It's very holistic. I worked with the Sayisi Dene in Tadoule Lake, northern Manitoba. They're a one-hour flight north of Thompson, fly-in only. In that community, it's a very basic thing. If a lock breaks on the band office, it could take them weeks to bring in a locksmith to replace it. In that time, their assets are unprotected.
It's a diesel-dependent community with an ice road. With climate change, as the length of time that the ice road is open for diesel trucks to come in shrinks with the warming climate, that community faces growing crises as diesel runs out every year. In that community, certainly bringing in teachers or training programs and even having access to the Internet—all of these very basic things—are incredible challenges that we wouldn't experience in other, more urban places. Yes, access to those basic infrastructural services and supports is key.
Then also, of course, there's the isolation. That community was relocated, so there are mental health challenges that come from the relocation process and the systemic racism they've experienced. These issues are all very complicated.
Again, like other speakers, I would advocate for a community-by-community response.
In this particular case, I would also advocate for off-grid alternative energy sources. All of these things that strengthen the resilience of rural and remote communities also strengthen their resilience when it comes to climate change or other issues. Independent food production, independent power production and the strengthening of their community-based decision-making structures I think are essential in capacity-building and talent retention, but also in other significant areas.