Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Gatherings (ICCAG)

ICCAG 2018

We Gathered. We Shared. We Learned.

On February 13-14, 2018, 34 First Nation Climate Change leaders from across Canada came together to share highlights and updates on their community climate change adaptation projects. This year’s event focused on traditional and land based knowledge systems and their integral role in recording  through oral tradition, the impacts of climate change on their traditional lands. The two-day gathering included informative presentations and open-innovation style workshops that provided a rich wealth of knowledge for participants to explore ways to enhance their project outcomes. The workshop modules encompassed diverse Indigenous values and themes generated by the participants similar and had a similar feel to ICCAG 2018 held in Gatineau, Quebec. The event provided many opportunities for participants to network with one another, share ideas, learn about other participant’s projects, and to have meaningful conversations regarding climate change adaptation. The above graphic image offers a glimpse of the event and provides a wonderful knowledge map of what was shared by participants.

ICCAG 2019

Sharing the Stories of Our Ancestors and Our Lands

On March 18th and 19th, 2019, the ICCAG was held in Ottawa, Ontario, attended by First Nation Adapt program participants from across Canada. The two-day gathering focused on national dialogue regarding community-based projects, featuring five presentations from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec and regional roundtable discussions. A key theme was the need for enhanced communication strategies and increased networking opportunities. Participants proposed recommendations to boost Indigenous climate change awareness, highlighting the importance of real-time information sharing, dedicated national website, and social media plans. Discussions emphasized creating a community-based climate change network and addressing communication barriers within First Nations communities. Participants underscored the significance of traditional knowledge in climate strategies, valuing cultural connections to the land alongside scientific insights. They recognized the influential role of Elders and Knowledge Keepers and advocated for community-based cultural education to protect the land.