Events

Nearly two years have passed since the disastrous tailings spill at the Imperial Oil Kearl Mine in northern Alberta and downstream communities of the region have yet to see justice. To commemorate the incident and to draw attention to the ongoing crisis that is tailings expansion in the northern boreal, we are hosting a film screening of “Killer Water” by Brandi Morin.

The evening will start with words from CPAWS Northern Alberta’s Boreal Program Manager, Kaitlyn Philip, about the growing risk of tailings ponds in Alberta and how it puts communities and the environment at risk. Followed by an introduction to SNAP by Executive Director, Caitlin Bodewitz.

You’ll be free to stand, roam or settle in to watch the film. Beverages and light snacks will be provided for the film screening. You will also have the opportunity to silk screen your own T-shirt, tote, or print!

Below are some phrases you’ll be able to print onto your own materials to take home.

“Tailings are Toxic – like my ex”
“Dear Alberta, Break up with Tailings”

Please bring a shirt, Tote, or Flat surface to silk screen if you wish to partake in the activity.

Proceeds from the event will be split between CPAWS Northern Alberta and SNAP.

A Webinar on “Good Fire” with Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson

Indigenous peoples across what is now Canada have utilized fire to steward their territories to achieve cultural objectives. Fire is integral to Indigenous cultures and is a process used to uphold responsibilities and kinship systems, which were maintained through a complex knowledge system. This relationship with fire has been nearly severed by colonization, through the disregard for Indigenous knowledge and fire exclusion.

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in Indigenous fire and a growing recognition of the importance of cultural burning practices, particularly in relation to increasing biodiversity and providing nature-based climate solutions.

This free webinar co-hosted with CPAWS Southern Alberta will discuss Indigenous fire knowledge, impacts of cultural severance, and reunion with fire.

Biography 

Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson is Métis and grew up in Treaty 8 territory (northern Alberta, Canada). She works as the Senior Fire Advisor for Indigenous Leadership Initiative, and was formerly a Research Scientist with the Canadian Forest Service (Natural Resources Canada) and an Indigenous Fire Specialist in the National Fire Management Division of Parks Canada. Christianson works with Indigenous Nations across Canada on fire stewardship practices like cultural burning and collaborates with Indigenous peoples from around the world on decolonising land management.

She also studies wildfire evacuations and advocates for Indigenous wildland firefighters. She is the co-author of the books, First Nations Wildfire Evacuations: A guide for communities and external agencies and Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship. Christianson also cohosts the Good Fire podcast, which looks at Indigenous fire use around the world. She serves as a member of the secretariat of the Thunderbird Collective, an advisor to the REDfire lab, a board member of the International Association of Wildland Fire and a member of the international research advisory panel with Natural Hazards Research Australia.