ICAatCOP28 Week 1 Round-up
We have made it to the midway rest day, marking the middle of COP28! A lot happened this past week and we’ve collected a round-up of what you should know including a report of how ICA has been showing up and pushing back for all our relations back home.
Indigenous Climate Action joined our relatives at Indigenous Environmental Network for a press conference: Defending the Sacred: Indigenous Peoples Against False Solutions and Article 6
Speakers included Tom BK Goldtooth (Executive Director, Indigenous Environmental Network), Brenna TwoBears (Keep It In The Ground Lead Coordinator, Indigenous Environmental Network), Julia Bernal (Executive Director, Pueblo Action Alliance), and Eriel Deranger (Executive Director, Indigenous Climate Action).
The Indigenous Peoples’ Pavilion, a critical space for Indigenous Peoples from across the world to advance climate justice, uphold Indigenous rights and self-determination, and showcase Indigenous-led climate solutions, opened with a ceremony on Friday, December 1.
Our team hosted a panel: Just Transition: Indigenous-led Pathways Toward Equitable Climate Solutions and Resiliency in the Climate Crisis, where we were joined by Jade Begay (NDN Collective), Serena Mendizabal (Sacred Earth Solar), and Thomas Joseph (Indigenous Environmental Network) to discuss the role of Indigenous communities and knowledge in addressing the climate crisis. The panel was moderated by Jayce Chiblow, Education Manager at Indigenous Climate Action.
Just Transition panel, hosted by Indigenous Climate Action at COP28.
Our team joined a discussion with Indigenous water protectors, False Solutions vs Real Solutions to the Climate Crisis: Indigenous Water Protectors Defending their livelihoods, Lands and Territories, on how the climate crisis and false solutions to climate change are impacting their livelihoods, lands, and territories.
Speakers included Jayce Chiblow (Education and Training Manager, Indigenous Climate Action), Shyrlene Oliveira da Silva Huni Kui (Representative of the Huni Kui Indigenous Peoples, Amazon), Jack Collard (Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander International Engagement Organisation), Tom BK Goldtooth (Executive Director, Indigenous Environmental Network), moderated by Kandi White (Program Director, Indigenous Environmental Network).
We also attended Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s panel discussion around the impacts of industry in our communities North of the Medicine Line.
On Day 4, Indigenous Climate Action participated in an action in the UNFCCC Blue Zone to speak out within this international space and demand a ceasefire in Gaza in solidarity with our Palestinian relatives.
Carole Monture, the Climate Leadership Coordinator at Indigenous Climate Action, joined our allies at Environmental Defence for a press conference: Phasing out Fossils at COP28: What needs to happen and who is holding us back? Speakers included Julia Levin (Environmental Defence Canada), Julie Segal (Environmental Defence Canada), Caroline Brouillette (Climate Action Network Canada), Tzeporah Berman (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and Stand.earth), and Joe Vipond (Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment & Calgary Climate Hub).
On Day 5, Carole Monture and Sarah Hanson, as part of ICA’s delegation, joined in on a panel in the Canadian Pavilion: Youth Priorities from Frontline Communities at COP28, hosted by Muskrat Collective. Indigenous and racialized youth shared their experiences and priorities for what needs to be accomplished at COP28 to ensure outcomes uphold Indigenous rights and climate justice.
As climate finance is on the table for COP28 negotiations, Indigenous people from around the globe gathered at the Indigenous People’s Pavilion to demand our collective rights be upheld in efforts to scale up climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Our delegation, along with other Indigenous peoples and allies gathered to demand an end to the fossil fuel era, as COP28 in Dubai has seen a record number of fossil fuel lobbyists with access to climate talks. We demand an immediate phase out of fossil fuels that is fast, fair, and forever!
Eriel Deranger took part in a panel, hosted by WECAN International, Women Implementing Climate Justice Solutions to Mitigate and Adapt to the Climate Crisis. Joined by other panelists including Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member), Lucy Mulenkei (Executive Director, Indigenous Information Network), Braulina Baniwa (Executive Director, National Articulation of Indigenous Women Ancestrality Warriors), Taily Terena (Indigenous rights activist, WECAN Coordinator in Brazil), and Osprey Orielle Lake (Executive Director, WECAN), the group discussed climate justice strategies and solutions, including forest and biodiversity protection, Indigenous rights, agro-ecology, renewable energy and a Just Transition, fossil fuel phase out and divestment, and protection of women land defenders.
Day 6 of COP28 ended with a Water Ceremony in the ceremonial space in the Blue Zone, where we were able to connect and be in ceremony together while navigating this international space.
Negotiation Updates
ICA Speaking Events:
Defending the Sacred, Indigenous Peoples Against False Solutions and Article 6
Phasing out Fossils at COP28, What needs to happen and who is holding us back?
Fossil Fuel Phase out, Cutting with Both Sides of the Scissors
Women Implementing Climate Justice Solutions to Mitigate and Adapt to the Climate Crisis
ICA Statements & Blogs
ICA in the News
Grist: Here’s what’s at stake for Indigenous peoples at COP28
Radio Canada (FR): COP28: “We cannot allow polluters to determine the negotiations”
CBC Radio Active Interview: COP28 Update with Britney Supernault
Environmental Defence: Protestors disrupt greenwashing by oil and gas industry & Alberta at COP28
The National News: ‘Guardians of the Earth’ urge Cop28 leaders to protect their lands