Ahnoven gathers White Sage while enhancing Fire Resilience for Private Homeowner

Kizh Nation tribal members gathering White Sage

April 19, 2025

Ahnoven’s activity of collecting white sage from local homeowners serves a dual purpose that blends cultural respect, ecological stewardship, and wildfire preparedness. By harvesting white sage - a culturally significant and ecologically important native plant - Ahnoven helps maintain the health of the local landscape, preventing overgrowth that can become hazardous during wildfire season. At the same time, this effort supports homeowners in creating defensible space around their properties, reducing fire risk and increasing community resilience. This collaboration not only preserves traditional plant knowledge and promotes sustainable use of native flora, but it also builds stronger, more fire-adapted communities through proactive land management.

Members of the Kizh Nation participating in this activity bring deep ancestral knowledge, cultural reverence, and environmental stewardship to the forefront. As descendants of the original stewards of the land, Kizh Nation members approach the collection of white sage with great care and respect, honoring traditional harvesting practices that ensure the plant’s regeneration and ecological balance. Their presence reinforces the cultural significance of white sage, while also strengthening Indigenous visibility and leadership in modern land management. By working directly with local homeowners to enhance defensible space, Kizh Nation members not only help reduce wildfire risk but also foster meaningful relationships between communities and the land—reconnecting cultural heritage with contemporary resilience efforts.