Topic(s): Clean Energy, Climate Change, Climate Emergency, Community-based Training, Economic Development, Environment, Health & Wellness, Justice, Poverty, Reconciliation
\nSource: PG Citizen
\n“The first-ever First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Forum took place May 27-28 at the Prince George Civic Centre, drawing more than 100 in-person and virtual participants.<\/p>\n
The open forum focused on the transportation challenges faced by First Nations in BC and explored solutions to improve access to safe and reliable low-carbon transportation.<\/p>\n
The event builds on the work of the First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Project, launched in 2022 and set to conclude in 2027. The project aims to address the lack of viable transportation networks in BC that limit Indigenous access to essential services. It also seeks to mitigate climate impacts by developing alternatives to car-based travel.<\/p>\n
The forum showcased the efforts of several First Nations communities working to develop self-determined low-carbon transportation plans. A pilot program launched by the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) has provided $65,000 in flexible funding and staff support to five First Nations to help close transportation gaps. BCAFN is currently seeking four more communities to join the initiative.<\/p>\n
Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the BCAFN attended the forum and emphasized the critical need for transportation infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst and foremost, it’s more resourcing,\u201d Teegee told The Citizen. \u201cEvery time we talk about transportation, it’s always more resourcing \u2014 whether it’s provincial, federal or our own avenues to support initiatives like shuttle systems, charging stations for rural communities, or improved ferry systems for Coastal First Nations. The goal is the same. Transportation is a right, and it\u2019s also about safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Teegee noted that transportation challenges are intensified by the remote nature of many First Nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor First Nations communities, about 80 to 85 per cent are considered remote,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a challenge getting to places like Kamloops, Prince George or Vancouver for services \u2014 especially for higher education or health care. Transportation to access health services in Prince George is a major issue, as is accessing general resources. We need resources to address this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The forum also included a panel on how various levels of government, NGOs and the private sector can work in partnership with First Nations on transportation solutions.<\/p>\n
Paula Cousins, associate deputy minister of transportation and transit, said such partnerships are unique to each community.<\/p>\n
\u201cPartnership looks different in every relationship,\u201d Cousins said. \u201cIt depends on the community\u2019s priorities. Sometimes it\u2019s art in the project, sometimes it\u2019s environmental or cultural considerations, or employment. The key is coming to the table with a suite of tools, listening, and working together. In our ministry, we see ourselves as learners.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an interview with The Citizen following the panel, Cousins highlighted current projects her ministry is working on in northern BC.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done a lot of work already \u2014 such as BC Bus North in collaboration with the Northern Development Initiative Trust \u2014 and we\u2019re continuing to explore rural transit options that go beyond just cars or walking,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve heard loud and clear from northern communities that they face unique challenges and opportunities, and we need to show up differently.\u201d<\/p>\n
Projects in the works include an active transportation pathway in Skidegate on Haida Gwaii, bus stop construction at Stellat\u2019en First Nation, a bus shelter near Highway 16, and a 12.5-kilometre bike and pedestrian route in Skidegate along Highway 16.<\/p>\n
Cousins said her time at the ministry has brought to light the serious impacts of transportation gaps in Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve heard many heartbreaking stories,\u201d she said. \u201cOne of our ministers told of a mother walking along a snowy highway shoulder with her stroller, with no safe path. And, of course, there are the devastating cases along Highway 16 of women going missing or being murdered. We take these stories seriously and they guide us in working with communities to build meaningful solutions.\u201d”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Topic(s): Clean Energy, Climate Change, Climate Emergency, Community-based Training, Economic Development, Environment, Health & Wellness, Justice, Poverty, Reconciliation Source: PG Citizen “The first-ever First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Forum took place May 27-28 at the Prince George Civic Centre, drawing more than 100 in-person and virtual participants. The open forum focused on the transportation challenges faced […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-new-room"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12693"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12693\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ustooadvocacy.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}