In this episode, we interview two guests; Peter Holub, Wildfire Prevention Officer with BC Wildfire Service, and Sarah Sigurdson, co-owner of Cariboo Art Beat, a Williams Lake art collective and studio.
This discussion highlights how BC’s history of fire suppression has led to a loss of Indigenous culture and an increased risk of wildfires. Because of this, younger Indigenous generations did not grow up with fire and were disconnected from this generational practice, relying on elders to learn about good fire and its ability to clean and manage the land.
Peter and Sarah discuss how they developed art-based workshops in the Cariboo focused on cultural burning to support Indigenous fire stewardship and reinvigorate the teaching of fire knowledge, beliefs, and values.
They share about the two First Nation communities who participated in the workshops (Williams Lake First Nation and the Yunesit’in First Nation), including what the feedback was from participants, and if they plan to facilitate more workshops in the future.
This is a great episode to learn more about cultural burning, Indigenous fire stewardship and traditional knowledge, and the importance of recognizing the history of Indigenous peoples.
Links:
Learn more about their initiative: https://prescribedfire.ca/reigniting-cultural-burning-through-painting/
Cariboo Art Beat: https://caribooartbeat.square.site/
Related Article: https://www.hopestandard.com/community/cariboo-art-beat-workshops-combine-fire-and-art/
For more information about Prescribed Fire and Cultural Burning visit https://prescribedfire.ca/
Visit https://firesmartbc.ca/ to learn more about the program and other partnerships across the province