Indigenous Canadian wildfire stewardship, similarities and differences in the opportunities and barriers faced by Canadian and Australian First Nations people and the disproportionate impact of recent fire seasons on Indigenous communities were highlighted by visiting experts at an intimate event hosted by Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) in Brisbane on 3 October.
Métis fire scientist and policy advisor, Dr Amy Cardinal Christianson (Indigenous Leadership Initiative) and Joe Gilchrist (Salish Fire Keepers Society), a cultural fire keeper in the interior region of British Columbia from the Secwepemc and Nlaka’pamux Nations talked through Indigenous fire stewardship practices, wildfire evacuations and the enormous benefit of Indigenous-led wildland firefighting in Canada.
Amy and Joe spoke with Queensland stakeholders at the Centre’s Brisbane Node following their attendance at the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Gathering in Lismore, where the Centre supported Amy to present a keynote address.
Facilitated by Centre Board member, Bundjalung man Oli Costello (Jagun Alliance), Amy shared beautiful footage of her home territory in Treaty 6 (central Alberta) and with Joe, detailed the importance of fire in their landscapes and the effects of fire, or lack of fire, in changing the ecosystem.
Amy’s research highlighted the disproportionate impact of Canadian wildfires and associated evacuations on First Nations communities. While 4.9% of the Canadian population identifies as Indigenous, 42% of wildland fire evacuations between 1980-2021 were of communities with an Indigenous population of more than 50%.
Wildfires not only destroy homes but threaten cultural practices such as hunting, fishing and ceremonies integral to Indigenous culture and livelihood. Amy emphasised the need for tailored emergency responses that consider the unique and diverse needs of Indigenous communities, as well as equitable support and funding for Indigenous-led initiatives. She also reiterated the need for co-designed preparedness, response, recovery and resilience activities so that Indigenous communities are empowered to work alongside agencies before, during and after disasters.
Joe, Elder and cultural fire keeper for his Nation, drew on his significant knowledge gained from more than 30 years with the British Columbia Wildfire Service to share his, and the broader experience of other Indigenous wildland firefighters in Canada. He spoke about the cultural safety of Indigenous wildland firefighters, the challenge and dichotomy of being both firefighters and community members and participating in the recovery of land and community after fires. Joe also detailed systemic and colonial challenges of a centralised approach to wildland fire management and Indigenous communities, highlighting systemically entrenched racism and discrimination as top concerns for Indigenous firefighters as shown in Amy’s research.
Amy spoke about her role at Indigenous Leadership Initiative and the program she is involved with that is strengthening nationhood through fire and kinship through:
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abundance in communities and on the ground
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having Indigenous fire governance structures
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building capacity for Indigenous firefighting and cultural fire
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Indigenous knowledge sovereignty
The similarities between Canadian and Australian Indigenous contexts initiatives and approaches to research in cultural fire and land management were highlighted by the connection between the Canadian Land Needs Guardians and the Australian Country Needs People campaigns.
The diversity of perspectives from international expertise enriches the Centre’s understanding and approach to research. Amy, as a member of the Centre’s International Research Advisory Panel, plays a crucial role in supporting the continuous improvement of our research by providing an international perspective on global research trends, collaboration opportunities, as well as professional and research development opportunities.
While potentially challenging, these conversations are crucial in fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous-led fire and land management. Amy and Joe underscored the importance and benefit of integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into fire management and emergency response strategies, as well as highlighting the challenges and barriers that need to be overcome.
The Centre thanks Amy and Joe for sharing their knowledge, culture, experiences and ideas for ways to better manage land, fire, culture and community resilience.
Further resources:
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Book: First Nations Wildfire Evacuations: A Guide for Communities and External Agencies by Amy Cardinal Christianson and Tara McGee
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The Centre’s First Nations engagement resources page