Showcasing Indigenous support systems, Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) and Sacred Earth Solar (SES) have partnered to help fund Onaman Collective’s new sixty-foot land based art studio for youth in Robinson Huron Treaty Territory.

The Onaman Collective, lead by Christi Belcourt and Isaac Murdoch, promotes grassroots land-based art initiatives sharing traditional knowledge and language with youth.

ICA and SES assisted in solarizing the studio at Nimkii Aazhbikong (Onoman Camp) by donating funds to purchase and install solar panels. It’s Indigenous success stories like this that are highlighted throughout the Just Transition Guide that will soon be released in 2022. If you are interested in gaining a digital copy, please email Jacob@indigenousclimateaction.com. 

ICA is proud to assist in providing the resources to our communities with frontline camps to begin the journey towards energy sovereignty through grassroots partnerships. Creating opportunities by and for Indigenous communities is at the core of ICA’s mission statement, as well as to protect Mother Earth by reintroducing sustainable practices of life, so that we are looking after the next seven generations. We accomplish this by providing resources, educational tools, energy literacy, toolkit training, and the new Just Transition Guide to further our Indigenous communities' education literacy into the Just Transition field. Having our communities embark on their energy journeys brings us one step closer to becoming true sovereign nations. 

Because of projects like this, our young people will be able to witness first hand what the Just Transition to renewable energy looks like. Organizations that offer land-based teachings to youth, like Onaman Collective, are vital in the transfer of traditional knowledge, land-based teachings, and arts and culture. "While solar is not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, it is a better alternative to digging up tar sands and contributing to global warming in that way." - Christi Belcourt, Lead Coordinator of Walking With Our Sisters. ICA is honoured to support these types of solar projects so that we can continue strengthening the resurgence of Indigenous prosperity. Onaman Collective’s solar project is one story, but there are many stories that are showcased in the Just Transition guide on how one community can take hold of their self determination through energy sovereignty.  

ICA remains committed to supporting Indigenous communities during this pandemic and the Just Transition movement by providing the means and resources to support other Indigenous-led initiatives that are engaging in renewable energy projects. It is important that we showcase and practice supporting one another through this climate emergency and continue to form partnerships and uplift our Indigenous communities along the way. 

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If you would like to be put on our Just Transition guide email list, or receive a digital copy of the Just Transition guide, please email jacob@indigenousclimateaction.com