The Fire We FORGOT: Indigenous Wisdom Lost to Modern Missteps

What if the next wildfire comes for you? In this powerful video, we uncover a forgotten truth: wildfires weren’t always feared—they were managed with wisdom passed down through generations of Indigenous land stewards.

Narrated from the perspective of a trapper waiting to hear if his own cabin has survived a devastating fire, this video introduces a nearly lost film: "The Fires of Spring", shot by Dr. Henry T. Lewis nearly 40 years ago. The film captures firsthand accounts from Elders who practiced traditional fire use before government bans erased their methods from public knowledge.

With personal insights, rare footage, and commentary grounded in lived experience, this video challenges everything you think you know about fire, ecology, and the land.

🔥 Why were Indigenous burns banned?
🔥 How did fire prevent disaster—not cause it?
🔥 What can we relearn before it’s too late?

Stay to the end for a special Q&A answering the most common questions about Indigenous fire practices—and what they mean for the future of wildfire prevention.

This is more than history. It’s a warning. And it’s a call to listen—before more is lost. A stand-alone version of this video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/fYd8sC9Nsdg

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00:00 - Introduction
03:31 - Five Questions Preview
04:33 - Start of Restored Film
30:05 - End of Restored Film
31:10 - Five Questions Answered
35:37 - Invitation to Next Video