During the worst wildfire season this century, Indigenous communities need to consider their participation in resource extraction, says researcher

In light of increasing extreme weather and climate incidents and a record-breaking wildfire season across the country, a researcher for the Yellowhead Institute said Indigenous leaders should think twice before participating in the resource extraction industry.

[....]

New research has drawn a direct and measurable link between carbon emissions traced back to the world’s major fossil fuel producers and the increase in extreme wildfires across western Canada and the United States.

The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, found that 37 per cent of the total burned forest area in Western Canada and the United States between 1986 and 2021 can be traced back to 88 major fossil fuel producers and cement manufacturers.

[....]

“The wildfire, which started off as a small fire grew and grew and grew until the point where the community had to be evacuated. That was a significant amount of stress,” said Melody Lepine, director of government and industry relations at Mikisew First Nation to APTN News.

She said this stress is just compounded by issues that the members have had to face this year. There have also been concerns about water quality after news that the Imperial Kearl tarsands mine has a tailings pond that has been leaking for over ten months.