First Nations across Canada will experience the impacts of climate change in ways that most non-Indigenous Canadians will not, due to heavy reliance on the environment, their locations, and their economic, capacity and infrastructure situations. First Nations, similar to other natural resource dependent communities around the globe, depend on the environment for subsistence, maintenance of culture, and other important aspects of their livelihoods.
Throughout history, First Nation peoples have maintained an inherent stewardship connection with the environment; a connection that is integral to the survival of their physical, social, economic, cultural and spiritual ways of life. Although there is much diversity among First Nations in terms of language and culture, there is a fundamental recognition between them of the critical importance of a clean and healthy environment. Since their ways of life are so closely tied to the land, they must honour their role as stewards, protecting our natural resources for future generations.
if entire ecosystems change, resulting from climate change, then the current understanding of that ecosystem will likely not apply. If First Nations cannot understand the surrounding environment, their role as stewards of the land will be seriously compromised.
First Nation peoples are observing and experiencing direct impacts of climate change through the loss of traditional foods and medicines, threats to economic opportunities, and transportation systems (such as winter roads), damage to homes and other property, and changes to the biological systems around them. (e.g. changes to the migratory patterns of animals, insects, and birds).
Climate change means more than just changes in weather, and for First Nations, it goes beyond scientifically studied physical elements of climate change impacts. Given that most First Nations have unique relationships with the land, the impacts of climate change on ecosystems will invariably impact cultural, social, and traditional activities associated with the land as well as the ability to exercise their Indigenous and treaty rights. The impacts of climate change of First Nations are not quantified, and long-term research on First Nations – specific climate change so that its effects on First Nations may be discussed within First Nations, federal, and provincial governments, departments, academic institutions, and Canadian and international organizations that currently have an interest in climate change issues.
