Fire Tender: Documentary Screening and Discussion

An exploration and discussion on Indigenous fire stewardship

Join the UCLA Center for the Study of Women | Streisand Center for a screening of the short film Fire Tender, directed by Roni Jo Draper (Yurok) and Marissa Lila, followed by a discussion.

Fire Tender tells the story of Yurok tribal members returning to traditional fire practices as an essential form of land stewardship. The film centers on Margo Robbins—grandmother, cultural educator, healer, and Indigenous fire practitioner—who is leading efforts to restore Yurok fire sovereignty: the right to use fire for tribal land care, a practice outlawed under settler colonial policies. Through her work, Robbins challenges more than a century of environmentally destructive anti-fire policies that have endangered Yurok lands and restricted access to the natural resources necessary for clean water, food, and traditional lifeways.

The screening highlights Indigenous-led efforts to reintroduce prescribed fire as an essential land management tool, connecting environmental health, cultural continuance and climate resilience in fire-adapted landscapes.

Seating is first come, first served. No registration required.

Attendees are welcome to bring their lunch for the 30-minute screening and discussion to follow.

Learn more about the film. This event is part of programming for Thinking Gender 2026: “Feminist & Queer Ecologies.” Register for the conference.