Working in a sea of trees within a tidal wave of energy -- known as a wildfire -- wildland firefighters have one of the most dangerous and important jobs on the planet. Protecting both the land and people’s property comes naturally to Métis wildland firefighters, connecting them deeply with the land and ecosystems, across the Canadian Prairies. Métis cultural knowledge amongst these wildland firefighters -- rooted in values of respect, stewardship, and equity -- helps us all understand how climate change is impacting forests, fire, and Indigenous identity and communities. Reflecting on traditional Indigenous practices of fire management, these Métis knowledge holders, “seeing from both worlds,” provide a path forward to conserve ecosystems and adapt to wildfires in an era of climate change.

Recommended Video Citation

Climate Atlas of Canada. (2020). Métis Wildland Firefighters: Connecting with Traditional Land Stewardship. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/metis-wildland-firefighters