Equitable Action Needed for Indigenous Communities Impacted by Alberta and Saskatchewan Wildfires
For immediate release: May 17, 2023
Indigenous Land — Despite contributing the least to climate change, and benefiting the least from extractive industries that contribute the most to the climate crisis, Indigenous communities in so-called Canada and across the world continue to suffer the brunt of climate disasters while rarely receiving support from colonial states.
A smoke column rises from a wildfire near Shining Bank, Alta. on May 5, 2023. Image Credit: Alberta Wildfire
Last week, the East Prairie Metis Settlement lost 27 homes and a bridge to their community from the Alberta wildfires. Despite being one of the hardest hit communities, residents faced the fires on their own—working in shifts to protect their homes and community. In contrast, their neighbours in the settler township of Drayton Valley received the support of government resources, including military aid, to help extinguish fires threatening their homes.
“Our people will always show up for our communities,” said Rosalyn Boucha, ICA’s Communications Manager and member of Animakee Wa Zhing 37. “We have learned to be resilient in the face of disaster, but why are our communities always left to face the impacts of climate change alone when we have contributed the least to the climate crisis?”
East Prairie Metis Settlement is one of a dozen Indigenous communities impacted by ongoing wildfires on the territories of Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 spanning across Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Other impacted communities include Little Red River Cree Nation, O’Chiese First Nation, Sunchild First Nation, Whitefish Lake First Nation #459, Swan River First Nation, Driftpile Cree Nation, Sucker Cree First Nation, and Beaver First Nation.
“We know many local communities are struggling with the devastation produced by these wildfires. However, the inequities caused and continuing to be caused by the practices of Canadian colonial policies create more vulnerability for our people.” explains Jamie Bourque-Blyan, ICA’s Engagement Manager and citizen of the Buffalo Lake Mètis Settlement. “We may all be in this crisis, but we are not all equally supported with being able to survive it. This is a time to put the rhetoric of reconciliation into practice and transmute the environmental racism that has brought us to this situation. We need assurances that our communities will receive the support we deserve.”
The communities impacted by the early fire season in Alberta and Saskatchewan are also neighbours to the open-pit and in situ tar sands mining projects—major drivers of the climate crisis.
“Why are our communities always left to face the impacts of climate change alone when we have contributed the least to the climate crisis?”
— Rosalyn Boucha, 2023
More than 465 wildfires in Alberta have been reported this year to date, with nearly 532,000 hectares of forest consumed by the flame—destroying hundreds of homes. Indigenous people are left vulnerable to these disasters due to geographic location, as well as existing socio-economic conditions and infrastructure. 80 percent of Indigenous communities in so-called Canada are located in fire-prone regions that have higher wildfire risk, and are forecasted to experience an increase in wildfires over the next 40 years. Provincial budget cuts by the Albertan United Conservative Party (UCP) have produced the scenario now that has left wildfire fighting efforts ill-equipped and under-resourced to properly handle the scale of this emergency—meanwhile, fossil fuel corporations have more than doubled their profits over the last year. Though the provincial government could tax these industries to offset the cost of wildfire management, there has been no action from the UCP—and according to officials, Alberta is yet to reach its peak wildfire burning period this season.
Thick smoke from the Fox Lake fire can be seen from the barge landing on Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta. Image Credit: Jarvis Nanooch
“As our communities burn, the Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial governments continue to support the expansion of the Tar Sands and other oil and gas developments,” comments Vanessa Gray, ICA’s Divestment Campaign Coordinator and member of Aamjiwnaang First Nation. “This is a horrific example of the inability of these colonial governments to hold the responsibilities of caring for our people now and into the future. We cannot afford more false solutions that allow for business as usual. As Indigenous peoples, we understand the importance of traditional land management strategies that respect the integrity of local ecosystems for the long-term health and well-being of all community members who live on these territories.”
Prior to being displaced from traditional lands to reserves in the late 1800s, Indigenous Peoples intentionally used controlled fires to manage the forests and rangeland, as well as cultural purposes for millenia. However, colonial fire management policies and law by the government outlawing these traditional practices have not only contributed to the current crisis, but continue to diminish traditional Indigenous knowledge, violating Indigenous land rights and stewardship.
Decades of fire suppression has led to an accumulation of wildfire fuel and loss of cultural practices. It is time to move away from these false solutions and look to traditional Indigenous fire and land management practices to guide sustainable, effective, and equitable solutions. Addressing the root cause of colonial policies and practices is critical to ensuring real solutions to the climate crisis. That includes showing up to stop the harm now. As wildfires, floods and other consequences of climate change continue, we must demand that Indigenous community members receive that equitable support deserving to them as original peoples of these territories.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Rosalyn Boucha, Indigenous Climate Action
rosalyn@indigenousclimateaction.com