Rethinking wildfires through Indigenous knowledge with Joe Gilchrist

This conversation was recorded on June 19, 2026, before the sharp spike in wildfires currently impacting communities across Canada, including in B.C.'s central Interior, where Joe lives. Did you know that one of the best tools for fighting wildfires…is fire? 2026 has been another historic year for the spread of wildfires in Canada. In part 2 of our miniseries on unexpected solutions to climate impacts, Megan digs into one of the oldest tools we have for fighting wildfires: cultural burning. Megan sits down with Joe Gilchrist, firekeeper for the Skeetchestn Indian Band and member of the Secwépemc Nation, about the Indigenous practice of cultural burning—the historic practice of using carefully planned, low-intensity fires to restore ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk. Megan and Joe discuss how and why these practices were suppressed for generations, what we've lost as a result, and why bringing Indigenous fire stewardship back could help build a safer, more resilient future. Plus, WWF-Canada botanist Ryan Godfrey shares an exciting new kelp restoration project that's helping revive coastal ecosystems on Canada's Pacific coast. To stay up to date on what’s going on at WWF-Canada, sign up for Living Planet News: https://wwf.ca/signup-for-living-planet-news/ Tell us something good, suggest a guest or ask a question by emailing us at goodnature@wwfcanada.org Or leave Megan a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/wwfgoodnature