In the first session of the IEJ Project’s Indigenous Climate Justice Series, principal investigator Dr. Deborah McGregor presented her research on the interactions between decolonization and climate change as informed by Indigenous knowledge, law and ethics.
How do we build a climate movement that amplifies the voices and conversations of people most impacted by challenges like climate change and environmental racism, in a way that is meaningful and not tokenistic? Is there more than one definition of climate justice? And, most importantly, how can we tackle wicked problems like these without becoming overwhelmed and defeated?
Drawing on sources from both community and from scholarship, Deborah uses a variety of Indigenous knowledge systems to wrangle these difficult questions in a manner that centres relationships and responsibilities to one another and the environment, self-determination, optimism and hope.
Thank you to Jayce Chiblow for hosting this session.
In this session of the Indigenous Climate Justice Series, settler scholar Dr. Jen Gobby highlights how research practices can be used to build stronger, more decolonial movements that can support transformative change in Canada towards decarbonization and decolonization.
Jen was joined by two of her research collaborators, who shared how their own lived experiences colour their approaches to land and water defense and other forms of activism.
Jaydene Lavallie is a Two-Spirit Michif-Cree woman currently living in Dish with One Spoon Territory (Hamilton, ON). She spends most of her efforts on anti-extractive and land defence struggles but has also dedicated herself to defending Hamilton against gentrification, fighting patriarchy inside and outside of organizing circles, and pushing for animal liberation.
Sakej (James Ward) belongs to the wolf clan. He is Mi’kmaw (Mi’kmaq Nation) from Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church First Nation, New Brunswick). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Masters in Indigenous Governance. Sakej has a long history of advocating and protecting First Nations inherent responsibilities and freedoms.
This session is centred around many of the lessons Jen identifies in her book More Powerful Together: Conversations with Climate Activists & Indigenous Land Defenders, which features plenty of input from both Jaydene and Sakej. 100% of the royalties made from the sales of the book are being donated to Indigenous Climate Action.
In this session of the Indigenous Climate Justice Series, Anishinaabe water protector and land defender Beze Gray shares some of their experiences and knowledge as a young activist.
Beze is from Aamjiwnaang First Nation and has been an active voice in the movement against environmental racism and in support of decolonization from a young age.
Whether working in the sugarbush to collect maple syrup during the spring thaw, learning Ojibwe in their own effort to revitalise the language, or entering the court room as one of seven youth suing Ontario’s provincial government for abdicating its responsibility to address climate change, Beze’s approaches to activism are varied and pull from their wealth of experiences. They also address the challenges and opportunities navigating this important work as a Two Spirit youth, and how they stay determined and hopeful when times get tough.
Many thanks to Hillary McGregor for opening the discussion and contributing a wonderful land acknowledgment.
Link: Ecojustice’s case background summary of Mathur, et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario
The practice of making maple sugar runs in Deb Pine’s community the same way maple sap runs down a tree in spring. How has climate change influenced this important land based tradition? Join the Indigenous Environmental Justice Project for a conversation with Deb on the future of maple sugar and how Anishinabemowin, may influence community resiliency, and self determine climate futures.
Elder Women Discuss Medicine
In the presentation, Alan Corbiere spoke about some of his work recording and translating Ojibwe stories and language. What follows are some clips from that research, along with supplementary documents with transcripts, glossaries and translations.
Gkizootaagwaad Mshkii: The Medicine that Hid
| Gkizootaagwaad Mshkii: The Medicine that Hid |
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| Gkizootaagwaad Mshkiki Nish Eta – Anishinaabemowin |
| Gkizootaagwaad Glossary |
| Old Lady and Flowers Story – English Translation |
| Gebiingwepzad: The Veiled Visitor |
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| Gebiingwepzad Nish Eta – Anishinaabemowin Version |
| Veiled Visitor – English Translation |
| Veiled Visitor Bilingual Version |
| Magkii, Gnebig, Nimkiibag: Frog, Snake, and Poison Ivy |
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| Magkii Gnebig Nimkiibag Nish – Anishinaabemowin Version |
| Magkii Gnebig Nimkiibag – Bilingual Version |