My Name is Matt Nelson I am part of the Lil’wat Nation, I am a Wildfire Specialist from FNESS, under the Wildfire Division. In the Wildfire Division we build wildfire capacity in Indigenous Communities across BC. Building wildfire capacity looks different to every community, so the Wildfire Division looks to meet each community where its at on its wildfire journey. Skatin, a community of around 420 members with most members living off Reserve, and about 150 living on Reserve 50 Km’s up a Forest Service Road, living very remote.
Hank Williams an elder from Skatin, reached out to myself looking for wildfire training, we set up a meeting, talked about what his community needs, we decided that bringing in the S-100 Basic Wildfire Suppression Training, and S-185 Fire Entrapment Avoidance Training would be the best place to start. The S-100/185 courses is the minimum requirement too be able to work on wildfire with BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), as well as a good place to build awareness and understand the need to learn more to be ready to protect the community when the fire come.
When class began, I asked why each student had signed up, and each one simply replied, “Uncle Hank told me to.” Regardless of being “voluntold” to attend, every student was focused and engaged. During breaks, I learned their challenges of getting community engagement in a remote community and understood their genuine need for this training. I also learned that these students had firsthand experience with wildfire and knew the importance of protecting their forests. This course ignited a spark, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to do so.
Training a small but dedicated group opened my eyes. I had initially focused on numbers, but I realized that inspiring even a few individuals can have a significant impact. I’m excited to see what the Skatin community will achieve next.
With the support of BCWS, the Wildfire Division from FNESS is finding different ways to engage with all First Nations throughout BC, every community is different and needs to be met where they are at. With Skatin we decided to help build them from the ground up, and looking to work many more years with the community on their wildfire journey. The S-100/185 course was more than just a classroom exercise for the Skatin community. It ignited a spark, empowering individuals to become proactive protectors of their land. By equipping them with essential wildfire knowledge and skills, this training has laid the foundation for a more resilient community.
As the students continue to share their newfound knowledge and inspire others, the ripple effect of this training will extend far beyond the classroom. The Skatin community is now better prepared to face future wildfire threats, and their dedication to protecting their homeland is a testament to the power of education and community empowerment.
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