A researcher with the Conference Board of Canada says she would like to see governments do a better job of outfitting northern communities.
Anja Jeffrey recently published a report which concludes the togetherness and internal strengths of northern villages, settlements and reserves are often overlooked by governments in southern Canada.
Jeffrey says authorities often tries to address crises in northern Canada by flying in, taking care of the problem and then flying out again.
She believes a better approach would be to build up the capacity in these remote communities so that local residents themselves can be the first responders to any emergencies that come up.
Jeffrey says these problems can include everything from fires to environmental problems.
She says governments need to take advantage of the resiliency of northern communities more often.
Jeffrey believes that if governments would only look at the strengths that already exist in remote communities, it would make their work a lot easier.