Weekly Round-Up, April 17 2022
April 17 2022
A lot has been happening lately across Turtle Island. We know it can be hard to keep up, so we’ve compiled a list of news, events, and big stories related to Indigeneity and the climate crisis.
OPPORTUNITIES:
ICA is hiring: Communications Manager
Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is looking for someone who is ambitious, personable and passionately committed to true Indigenous Climate Justice to serve as its Communications Manager. This position requires a deep understanding of the intersectional approaches of climate justice and Indigenous rights and nurturing relationships with communities through various online platforms.
NEWS:
First federal Indigenous research garden opens in Okanagan
April 16 2022
For 108 years, scientists at the Summerland Research and Development Centre have been studying how to sustainably grow popular food crops in B.C.'s Okanagan region such as wine grapes and fruit trees. Now, in the spirit of reconciliation, the centre has opened its first ever Indigenous research garden — a project funded by the federal government aimed at learning about and revitalizing food plants that have traditional significance to local Indigenous communities like the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
Coastal First Nation’s clean energy conversion efforts ahead of curve in B.C.
April 15 2022
A remote coastal First Nation has weaned a third of its homes off fossil fuels, making climate gains communities in the rest of B.C. can only aspire to. To further its clean energy transition, Heiltsuk Nation has lined up another $5 million in funding to provide an additional 250 homes in Bella Bella with energy-efficient heat pumps over the next year. Once they are in, 90 per cent of the community’s households will have dramatically reduced their carbon footprint.
ICA Steering Committee member awarded McGill’s Rathlyn Fellowship!
April 13 2022
Christopher Reid, of the Nisga’a nation, is completing a PhD in Educational Studies, focusing on urban Indigenous people’s experiences with land education, public schooling, and historical education. Reid is currently teaching a seminar dealing with Indigenous critiques of schooling and colonialism.
Congrats Christopher!
Indigenous leaders have mixed responses to the 2022 federal budget
April 12 2022
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said the 2022 federal budget falls short in addressing the urgent and long-term needs identified by First Nations and that First Nations must share in the wealth derived from the land and resources of Canada.
Uphold Indigenous Rights: Protect Camp Morningstar
April 11 2022
From ICA: We stood alongside the community and their allies to say NO to the proposed Canadian Premium Sand Mine that would extract 1.3 million tonnes of silica sand a year for the next 30 years while exposing Indigenous peoples to toxic air quality and contaminating the groundwater. Members of ICA also joined the fight by hand-delivering an eviction notice to the Canadian Premium Sand in so-called Calgary, which is a key beneficiary of the proposed project.
Indigenous leaders, protesters gather in Vancouver to oppose Trans Mountain pipeline
April 9 2022
Protesters against the federally-owned Trans Mountain pipeline gathered outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday to show the government and investors that opposition to the project is still strong and they believe funding it would be a “risky investment.” Signs that read “Don’t fund the Trans Mountain,” “Protect the Ocean” and “Protect the Land” littered the square in front of the gallery where a few hundred people gathered.
What’s possible under a minority government? Organizers weigh in
April 2 2022
Improvements to the Liberals’ stated priorities—like housing costs, child care, climate and the self-determination of Indigenous people—are usually imagined by movements and impacted people as systemic changes that directly confront those profiting from the crises themselves. As movements attempt to build power to confront these crises, what considerations and lessons should they keep in mind? The Breach spoke to five organizers—John Clarke, Archana Rampure, Syed Hussan, Rebecca Sinclair, and Chris Gusan—about strategic opportunities afforded by a minority government.