Thirty people gathered in Langley City this past weekend for a hands-on emergency preparedness workshop, hosted in partnership with the Waceya Métis Society.

The session brought together Waceya leadership, the Langley City Emergency Program, ESS Volunteer Responders, and members of Mayor and Council to walk through the basics of preparing for an emergency: building a household plan, putting together a kit for sheltering in place, and packing a grab-and-go bag for quick evacuation.

Waceya Métis Society serves more than 1,100 Métis citizens and families across Langley, White Rock, and the Lower Fraser Valley, offering everything from cultural programming to food security initiatives.

"Emergency preparedness is about more than having supplies ready. It is about making sure our families, Elders, youth, and community members feel informed, supported, and confident in knowing what to do when an emergency happens," said Anthony Wingham, president of Waceya Métis Society.

Participants worked through the specifics of what a grab-and-go bag should include — identification, medications, water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, clothing, and comfort items — along with how to keep those supplies current and where to store them. The workshop also touched on the role insurance plays in recovery, and where to find reliable emergency information before, during, and after a crisis.

"Emergency preparedness is strongest when it is built through trusted relationships and shared knowledge," said Mayor Nathan Pachal. "This partnership with Waceya Métis Society reflects the kind of community-based approach we need to strengthen resilience, advance reconciliation in meaningful ways, and help ensure more people feel informed, connected, and better prepared when emergencies happen."