About – Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program
This program, administered by Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) was developed in response to needs identified by Indigenous partners through engagement on the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change:
- build capacity within Indigenous communities to monitor climate change impacts
- foster the co-application of Indigenous Knowledge and science
The program provides funding to support Indigenous peoples in the design, implementation, or expansion of long-term community-based climate monitoring projects. Specifically, the program supports community-led projects to monitor climate and the environmental effects of climate change on traditional lands and waters. The program also facilitates access to tools and best practices, enhances collaboration and coordination among initiatives, and supports Indigenous participation in program oversight.
For example, eligible activities for funding include:
- community engagement
- training and hiring of community members dedicated to the project
- purchase and rental of monitoring equipment
- assessing and managing data
- monitoring key climate indicators
- communicating climate monitoring results
- networking
The information gathered through community-based climate monitoring initiatives can be used to inform Indigenous community adaptation actions and address climate data gaps.
Furthermore, these initiatives provide local skill development and employment opportunities and promote knowledge transfer between Elders and youth.
