JASPER, AB – News — One year after a catastrophic wildfire scorched over 33,000 hectares of forest and forced the evacuation of more than 20,000 people, the community of Jasper is marking its path of recovery with creativity, storytelling, and reflection. A new exhibition from The Resilience Institute, titled Stories of Resilience – Voices from Jasper – Year 1, captures how residents are navigating the emotional and environmental aftermath of one of Alberta’s most destructive natural disasters.
The fire, which destroyed 358 structures and upended lives across the region, left behind more than physical damage. It also sparked a deeper collective journey — one of healing, community connection, and adaptation in the face of a changing climate.
Art and Expression Rooted in Lived Experience
The Voices from Jasper initiative brought together residents from all walks of life, offering a space to reflect on trauma, transformation, and renewal. Since February, participants have taken part in workshops, fire-damaged site walks, and story-sharing circles — all culminating in a body of creative work that speaks to both personal and communal resilience.
“As wildfires become more frequent and severe, these stories remind us how to live through disruption, how to stay grounded in uncertainty, and how to care for ourselves, for one another, and for the land that sustains us.”
– Brooklyn Rushton, Jasper Resident and Strategic Adaptation Fellow, The Resilience Institute
Among the featured works is a haunting ink painting by Greg Deagle, crafted using traditional ink mixed with soot from the wildfire itself — a powerful symbol of transformation through grief and remembrance.
From Vulnerability to Strength: What Resilience Really Means
The exhibition offers more than just reflection; it also challenges traditional ideas of resilience. Participant Clara Adriano shared her personal insight:
“Resilience is not just about facing and overcoming obstacles head-on. It’s also about learning to embrace the vulnerability that comes with hardship… It’s refusing to give up, no matter how long it takes.”
Through written stories, visual art, and photography, Voices from Jasper captures the slow, honest journey of healing — one that acknowledges pain and uncertainty, while also celebrating strength and hope.
Exhibition and Online Access
The full exhibition opens July 25 and runs through August 16, 2025, a timeframe that commemorates the one-year anniversary of the community’s return following evacuation. The collection is also available online at: https://bit.ly/4kKFyiV
Voices from Jasper is part of Stories of Resilience, a national initiative by The Resilience Institute (TRI) that uses community-led storytelling and creative expression to build understanding and preparedness in the face of local and global climate risks.
To explore more about the Stories of Resilience program and TRI’s ongoing work across Canada, visit: resilienceinstitute.ca/stories
A Message for Northwestern Ontario
As wildfire risks continue to rise across Northwestern Ontario, the experiences of communities like Jasper offer important lessons. The Voices from Jasper project is a reminder that resilience is not only about rebuilding structures, but also about rebuilding spirits. It shows how storytelling, art, and collective memory can become tools for healing in the face of the climate crisis.
NetNewsLedger encourages local readers to explore these stories and reflect on how our region can prepare, adapt, and support one another amid increasing environmental challenges.
