Track Two Session Three: Uplifting Indigenous Rights in Climate Action
Thursday, February 23, 2023 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM · 1 hr. 15 min. (Mexico/General)
In-person (Recorded session available after the conference)
Indigenous cultural program development as a strategy for Indigenous empowerment. Both organizations were built with, for, and by Indigenous communities.
Participants will be invited into a dialogue around the importance of building trust-based relationships between philanthropic organizations and Indigenous communities as we strive to build healthy thriving communities while addressing issues of injustice.
Marilyn Shirt will share the complex history of UnBQ, being a former residential school, and the Canadian government’s belief that UnBQ could not manage a self-determined indigenous education system, but 53 years later Blue Quills has grown from a grade school to an Indigenous University which offers doctorate programs delivered by Indigenous instructors.
Angel Brant, Eriel Deranger, and Sheila Muxlow will share the origin story of ICA and the need for a decolonial Indigenous-owned social movement vehicle in so-called Canada that supports Indigenous networks and offers an alternative for our communities to build thriving Indigenous movements.
Session Description:
Eighty percent of the world's biodiversity lies within Indigenous lands & territories, yet we remain disenfranchised from systems creating solutions to the climate crisis and lack resources to support Indigenous leadership within these strategies for climate solutions. It is clear that uplifting Indigenous rights and cultures are critical in climate action and is a game changers for our collective futures.
Hear from Indigenous Climate Action and Blue Quills UnBQ on the importance of investing in Indigenous-controlled infrastructure to ensure Indigenous peoples are well resourced & uplifted to create solutions that center Indigenous rights and self-determination, as demonstrated through our Climate Leadership Program, Youth Leadership Program, and strategic partnerships with Indigenous-owned educational institutions