When researchers invited Indigenous wildfire evacuees to share their experiences accessing emergency supports, the response was far greater than expected.
More than 2,250 people expressed interest in participating in Listening to Lived Experience: Indigenous Evacuee Perspectives on Emergency Supports During Wildfires, a research project involving Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.
Researchers had initially planned for 40 participants. In response to the level of interest, the project expanded to include 300 participants.
The project received $30,000 in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) National Coordinating Centre to support rapid-response research into the impacts of wildfires and other emergencies on Indigenous communities.
Funding was received in late May, with data collection taking place in September and preliminary results expected in October.
“This research demonstrates the impact that can come from responding quickly to an urgent challenge and working directly with communities,” said Dr. Shannon Wagner, vice-president research at TRU. “The extraordinary response from evacuees underscores the importance of creating opportunities for lived experience to inform research and, ultimately, the policies and practices that affect communities.”
The research grew from conversations with partners at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc about the supports available to people displaced by wildfire.
While evacuees may be provided with information about services through handouts, toolkits, phone numbers and other resources, researchers want to understand how well those supports work when people are actually navigating an evacuation.
“Indigenous communities have extensive knowledge and lived experience of wildfire evacuation, but those voices have not always been reflected in the systems designed to support them,” said Dr. Rod McCormick, professor and director of the All My Relations Research Centre and a co-investigator on the study.
“By listening directly to evacuees, we can identify what is working, where gaps remain and how emergency responses can better reflect the needs and realities of Indigenous communities.”
“We have never had that level of interest previously, and this really showcases how evacuees want to shape the evacuation process based on their own experiences,” said Jeneen Herns-Jensen, associate director of the All My Relations Research Centre and a co-investigator on the study.
Listening to lived experience
McCormick, Herns-Jensen and TRU social work professor Dr. Bala Nikku are co-investigators on the study, which is being conducted in partnership with leadership in the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Education Department.
Nikku, whose research includes disaster resilience and wildfire response, provided initial support in refining the research question and will assist with data analysis. All My Relations Research Centre team members Dr. Olubukola Osuntade and Chuying Jiao are also assisting with data analysis and preparation of the final results.
The research was designed to respond to changing wildfire conditions and the locations and needs of evacuees. Researchers initially anticipated meeting participants in person if evacuees were housed at the Tk’emlúps arbour. When that was not required, the team shifted to an online survey.
Participants spent approximately 10 to 20 minutes completing the survey and could remain anonymous. They received a gift card in recognition of their time and contribution.
The survey asked about their experiences during displacement, including the supports they accessed, barriers they encountered, what worked and what could be improved. The broader research will also help researchers better understand the emotional and cultural impacts of wildfire displacement, including ecological grief associated with the potential loss of land, traditional spaces and connections to community.
From lived experience to future response
Researchers hope the experiences shared through the project can help shape emergency supports that are more accessible, culturally appropriate and responsive to the realities Indigenous evacuees face.
“We hope to improve how people are supported during wildfire evacuations by learning directly from those who have navigated this experience,” said Herns-Jensen. “Most importantly, this project will ensure people’s experiences are heard and valued while contributing to safer, more caring and more effective responses during future wildfire events.”
Preliminary findings are expected to be shared with the NEIHR National Coordinating Centre in October. Final results will be shared nationally across the NEIHR network and ultimately brought forward to the B.C. government, with the goal of ensuring evacuees’ experiences help inform future wildfire evacuation responses.
This research connects to TRU Wildfire, a university-wide initiative advancing research, education, training and innovation to address current and future wildfire challenges. Learn more.
Thompson Rivers University is leading in sustainability. Learn more about TRU’s contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
