Canada’s Partnership with Indigenous Peoples on Climate

Indigenous leaders and the Government of Canada are workinghave worked together over the past decade to take joint climate action. These partnerships arehave been grounded in the meaningful recognition of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governance, rights and stewardship responsibilities.

Supporting Indigenous climate leadership

First Nations, Inuit and Métis are leading efforts to address climate change and adapt to its impacts. Indigenous Knowledge systems are vital to a healthy environment and sustainable future for all.

The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Nation-to-Nation, Inuit-to-Crown and Government-to-Government relationships, including in advancing shared priorities such as climate action and environmental stewardship. These relationships are based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. The Government of Canada also supports the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This includes the right to free, prior and informed consent.

Senior bilateral tables on clean growth and climate change with First Nations, Inuit and Métis

In 2016, the federal government committed to strengthening its partnerships with Indigenous Peoples on climate action. The Government of Canada, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis established bilateral partnership tables on clean growth and climate change for advocates at the national and regional level.

These tables help foster a collaborative approach to engaging with Indigenous Peoples and support Indigenous climate leadership.

First Nations—Canada partnership

The First Nations—Canada Joint Committee on Climate Action (JCCA) was established in 2016 and began meeting in 2017. The JCCA is co-chaired by the Assembly of First Nations and Environment and Climate Change Canada. It offers a unique space to bring together federal officials and First Nations advocates from across Canada. Discussions focus on climate change priorities and ways to collaborate on climate policy. It supports First Nations as full and effective partners in Canada’s climate action, based on the recognition of rights, cooperation and partnership.

JCCA annual reports:

Inuit—Canada partnership

The Inuit-Canada Table on Clean Growth and Climate Change (ICT) was created in 2017. It focuses on the priorities identified in the National Inuit Climate Change Strategy (NICCS) and regional Inuit climate strategies. Participants include representatives from:

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada
Inuit Treaty Organizations (Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivvik, and Nunatsiavut Government)
The Government of Canada

These partnerships aim to help make Inuit Nunangat more sustainable and resilient as the climate and landscape changes.

The table has provided a mechanism to discuss climate policy and funding programs that have supported Inuit leadership in the following areas:

Advancing Inuit capacity and Inuit knowledge in climate decision-making
Improving the health and wellness of Inuit through integrated health, education and climate policies
Reducing food system challenges faced by Inuit
Constructing climate resilient new builds, retrofitting existing builds and Inuit-led adaptation to changing natural infrastructure
Supporting Inuit-led energy solutions that lead to Inuit energy independence

Métis Nation—Canada partnership

The Goose Moon Table (formerly the Métis Nation-Canada Joint Table on Clean Growth and Climate Change) was created in 2017 and includes participants from the Métis National Council, its Governing Members and the Government of Canada.

Goose Moon Table participants focus on:

Building relationships
Sharing information on joint policy development
Identifying Métis-specific priorities for designing federal climate programs and delivering funding

Together, participants are working to improve programs and policies under Canada's climate plans and advance Métis climate action. Priorities identified by the Métis Nation include:

Building Métis capacity to address climate change
Collecting Métis traditional knowledge
Conducting research and gathering data to guide Métis policy
Training and education in climate change
Promoting environmental stewardship and nature-based solutions
Improving emergency management and disaster-risk mitigation
Connecting climate change and health
Improving transportation
Supporting renewable energy and energy-efficiency upgrades

Goose Moon Table progress reports:

The Métis Nation—Canada Goose Moon Table's First Annual Progress Report 2023 (PDF)

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