BFF: Beyond Fires & Floods—Indigenous Narratives in an Era of Extremes

BFF: BEYOND FIRES & FLOODS—Indigenous Narratives in an Era of Extremes

Dramatic news and imagery of wildfires, evacuations, record summer temperatures, atmospheric rivers, storms, and flooding are becoming all too common in many regions around the world. Even as it becomes more apparent how climate change impacts lands, waters, and human infrastructure, for Indigenous communities, it also often layers onto existing challenges with settler colonialism and socio-technical institutions and systems. How Indigenous approaches, knowledge and expertise might impact adaptation, planning, and preparation for a climate changed future is an emerging area of policy and research, and already actively shapes what the stories of climate change are for Indigenous communities.

This gathering brings together Indigenous narrators (journalists, experts, and storytellers) witnessing and reporting on acute events linked to and occurring within the broader context of climate change, capitalism and colonialism. Discussions and panels will address best practices for reporting and storying with Indigenous knowledges that takes into account the needs and priorities of Indigenous communities. We will explore moving beyond journalistic practices that tend to amplify events yet pay little if any attention to underlying problems, much needed system change, and/or broader possibilities for long term solutions. 

Diverse Indigenous communities navigate a variety of social situations, ongoing experiences with colonialism, and uneven/differential access to rights and self-determination; yet they share similar approaches to land and water stewardship that reflect kinship relations and long-term thinking about care, reciprocity, and responsibilities. While major floods and wildfires are arguably more prevalent and devastating than ever before—often disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities—larger questions about preparedness, the impact of colonial policies, pathways for self-determination, and who and what climate change stories serve, continue to be rare within mainstream media coverage.

Yet even in the face of devastating events related to climate change, Indigenous expertise and leadership often point to a future of potential flourishing, where collective and collaborative approaches are possible. Moreover, Indigenous stories and storytelling are a vital aspect of communal meaning making which informs approaches to decision making. This gathering draws on the power of Indigenous narrative as a resource/means for assessing action and policy related to climate change, the need for perceptual and discursive shifts, and the massive infrastructural transformation that must be undertaken by broader societal institutions and governments to fundamentally repair our changing climate.

WHEN: October 24-26, 2025

WHERE: Musqueam Lands / University of British Columbia

WHAT: Visit Musqueam lands & public evening event on Oct 24; Invitee gathering on Oct 25-26 (Schedule to come!)

Conveners: Candis Callison (UBC) & Rick Harp (MEDIA INDIGENA)

Organizational support: Oriana Smy