traditional knowledge

Indigenous activist uses traditional knowledge in a modern world to inspire climate action

Indigenous activist uses traditional knowledge in a modern world to inspire climate action

Peltier’s work as an Indigenous rights and clean water activist was highlighted at this year’s Collision tech conference, which took place from June 26 to 29. As a speaker at the conference, Peltier discussed what the next generation of climate activists might look like. The 18-year-old has spent more than half her life speaking about the value of clean water to organizations such as the United Nations and the World Economic Forum. Although various long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted in recent years, nearly 30 warnings remain in place in 26 communities across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, as of June 19.

Dealing with ‘erasure’: The role of Indigenous knowledge in drawing maps of Canada

Dealing with ‘erasure’: The role of Indigenous knowledge in drawing maps of Canada

The research these youth snorkelers are partaking in is part of an Indigenous-led project to map the coastal waters of Átl’ḵa7tsem, once polluted by industry, but now teeming with fish. For centuries, Indigenous communities have had their traditional knowledge and cultural traditions overlooked, if not erased. That’s reflected in the conventional maps of Canada.

Climate Changed: First Nation balances Western science with traditional knowledge

Climate Changed: First Nation balances Western science with traditional knowledge

The Prairie Blood coulee winds through a property on the Kainai Nation, also known as the Blood Tribe, in southern Alberta. On a warm fall day, about a dozen people haul willows, mulch, dirt and water to several spots along a dry creek bed. Some pound large posts into the ground. Technicians from Blood Tribe and volunteers from local environmental groups are building five beaver dam analogs, which mimic a natural logjam. They hope to restore the stream flow to help the landowner care for his animals and have more water for wildlife as the area experiences a decade-long drought.

Indigenous communities to be hit with ‘ecological grief, loss of land and traditional knowledge’ because of climate crisis

Indigenous communities to be hit with ‘ecological grief, loss of land and traditional knowledge’ because of climate crisis

The list of how the climate crisis is affecting Indigenous communities is long — and everything on it is to the detriment of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people says a new report from Health Canada. “The changing climate will exacerbate the health and socio-economic inequities already experienced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, including respiratory, cardiovascular, water- and foodborne, chronic and infectious diseases, as well as financial hardship and food insecurity,” says the report called Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate that was released Thursday.

Pilot project trains Indigenous youth to help tackle water challenges in their communities

Pilot project trains Indigenous youth to help tackle water challenges in their communities

Ten young people from First Nations around the Island [Manitoulin Island] are finishing up a 15-month paid internship through Water First, a Canadian charity dedicated to helping First Nations solve their water challenges.