A ferocious fire season has stretched the nation’s firefighting forces to the limit this summer. Shown here is the North Star Fire that hit the Colville Reservation and surrounding communities in Washington. Photo from Union Interagency Hotshots / Facebook
Where have all the Indian firefighters gone?
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent LAME DEER, Mont. –– The national shortage of firefighters is troubling news to America. That also puzzles veteran Native American fire fighters, Adam Wolf, Northern Cheyenne/ Omaha and Mario Pretty Boy Jr., Northern Cheyenne/Sioux who now oversee the Northern Cheyenne, BIA Fire and Aviation Department. “Years ago, we would have been front and center,” Wolf and Pretty Boy remarked, recalling when they fought fire. Then, Wolf and Mario Pretty Boy were teenagers along with many other Cheyenne, including some women, part of the elite Montana Indian Firefighters (MIF) crew. That is also when Keith Beartusk and a few select others became part of the elite Montana Smoke Jumper crew, volunteering and qualifying for dangerous duty. Visit the all new Native Sun News website to read the full story: Where have all the Indian firefighters gone? (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
Join the Conversation
