Indigenous communities adapt
Climate adaptation is about how we respond or prepare for both current and future climate changes.
Indigenous peoples have deep relationships and histories with the land and water, and rich knowledge systems that are guiding their work to respond to climate change – from food security challenges, wildfire and flood risk reduction to species protection and energy security.
Indigenous communities have observations of the land going back much farther than written records of weather patterns and climate-related events, giving them insights into these changes and providing principles for good stewardship, adaptation and resilience.
There are many examples of leadership across the province, from Kitsumkalum’s Fish and Wildlife Operations Department working with youth to better understand climate change’s impacts on food security to community-based climate monitoring by Tsay Keh Dene and Carcross Tagish to Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s work to understand their community’s vulnerabilities to climate change and Kanaka Bar Band’s Climate Resilience Strategy.
On this page:
Updates on Indigenous engagement
- B.C.’s draft Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy is open for comment until August 12, 2021. Read the strategy and learn more
Videos
Tools and Data
- Indigenous Climate Hub
Provides climate change resources and tools for Indigenous peoples and acts as a hub for Indigenous climate change leaders - Climate Change Adaptation Planning Toolkit For Indigenous Communities - Center for Indigenous Environmental Resources
Provides tools and resources to support Indigenous individuals and communities interested in undertaking climate change adaptation planning - ReTooling for Climate Change
Adaptation tools and resources for Indigenous Nations, local governments and others to prepare for the impacts of climate change - Plan2Adapt
Tool for generating maps, plots, and data describing projected future climate conditions for regions throughout British Columbia
Reports
- Indigenous Perspectives on Climate Change – Coming soon
Summarizes findings from Indigenous engagement reports produced by Indigenous organizations and the provincial government. - BCAFN Climate Emergency
Includes climate emergency resources and funding opportunities and links to the Climate Emergency Survey Report the First Nations Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan
Youth
- Indigenous Youth Climate Art Contest Winners
Includes artist biographies and artwork
Indigenous Advisory Groups
- Indigenous Climate Adaptation Technical Working Group
In 2020, provided technical advice and guidance on a broad range of matters related to the Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy - BC First Nations Leadership Council Technical Working Group on Climate Change
Provides strategic advice and reviews progress on climate change actions undertaken by the Province