Canada announces funding for Indigenous-led climate projects and partnerships between Latin America and Canada
Picture: Knowledge Keeper Sempulyan Stewart Gonzales, Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Terry Teegee, Director of the National Reconciliation Program at Save the Children Canada Lewis Archer
November 14, 2024 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Global Affairs Canada
Indigenous Peoples have a deeply rooted relationship and interconnectedness with Mother Nature and their leadership is critical in addressing and responding to climate change. However, globally, Indigenous Peoples receive only a small percentage of international funding for climate action.
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced $12.5 million over 4 years for the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) and Save the Children Canada to implement the Building Climate Resilience from Indigenous Perspectives project in partnership with the National Organization of Andean and Amazonian Women of Peru (ONAMIAP) and the Continental Network of Indigenous Women of the Americas (ECMIA Sur, South Region).
This project aims to build climate resilience and support Indigenous-led climate action in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Guatemala. These projects will be co-designed and co-implemented in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada.
These self-determined initiatives will advance nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation by strengthening climate governance within Indigenous communities, Nations, organizations and local and regional networks, as well as creating space for joint action and knowledge sharing.
Minister Hussen made the announcement on the unceded, traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations alongside Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the BCAFN, and Lewis Archer, Director of the National Reconciliation Program with Save the Children Canada.
ONAMIAP, a local partner on the project and member of the ECMIA Sur, South Region, participated in the announcement virtually.
Quotes
“The spirit of ‘nothing about us without us’ is at the heart of Canada’s renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples. In addition to delivering on the government’s commitment to include Indigenous priorities in climate finance, this collaborative initiative continues to help us build Nation-to-Nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships based on respect, partnership and a recognition of rights. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leadership is critical to addressing climate change.”
- Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development
“Humanity is witnessing the devasting and escalating impacts of climate change. As climate leaders and land defenders, Indigenous Peoples hold ancestral knowledge and inherent rights and responsibilities that guide us to protect our territories for the continuity of life. BCAFN is honoured to be part of this innovative project and work with the Government of Canada, Save the Children, and ONAMIAP to bring together Indigenous Peoples in BC and Canada and our Indigenous brothers and sisters in Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru. This project is a unique opportunity for Indigenous Peoples to weave bridges, build partnerships, and share our knowledge and experiences to take action for future generations collectively.”
- Terry Teegee, Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations
“The territory belongs to all of us, which is why we Indigenous women want to strengthen our own knowledge, forms of territorial management, our own economies and ways of life in harmony, reciprocity and balance with Mother Nature in a context of climate crisis. This project offers an opportunity to face climate change by revitalising and implementing our ancestral knowledge, sciences and technologies, and strengthening the exchange of experiences for the protection of Mother Nature among peoples. This climate fight is for Mother Nature and the lives that are in Her, where all of us must participate and guarantee the transmission of knowledge among girls, boys, young people and wise men and women. Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru are committed to this.”
[Same quote as above but in Quechua] "Ñaupa runapa willkankunan kanchik, yachaykunata yachachiwarqanchik kawsananchipaq, chaynallataq unanchanchik pachamamata chaynallataq kallpanchanchik llachayninchikta. Willakuspa Ñaupa llachayninchikunata, ruwayninchikuta warmakunaman. Chaynallataq kunanqa llachayninchikuna, ruwayninchikuna qipanchasqa kachkan, tukuyta munanku kamachikuq runakuna mana qellqasqa kaptin; aswan munasqanta ruwanku yachayninchikwan qullqirayku mana dirichunchikta kallpanchankuchu, astawan qullqirayku rantirukunku kamachikuqkuna, mana llaqtanchik ukumanta runakuna pachamamata chiqnin."
- Melania Canales Poma, ECMIA Sur Coordinator and ONAMIAP Advisory Board Member
“We’re honoured to be supporting this Indigenous-led climate change initiative in partnership with the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. Indigenous Peoples in Canada are doing so much great work on climate change adaptation and it’s inspiring to see them recognized and upheld internationally by Global Affairs Canada. This project seeks to affirm Indigenous rights and support a better, more resilient future for Indigenous children.”
- Lewis Archer, Director of the National Reconciliation Program
Quick facts
- The project is funded through Global Affairs Canada’s Indigenous Peoples Partnering for Climate initiative, which was developed in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada (for Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami) and the Métis National Council.
- The Indigenous Peoples Partnering for Climate initiative is part of Canada’s $5.3 billion international climate finance commitment (2021-2026).
