In 2021, the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta established the Light Fires: Indigenous Prison Arts and Education Project (formerly known as IPAEP: Indigenous Prison Arts and Education). The project is grounded in over 13 years of community-based organizing, community engagement, and connection with partners across both Alberta and Saskatchewan who work alongside incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. 

Light Fires has three interwoven commitments: arts-based education in prisons; critical Indigenous prison studies research; and advocacy with and for incarcerated people.