Canada’s Partnership with Indigenous Peoples on Climate

Indigenous leaders and the Government of Canada are working together to take joint climate action. These partnerships are 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 with First Nations, Inuit and Métis. 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.

Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, has advanced Indigenous climate leadership by:

Recognizing the unique realities, needs and priorities of Indigenous Peoples
Respecting and promoting self-determination
Engaging early and meaningfully with Indigenous Peoples
Incorporating inclusive-by-design principles in all climate actions
Working together to develop and find cooperative solutions
Creating space for First Nations, Inuit and Métis voices in governance and decision-making processes
Supporting Indigenous approaches and ways of doing
Acknowledging traditional, local and Indigenous Science and Knowledge systems in an equitable way in policy development, programs and decision-making

Climate action funding for Indigenous Peoples

Since 2020, the Government of Canada has announced over $2 billion in funding for climate action by Indigenous Peoples. This funding:

Supports First Nations and Inuit in managing the health impacts of climate change ($22.7 million over five years)
Helps improve food security in the North, including in Inuit Nunangat ($163.4 million over three years)
Helps rural, remote and Indigenous communities switch from diesel to clean energy ($300 million over five years)
Supports greener and stronger infrastructure, including major adaptation or mitigation projects ($290 million over 12 years)
Protects biodiversity by creating Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas ($100 million over five years for conservation, $500 million over 10 years for nature-based solutions, $36.9 million over 10 years for nature-based carbon sequestration)
Supports clean energy projects led by First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations ($180 million over six years)

The Government of Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan announced a $29.6 million investment to advance an Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda. Since 2022, this funding has supported First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to engage with rightsholders and communities, finalize climate strategies and develop recommendations for more effective climate action and stronger Crown-Indigenous climate partnerships.

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. They discuss climate change priorities and collaborate on climate policy. It is based on the recognition of rights, cooperation and partnership. It supports First Nations as full and effective partners in Canada’s national climate initiatives.

JCCA annual reports:

Inuit—Canada partnership

The Inuit-Canada Table on Clean Growth and Climate Change (ICT) was created in 2017. It currently 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
The Government of Canada

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

The Government of Canada has provided funding to support 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 in the Métis Nation Climate Leadership Agenda 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 annual report:

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

Partnerships with Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ and gender-diverse peoples

The Native Women's Association of Canada

Since 2019, ECCC has been working with the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC). NWAC's Environmental Conservation and Climate Change Office (ECCCO) is a key resource. They help with research and projects to fill knowledge gaps on biodiversity and climate change. The ECCCO focuses on understanding how climate change impacts Indigenous women, children, youth, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse persons in Canada. They also work to advance policies, programs and laws to tackle these challenges. For more information, see related links.

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak

Since 2020, ECCC has been working with Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO). Métis women and 2SLGBTQI+ people are important caretakers of the earth, keepers of culture and protectors of the land. LFMO is working to protect the sharing of traditional practices, teachings and ways of life. Their project, “Mothers of the Land, Water and Skies" gathers information on how climate change affects Métis women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. For more information, see the related links.

Partnerships with Indigenous people in urban areas

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

Since 2021, ECCC has been partnering with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) on climate change. CAP advocates for fair access to funding to help Indigenous Peoples take climate action. They recognize the importance of Indigenous climate leadership for individuals and communities.

The National Association of Friendship Centres

Since 2020, ECCC has worked with the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC). The NAFC and Friendship Centres across Canada help urban Indigenous people. They offer programs that focus on traditional and cultural teachings and connect people with the land. The NAFC is studying the impacts of climate change on urban Indigenous people in Canada. For more information, see related links.

Partnerships with Indigenous experts and leaders

Indigenous Clean Energy

In 2022, ECCC started working with Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) on clean energy programs and policies. ICE partners with Indigenous organizations and governments to support Indigenous climate leadership. Together, they promote clean energy programs and funding for Indigenous communities in Canada. ICE is strengthening Indigenous community networks and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.

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