Events + Opportunities
Consultation with United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Consultation with United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Foods Symposium: “Living Breath of wǝɫǝbʔaltxw”
“Living Breath of wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ” Indigenous Foods Symposium to be held on May 3-4, 2024, at the University of Washington.
Confronting Wildfires in an Era of Climate Emergency
Confronting Wildfires in an Era of Climate Emergency
ClimateWest Forum: Building Climate Resilience
ClimateWest Forum: Building Climate Resilience
Renewables in Remote Communities Conference 2024
The Renewables in Remote Communities (RiRC) Conference convenes a wide range of Indigenous leaders, government, industry, utilities and more for dialogue on renewable energy development in remote Indigenous communities across Canada.
Good Relations: Consent, Reciprocity and Ethics in Indigenous-led Research
Good Relations: Consent, Reciprocity and Ethics in Indigenous-led Research
UNPFII Panel: Indigenous Youth Leading Solutions for Climate Justice
WECAN International hosted panel event, “Indigenous Youth Leading Solutions for Climate Justice”.
2024 National Tribal Leaders Climate Summit
The 2024 National Tribal Leaders Climate Summit will convene leaders from Tribes and First Nations to advance tribal climate change policy and action.
RBC AGM Public Panel
Date: April 12, 2024
Time: 7-9 PM (ADT) \\ 6-8 PM (EDT) \\ 5-7 PM (CDT) \\ 4-6 PM (MDT) \\ 3-5 PM (PDT)
Location: Hybrid, Online (Zoom, Register Here) & In-Person (Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, 16 Spadina Rd , Toronto, ON M5R 2S7)
Join Indigenous Climate Action on Friday, April 12 from 6-8 PM (EDT), for a free, hybrid panel discussion: The Financial Risk of Ignoring Indigenous Rights, featuring Black and Indigenous panelists following their participation in the Royal Bank of Canada’s Annual General Meeting.
RBC’s AGM is a major opportunity for shareholders and other interested parties to discuss the company's finances, policies, and plans for the future. Panelists will share their experiences and concerns regarding RBC's financing decisions involving projects affecting their lands and communities, discuss the realities of what they’re enduring at the hands of the fossil fuel industry, RBC’s financing of global human rights violations, and recapping their participation at the AGM, and present opportunities and next steps within the Indigenous Divestment movement.
This panel discussion will be livestreamed on through a Zoom webinar and ICA’s Facebook account. A recording of the panel discussion will be available on our YouTube channel in the following days after this event.
Speakers:
Courtney Wyne (EmCee)
Courtney Wynne (they/she) comes from an Anishinaabe and Ililiw woman, and is early on in their journey of building a deeper relationship with their paternal DNA. Courtney is a child welfare survivor, she was raised and taken care of by family and community.
Vanessa Gray
Vanessa Gray is Anishinaabe Kwe, the Divestment Campaign Coordinator at Indigenous Climate Action and is well known for her environmental justice work on pollution in Ontario’s Chemical Valley – a petrochemical hub on her territory and surrounding her community of Aamjiwnaang First Nation. She is the co-founder of Aamjiwnaang and Sarnia Against Pipelines (ASAP), Porcupine Warriors, and co-lead of the Environmental Data Justice (EDJ) Lab, which produces tools to visualize the relationship between colonialism, data, and pollution such as the Pollution Reporter App. Aamjiwnaang community member’s constant exposure to harmful emissions results in some of the highest mortality rates for cancers and respiratory diseases in Ontario. Vanessa has dedicated her life to challenging colonial violence and its impacts on environmental health.
Kolin Sutherland-Wilson
Kolin Sutherland-Wilson is from the Git’luuhl’um’hetxwit Wilp of the Gitxsan people, also known as the house of Tsi’basaa. He holds the name of Hooxi’i, meaning “One more” in the Gitxsan language. Currently he works as a Lax’yip Protection Specialist, upholding the inherent jurisdiction of Gitxsan law on Gitxsan land. He is also serving as the elected Chief Councillor for the village of Kispiox. He is a writer and researcher with a focus on Gitxsan law and the environment. Kolin has always been a supporter of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Houses that continue to resist the unlawful trespass of Coastal GasLink onto their homelands, as the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en share the same ancient system of House-based governance.
Juan B. Mancias
Juan is tribal is the Tribal Chairman of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, was born and raised in Plainview, Texas. He is the eldest born to a father and mother Carrizo Comecrudo. Juan received his higher education at the Incarnate Word University, receiving a Pastoral Studies certificate, and at Texas Tech University, earning degrees in both Political Science and Sociology.
With a background in business leadership, he has managed finance institutions and insurance companies, and has held leadership roles as an Assistant Tribal Administrator with the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and Tribal Administrator of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians of California and the Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas. In recent years he played a major role in putting together marches against the Dos Republicas Coal mine, which produces a substandard coal that is sold to Mexico where there are no EPA standards (the coal is burned just across the border, polluting the air, and then drifts back into the US through the air particulates). In the mid 1990’s, he worked alongside the Sierra Club, protecting prairie dogs and their habitat from urban encroachment in the Lubbock, Texas area. He has also initiated two inter-tribal organizations that are still viable and thriving today.
Currently, he is building resistance to the fossil fuel industry and the devastating impact they bring to the environment, raising awareness of the dangerous impact of border wall construction, organizing efforts to assist asylum refugees, and reclaiming and protecting his tribe’s ancestral lands. Most important to him is his work trying to bring his tribal history to the public forefront by doing extensive research on Texas Native history.
Juan considers himself a protector of the true Texas people lifeways. He speaks from what he knows and from the teachings that are common to many tribal people. His work today focuses on decolonizing both tribal people and others. He has written a 12-step decolonization program and presents it frequently at conferences and seminars.
Representative from Gidimt’en Checkpoint
Speaking about Coastal Gas Link + Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) build out and TC Energy.
Tori Cress
Headshot:
Bio: Tori Cress (Beverly - supporting comms) Speaks to impacts of tar sands on water. RBC finances companies active in the tar sands including Enbridge, Suncor, Exxon Mobil, Chevron on behalf of Keepers of the Water.
Communications Manager, Tori Cress
G’Chiminssing, Williams Treaty Territory
Tori is Anishinaabe (Ojibway and Pottawattami) from G’Chimnissing, an island community on the shores of Georgian Bay in Williams Treaty territory. She has brought her passion for communications work and grassroots community engagement to Keepers of the Water as our communications manager. Her role includes communication strategy development, managing and maintaining the Keepers of the Water website, developing and publishing a quarterly newsletter, managing social media and expanding, and regular email updates to our subscribers Tori also brings her Anishinaabe worldview, cultural values, and dedicated support of the Water is Life movement to the Keepers of the Water organization.
RBC AGM Press Conference
Date: April 11, 2024
Time: 1-2 PM EDT, Local time
Location: In-person (33 Carlson Ct), and online (Zoom, register here)
Black and Indigenous delegates, involved in water and land protection from RBC backed fossil fuel projects, will be taking part in a press conference, following RBC’s AGM. There will be photo opportunities, and a question and answer period with delegates following their statements.
RBC AGM Outside Mobilization
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Time: 10 AM - 12 PM EDT, Local time
Location: Toronto Congress Centre, 644 Dixon Rd, Toronto, ON
On April 11th, stand in solidarity with frontline land defenders speaking truth to power at RBC’s Annual General Meeting! Hear speakers and land defenders from @yintahaccess, @pymtoronto , @keepersofthewater4life, @climatejusticeuoft, and many other communities resisting RBC’s destruction of their lands, waters, and peoples. Tell RBC: no more profiting off of genocide, land theft and climate chaos!
Need a ride? Buses available from downtown!
Gather at 8:45 AM at pick-up location
Meet us there, or register for a spot on one of our buses from St. George Subway Station
RBC AGM Water Walk
Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Time: 1 PM EDT (Local time)
Location: Harbour Square Park (25 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON)
Attention Tkaronto Allies! Indigenous Climate Action and Free Grassy are hosting a water walk Wednesday, April 10 at 1PM (local time) at Harbour Square Park (25 Queens Quay W, Toronto). We’re calling on allies to join in solidarity with Black and Indigenous community members affected by Royal Bank of Canada funded fossil fuel projects, who will be attending RBC’s AGM. There will be singers, drummers, a round dance, and speeches!
Speakers:
Judy Da Silva (Grassy Narrows Elder), Vanessa Gray (Divestment , Indigenous Climate Action), Chief Na’Moks (Hereditary Chief of Wet’suwet’en), Roishetta Ozane (Executive Director of The Vessel Project and The Gulf Fossil Finance Coordinator for Texas Campaign for The Environment who will speak to RBC’s financing of LNG in the Gulf of Mexico), Beze Gray ( Two-Spirit from Aamjiwnaang First Nation), Kolin Sutherland-Wilson (Gitxsan Nation), Jesse Stoeppler (Skeena Watershed Coalition), Cedar George-Parker (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), Tara Houska (Giniw Collective), Shaylee Holland (Youth delegate, Wet’suwet’en Nation), Anna-Marie Holland (Wet’suwet’en Nation), Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck (Citizen of the Occaneechi, Band of the Saponi Nation. CEO/CoFounder of 7 Directions of Service), Jason Crazy Bear Keck (7 Directions of Service)
Indigenous Forum – From the Bottom Up: How Indigenous Action is Affecting Climate Change
35th Annual Bioneers: Indigenous Forum – From the Bottom Up: How Indigenous Action is Affecting Climate Change
Breakfast Panel Discussion: Next Steps in Ending Canada's Support for Fossil Fuels
Breakfast Panel Discussion: Next Steps in Ending Canada's Support for Fossil Fuels
Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Community-led Research
Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Community-led Research
- A conversation with Tiffany Traverse and Waba Moko (Shannon Chief), and moderated by Jaimie Vincent
Supporting Youth Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Time: 11 AM PDT \\ 12 PM MDT \\ 1 PM CDT \\ 2 PM EDT
Location: Zoom, Register Here
Hosted by YouthREX | Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange. Join "Supporting Youth Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis" – an exploration of critical understandings and hopeful practices to support youth wellbeing in the climate crisis, featuring an engaging discussion with special guests – including practitioners, researchers, and young changemakers – on how these understandings and practices can be taken up and applied in our work with youth.
Speakers:
Swelen Andari, Senior Manager, Climate Resilience & Youth Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Laura Glover, Youth Worker, Therapist, Researcher, and PhD Student, School of Social Work, York University
Willo Prince, Education Coordinator, Indigenous Climate Action
Mariam Sarikaya, Youth Climate Collective, Lakeshore Arts
Abhay Singh Sachal, Founder & Executive Director, Break The Divide
Fraser Thomson, Staff Lawyer, Ecojustice
This event will also feature a performance by poet Robyn Kaur Sidhu.
Alaska Just Transition Summit
The Alaska Just Transition Collective’s Just Transition Summit is a gathering to share knowledge, skills, inspiration, and connect about the equity and justice work we are doing in our communities. Register today an join us as we build pathways to liberation.
Indigenous Planetary Health: The Path We Walk with Dr. Nicole Redvers
Indigenous Planetary Health: The Path We Walk with Dr. Nicole Redvers
A Conversation on Youth-led Movements and Actions With Nazshonnii Brown-Almaweri, Zain Khemani, and Lauryn Smith
A Conversation on Youth-led Movements and Actions With Nazshonnii Brown-Almaweri, Zain Khemani, and Lauryn Smith
WEBINAR: Climate Justice, Imperialism, and Palestine: Unpacking Global Systems of Oppression
WEBINAR: Climate Justice, Imperialism, and Palestine: Unpacking Global Systems of Oppression
A Call to Action Webinar
On March 10, join Hereditary Chief Na’Moks, Eve Saint, Cedar George-Parker, and Sarah Shamy to talk about the impact of their work against RBC and the power that they have built in the Indigenous Divestment movement.
WECAN International Women’s Day Convergence
WECAN International Women’s Day Convergence
Northwest Intertribal Food Sovereignty Summit
The Northwest Intertribal Food Sovereignty Summit will bring together Tribal community leaders, youth, elders, Tribal food enterprises, Native food entrepreneurs, Native food producers, traditional food champions, funders, government agencies, and others to discuss, share and learn about Tribal food economies, small business development, climate resilience, and youth engagement in food systems and tradition.
Gitxsan and Gitanyow Resistance to Colonial Mega Projects
On Tuesday, March 5th at 5.30PM PT, please join this hour-long webinar to hear about current colonial projects facing Gixtsan people.
VIRTUAL: Climate Leadership Program
Climate Leadership Program
Date: March 1-3, 2024
Time: 9:00AM-1:30 PM PST | 10:00AM-2:30 PM MST | 11:00 AM-3:30 PM CT | 12:00PM-4:30PM EST | 1:00PM-5:30PM AST | 1:30PM-6:00PM NST
Location: Zoom
UPDATE: All spots have been filled!
ICA’s Education & Training Team is pleased to announce we are now accepting applications for the next online cohort of the Climate Leadership Program!
Indigenous Climate Action is dedicated to raising awareness about the impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities and advocating for sustainable solutions that respect Indigenous sovereignty, knowledge, and cultural practices. Through our Climate Leadership Program, we aim to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to become effective climate leaders in your communities and beyond.
What You’ll Learn
The basics of climate science and climate change
Indigenous perspectives on climate change and climate action connections between climate change and the health of Indigenous communities, peoples, and nations
Root causes of climate change while demonstrating the integral role that Indigenous resilience has in Mother Earth’s survival
Legal mechanisms used to undermine Indigenous sovereignty as well legal strategies to assert rights
The impacts of human economic activity on Mother Earth
The impacts that climate change is having on life on Mother Earth
Climate solution projects and stories at community, national, and international scale
Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to our team at climateleadership@Indigenousclimateaction.com.
Panel: How UNDRIP is Changing the Duty to Consult and the Evolving Meaning of Consultation
Panel: How UNDRIP is Changing the Duty to Consult and the Evolving Meaning of Consultation
Date: February 21, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM MST (local time)
Location: Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, AB
This panel discussion, as part of the Western Indigenous Consultation & Engagement conference hosted by The Canadian Institute, will include:
Examining a “then and now” review of treaties in Northern Canada on the 30th Anniversary of the Modern Northern Land Claims Agreements
Examining the federal government’s efforts to develop resources in First Nation communities
Decolonizing the process of engagement and consultation
Communicating information throughout the entire community
Speakers:
Eriel Deranger, Executive Director, Indigenous Climate Action
Jay Telegdi, Manager Government Relations, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Brian Fung, Manager, Government Relations, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Dale Swampy, President, National Coalition of Chiefs
Anti-Oppression and Intersectionality 101 Workshop
The goal of this workshop is to equip participants with foundational concepts and tools that help you develop and uphold anti-oppressive and intersectional environmentalist practices in your organizing.
Settler Colonial Continuities: The Energy Transition in Indian Country
Settler Colonial Continuities: The Energy Transition in Indian Country
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM (local time)
Location: Helliwell Centre, Osgoode Hall Law School
Join the first event in a new speaker series, “Up in Flames: Anticolonial Impulses for a Radically-Just Transition”, sponsored by York’s Global Labour Research Centre and the Infrastructure Beyond Extractivism project.
Professor Andrew Curley from the University of Arizona’s School of Geography, Development & Environment will talk on “Settler Colonial Continuities: The Energy Transition in Indian Country”. Professor Deborah Cowen of University of Toronto’s Department of Geography & Planning as commentator.
The talk will be followed by a reception. All are welcome.
Rally to Protect the Kichi Sibi
Date: February 14, 2024
Time: 1 PM (local time)
Location: Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Scrap the NSDF (Near-Surface Disposal Site) Project Approval
Algonquin nations resisting the construction of a nuclear disposal site, just 1 KM from the Kichi Sìbì (Ottawa River). This will not only impact local communities along the river, but citizens living in Ottawa that rely on this river for drinking water.
Show up and demand this project be scrapped!
Learning from the Indigenous Land Rights Movement
Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Time: 8 AM PST / 9 AM MST / 10 AM CST / 11AM EST / 12 PM AST / 12:30 PM NST
Location: Zoom, Register Here
Hosted by International Funders for Indigenous Peoples. Delve into real-world case studies showcasing Indigenous leadership, resistance, and their engagement in the land rights movement. These valuable insights and best practices will shed light on successful strategies employed by Indigenous communities in their quest to reclaim land and reaffirm their sacred relationship with it.
Structure 101 Workshop
The goal of this workshop is to equip participants with decision-making reflections and frameworks that help them guide their groups towards establishing a group structure that lines up with the group's purpose and Theory of Change.
Securing Indigenous Peoples' Right to Self-Determination
Join us for a discussion about FPIC and FPIC community protocols.