Mass Evacuation Speaker Series: Panel 2
Mass Evacuation Speaker Series
Mass Evacuation & First Nations
*This event took place June 18, 2024.
In Mass Evacuations & First Nations, four experts from diverse backgrounds will explore the context in which mass evacuations of First Nations communities occur, and what unique considerations are required to ensure the safety of these communities in an emergency.
Featuring:
- Dr. Tara K. McGee, First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership at the University of Alberta
- Jennifer Jesty, Emergency Resilience Manager, Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq
- Michelle Gervais, Stronger Together Evacuation Partnerships
- Maia Foster-Sanchez, Stronger Together Evacuation Partnerships
- Moderated by Dr. Eric Kennedy, York University
The Mass Evacuation Speaker Series is a joint initiative from CIFAL York and Y-EMERGE at York University; the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance at Dalhousie University; and the Institute of Intergovernmental Relations at Queens University.
Full video recording:
Speakers
Dr. Tara McGee
Co-lead, First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership (University of Alberta
Dr. McGee’s research focuses on individual, community, and organizational responses to wildfires, and other environmental hazards. She has completed numerous studies on the human dimensions of wildfire, including wildfire risk perceptions, prevention, mitigation and preparedness, evacuation, and recovery. Most of her human dimensions of wildfire research is based in Canada, including the First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership. Although Dr. McGee’s research has focused mainly on wildfires, she has carried out and supervised research related to other hazards including floods, earthquakes, and avalanches.
Maia Foster-Sanchez
Stronger Together Evacuation Partnerships
Maia Foster-Sanchez is an EM policy analyst, emergency manager and multimedia producer from Dish from One Spoon Territory. Maia has experience in First Nations evacuations, EM research and public history education. Her broader research has focused on the intersection of colonialism, disasters, health, and policy making. She has directed and produced various series, including the Voices from Here Oral History Series, The Story of a National Crime Podcast, the Among Equals Podcast, and the Last Resort Video Series. Maia is passionate about bolstering local emergency management capacity, culturally safe supports for evacuees, and storytelling.
Jennifer Jesty
Emergency Resilience Manager, Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq
Jesty is the Emergency Resiliency Manager with the Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq and she has developed the Unama'ki Emergency Alert System that allows all 5 Indigenous Communities here in Cape Breton to send emergency alerts to just their own community members.
Jennifer is also the first Indigenous Women to become a Member of the Nova Scotia Firefighters Association and the First Indigenous Woman to become an Advanced Care Paramedic at the Center for Emergency Medicine in Pittsburgh as well as here in Nova Scotia.
Ms. Jesty just recently stood before the House of Commons to share the success of her Alert System. The Federal Government is in the beginning stages of developing a Nation Wide Red Dress Alert system for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and they asked Jennifer to share her knowledge and her successes.
Jennifer is a member of the Eskasoni Band and has a lengthy list of "firsts" She also has many "hidden" talents and is an archer, cake decorator, cake decorating instructor and equestrian. She LOVES to bake, crochet, cross stitch and make many other crafts. When she is not pouring her heart and soul into her work, you can find Jennifer in the barn with her beloved horse, Beau.
Michelle Gervais
Stronger Together Evacuation Partnerships
Michelle Gervais is an emergency management and public safety professional who has extensive experience working alongside First Nations, Municipal, Provincial and Federal partners prior to, during and following emergencies. She has worked as an Emergency Management Special Advisor and Evacuation Specialist, Deputy Fire Chief, EM Special Advisor to the Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, a firefighter, and a flight paramedic with Ornge. Michelle also made significant contributions to Operation Remote Immunity to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to remote First Nations in Northern Ontario. The model was replicated across Canada, aiding in operational plans to reach other remote locations. Michelle shares her acquired knowledge and experience as a Professor at Northern College, as a provincial instructor, and as a mentor. She was also a 2022 recipient of the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award for the “Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Management” category.