This episode features stories from Fire Keeper Nklawa. He provides insight helping people to better understand burning and it’s importance from a cultural perspective.
Resources
A history of fire featuring Nklawa: https://prescribedfire.ca/history-of-fire/
Sponsors
The Canadian Partnership for Wildland Fire Science
Support from:
● California Indian Water Commission
● Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation
Quotes
21.36 - 21.43: “The benefits far outweigh the bad part about… [the fire].”
Takeaways
Fire legend (1.49)
Nklawa’s people from the Okanagan believed that early people were more instinctual like animals, and did not have the ability to think or make decisions. He narrates the story of how the creator gave all animals jobs to prepare for the coming of humans during the winter. Coyote was sent first, and he asked the Elders about the fire which was being protected by fire monsters at the top of a mountain.
The tale of the tails (4.55)
Coyote scouted the mountain stealthily so the fire monsters didn’t consider him a threat, until he learned about their duty and sleep schedules and one day, stole the clay bowl with the fire in it. As he ran with the bowl, the tip of his tail hit the clay pot and caught fire. That is why coyotes have a white-tipped tail. As Coyote got tired, he passed the clay pot to Possum, whose entire bushy tail caught fire as he ran. That is why possums don’t have hair on their tails.
How people were gifted fire (9.55)
Possum passed the clay pot to Squirrel, who ran with it on its back until he felt the clay pot burning his back. He stopped and brought his tail up to cover the spot, which is why squirrels have upright tails. When the squirrel got tired, he threw the clay pot to Wood, who swallowed the fire. The fire monsters tried everything to retrieve fire from him, but couldn’t. Coyote then took Wood to the human village and showed them how to get fire from Wood, so they were not cold.
Indigenous relationship with fire (14.22)
Nklawa shares that until 200 years ago, people respected fire and were not afraid of it. He highlights the contrast between how fire was lit in the past to protect forests and resources, and how people are viewing putting out fires today as a way to do so. Indigenous peoples look at fire as a resource to replenish and cleanse the land, burning until the fire extinguishes naturally. Communities are relearning the skills of harvesting medicines in burn areas today.
Forest as a shared resource (18.45)
While people today are trying to make forests a sustainable resource to make them more economically viable in regards to timber sales, Nklawa says the food and medicines the forest provided made it economically viable for his people. Nklawa explains that Indigenous peoples need to provide referrals about good spots for fire. He believes consultation with traditional people is missing from land management. Forests need to be looked at as a shared resource for everyone to take what they need.
If you liked this podcast, please check out YourForest podcast too, rate and review it on Instagram and Facebook and tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com