Decolonizing Climate Policy in so-called Canada

Indigenous Climate Action, Canada’s only Indigenous-led climate justice organization has been conducting a research project over the past 2 years focused on Decolonizing Climate Policy in Canada. Through a first phase of critiquing top-down Federal climate policy to a second phase of developing Indigenous-led climate policy from the ground up, the project team has been disrupting the status quo of colonial climate policy and charting the path of much more just and effective climate policy. In this panel discussion, moderated by Concordia’s Dr. Jen Gobby, members of the research team and the project’s Advisory Panel will discuss the project, its processes and findings, and will open up discussion about the implications of this work.

About the Panelists

Sarah Hanson (Youth Research Intern):

Sarah is Anishinaabe from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, currently living and working on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, currently referred to as Thunder Bay. She holds a Biology degree from Queen’s University, using the knowledge gained to connect with other climate activists across the world while simultaneously providing an Indigenous perspective. For the past few years, Sarah has worked on creating spaces for Indigenous youth to connect and learn about climate change, sustainability, and reconciliation. When not working, Sarah loves to bead, sew, learn Anishinaabemowin, and re-explore her traditional lands along the north shore of Lake Superior.

Deborah McGregor (Advisory Council Member): 

Deborah is Anishinaabe from Whitefish River First Nation, Birch Island, Ontario. She is Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice at York University. Dr. McGregor is an expert in the application of Indigenous intellectual and legal traditions in addressing significant challenges of our time and in Indigenous research and methodologies to ensure research is ethical and benefits Indigenous communities. More information about Deborah’s work on issues, ethics, and methods in Indigenous and intercultural research can be found here and on the Indigenous Environmental Justice project here. Dr. McGregor will also speak about her work on rights for the environment at 4 PM on this same day; more information about the Rights for the Environment panel can be found here.

Tiffany Traverse (Advisory Council Member): 

Tiffany is a (non-status) Secwépemc farmer, land and seed steward, language learner, and food sovereignty advocate. Her passion for feeding people and firm belief in the right to healthy, culturally-appropriate foods for all, drives her work. She is passionate about the uncomfortable work in dismantling structural racism within institutions and conducting experimental plant breeding projects to adapt nutrient-dense cultivars to our changing climate as a guest in Treaty 8 Territory. Tiffany has served as a volunteer Advisory Council member with the Community Seed Network, and currently sits as a Member at Large on the Board of Directors for SeedChange, as well on the Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee for Farmers for Climate Solutions. Her hope is to continue being a ‘Weaver’, advocating to create better access to resources and increase our collective seed and food security and sovereignty.

Jen Gobby (Project Co-Researcher):

Jen Gobby is an activist-scholar and a settler based on unceded Abenaki territory in rural Quebec. She is an Affiliate Assistant Professor at Concordia University in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment. She is also a lecturer at Bishop’s and McGill Universities. Her research is focused on climate policy, climate justice, social transformation and Indigenous – settler relations in social movements in Canada. She is the author of the book More Powerful Together: Conversations with Climate Activists and Indigenous Land Defenders. She is now the director of Research for the Front Lines, a new initiative that connects grassroots communities and organisers on the front lines of the fight for environmental and climate justice with researchers who have skills and time to offer.