The Indigenous Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary has fully launched in B.C. and has already completed a number of missions. The auxiliary consists of 50 volunteer members from five First Nations along B.C.’s coast — the Ahousat, the Heiltsuk, the Gitxaala, the Nisgaa and the Kitasoo. The auxiliary will work in tandem with the Canadian Coast Guard, responding to remote areas that would take the Coast Guard a long time to attend. The volunteer members have been provided with training, equipment and certification for their community boats. New Search and Rescue boats are also being built with funding from government grants.
