Operation Lifesaver’s goal is simple: to save lives by sharing our rail safety message with Canadians—no matter where they live. In recent years, we’ve made it a priority to ensure we’re reaching First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities across the country. That’s why, to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21
st), we unveiled a series of
new rail safety resources specifically with Indigenous audiences in mind.
Although we have always supplied a range of rail safety materials in both English and French, these new resources—safety brochures, colouring and activity sheets for children, and virtual-reality videos—have been translated into three Indigenous languages: Innu, Naskapi and Atikamekw.
“Rail lines run through Indigenous communities across this country,” says Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver. “We need to make sure our safety message is reaching the people who live in those communities. These new resources are just one of the ways we are trying to do that.”
Working to prevent tragedies in Indigenous communities
OL translated some of its rail safety materials into Innu and Naskapi as part of a partnership with
Tshiuetin Rail, which is owned and operated by three First Nations: the Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, and the Innu Nation of Matimekush–Lac John.
“We’re delighted that Operation Lifesaver is enabling us to provide safety materials to our Innu and Naskapi communities in their native language,” says Orlando Cordova, Director General and Chief of Operations for Tshiuetin Rail. “This will go a long way towards engaging passengers and the public along our rail line regarding railway safety.”
But we aren’t stopping there.
In the coming months, we will be unveiling resources in Ojibway, Mohawk, Cree and Mi’kmaq. We have also hired an outreach coordinator to help us engage Indigenous communities across Canada.
You can find all our
new resources, as well as a range of other
helpful material, on our website. Share them with your friends and family—whether they speak, English, French, Innu, Naskapi or Atikamekw—and help us save lives.