Rebuilding Forests, Strengthening Communities: Our Journey to Burns Lake & Smithers

This year, our IINUKBAG team traveled north to Burns Lake and Smithers, BC, to meet with local tree-planting organizations and the Cheslatta Carrier Nation. Our goal was to explore how we can contribute to sustainability and support Indigenous communities whose lands have been severely impacted by the wildfires.

Over the past few years, wildfires in Canada have grown more frequent and devastating, burning across vast areas of forest. Indigenous lands have often been among the hardest hit. Yet, disaster recovery on these lands has not always received immediate or direct support from the provincial government.

During our visit, we joined a helicopter survey over large sections of forest within Cheslatta Carrier Nation territory that had been destroyed by fire. Seeing the scale of loss first-hand was sobering—but it also strengthened our commitment to take action.

As part of our Inukbag Social Responsibility Initiative, we aim to launch a reforestation project:
🌱 For every Inukbag sold, three new trees will be planted.

We also spent time in Smithers visiting a local tree-planting company, where we learned more about the close-knit community of tree planters. Listening to their stories and challenges inspired us to adapt one of our existing backpacks into a new design specifically for planters—a durable bag with added comfort and support for carrying gear during long days in the field.

This journey is just the beginning. We are excited to continue building partnerships with Indigenous communities and tree planters, and we hope to officially launch this reforestation project in the near future.

At Inukbag, the name “Inuk” means “a person.” We believe in people—working together, supporting one another, and helping communities rebuild in the face of climate challenges.

Stay tuned as we share more updates on this initiative, and thank you for being part of our mission to create a more sustainable future.

Design currently in use

INUKBAG carrying function design