Stories from Indigenous Climate Leadership & Self-determined Futures

We are uplifting the voices of Indigenous climate leaders by sharing stories of sovereignty and self-determination in climate action. We focus stories from Indigenous women, youth, 2SLGBTQIAP+ folks, knowledge holders, Elders, and policy experts. Our research team has gathered insights from a diverse range of Indigenous climate leaders. These leaders range from seasoned advocates for Indigenous rights at the international level to youth discovering their voices in the climate crisis within their communities. Indigenous peoples are at the forefront of climate leadership. We have invited Indigenous policy experts, activists, and intellectuals to showcase the work they are doing on a national and international scale. The panel will provide expert Indigenous perspectives on climate change and decolonial solutions.

Additional Resources

The additional resources and other links available for some individual events are not hosted on the official COP29 Canada Pavilion website, and as such, it is not guaranteed that they will be available in both official languages.

Canada at COP29 – Canada Pavilion Opening Ceremony

Join us for the opening ceremony of the Canada Pavilion at COP29! Featuring an Indigenous cultural ceremony, remarks by Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change, and a discussion with Indigenous leaders and representatives from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation. This event is an opportunity to come together to set the intention for meaningful climate action engagement at COP29 and to discuss collective goals and perspectives on tackling the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution. 

Centering Indigenous Knowledge and Leadership in Mitigation and Adaptation: Examples from the Arctic

This event will look at the crucial role of Indigenous leadership and Indigenous Knowledge in shaping effective mitigation and adaptation strategies across the circumpolar Arctic which is currently warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet. This session will explore how Indigenous Knowledge offers invaluable insights for tackling climate change and fostering sustainable development. As Parties develop their National Adaptation Plans and update their Nationally Determined Contributions, experts and Indigenous leaders will share perspectives on integrating Indigenous Knowledge into mitigation and adaptation initiatives, leading their own strategies, and demonstrating how this collaboration enhances resilience and ensures more equitable solutions. By highlighting successful case studies and ongoing partnerships, the event will underscore the indispensable contributions of Indigenous Peoples to crafting adaptive and future-ready strategies in the Arctic. 

First Nations Climate Leadership: Uplifting future generations for transformative change

In the face of a rapidly changing climate, First Nations have been raising their voice to call for rapid decarbonization, raising the profile of what First Nations Climate Leadership means. Last July, this was captured in the AFN National Climate Strategy, mapping a path, through seven priority areas, to uplift First Nations climate solutions. This panel brings together presentations by First Nations at the national and provincial level to discuss the implications of this Strategy, and highlight how First Nations are ‘active leaders’ based on unique connections to the land, water, air, and more-than-human beings. 

Indigenous Climate Leadership: Just Transition, Youth Engagement, and Indigenous Solutions

This panel will explore Indigenous climate leadership at the UN and in local communities, showcasing real solutions rooted in traditional knowledge and modern innovative thinking. Our session is based on interviews our research team conducted with Indigenous climate leaders at the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies in Bonn, Germany, in June 2024. Our research team interviewed 12 leaders, focusing on Indigenous solutions, youth, and just transitions. These leaders women, men, youth, elders, and knowledge holders emphasized the need to center their rights and knowledge in climate discussions, steering away from false solutions towards a just transition inclusive of youth leadership. The session will feature three 2-minute clips on each theme, followed by a panel discussion led by interviewed climate leaders and researchers from York University’s Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages.

Additional Resources

The additional resources and other links available for some individual events are not hosted on the official COP29 Canada Pavilion website, and as such, it is not guaranteed that they will bhttp://https://www.yorku.ca/research/cikl/e available in both official languages.

Generational Stewardship: Action Now for Those Who Come Next

Comprised of representatives from across the Métis Homeland who will present on the recently published Métis Nation Climate Change Strategy, the panel will speak to the development of the Strategy and plans for its implementation through the Métis Nation Climate Leadership Agenda. Lessons learned and insights into how to re-create this successful process will also be shared.

Green & Beyond: Indigenous-led Healing and Just Transition for a Resilient Future

Join us for a panel discussion on climate leadership and Indigenous-led Just Transition. Indigenous Nations have long advocated for environmental stewardship, blending centuries of knowledge with ecosystem harmony, local economies, and resilient communities. The climate crisis requires more than just reducing emissions; we must tackle systemic issues harming the environment and violating Indigenous rights. This panel emphasizes how Indigenous knowledge systems can inspire transformational change. Featuring Indigenous leaders from Canada, the discussion will showcase how traditional practices are vital for a sustainable future. We’ll also go beyond Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), advocating for genuine respect for Indigenous sovereignty and meaningful relationships. Engage with leaders offering solutions rooted in Indigenous wisdom, as we advance towards a climate-resilient future together.