A ten-member team of Indigenous firefighters, known as the Wabanaki Wildland Crew, has been sent from New Brunswick to aid Alberta's current wildfire response. Comprised of members from the Neqotkuk, Natoaganeg, and Sitansisk First Nations, this dedicated group of firefighters is stepping up to battle blazes ravaging the region. Their deployment marks significant progress, as these individuals have recently completed their training, enhancing their ability to protect communities from the growing threat of wildfires.
This initiative reflects the increasing collaboration between Indigenous communities and provincial firefighting resources. According to the New Brunswick provincial government, they certified 20 Indigenous firefighters as Type 2 wildland firefighters earlier this year. This recent mobilization is not just about fighting fires; it also symbolizes the unity and resourcefulness of First Nations communities as they face environmental challenges.
Before leaving for Alberta, the crew participated in a ceremonial event to honor their mission and pay tribute to one of their members, John Eric Paul from the Sitansisk First Nation, who tragically lost his life earlier this month. "Although our team is full of eagerness and enthusiasm for our mobilization to Alberta, we are also still recovering after the tragic loss of one of our team members," stated Tim Plant, the resource development consultation co-ordinator for Sitansisk. The somber remembrance highlights the deep connections within the team, promising to guide them as they respond to these pressing wildfires.
Tim Plant emphasized the need for Indigenous communities to be equipped to handle weather-related disasters, especially as climate change accelerates the frequency and intensity of wildfires. He pointed out, "as climate change continues to increase favorable conditions for more frequent and intense wildfires, capacity in Indigenous communities to respond to wildfire emergencies is absolutely necessary. Projects and partnerships like this one are incredibly important.”
The Wabanaki Wildland Crew's deployment follows the significant increase of wildfires across Canada, raising concerns about community safety and environmental well-being. This year's wildfire season has tested fire response teams nationwide, as the wildfires consume vast areas of land. With dozens of communities on high alert, local and provincial officials understand the dire need for additional manpower to control these raging fires.
Travis Sappier, the capacity development co-ordinator of the Mawiw Council, stated, "With more and more out-of-control wildfires taking place across Canada, we all need to work together to help each other mitigate these problems.” He also noted the advantages the Wabanaki Crew would gain from this experience, which they plan to pass back to their communities upon their return.
The deployment is pivotal not just for Alberta but also for New Brunswick, where recruitment efforts for more Indigenous firefighters continue. With the training and knowledge acquired from this experience, the crew members can become role models for others, inspiring larger engagement from their communities.
Albertans are grateful for this Indigenous partnership, and community members have been supportive of the efforts to mobilize First Nations firefighters during this challenging wildfire season. With the crew set to remain in Alberta for two weeks, teams on the ground are working diligently to manage not only the immediate threat posed by the wildfires but also to establish long-term fire prevention strategies.
The Wabanaki Wildland Crew's support demonstrates the significant contributions Indigenous communities can make toward effective firefighting efforts. Such collaborations should be nurtured to address current environmental crises effectively. Firefighting is increasingly recognized as not only about physical competence but also about community resilience and shared responsibility.
This recent collaboration serves as both inspiration and indication of the capacity Indigenous communities possess to assist and respond to contemporary challenges, with firefighting forming just one dimension of their broader contributions to social and environmental justice.
