The Canadian Red Cross has entered a formal Collaboration Agreement with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council to aid in emergency situations.

Saskatchewan Vice-President Luc Mullinder says this partnership gives the Red Cross a tangible action item list that they can use to talk with communities about the supports they need.

“The community leadership and the capacity that they’re building at the local level to respond to disasters and emergency, we get to augment that. We get to assist wherever they see a gap,” Mullinder said. “Because we’re able to have those conversations, that’s why the partnership is going to be so great, but we need to formalize those steps just to get working.”

Mullinder says this allows the Red Cross to help File Hills in the event of a disaster.

“I think that what it does is it establishes the Canadian Red Cross’ commitment to acknowledgement, to reconciliation, to listening, and to learning about the needs that the community leadership and the communities in general identify.”

Mullinder says File Hills is one of the largest tribal councils in the province.

“That’s why it’s important to formalize agreements like this, and it’s important to commit to collaboration and listening because there are a lot of people that we can help together in this partnership.”

While the Red Cross can help fill the gaps with emergency shelter, food and even cash cards when needed, the File Hills will be able to provide necessary experience, skills and culturally relevant support services to help in the event of a disaster.