Listen wherever you get your podcasts or go to the podcast website page.

TRANSCRIPT

Episode description

In this episode, ICA’s Executive Director, Eriel, speaks to the first meeting that led to the formation of Indigenous Climate Action.

About Eriel Tchekwie Deranger

Eriel (she/her) is a Dënesųłiné woman (ts'ékui), member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and mother of two, coming from a family of Indigenous rights advocates fighting for the recognition, sovereignty and autonomy of their Indigenous lands and territory in what is now known as Treaty 8, Canada.  

In 2015, Deranger worked with local Indigenous organizers to help build out the foundations of Indigenous Climate Action, becoming one of the core co-founders of the organization. She formally stepped into the role of Executive Director in July of 2017.  

Prior to ICA, Deranger worked with her First Nation to build out one of the largest inter-sectional keep it in the ground campaigns: The international Indigenous Tar Sands campaign - challenging the expansion of Alberta’s Tar Sands. As part of her role she brought international recognition to issues in her territory with celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Darren Aronofsky, Neil Young, Daryl Hannah, James Cameron and many others, drawing attention across the globe.

Deranger has written for the Guardian, Yellowhead Institute, The National Observer, Red Pepper Magazine, been featured in documentary films including Elemental (2012), interviewed for national and international media outlets including Democracy Now!, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), and CBC.

Connect with Eriel

Instagram: @tchekwie

Twitter: @ErielTD

Sources

Final report from the Indigenous Peoples Meeting on Climate Change that served as the catalyst for the creation of ICA