Firefighter wearing protective gear and an orange helmet looks toward a smoky landscape where flames and dry vegetation are visible.

Special Event

Fire Tender: Documentary Screening and Discussion

An exploration and discussion on Indigenous fire stewardship

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Center for the Study of Women | Streisand Center
1500 Public Affairs Building

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. The 30-minute documentary explores the return of cultural burning practices among the Yurok Tribe in Northern California and the broader movement toward Indigenous fire stewardship.

Fire Tender 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. Robbins’ work challenges more than a century of federal anti-fire policy that has restricted cultural burning and contributed to ecological degradation, endangered ecosystems and reduced access to natural resources essential for clean water, food and cultural 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.

Attendees are welcome to bring their lunch. Drinks will be provided.
Seating is first come first serve. No registration is required.

This program is presented as part of Thinking Gender 2026: Feminist & Queer Ecologies.

Event flyer with a background photo of a person in fire gear holding vegetation. Text reads: “UCLA Social Sciences. CSW. Barbra Streisand Center.” Large title: “Fire Tender.” Box below: “Free screening.” Smaller text: “Bring your lunch! We’ll have drinks.” Event details: “Tuesday, February 10, 12:15–1:15 PM. CSW | Streisand Center. 1500 Public Affairs Building.” Body text: “Join the UCLA CSW | Streisand Center for a screening of Fire Tender, directed by Roni Jo Draper (Yurok), 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.” Below dotted line: “Seating is first come, first served. No registration required.” Bottom text: “This event is part of programming for Thinking Gender 2026: ‘Feminist & Queer Ecologies.’ Use the QR code to learn more about the event and conference.” A QR code appears in the lower right corner.