A key note presentation from Jess Housty at the Indigenous Economics Conference, June 10-12, 2021

This video and blog is part of a series sharing the themes from ICA's "Reclaiming the Sacred" Indigenous Economics online conference held June 10-12 2021. This conference was held in partnership with the Canadian Society for Ecological Economics.

Melina, Jayce, and Jacob shared stories and strategies related to a “just transition”, which is defined as responding to the need to move away from reliance on diesel and extraction, and instead pave the way to renewable energies that integrate with cultural and traditional values.

In this panel, Melina also spoke about “Power To The People,” a TV show available for streaming. The program documents efforts to transition to renewable energy in Indigenous communities. Melina noted that there is no silver bullet, but that the overall goal is to explore reciprocal relationships with mother nature.

Jayce shared details about Indigenous Climate Action’s Toolkit, ICA’s Train the Trainer Program, Knowledge Guide, and Curriculum Guide. These are all based on ICA’s mission to inspire action through tools and opportunities created with, by, and for Indigenous communities with the goal of uplifting indigenous voices and sovereignty.

Jacob offered details on Melina’s project, the Just Transition guide, which features stories that uplift Indigenous experience, and walks readers through the ways that Indigenous communities are creating just transitions for themselves: transitioning to renewables, food security, and cultural revitalization. The guide offers details on how to do that in your community. ICA will offer online classes similar to the toolkit, and the guide is in the process of completion.

The audience was invited to participate in an interactive messaging board where they could engage the speakers through virtual “sticky notes” posted in real time. This enabled a multi-directional conversation that gave speakers and participants a way to share resources, space, and ideas.

“A Just Transition means responding to the need to move away from reliance on diesel and extraction, and instead paving the way to renewable energies that integrate with cultural and traditional values”

Panelist Biographies:

Melina Laboucan-Massimo (she/her) is Lubicon Cree from Northern Alberta, Canada. She is the founder of Sacred Earth Solar and the Campaign Director at Indigenous Climate Action. She has worked on social, environmental and climate justice issues for over 15 years. Melina has worked, studied, and campaigned in Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Canada and across Europe focusing on resource extraction, climate change impacts, media literacy, energy literacy and Indigenous rights & responsibilities.

Jayce Chiblow (she/her) is Anishinaabe from Garden River First Nation, Ontario. She has an Undergraduate degree in Biology, a Masters of Environmental Studies and is currently attending the Indigenous Youth Policy School through the Canadian Roots Exchange. Jayce’s Masters research was conducted in her community where she brought together youth, community leaders, and knowledge keepers in a workshop-style gathering focused on climate action through an Indigenous food sovereignty approach.

Jacob Crane (he/him) is a successful business owner and the new Just Transition Lead. He is frugal, smart, and talented with a passion to uplift Indigenous voices wherever he goes. Jacob is also a proud citizen of the Tsuut’ina Nation and is family oriented. He participates as a community leader in a variety of organizations that serve first-time Indigenous entrepreneurs, air quality, and health care for Native American populations.

What You Can Do:

Many participants expressed interest in pursuing the technologies that were discussed in the panel. Some suggestions included taking action at a local level: speaking to local chiefs and tribal councils, adapting strategies of cooperation and teamwork, and pursuing other locally relevant ventures. This brief list of resources was also compiled through the workshop.

Indigenous Climate Action Videos https://www.facebook.com/indigenousclimateaction/videos/812078439429552/

The Nature of Things https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/

Power to the People (http://powertothepeople.tv/)

Video One: http://powertothepeople.tv/gull-bay/

Video Two: http://powertothepeople.tv/six-nations-of-the-grand-river/

Online streaming service, Lumi http://lumistreaming.com/

Indigenous content on APTN http:///www.aptn.ca

Moving away from mining: https://seas-at-risk.org/publications/breaking-free-from-mining-a-2050-blueprint/