Foundational Knowledge for Indigenous Education

Prior to being removed from their traditional lands to reserves in the late 1800s Indigenous Peoples used controlled burns to manage the forests and rangeland. The timing and location of the fires were based on the traditional knowledge about their territories accumulated over millennia. These managed fires were an important component of their stewardship of the land.

For millenia, fire was integral to many Indigenous peoples’ way of life. Fire was a tool that promoted ecological diversity and reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Prescribed fire is a colonial adaptation of cultural burning practiced by many different Indigenous groups in Canada. Learn about the differences.

Prior to contact, indigenous peoples used fire to modify the landscape. The "untouched, pristine" wilderness of North America was the result of the Indigenous use of fire, creating an mosaic of grasslands and forests across North America

This video explains some of the benefits of wildfire. Due to the way they grow, some trees (like lodgepole pines) need fire to survive. Learn about how wildfires contribute to the ecosystem.

A complimentary guide for educators to deepen their foundational knowledge and foster reconciliation.