Indigenous Elders’ Experiences, Vulnerabilities and Coping during Hazard Evacuation: The Case of the 2011 Sandy Lake First Nation Wildfire Evacuation

Abstract

Using a qualitative community-based research approach, this study employed in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion to examine Indigenous Elders’ experiences, vulnerabilities and coping during the 2011 wildfire evacuation of Sandy Lake First Nation. Before evacuees left Sandy Lake, a lack of emergency hazard evacuation preparedness at the community level posed challenges to the Elder evacuees. Once evacuees arrived in a host community, Elders’ experiences were negatively affected by health service at the host community, health issues in the absence of family support, accommodation-related challenges, and cultural factors related to language barriers and a lack of access to traditional food. Conversely, strong recognition and respect for Elders in First Nations and the social support they received from fellow community members were crucial to improving Elders’ evacuation experiences. Future evacuation planning need to ideally consider the special needs of Indigenous Elders by taking into account preexisting vulnerabilities and social and cultural barriers.