Lessons from our March Webinar
Many Indigenous communities around the world are relying on traditional knowledge of the land to recognize and adapt to a changing climate. To uplift and learn from their experiences, CJRF convened representatives of our partner organizations to reflect on how Indigenous Peoples are showing up as leaders in the climate justice movement.
This webinar culminates our three-part series on how aspects of identity link to climate justice and resilience. You can view our gender-focused webinar and our youth-focused webinar on our website. Our March 4th dialogue offered CJRF partners a chance to hear insights from Indigenous activists and practitioners.
Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land yields rich knowledge and practice that can lead to justice-centered climate action.
Crystal Martin-Lapenski of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada described why Indigenous knowledge and practices are key to building resilience in the face of climate change. She pointed to the close relationship that the Inuit people hold with the Artic land, an environment that global researchers, policymakers, and scientists struggle to predict.
“We know when the weather is about to change, just by the texture of the air. We know when seasons are about to change and when the animals are migrating. All of this is Indigenous knowledge,” Martin-Lapenski shared. “We have seen and experienced these changes – and we have adapted.”
The understanding and relationship that is formed between Indigenous People and their respective environment is deep – and one that is threatened by climate change.
Mali Ole Kaunga of IMPACT echoed this connection to land, stating “The land is their book, and if you lose your book you can’t read. If they continue losing their connection to the land, it’s very stressful for them.”
While we must acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples are often deeply affected by the climate crisis, Jeshua Hope, an Indigenous Fijian with the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, spoke about going beyond this acknowledgment of impacts and the importance of highlighting Indigenous leadership in developing solutions.
“We need to decolonize the narrative. We’re not just the poor people who are having to battle climate change and the losses and damages associated with that,” Jeshua explained. “We’re also the people who can provide the rest of the world with cutting-edge solutions to that same climate crisis.”
Solutions not developed in collaboration with Indigenous communities or that don’t address the challenges faced by Indigenous communities are not real solutions
During the discussion, CJRF Program Associate Hilary Heath asked participants to name the “false solutions” or solutions that appear to address climate change yet cause harm to Indigenous communities. Rebecca Sinclair from Indigenous Climate Action explained how “false solutions” come to be. “Conversations without Indigenous Peoples’ insights create false solutions. Solutions can’t be solutions when marginalized communities continue to feel those impacts.”
Edna Kaptoyo from the Pawanka Fund said so-called “nature-based” solutions are a challenge faced by Indigenous communities. “We have seen corporations and states promote solutions, such as geoengineering, but often these violate Indigenous peoples rights,” Kaptoyo said. “This impacts Indigenous Peoples through displacement, and it also impacts their cultures and practices.”
Robie Halip of the Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development pointed to the life-threatening consequences that forced displacement is having on Indigenous Communities across the globe. Halip shared that governments and the private sector develop on Indigenous lands without that community’s consent. As a result, they encroach on the way of life for Indigenous Peoples.
“We’ve seen a lot of cases where Indigenous Peoples own the land where renewable energy projects are happening, but they don’t have their own electricity,” Halip shared. “They lose their livelihoods, and they’re forced to migrate outside their communities because there’s no sacred area left where they can conduct their rituals. It’s causing the loss of knowledge.”
Philanthropy can and must use its influence to uplift and center the role of Indigenous Peoples in justice-centered climate action
When Indigenous Peoples defend their land, they’re often criminalized. Nailejileji Tipap, who works with Indigenous Organization - PINGO’s Forum in Tanzania said this defense should be a lesson, not a crime. “We should seek to understand the way that Indigenous Peoples are protecting their ecosystem,” Tipap explained. “Providing information or research should be our focus so that everyone can understand them instead of criminalize them.”
Sinclair argued that philanthropy can play a stronger role in protecting Indigenous folks. “It’s about not turning a blind eye to the criminalization of Indigenous land defenders,” Sinclair shared. “It’s recognizing the racial injustice that Indigenous people are facing. It’s acknowledging that the climate crisis is a social justice issue.”
Martin-Lapenski also explained that philanthropy should be willing to relinquish its power to Indigenous Peoples. This way, those with deep experience of the land and the impact of climate change on it will have the authority to determine what solutions are most appropriate.
“Indigenous Peoples should have decision making power and not just be a fly on the wall,” Martin-Lapenski shared. “They should have the power to say yes and no to what works for their community and their territory.”
Sinclair agreed, adding, “We can’t just be invited to these tables, we need to make our own tables. And we need resources to do that. We’re often seen as taking care of the land for free because it’s our duty. Absolutely. It’s in our heritage, but we also need the resources to make this actualized beyond our own communities.”
To watch the full webinar, click here.