When we asked Elder Eugene Harry to open Emergency Preparedness Awareness Week (May 3-9) in a good way, he started with levity.
“I'm 76. I'm not an Elder yet!" he joked.
Eugene, from the Cowichan Tribes, joined First Nations Health Authority's (FNHA)
Health Emergency Management team to talk about emergency preparedness from a First Nations perspective. This year's theme, “In it Together," reflects what Eugene says matters most during any emergency: faith, trust and community.
“My grandpa would say the reason why the land shifts and landslides happen is because Mother Earth, she's rolling over and trying to be comfortable," Eugene shared, opening himself up to memory and spiritual wisdom from his ancestors. “So, it will come, but it's not our fault. We just have to learn how to take care of each other and be prepared."
As BC transitions into warmer weather, it's important to prepare for potential events that may occur such as wildfires, extreme heat or floods. Elders, young children, and people with pre-existing conditions are more vulnerable to related health risks. Taking steps to prepare for these emergencies helps protect the safety and well-being of your community.
“Everybody have faith and connect with each other. The younger ones make sure that older ones are okay if something happens," Eugene stressed. “The Elders got to trust, and the younger ones got to trust. That's the biggest medicine, I think, is to trust."
Filling your cup in the face of grief and loss following an emergency
The risks of a disaster or emergency can cause anxiety or increased stress. Having a clear emergency plan for you and your family can help you feel prepared to respond not only physically to an emergency, but emotionally as well. FNHA encourages people to prepare now by
building a grab-and-go bag of emergency essentials such as non-perishable food and water, important documents, a radio, a small first aid kit and traditional medicines.
Eugene emphasized that preparedness is also spiritual. Grounding yourself in traditional teachings, relationships and practices will provide strength in any emergency.
“The glass is our body. And our spirit is the water," he said, reaching for a glass of water and pointing to the half-filled space. “When I felt empty, what kind of filled me up again was listening to my grandfather's teachings, and that's the empty spot of filling in with the good parts. And that kind of represents what I say in good grief."
A Long House Speaker and Residential School Survivor, Eugene teaches preschool children Halq'eméyleml language, songs, stories and prayers. He also works as a cultural advisor for Vancouver Native Health and the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, bringing a joyful presence as a Knowledge Keeper to children and adults alike assisting with transitions.
In emergencies such as wildfire or flood, communities can experience profound grief and loss. Eugene, who has lost loved ones in his life, shared how he has learned to walk through his grief in a good way. Putting the glass down he pointed to a candle, which he said is like our body, and the flickering light as our spiritual awareness.
“I hope you cry. If you cry, there's a healing that's starting. And then now we're going to stand your awareness up. Stand the awareness up, push it, push it into the body, push the body into the awareness, push the awareness into the body, push it three times. Then your awareness is upright," Harry said.
“And that awareness is like the flame of the candle."
Emergency preparedness resources:
For more info contact your FNHA regional HEM team:
