Traditional Fire Knowledge

Michigan is the historical homeland of the Anishinaabeg (Ojjibwa, Odawa, and Bodewadmi), who were the original land stewards and fire practitioners. Their use of cultural fire has shaped our diverse landscapes and natural communities. The displacement of Indigenous peoples and the absence of cultural fire has resulted in significant loss of biodiversity and have led to increased catastrophic wildfires.

The following videos and panel discussions explore this history and current tribal practices around fire today.

State of Michigan: List of Michigan Tribes

Traditional Fire Knowledge Panel

During the 2024 Burning Issues Workshop, various tribal representatives presented on the history of indigenous fire practices and current fire implementation. Watch the recordings at the links below.

Video Recording 1 of 2

Video Recording 2 of 2

Oshkigin Spirit of Fire

This story is told by Ojibwe Wildland firefighters, Fond du Lac elder Vern Northrup and Damon Panek. For more information, please visit: https://minnesotafac.org

YouTube: Oshkigin Spirit of Fire 2021

YouTube: Understanding Oshkigin Panel Discussion 2022

Cultural Burning

Tending The Wild | Cultural Burning | PBS

Episode on PBS 2016

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"An interagency firefighting team aided by a fire drone conducted a highly successful prescribed burn in central Wisconsin on Department of Defense land, April 11. ...Traditionally, there are two main methods for prescribed burns, hand ignition
The FIRST NE-MW Regional Prescribed Fire Science and Management Workshop will be held in Madison, Wisconsin at The Madison Concourse hotel on August 29 – 31, 2023. Sponsored by the Northeast Regional Strategy Committee (NE RSC), a regional org
"The Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC), established in April 2002 by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to provide an intergovernmental committee to support the implementation and coordination of Federal Fire Management Policy
"Tribal officials from three Chippewa Bands signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Forest Service this week to provide for co-stewardship and protection of “treaty-reserved rights under the 1854 Treaty” across the m
Large burn sites in forested areas are ideal for morel mushroom hunting, especially in burned areas where jack, white or red pine once grew. Grassy and other non forest areas are not as likely to produce morels. The MI DNR have put together a map of