Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiative
Introduction and Context As part of the Government of Alberta s commitment to the implementation of the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in February 17, Indigenous Peoples living in Alberta, and those who represent an Indigenous organization, were invited to provide input on Alberta s Climate Leadership Plan. This feedback, collected through an online survey and by written submission, provides insight on climate change literacy and awareness as well as to inform initiatives related to the Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiative (ICLI). The ICLI engagement strategy is on-going with the online survey and written submissions providing a sample of the various approaches being used in collecting feedback from Indigenous Peoples living in Alberta. Input is also received from face-to-face communication through such activities as meetings with Indigenous leaders, community visits and climate literacy workshops. Together, these feedback mechanisms provide initial data to measure progress on Indigenous individuals, communities and organizations realizing the benefits and opportunities of Alberta s Climate Leadership Plan. 2
Online Survey - Background A total of 147 individuals, living in all regions of Alberta, provided answers to the online survey. 31% - Indigenous persons living on a First Nations reserve or on a Metis Settlement. 62% - Indigenous persons living off a First Nations reserve or off a Metis Settlement. 1 7% - Other 58% Demographics 37% 4% Women Men 34% Age 18 34 years old 45% 21% Age 35 49 years old Age 50 years old and up 1 This percentage comprises Indigenous respondents from a number of rural and urban communities of Alberta. We can identify the living location of 52 out of the 88 persons living off a First Nations reserve or off a Metis Settlement as they provided the first three digits of their postal code (Q17). Of these, 39 live in urban centres and 13 live in rural areas. 3
Summary of public input Key questions helped determine the general awareness and interest of Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiatives, as well as what challenges and opportunities currently exist in the planning and delivery of these initiatives. 2 1 Awareness of Climate Leadership Initiatives 26% of survey respondents were very aware of Alberta s Climate Leadership Plan while 41% were somewhat aware of the plan. Survey responses confirm that more efforts are required to inform Indigenous Peoples living in Alberta in regard to the Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiative (ICLI) as only 19% were very aware of ICLI and 29% stated they were somewhat aware of ICLI. In regard to Alberta s commitment to working with Indigenous Peoples living in Alberta to jointly develop and manage ICLI, 15% of respondents indicated they were very aware of the government s commitment while 35% stated they had only certain degree of awareness. Overall interest in learning more about Alberta s Climate Leadership Plan, however, is positive (47%). Awareness of Government Climate Initiatives Number of Participants 50 45 40 35 30 25 15 10 29 45 17 21 32 25 32 17 39 24 30 5 0 Alberta Climate Leadership Plan Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiative Alberta s Commitment to Joint Development Government Initiatives 2 A complementary survey was also completed by the membership of the Metis Nation of Alberta following workshops on climate change. Responses provided to those questions that were identical to the current survey indicate that most respondents had some awareness of the Alberta Climate Leadership Plan and the Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiative. Respondents were also most interested in learning more about available climate change programs and initiatives. 4
2 Program Interest and Delivery Large commercial-scale renewables: overall, respondents perceived large commercial-scale renewables as being of most benefit to their communities (29%). There were some wide differences in opinion, however, as 36% of respondents rated large commercial-scale renewables as being the least beneficial. Alternatively, 18% of respondents rated smallscale renewables to be of most benefit, and 40% perceived them as being of some benefit to their communities. Preferred community partners for delivering climate leadership initiatives: a majority of respondents (85%) identified their preference for Indigenous organizations as preferred partners for their community in delivering climate leadership initiatives. Program Interest and Delivery Number of Participants 35 30 25 15 10 5 18 18 18 18 22 18 18 30 19 8 26 13 18 32 0 Community Energy Plan Energy Efficiency Small Scale Renewables Large Commercial Scale Renewables Program Options 1 Most beneficial 2 3 4 Least beneficial 3 Priorities and Opportunities Learning more on topics related to climate: respondents expressed a great interest in learning more about renewable energy (69%), job training opportunities (66%), energy efficiency (65%), green infrastructure (56%) and small business opportunities (56%). Training and employment: 57% of respondents perceived this as being of top benefit in terms of economic participation opportunity. This is well ahead of other opportunities such as small business start-up grants for new companies (18%); small business loans or grants for existing companies (14%); business planning and/or business advisory services (11%) and ability to partner with other industry/ organizations (10%). 5
Workshops on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), grants and scholarships: respondents rated workshops on TEK as the most beneficial additional support opportunity (30%), followed by grants and scholarships (27%), ahead of rebates (14%) as well as case studies and project summaries of successful Indigenous projects (14%). Examples of Indigenous educational programming identified as valuable: Solar panel training (installation and repair). Community garden, Community Composting, Community Recycling Centres. Provide information on climate change, programs available and community workshops. Programs that provide information on energy efficiency in homes. More awareness of Indigenous traditional knowledge and more financial resources to First Nations to establish facilities to enhance recycling activities Programs that are applicable to people who live in rental homes. Examples of Indigenous Climate Leadership economic investment programming identified as being valuable: How to build renewable energy resources such as solar panels, how to install them into existing home, education on composting and community gardens. Investment in ecologically sound employment initiatives. I would like both community greenhouses and community renewable energy generation projects. Community gardens with traditional medicines, information and startups of seed banks. Investment in recycling stations. Investment in on-reserve manufacturing initiatives for renewable energy equipment i.e. solar panels, geo-thermal equipment. Examples of Indigenous Climate Leadership grants or rebate programs identified as being valuable: Grants on energy efficient furnaces, hot water tanks, insulation, windows, and other large energy saving renovations. We need to subsidize solar, wind and geothermal equipment, products for commercial and residential uses. Low Flow Shower Heads in homes and low efficiency furnaces. Grants for bio energy waste generation. Like what the city of Edmonton has. Would benefit First Nations. Programming grants so the community can develop solutions itself. 6
4 Barriers Communities learning about climate change and engaging on Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiatives: respondents identified the lack of education and training opportunities as the top barrier (75%), followed by the lack of available financial resources (63%); the lack of awareness of Program benefits (59%) and the lack of understanding about climate change (54%). Communities participating in Indigenous Climate Leadership programming: respondents identified the lack of resources to initiate and carry out participation (35%), as well as the lack of awareness of what programming is currently available (34%) as the main barriers. These were well ahead of the lack of financial resources (17%). Written Submissions The following is a summary of information received in three written submissions from Treaty and Tribal organizations as well as from First Nations communities. The following is a summary of points submitted. Main Themes and Priorities Regional/ community-level governance: alternative ideas were offered on governance structures. One perspective supported a structure designed to empower local communities to meet their own objectives while providing technical support at the regional level. Governance should stem from a bottom-up approach, focused on capacity development and project development, supported by a strong knowledge base and skill sets within each community. To increase efficiencies, programs should fit into a wide framework where skills and experience can be shared. Another example given that a separate decision-making body, comprised of Treaty and government representatives, should be established to develop initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address other urgent community priorities and direct equitable investment of the revenues to First Nations communities within the Treaty area. Capacity-building and training: in order to identify climate change priorities in each community and to facilitate engagement with Alberta s Climate Leadership Plan, there is an urgent need for community training. The following topics would be addressed: education on fundamentals of climate change; understanding, assessment and monitoring the direct and cumulative impacts of climate change; engagement in renewable energy opportunities and related governance and, finally, striking a balance toward responsible development. Training content and delivery would be sourced from local Indigenous organizations. 7
Creation of Tribal Council Climate Change Coordinator positions: these positions are deemed necessary to advance climate change awareness, understanding and general climate leadership literacy at the community level. Coordinating positions must be filled by individuals who are knowledgeable about programs and who possess management skills to ensure success for program implementation, research projects, and engagement. Identification of community priorities and deployment of resources: each community must identify their respective priorities in regard to climate leadership. They must also define and deploy resources to meet these priority needs. To execute climate-related projects successfully, communities will require access to trades skills as well as other appropriate expertise, which would be coordinated regionally. Economic development and diversification: numerous partnerships, varying in form and function, should be developed to provide much-needed seed funding for projects and to ensure that First Nations have the necessary skills to effectively deliver projects. Although the Government of Alberta would play an essential role in the growth of a green economy on reserves, First Nations should lead the discussion on how these partnerships would function to meet the objectives of each community. Flexible funding options: support is needed in both organization and project funding. In order to enable community investment, there is a need for flexible funding options to pursue both initial stage project research development and execution of approved projects. A portion of resources should be directed to building organizational capacity for each project, not just capital expenditures (e.g. built-in training and skill development opportunities). Indigenous decision-makers: concern was expressed on the potential lack of First Nations involvement in the decision-making process regarding community program implementation and access to benefits. It was stated that First Nations involvement in the Climate Leadership Plan will achieve the most success if this involvement is dictated by First Nations communities in specific regard to Treaty Rights and Traditional Knowledge. Next Steps 8
The purpose of the online survey and written submissions was to collect initial data from Indigenous Peoples living in Alberta and representatives of Indigenous organizations on their perspectives related to climate change and Alberta s Climate Leadership Plan. The data collected from the online survey and written submissions is one source of input, among many others, presently being used to inform current government engagement and programming such as follows: Indigenous Peoples living in Alberta indicated interest in accessing more information on climate change and Alberta s Climate Leadership Plan. In this regard, workshops on these topics are currently being conducted in all First Nations and Metis communities who have expressed interest. In line with feedback, a portion of each workshop is dedicated to Traditional Ecological Knowledge, led by a member of the local community. Discussion at leadership meetings, including at annual general meetings/tribal Councils, Assembly and Council meetings are being held to discuss the Climate Leadership Plan and the Government of Alberta s commitment to jointly develop and manage the Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiative. The planning of future Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiatives, in order to reflect the kind of initiatives and opportunities perceived as being most valuable by Indigenous Peoples. In the continuing effort to increase the level of engagement amongst Indigenous Peoples living in Alberta, a review of the online survey and written submissions processes is being completed to highlight best practices as well as areas of improvement. This will serve to inform communication strategies for future engagement. Purpose INDIGENOUS CLIMATE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE A means for Indigenous leaders, communities, and organizations to realize the benefits and opportunities, and contribute to the outcomes of Alberta s Leadership Plan. The hope, the dream, is to change the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the government of this province. My vision is that we have energy sovereignty for Indigenous communities, greater self-determination, and a legacy for future generations. Minister Feehan, April 19, 17 Indigenous Relations 9