First Nations’ wildfire strategies save homes. Why aren’t they supported? – National Observer

March 28, 2025

As wildfires raged toward their community in 2023, the Little Red River Cree First Nation in northern Alberta broke the rules. They gathered community members, many of whom were uncertified firefighters, to try to save their homes.

“We put out a call and 88 of us showed up, grabbed whatever gear we could find and got into a barge. We smudged, said a prayer and crossed the river.”

It was eerily quiet, and there was an ominous orange glow in the sky. The stench of burning plastic and propane filled the air, recalled Conroy Sewepagaham, chief of the First Nation located near Fox Lake.