Supporting Community Resilience: Cokel’s Role in the Town of Hinton’s FireSmartTM Project

As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense across Alberta, communities like the Town of Hinton are taking proactive steps to reduce risk and build resilience. At Cokel, we are proud to be working alongside the Town of Hinton to lead FireSmartTM initiatives that bring expert wildfire solutions directly into the heart of the community.

With over 70 years of combined experience in wildfire management, Cokel is uniquely equipped to help municipalities assess risk, develop mitigation strategies, and implement practical, on-the-ground solutions. In Hinton, this means delivering a comprehensive suite of FireSmartTM services designed to reduce fuel loads, protect infrastructure, and educate the public on fire-safe practices.

In August 2024, Cokel Forestry was contracted by the Town of Hinton to develop a Wildfire Preparedness Guide, design a new fireguard, enhance the existing fireguard built in 2009, and create a 10-Year Wildfire Mitigation Strategy. These efforts are part of a long-term vision to safeguard the town and its surrounding forested areas from the increasing threat of wildfires.

A key component of this strategy is the fireguard—an essential FireSmartTM feature in communities at risk. Fireguards provide suppression crews with safe, defensible zones to combat approaching wildfires, while also preventing fires from spreading into the town or out into nearby wildlands. Through our spring mulching program, the Hinton fireguard has been revitalized, enhancing its effectiveness just in time for the 2025 fire season.

The FireSmartTM Project in the Town of Hinton showcases the power of public-private collaboration. When municipal leadership joins forces with industry experts like Cokel, the results are more impactful, efficient, and sustainable. The town provides direction and community backing, while we bring agility, technical capacity, and field expertise to execute timely, effective solutions.

At Cokel, we’re proud to bring our specialized knowledge to this important work. Together with the Town of Hinton, we’re not just protecting landscapes—we’re helping safeguard the lives, homes, and livelihoods of the people who live there.

To learn more about our wildfire management services or how we can support your community’s FireSmartTM initiatives, visit our Wildfire Services page.

Celebrating Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada: Honouring Culture, Strength, and Resilience

Ribbon Skirt Day, celebrated annually on January 4th, is a time to honour Indigenous women, their strength, and the rich cultural heritage embodied in the ribbon skirt. This day holds profound significance across Canada, symbolizing resilience, identity, and the intergenerational transmission of tradition.

The ribbon skirt, a vibrant and deeply symbolic garment, tells stories of survival and adaptation. Its colourful ribbons are more than decorative; they carry messages of connection, community, and the personal journey of the person wearing it. For many Indigenous women, the ribbon skirt is a cherished cultural expression that connects them to their roots and honours their role as keepers of sacred knowledge.

Leanna Willier, a coordinator of Cokel’s Indigenous Monitoring and Training program currently working on a Project, shares her personal reflections on the ribbon skirt:

"My name is Leanna Willier, and I am from Sucker Creek First Nation within Treaty 8. The ribbon skirt to me represents a symbol of womanhood, culture, and strength. It is a reminder of my sacredness as a woman and the power and responsibility that come with such an honour. The ribbon skirt tells a story of our adaptation and survival as the first people of Turtle Island. It is an identifying piece that connects me to the earth and Grandmother moon. I like to wear my ribbon skirt when in the presence of drums, pipes, feathers, and other sacred items and always when attending ceremonies."

Leanna Willier

Leanna’s words capture the profound significance of the ribbon skirt, highlighting its role as a living testament to Indigenous resilience and spirituality. The garment’s ties to the natural world—symbolized by the earth and Grandmother Moon—underscore its sacred nature and the interconnectedness of all life.

The Origins of Ribbon Skirt Day

Ribbon Skirt Day became an officially recognized event in Canada in 2022, inspired by the story of Isabella Kulak, a young girl from the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan. In 2020, Isabella faced criticism for wearing a ribbon skirt to her school’s formal event. Her story sparked a national conversation about cultural pride and the importance of embracing Indigenous traditions.

In response, Indigenous leaders, allies, and communities rallied to celebrate and protect this symbol of identity and resilience. The day now serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward reconciliation and the need to uplift Indigenous voices and traditions.

How to Participate in Ribbon Skirt Day

1. Learn and Share Stories: Take time to learn about the significance of ribbon skirts and the rich histories they represent. Share these stories with your community to foster understanding and respect.

2. Support Indigenous Initiatives: Amplify Indigenous voices and support Indigenous projects, which celebrates and empowers Indigenous communities.

3. Attend Events or Ceremonies: Many communities host events, workshops, or ceremonies on Ribbon Skirt Day. Participating in these gatherings is a meaningful way to connect and show respect.

   
   

A Day to Celebrate and Reflect

Ribbon Skirt Day is more than a celebration; it is a call to action. It invites all Canadians to reflect on the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and to honour the sacred traditions that continue to thrive despite centuries of adversity. By embracing and uplifting these stories, we take a step closer to a future built on respect, understanding, and reconciliation.

Team Building with Purpose

Five Indigenous Construction Participation Program (ICPP) teams gathered in downtown Calgary recently to tour the TC Energy corporate office and learn from past participants who have now become environmental inspectors.

The day started with a tour of TC Energy’s control room, which included information on the control centers, their locations in North America, shutdowns, and fail-safes for potential issues in TC Energy’s network of pipelines and facilities. Next, the ICPP teams got to know each other, by presenting about themselves, and meet some of the support personnel from the TC Energy office over lunch. “It was a good way for the field and office teams to understand one another’s role and the value of the program,” stated Dina Sutherland, ICPP Program Manager.

At the end of the day, two past ICPP participants, who have gone on to be environmental inspectors, told the group how they advanced and became environmental inspectors. “Our trip to the TC Energy office and being able to meet each of the other crews was an awesome experience. I have already learned so much throughout this season, but being able to hear from past ICPP participants about how they became environmental inspectors was definitely the highlight of the trip. I learned from them that you can never have enough education, that you will always be learning and the only one stopping you from succeeding is yourself,” explained Makayla Beck, Lundbreck ICPP participant from the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.

TC Energy’s ICPP facilitates Indigenous environmental monitoring with on-the-job training. Two objectives of the program are to provide opportunities for Indigenous community members to build practical understanding of NGTL’s construction activities and mitigation measures and facilitate Indigenous employment and training opportunities. “The Indigenous Construction Participation Program (ICPP) offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience in pipeline construction. The program's emphasis on environmental considerations and mitigation measures stood out. By combining my traditional knowledge with industry best practices, the ICPP can provide a truly enriching experience. Don't just be a passenger, participate by taking notes, photos and asking questions to maximize your progress. The ICPP can be a stepping stone toward a brighter future by combining traditional knowledge with modern environmental practices during pipeline construction,” stated Gary Calliou, past ICPP Participant who is now an Environmental Inspector.

"You need to be confident and determined to work hard, and to invest time and money into yourself. In years to come I hope to see one of you up here presenting on your experience of becoming an Environmental Inspector." Leanna Willier, past ICPP participant who is now an Environmental Inspector.