About – Canada’s Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program
Indigenous Services Canada’s Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program (CCHAP) for First Nations South of 60° supports First Nation communities to address the health impacts of climate change through building capacity, developing research skills, and creating health-related adaptation plans and communication materials. This program provides one-year funding to First Nation communities and organizations to undertake community-based adaptation research and vulnerability-assessments that appropriately (or effectively) respond to the climate adaptation priorities of each community.
Past projects have focused on:
- food security
- adaptation planning
- access to land
- knowledge sharing/education
- mental health
- traditional medicine
- water quality
- travel safety
Through this program, communities can be supported to build knowledge around land use monitoring, research, assessment, and foster discussions to develop local/regional adaptation action plans that reduce health risks caused by a changing climate.
Prioritizing Indigenous Knowledge and the incorporation of western science ensures effective research that immediately moves adaptation work from research to implementation. With a strong focus on including First Nations children and youth in community adaptation projects, this program can support the involvement of youth in adapting to changing lands grounded in cultural and traditional teachings.
To learn more about the history of this program in Canada’s North or to find information on how to apply for CCHAP for First Nations South of 60° (http://www.climatetelling.info/). First Nations in British Columbia are supported in their climate change activities by the First Nations Health Authority.
