Indigenous Fire Leadership
Culture Fire Management Council
The mission of the Cultural Fire Management Council (CFMC) is to facilitate the practice of cultural burning on the Yurok Reservation and Ancestral lands, which will lead to a healthier ecosystem for all plants and animals, long-term fire protection for residents, and provide a platform that will, in turn, support the traditional hunting and gathering activities of the Yurok.
Indigenous Leadership Initiative
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative is dedicated to facilitating the strengthening of Indigenous Nationhood for the fulfillment of the Indigenous cultural responsibility to our lands, the emergence of new generations of Indigenous leaders, and helping communities develop the skills and capacity that they will need as they continue to become fully respected and equally treated partners in Canada’s system of governance and its economic and social growth.
An Indigenous-led, not-for-profit enterprise and registered charity. We support a growing national network of Indigenous communities and practitioners by promoting the revitalization and use of traditional knowledge systems and practices, particularly Cultural Fire, to improve Country and community health and wellbeing.
TREX Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges
An Indigenous-led, not-for-profit enterprise and registered charity. We support a growing national network of Indigenous communities and practitioners by promoting the revitalisation and use of traditional knowledge systems and practices, particularly Cultural Fire, to improve Country and community health and wellbeing.
Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson and Matthew Kristoff discuss how fire can support ecological health and cultural empowerment in Indigenous communities. Their podcast focuses on controlled burns, called “good fire,” which help keep ecosystems balanced, reduce catastrophic wildfires, and preserve cultural traditions. Each episode features conversations with Indigenous firekeepers and community leaders about traditional fire practices and the importance of including Indigenous knowledge in wildfire management. The podcast covers topics such as cultural burning ceremonies, fire ecology, and policy changes that empower Indigenous communities to care for their lands.
Indigenous Peoples Burning Network
The Indigenous Peoples Burning Network (IPBN) is a support network among Native American communities that are revitalizing their traditional fire cultures in a contemporary context. The network is led by Native American elders and practitioners and is centered on Indigenous cultural burning to help restore fire to balance.
The Fire Networks work to restore relationships between people and fire—developing viable fire cultures—because we believe that is the best way to address the root causes of our current wildfire challenges. As retired USDA Forest Service researcher Sarah McCaffrey reminds us: “Fire is a biophysical process, but fire management is a social one.” Too often, our wildland fire challenges are framed solely around vegetation problems — “our forests are out of whack”—which lead solely to fuel management solutions. If instead we frame the challenge as “our culture of fire is broken,” we get a more nuanced solution set—one where people are at the center and many more pathways to better fire outcomes are legitimized.
Planet Women partners with women to create a healthy planet for all life. Our work is focused on two programs designed to create systemic change and invest in environmental solutions on the ground. We value diverse perspectives, cultures and worldviews. We work to understand our own identities and privileges and create physical and psychological safety for all those we work with. We value collaboration over competition and invest in deep relationships. We seek to give a platform to historically excluded voices. There is no “right way.” We share responsibility in generating solutions and embrace transparency. We work toward sustainable outcomes with deep roots, even if they take more time. We consider the weight of our decisions on behalf of past, present and future generations. We ensure the voices of multiple generations shape our solutions. This means we honor our individual and collective wisdom. We communicate with appreciation and respect. We practice active listening and mindful speech. We impart generosity, love and healing to ourselves, to each other, to the past and to the planet.
more to come