Author’s note: I was searching for an interview or story regarding the rise of local and regional forest fires. My son, Noah, is a wildland firefighter and works for the Shoshone and Arapaho Forestry Program with the BIA Forestry. I wanted to learn more, and asked for an interview with his supervisor to talk about the fire season. Through our conversation I learned about the data he uses and how they predict what kind of fire season they can expect. Jacob Binns, Fire Operations, BIA Wind River Agency, local resident who was born and raised in Lander, Wyoming stated this was a drier season early on this year with 30 fires in a matter of weeks. From how I view nature and everything in it along with this conversation, unfolded this poem.
Lakota language explanation: I am Hunkpapa Lakota and as any Lakota is aware and understands the teachings of our culture, we speak of nature as an entity and alive. In the springtime, after long winters, our people hold a ceremony called, welcoming back the thunders. This is in reference to a time when rainstorm, thunder, and lightning returned. Whenever we hear the first spring storm, we say, “Wakinyan Agli”, which means the thunder beings have returned. This was the sign that everything would be renewed, plants would grow, and even the animals that hibernated would awaken.
The Lakota words used are Ni un (Nee-oon) – to be alive, Wakinyan Agli (wah-kee-yawn ah-glee) – thunder beings have returned, Wahutkan (wa-hoot-gan) – roots, and Unci Maka (Oon-chee mah-ka) – Grandmother Earth.
*the phonetic spellings are my own phonetic way of pronouncing these words/phrases.
RENEWAL
The mountains to the west of me, always seen against the skyline, large and beautiful.
They remind me of how big the earth is and how small we are. She breathes beauty.
Ni un (to be alive)
The mountains are a home and a world to the wildlife and plant life that live there.
They belong to that way of life, the rugged beauty and solitude of the mountain.
The seasons come and go, replenishing the earth in only the way that they can.
The rain had come but was only a little and not enough. The earth is dry.
The rivers that flow and come from the mountains are low. Where has the water gone?
A storm or two have made their presence known and have sent lightning ahead of them.
Wakinyan Agli (Thunder beings have returned)
A spark that has come from their energy has grown and the dryness has given into its flames.
It envelopes across the rough terrain, igniting everything in its path. The dry grass, dead trees, and dry brush.
The smoke fills the air, at first it’s faint, I can still see the mountains, they begin to fade. They disappear into the blanket of smoke that covers them.
The sun’s light is covered by the smoke in the air and has turned a grayish orange hue, but this star still burns brightly.
The night comes, the air is cool, the moon is faintly visible behind the clouds. The night air tries to tame the smoke and calm the flames.
Days go by and there is still smoke, I cannot see the mountains, but I know they’re there.
The wildlife, I hope, have found refuge in safe places and the plants, I’m sure, have been destroyed, but the roots that lie deep in Mother Earth will be renewed in time.
Wahutkhan (roots)
There is a storm to the north, it brings a strong and cool wind on this hot summer day, the rumbles that are heard shake across the land to announce their presence.
The winds and the rain forge through the smoke and carry away the last bits of haze.
The mountains are visible once again, against the skyline, large and beautiful.
The earth is big, and we are small. She breathes beauty.
Take care of her.
Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth)
Fire risk increases on days when the weather is hot, dry, and windy. According to an analysis by Climate Central, the increase in these “fire weather days” has been particularly notable across much of the Western US, including Wyoming. In Fremont County, WY, where the Wind River Reservation is located, there are 14-28 more fire weather days now than there were in 1973. Credit: Climate Central.
Smoke obscures the view of mountains on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Smoke was coming from the Fish Creek Fire, which is southwest of Togwotee Pass, north of us. Aug 2024. Credit: Andra Hawk-Valdez.
Noah Valdez, son of author Andra Hawk-Valdez, lights a fire during a controlled burn in mid-June 2024. Credit: Michael Benally.