Scotchfort, Prince Edward Island - Indigenous Services Canada, Abegweit First Nation, and the Province of Prince Edward Island
Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, joined Chief Roderick "Junior" Gould of Abegweit First Nation, and the Honourable Bloyce Thompson, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General of the Province of Prince Edward Island, to sign a historic, first-of-its-kind multilateral emergency management agreement.
- formally establish Abegweit First Nation as an equal and full partner in emergency management service delivery;
- support Abegweit First Nation's inherent right to self-determination;
- enable shared decision-making and coordinated implementation;
- lay the groundwork for long-term service transfer and First Nations-led service delivery; and
- ensure access to high-quality, culturally appropriate emergency management services comparable to those available off reserve.
This agreement formally establishes Abegweit First Nation as an equal and full partner in the provincial emergency management system, with a direct role in decisions, planning, training, and preparedness. It also establishes a jointly developed annual plan to set shared priorities and coordinate unified action among Abegweit First Nation, Prince Edward Island, and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). It advances co-development and self-determination, strengthens coordination, and supports long-term, community-led approaches to emergency management.
This agreement comes as we mark the 31st anniversary of Emergency Preparedness Week. Minister Gull‑Masty highlighted the important work undertaken by Atlantic First Nations and Tribal Councils to strengthen emergency preparedness and resilience. This work is supported through ISC's FireSmart Program and the Non-Structural Mitigation and Preparedness Program, which help build capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, including wildfires, while supporting approaches informed by Indigenous Knowledge.
Preparedness and emergency mitigation require thoughtful planning and sustained investment at the community level. In fiscal year 2025-2026, ISC provided over $600,000 through the FireSmart program and $1.2 million for preparedness and non-structural mitigation activities to Atlantic First Nations and Tribal Councils. Since April 1, 2026, ISC has provided an additional $125,000 to support this ongoing work.
Flooding, wildfires, and seasonal storms can affect the health, safety, property and well-being of First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada. Through this agreement, Abegweit First Nation, Canada, and the Province of Prince Edward Island are strengthening coordination, improving response capacity, and helping keep communities safe.
