Indigenous communities face rising wildfire evacuations and deep mental health impacts. Experts call for culturally informed, community-led support systems.
Pregnancy, Smoke, and a 20-Hour Escape
In August 2023, Jeewa Liske, four months pregnant, drove 20 hours from Yellowknife to escape wildfire smoke. Visibility was poor, the air was choking, and her anxiety intensified with each kilometre. Upon reaching Edmonton, Liske struggled with where to stay, eventually flying to Victoria to join family—separated from her partner, a firefighter battling the same blaze.
Growing Mental Strain in Displaced Communities
Researchers and psychologists warn that Indigenous people are disproportionately affected by wildfires and their mental toll. Suzanne Stewart, psychology professor at the University of Toronto, says frequent displacement deepens anxiety and stress, especially when Indigenous evacuees are removed from their land and families—an experience layered with cultural trauma.
A Pattern of Displacement Across Canada
In 2023 alone, disasters like wildfires forced more than 190,000 internal displacements in Canada. About 30,000 of those involved First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people—despite Indigenous communities making up just 5% of the national population. According to Elisa Binon of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, this trend reflects systemic marginalization and the geographic vulnerability of remote Indigenous reserves.
Long Distances and Limited Support
After fleeing Yellowknife, Liske stayed with her mother-in-law, Dene activist Katłįà Lafferty, on Vancouver Island. Lafferty emphasized the emotional toll of evacuations, especially for elders and families left without culturally appropriate accommodations or nearby relatives. In Manitoba, recent wildfires forced over 21,000 to flee, with some relocated as far as Niagara Falls—sparking criticism from First Nations leaders demanding more local options.
Evacuation Challenges Worsen Mental Health
Stewart noted that temporary shelters, long waits to return home, and being placed in unfamiliar locations heighten psychological distress. Many Indigenous evacuees, especially elders, face language barriers and isolation in shelters. Displacements can also reignite historic trauma tied to forced relocations and residential schools.
Policy Gaps and Missed Opportunities
Experts argue evacuation protocols often ignore Indigenous needs. Ontario-based Binon says inclusive policies could mitigate trauma, suggesting improvements such as Indigenous-led evacuation planning, language support for elders, and continued federal partnerships for disaster response. The Dene Nation’s 2023 proposal to help identify vulnerable individuals and assist in evacuation coordination is one such model.
Restoring Cultural Practices as Prevention
Governments are slowly turning to traditional Indigenous practices—like controlled cultural burns—to reduce wildfire risk and improve land health. Advocates say these practices not only mitigate future disasters but also restore Indigenous autonomy and connection to land, offering psychological and environmental healing.
A Lingering Sense of Dread
Today, Liske lives in Dettah, N.W.T., while Lafferty remains in Victoria. Both say clear skies now bring a mix of gratitude and apprehension, as wildfires remain a looming threat. Liske’s husband, a wildfire crew boss, is currently deployed in Saskatchewan, fighting yet another blaze. “Whenever there’s a blue sky, I’m thankful,” said Lafferty. “We’re not breathing in smoke.”
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