A new project involving the Strathcona Regional District is helping First Nations communities protect and recover sacred and culturally significant belongings following floods, fires and other disasters.

Four Salvaging Sacred Belongings videos have been developed by the BC Heritage Emergency Response Network through a partnership with the Regional District and Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che'tles7et'h' First Nations.

Each video is approximately one minute long and demonstrates a practical recovery technique that can be used following an emergency.

The videos explain how to dry feathers using a blow dryer, support cedar baskets while they dry, spray-clean wet materials and save photographs damaged by water.

While the demonstrations focus on specific examples, the techniques may also be useful for other belongings made from materials with similar textures and finishes.

Regional District Director Matthew Jack, who represents Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che'tles7et'h' First Nations, says protecting and restoring important belongings following climate-related and natural disasters is an important part of rebuilding and safeguarding First Nations culture after the impacts of colonization.

The videos build upon earlier Sacred Belongings training supported by the Regional District.

That initiative included hands-on workshops intended to help First Nations responders salvage regalia, baskets, masks, carvings, drums, feathers and other culturally significant belongings following fires and floods.

The latest project received grant funding through the Union of BC Municipalities.

All First Nations communities are invited to access the free resources.

The complete video series is available at Strathcona Regional District.