The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Climate Gathering brought together over 380 First Nations leaders, elders, and youth.
WHITEHORSE, Yukon Territory-In early March, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) hosted a successful National Climate Gathering in Whitehorse, YT, that brought together over 380 First Nations leaders, elders, women and youth to discuss First Nations-led solutions to address the Climate Crisis.
"First Nations from across the country are showing their commitment to action on the greatest challenge of our time-climate destruction. The scope of this meeting in the range of participants and the topics discussed was unprecedented. We are the original stewards of the land and must be full partners in developing and implementing Canada's climate plan. We have sacred responsibilities to care for and maintain our traditional territories and we have rights as First Nations that must be respected," National Chief Perry Bellegarde said.
AFN Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek welcomed delegates to the territory and spoke about the need to use a First Nations Climate Lens to address the crisis.
"We need to look at climate change with a holistic perspective and the understanding that everything is interconnected," Regional Chief Adamek said. "The north is experiencing the effects of the climate crisis at a rate two to three times greater than any other region in Canada. The north continues to show leadership on climate action and recently gathered to formalize a Yukon First Nations Climate Declaration that outlined a path forward. . . . There needs to be a massive shift in the way we live if we want to save our planet for our future generations."
The AFN's National Climate Gathering included a meeting of the AFN Youth Council and other young people. AFN Youth Council co-chair Rosalie LaBillois spoke strongly about the positive and effective action coming out of the Gathering: "It was great to hear all the ideas and possible solutions from young First Nations people from across the country, but it is also obvious that they are very concerned, even scared, of what the future holds. It is time for all leaders, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to do the work necessary to ensure our children can still go out on the land and hunt and pick berries and enjoy the waterways and do all the things that make us First Nations people."
The AFN will compile the information, solutions and best practices collected at the National Climate Gathering and make them available at http://www.afn.ca
