About
MNBC’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has received funding from BC’s Ministry of Health and The Social Planning and Research Council of B.C. to pilot the Ki Shoohkishinaan Aansaamb* (We Become Stronger Together) Program in the Interior Health region of British Columbia. This is an emergency event check-in pilot program for vulnerable Métis community members.
The program is currently in the pilot stage; it will first be tested in the Interior Health region, with the aim of spreading province-wide starting in 2027.
*Translation and credits: Ki Shoohkishinaan Aansaamb is a Southern Michif phrase meaning “we become stronger together.” We would like to express gratitude to Elder Norman Fleury for the translation.
Eligibility
You may want to join the program if:
- You are an MNBC Citizen residing in the Interior Health region who is:
- an Elder, senior,
- living alone,
- and/or requiring mobility support during extreme heat or cold conditions
- You are an MNBC Citizen residing in the Interior Health region who would like to receive training as a volunteer to support the check-in program.
What the Service Provides
Ki Shoohkishinaan Aansaamb is a volunteer-based emergency event check-in program designed to help B.C.-based* Métis Elders, seniors, people with mobility challenges, and those living in isolation. Métis volunteers will be trained to provide support to these community members, before and during extreme weather events.
*Please note: The program is currently only open to Métis Citizens in the Interior Health Service Area (See Map). This initiative will first be tested in the Interior Health region before being rolled out province-wide in 2027.
Availability
Maarsii (thank you) for your interest. Applications for this program are currently closed. If you have filled out an expression of interest form, the program team will review submitted EOI forms and reach out to the email address provided.
Contact
If you have further questions about this pilot program, please reach out to program contact Derek Gagnon:
Related Ministry
What Inspired this Program?
The 2021 heat dome in British Columbia caused temperatures to reach over 40⁰C throughout the province and led to 619 heat-related deaths. Most of the deceased were older adults who lived alone, and 98% of deaths occurred indoors.
From the lessons that came out of the 2021 heat dome, we hope to increase preparedness knowledge and safety for Métis Citizens, and to tailor existing check-in programs to be Métis-specific, culturally safe, and appropriate.
Key Roles in the Program
There are a number of key roles within this program, from MNBC staff to community participants. Here is a breakdown of these roles and their functions in this program’s community and relationship-building.
MNBC Provincial Staff
Provide overall program direction.
Chartered Community Leadership
Ensure the program reflects local priorities, relationships and community protocols.
Chartered Community Leadership
Ensure the program reflects local priorities, relationships and community protocols.
Local Champion/Coordinator
- Coordinate the program locally and provide the main point of contact for participants and volunteers
- Recruit and complete intake with participants and volunteers
- Train, match and support volunteers
- Maintain a current list of local and regional services and supports
- Coordinate regular and extreme-weather check-ins
- Track participation, check-ins and program activities
- Respond to concerns and escalate accordingly
- Support safe information management
Community Participants
- Guide how they would like to take part and what forms of connection and support work best for them
- Provide consent and share their check-in preferences
- Take part in an initial visit and preparedness planning
- Share relevant information that may help support safe check-ins