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After recieveing 11 calls to action in a recent review of its 2025 wildfire strategy, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has made an effort to include Indigenous expertise in fire fighting.

On Tuesday, the SPSA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Prince Albert Grand Council and Meadow Lake Tribal Council, which aims to strengthen their shared commitment to wildfire preparedness, prevention, response and recovery.

Although just an agreement, the Province says it creates a more structured approach to collaboration, including regular engagement between the SPSA, PAGC and MLTC leadership before and after each wildfire season, as well as ongoing work through the First Nations Wildfire Strategy Working Group.

In a government news release, PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte says, “First Nations have generations of knowledge about our lands, our forests and the communities we are working to protect. That knowledge needs to be part of wildfire planning from the beginning – not only when an emergency is already underway…With First Nations, the province and federal partners at the table, we can identify gaps, improve preparedness and make decisions that better protect our people, our communities and our lands.”

The working group will provide a forum to share local and traditional knowledge, community experience and lessons learned from previous wildfire events. It will also develop recommendations and feedback to support improvements to wildfire strategy, operational planning and community protection initiatives.