Letter to the editor: First Nation Fire Fighter serves and protects

It has been quite the journey and emotional month of July. July also marked the 35th anniversary of when I started my career as a professional wildland firefighter.

Red Lake # 7 fire in 1986 was the year that I started the fire management program as a firefighter. When I was asked to help with the dangerous wildfire situation in northwestern Ontario, I didn’t hesitate to serve and protect. When I found out that I was being deployed for fire duty to Red Lake, I was not only excited but also reflected on all of the fire assignments I had during my career. I attribute all of my success to my education; if it wasn’t for education, then I wouldn’t have had success in the natural resources sector not only as an Anishinaabe Forestry technician but also as a firefighter with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR).

Deployments across Canada and the United States (Montana) throughout the course of my career have brought great memories. This July will be the most memorable though because of the sacrifices my family and I have made in order to help with the emergency wildfire situation in northwestern Ontario. I missed my dad’s 75th birthday and my mom’s first-year anniversary of her passing, and my sons have made sacrifices while I was away too.  I know my family understands these sacrifices because they all know my passion for the wildland fire program. I also carry that huge heart and passion for my people and will do anything to help my people.

After my fire assignment, we stopped in Sioux Lookout making our way home and this is where I noticed a homeless First Nation Elder at the local Tim Hortons. I was saddened and very disturbed to see this Elder’s situation. I immediately went to the back of the bus and pulled my fire pack and gave my new rain suit, work gloves, and a meal from Tim Hortons to this Elder. We both looked at each other as we shook hands and could see not only the joy but emotion that these gifts brought him. No Elder should be living this way. I’m just glad that I did my part to not only serve and protect as a firefighter but also care for all of my people, especially our Elders. I hope to not only prompt my fellow Anishnaabek to care for our Elders, but also inspire them by seeing that if this 53-year-old recycled teenager can still protect Mother Earth then maybe they can, too.

Miigwech,

Adolphus “Dolf” Trudeau