Dene Elder Francois Paulette will lead a CIHR-funded Wildfire Rapid Response project focused on traditional knowledge and wildfire response in northern communities. Through dialogue, storytelling, and ceremony, the project will bring together Elders, youth, and community members to share experiences and identify ways traditional knowledge can complement western firefighting systems. The goal will be to strengthen community preparedness and resilience while grounding future wildfire response in Indigenous knowledge systems. Elder Paulette will also mentor students and early career researchers who will work alongside him to learn from Elders, document traditional knowledge, and explore respectful approaches to integrating Indigenous and western practices in climate change response.