambault Lake, Moosomin, The Key, Star Blanket and Waterhen Lake.

SFNEM provides Learn Not to Burn®, a comprehensive fire safety course for school-aged children. The presentation covers kitchen safety, smoke alarms, home escape plans, “Stop, Drop & Roll” exercises, and resources for teachers, students and their families.