Moving towards self-care and self-determination: improving the role and organization of tribal councils in remote First Nations wildfire evacuations

• Main Author: Parenteau, Donovan
• Other Authors: Galway, Lindsay
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Wildfire evacuations; Self-governance; Post-Colonial Theory; Social constructivism; Tribal council; First Nations
• Online Access: https://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/4924

During climate change, wildfires will increase in frequency and size, equating to an increase in wildfire evacuation frequency and duration. Keewaytinook Okimakinak Tribal Council (KO) struggled to identify a role and scope of practice during the 2021 wildfire evacuations of their communities due to the absence of a defined role of tribal councils during emergency evacuations. To identify the role of KO, and improve their response, there were three research questions: 1) What is the current role of self-care and self-determination in KO service? 2) what were the perspectives, experiences, and recommendations from KO service providers and community volunteers who played a role in the wildfire-driven evacuations of several KO communities in the summer of 2019 and 2021? 3) What recommended practical and systematic changes can be suggested that promote self-care and self-determination while considering SDH differences and is culturally appropriate? [.]