Search AC2020

Moderator: Steve Litke

Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s Community Climate Change Resiliency Planning – Vulnerability Assessment

Presenters: Robin Hawker and Sarah Dal Santo

Climate change will have profound impacts in BC indigenous communities and many key aspects of community life, including access to food and resources, community health and the ability to share cultural teachings. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation have embarked on a proactive, multi-year Community Climate Change Resilience Planning initiative to prepare the community for climate change. This presentation will share results from the first phase of this initiative, which involved a comprehensive hazard and vulnerability assessment to define priorities for adaptation. The project drew on a combination of traditional knowledge, cultural values and scientific methods to assess the Nation’s vulnerability to 13 climate change hazards. Findings show that many of the Nation’s top priorities for building climate change resilience involve strengthening local ecosystems and cultural practices in addition to protecting built infrastructure.

File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council Climate Adaptation Strategy

Presenters: Chief Matthew Todd Peigan

FHQTC represents 11 First Nation communities and 17,000 citizens in the Treaty Four region of southern Saskatchewan. FHQTC’s mandate is to promote and protect Aboriginal, Inherent and Treaty Rights of all member First Nations while respecting the priorities of First Nations' culture.

In Treaty Four Territory, scientific data suggest that climate change brings shorter winters, water scarcity and drought. These changes threaten the water supply and ecosystems on which subsistence and traditional activities depend. FHQTC completed 12 engagement sessions within FHQTC Nations regarding climate change and adaptation priorities. Four themes emerged from these sessions: 1) impacts of land use and climate change on water quality and availability, 2) impacts of farming practices, 3) changes in the distribution and abundance of animals, and 4) economic opportunities stemming from renewable energy. Chief Matthew Todd Peigan, from Pasqua First Nation, will discuss these themes and present resilience and adaptation strategies to help overcome the challenges of climate change.

Ahead of the Curve: Leading the Way in Indigenous Community Resiliency

Presenters: Chief Patrick Michell and Aaron Coelho

Kanaka Bar membership and our local area residents have observed changes in precipitation patterns, air temperature and ecosystems and it’s becoming disconcerting. In order to prepare for further changes, in 2018 Kanaka Bar completed a climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy. This session will share the story of how one rural BC community is preparing for climate change through implementation of strategies to improve community resilience. This session will feature Chief Patrick Michell from the Kanaka Bar Indian Band and Aaron Coelho, Climate Change and Water Resources Specialist from Urban Systems Ltd. Together, Chief Patrick and Aaron will share Kanaka Bar’s approach to climate change preparedness including the value of combining traditional knowledge with science and empirical data, implementation of self-sufficiency initiatives and the importance of youth engagement. If Kanaka Bar can do it, you can too. Leave inspired to take action in your own community.