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First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership
The First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership started in 2013 to explore how First Nations experienced and are impacted by wildfire evacuations, and to make recommendations for how to reduce the negative impacts of wildfire evacuations. The partnership included a team of researchers and community research assistants, seven First Nations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, and government agencies involved in carrying out or supporting wildfire evacuations. Please click on the link to the partnership website to learn more about this work and the ways that we have disseminated findings to communities, and to academic and non-academic audiences.
In 2019, the partnership began a second phase of research focusing on host communities where First Nations communities stay during wildfire evacuations, and preparedness. The partnership continues its important research, communication of findings, and engaging communities, organizations, and government agencies.
Current project team:
Dr. Tara McGee (University of Alberta) and Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson co-lead the partnership. Hana Lima is the community engagement coordinator for the First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership.
First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Host Communities
This project is part of the First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership. Research to date has examined First Nations wildfire evacuation experiences from the perspective of First Nations and evacuees, shedding light on how evacuees’ experiences in host communities can positively and negatively impact the experiences of evacuees and the impacts of the wildfire evacuation. This project examines host communities’ experiences, preparedness, and impacts of recent hosting of First Nations and other Indigenous communities. In particular, this postdoctoral research focuses on the experiences of public officials and other service providers involved in hosting Indigenous evacuees and learn how hosts provide essential services such as food, shelter, and transportation, as well as recreational and cultural activities for evacuees. It also aims to uncover challenges and positive outcomes stemming from the hosting experience. The results of this research project are intended to benefit communities which host Indigenous wildfire evacuees, government agencies, service providers, and First Nations communities.
Current Project team:
Dr. Douglas Yearwood
Postdoctoral Fellow, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences University of Alberta
Dr. Tara McGee
tmcgee@ualberta.ca
Professor, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
First Nation Community Wildfire Preparedness in BC
This is a 4-year project which aims to explore the preparedness of a First Nation community in British Columbia for wildfires. It will explore factors that affect both physical and psychological preparedness to effectively respond if a wildfire threatens a First Nation community.
The project will include:
Training of a community research assistant.
A community advisory committee including Elders, who will help to guide this study.
A research agreement will be established with the First Nation involved in this project.
The results of this study will be shared through multiple communication channels, with guidance from the community advisory committee.
An outcome of this project will include a PhD thesis, publications, and conference presentations.
The results of this study will contribute to wildfire preparedness for First Nations in BC and across Canada.
Current Project team:
Sumaira Niazi
sniazi1@ualberta.ca
Ph.D. Student Earth & Atmospheric Sciences University of Alberta
Dr. Tara McGee
tmcgee@ualberta.ca
Professor, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Public support for returning fire to the land in BC
This is a 2-year project aimed at understanding public support for cultural and prescribed fire, public acceptance of smoke from cultural and prescribed fires versus wildfires, and protective actions and preparedness for wildfire smoke events.
The project will include:
Application of a survey-based form with community members from Kelowna and Cranbrook in British Columbia.
The results of this project will provide important insights for extending the use of cultural and prescribed fire in BC.
Outcomes of this project will include a master's thesis, publications, and conference presentations.
Current Project team:
Sandani Siriwardhana
M.A. Student Earth & Atmospheric Sciences University of Alberta
Dr. Tara McGee
tmcgee@ualberta.ca
Professor, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
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