First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership - FNWEP

09/23/2026

🔥Research Snapshot: When wildfires threaten remote regions, First Nations communities can face unique evacuation challenges due to limited resources, geography, and communication gaps. Drawing on the case study of the Dene Tha’ First Nation, research highlights the importance of tailoring emergency management strategies to local and cultural contexts.

Key takeaway: Strong leadership played an important role in the community’s resilience during the evacuation by helping with community organization, keeping families together, providing needed social support, and connecting evacuees with familiar host communities.

To learn more about measures to improve evacuations and emergency management in the community and other First Nations in Canada, read the full article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13753-020-00281-y

Website: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/awe/home

09/16/2026

🔥APTN News released an article on July 22, 2026, featuring Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson, who explains how Indigenous fire stewardship has been overlooked by Canadian governments and why Indigenous-led solutions could play a critical role in responding to today’s wildfire crisis.

The article highlights that Canada doesn’t necessarily need more studies proving the value of Indigenous fire knowledge. It needs to give Indigenous communities greater authority, resources, and recognition to put that knowledge into practice. Dr. Christianson sees Indigenous-led fire stewardship as not only a way to reduce wildfire risk, but also as a way to restore relationships with the lands that colonial policies disrupted.

To read the full story by Jesse Staniforth: https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/ottawa-ignores-indigenous-knowledge-about-wildfires-metis-fire-scientist/

Website: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/awe/home

09/09/2026

🔥On August 26, CBC News published an article by Jonathan Migneault highlighting how Missanabie Cree First Nation in northern Ontario is on track to open a purpose-built Indigenous evacuation centre designed to host up to 600 people displaced by emergencies such as wildfires and floods.

The 360-room facility will include a commercial kitchen, classrooms and spaces for cultural gatherings, all on Missanabie Cree’s traditional territory.

Evacuees from northern First Nations are often sent to hotels in cities hundreds of kilometres from their home communities. The new centre aims to provide a more familiar, community-based environment where evacuees can remain connected to their culture and community while receiving shelter.

The centre was originally scheduled to open in 2024 but faced funding and weather-related delays. Missanabie Cree says it expects the project to be completed by the end of 2026.
Safety matters. But so does how we experience safety.

Want to read the full article? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/missanabie-cree-indigenous-evacuation-centre-9.7314303?fbclid=IwY2xjawT-fSFwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUZvZnc3VFhpT0RPNEN4ZnVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNXSYkNzQCKFRbe8udiaBwH8dcPoGD2gKmDOtClWRz5iXyT4Cct1LantuA8Y_aem_kbMUFpBPY8iRUrJPFd4EJA

FNWEP Website: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/awe/home

09/02/2026

🔥On August 21, Thomas Carstens—our I-STEAM intern —presented the results of his work with the FNWEP, marking the conclusion of his internship.

Thomas explored how artificial intelligence can help address gaps in emergency planning, with a focus on Indigenous communities, wildfire evacuation, and host-community coordination.

We’re incredibly grateful for Thomas, his thoughtful insights and meaningful contributions, and we wish him every success in the future!

Website: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/awe/home

08/26/2026

🔥Each year, wildfires require First Nations communities to make difficult decisions to protect their people, homes, and lands. While evacuation is an essential safety measure, the impacts often continue long after communities return home.

Recovery is a long-term process that involves more than restoring infrastructure. It includes supporting community wellbeing, cultural continuity, connections to land, and the restoration of relationships, services, and community life.

Recent wildfire events have highlighted the importance of coordinated support, strong communication, and long-term investments in First Nations-led emergency management, preparedness, and recovery.

Ways you can help:
- Follow updates and information shared by affected First Nations communities and Indigenous organizations.
- Contribute to verified Indigenous-led organizations and community initiatives supporting First Nations communities affected by wildfires. For example, COMMUNITY AID FIRST NATION ( on Instagram) is helping amplify fundraising efforts for families seeking support. Visit their page to learn more, explore their family directory, and share or contribute if you are able.
- Amplify First Nations voices and community-led responses.
Advocate for long-term investments in First Nations-led emergency management and recovery.

The FNWEP continues to work alongside First Nations communities and partners to better understand wildfire evacuation impacts and support improved approaches for the future.

FNWEP Website:

Hello! Tân’si Ɂedlanet’e Boozhoo Aaniin

08/12/2026

🔥Wildfire season continues to significantly impact First Nations communities across Canada.

As of August 11, 2026, 31 First Nations communities have been impacted by wildland fires across Canada, including communities in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Of these, 20 First Nations communities have experienced evacuations, with 2,524 individuals currently evacuated due to wildland fires. (Source: Indigenous Services Canada)

The situation in British Columbia has been particularly severe, with 24 First Nations communities impacted and 15 experiencing evacuations. Behind these numbers are families, Elders, youth, and communities experiencing significant disruptions to their daily lives. Wildfire evacuations can mean leaving homes, belongings, and community spaces behind; being separated from family and community; experiencing interruptions to essential services; and facing challenges maintaining connections to culture, traditional practices, and land.

💙 Our thoughts are with the families and First Nations communities affected by these wildfires. We recognize the strength, leadership, and resilience of communities navigating these difficult circumstances, and we extend our support to those who have been evacuated and those working to keep their communities safe.

Source: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1686078907307/1686078925161
FNWEP Website: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/awe/home

07/29/2026

🔥Meet the FNWEP Advisory Committee (2025–2026)!

Last year, the First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership (FNWEP) established an Advisory Committee to help guide and strengthen our work. Committee members bring diverse expertise and experience that informs our research, supports knowledge mobilization, and helps identify priorities, knowledge gaps, and new opportunities that are meaningful to First Nations communities.

We are pleased to introduce the members of our 2025–2026 Advisory Committee:
• Victor Upshaw
• Winston Delorme
• Michelle Vandevord
• Kevin Ramcharan
• Bianca Langille

Together, they bring diverse perspectives that will help guide the FNWEP’s work to better understand and address the impacts of wildfire evacuations on First Nations communities.

Thank you to our Advisory Committee members for your time, guidance, and commitment.

Learn more about the FNWEP Advisory Committee and our work: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/awe/home

07/24/2026

🔥 Worth the read: First Nations warned the Ontario government years ago that the province's emergency response system wasn't prepared to protect remote Indigenous communities from disasters like wildfires. They presented a detailed wildfire emergency plan with recommendations, and according to this investigation, many of those recommendations were never implemented. Now, after entire communities have been devastated by wildfires, First Nations leaders are calling for accountability and a public inquiry.

Indigenous leaders and the auditor general gave Ontario several emergency management recommendations over the years. Little progress was made

06/24/2026

🔥Myth vs. Reality: Research shows that some residents who remain behind during an evacuation play important roles in supporting their communities. In the findings from this research, residents who chose to stay organized themselves into a volunteer security and support team, helping their community under extremely challenging conditions.

These volunteers took on a range of responsibilities, including:
Monitoring wildfire conditions and providing updates to community members.
-Feeding and caring for animals left behind.
-Helping protect nearby communities from fire threats.
-Removing spoiled food from homes before residents returned.
-Providing accurate, on-the-ground information to evacuees and correcting harmful rumours.

These efforts helped reduce uncertainty for evacuees and supported the community throughout the evacuation. Their contributions demonstrate how community members can play an important role in disaster response, even in difficult circumstances.

Want to learn more about the role of volunteers in Indigenous communities during disasters? Check out this research by Lilia Yumagulova, Suzanne Phibbs, Christine M. Kenney, Darlene Yellow Old Woman-Munro, Amy Cardinal Christianson, Tara K. McGee, and Rosalita Whitehair: "The role of disaster volunteering in Indigenous communities." 🔗https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17477891.2019.1657791

Stay informed. Stay safe.

Website: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/awe/home