Indigenous Perspectives
Sharing Indigenous responses to climate change
The Canadian Climate Institute is committed to ensuring that our work supports Indigenous self-determination, and that Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing are reflected in policy recommendations. We recognize that this work must be led by and for Indigenous people, and that historically, research in Indigenous and Northern communities has often neglected the expertise of Indigenous Peoples. We are working to amplify Indigenous voices, research, and ideas to ensure that our research meaningfully and inclusively embodies First Nation, Métis, and Inuit perspectives in order to strengthen the impact and effectiveness of policy recommendations moving forward.
While the Climate Institute commissioned the content presented here, each piece reflects the independent perspectives and insights of the authors and contributors.
2022 case studies
The Bagida’waad Alliance: Finding our way in the fog and charting a new course
Adapting to the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes
A Two-Roads Approach to Co-Reclamation: Centring Indigenous voices and leadership in Canada’s energy transition
To adequately prepare for the energy transition, the oil and gas sector must reckon with the historic and ongoing impacts on the land and on Indigenous rights holders.
ʔuyaasiłaƛ n̓aas, or Something happened to the weather
Applying the wisdom of Indigenous place names in a changing climate—lessons from the Ahousaht First Nation’s Land Use Vision process
Gitxsan Rez-ilience: Understanding climate resilience as Naadahahlhakwhlinhl (interconnectedness)
This case study provides a foundation for a wider, more inclusive understanding of what it means to be resilient in an Indigenous context.
Electricity scoping paper
Clean growth essays
Indigenomics: Our Eyes on the Land
Re-valuing Indigenous worldview in today’s climate response
“Our people have borne witness to climate change through deep time”
Indigenous place-based people transitioning to a low-carbon economy
Indigenous partnerships—the key to meeting Canada’s climate commitments?
Indigenous clean energy partnerships will play a critical role in the low-carbon transition
2021 case studies
Protecting Biocultural Heritage and Land Rights
How the W8banaki Nation is Adapting to Climate Change in Southern Quebec
Decolonizing Canada’s Climate Policy
The first step is to decolonize systems that exclude Indigenous rights holders, land protectors, and knowledge experts from the conversation.
The ‘Two-Eyed Seeing’ of Cross-Cultural Research Camps
Sahtú community-led approaches to climate change monitoring are building the knowledge and capacity needed for adaptation
Climate Change impacts on bees in Mi’kma’ki
Lessons from the Mi’kmaq Pollinator Project
Case Study: Ayookxw Responding to Climate Change
The Gitanyow are using both Indigenous knowledge and laws (Ayookxw) and western science to build a comprehensive understanding of the ecological health of our territory, and translating that knowledge into policies that respond to the impacts of climate change.
Case Study: Seed Sowing
Indigenous Relationship-Building as Processes of Environmental Action
Case Study: Unnatural Disasters
Colonialism, climate displacement, and Indigenous sovereignty in Siksika Nation’s disaster recovery efforts