Abstract

While there are many studies about the environmental impacts of climate change in the Canadian north, the role of Indigenous youth in climate governance has been a lesser focus of inquiry. A popularized assumption in some literature is that youth have little to contribute to discussions on climate change and other aspects of land and resource management; such downplay of youth expertise and engagement may be contributing to climate anxiety (e.g., feelings of hopelessness), particularly in remote communities. Creating opportunities for youth to have a voice in global forums such as the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP24) on Climate Change may offset such anxiety. Building on previous research related to climate action, and the well-being of Indigenous youth, this paper shares the outcomes of research with Indigenous youth (along with family and teachers) from the Mackenzie River Basin who attended COP24 to determine the value of their experience. Key questions guiding these interviews included: How did youth impact others? and How did youth benefit from the experience? Key insights related to the value of a global experience; multiple youth presentations at COP24 were heard by hundreds of people who sought to learn more from youth about their experience of climate change. Additional insights were gathered about the importance of family and community (i.e., webs of support); social networks were seen as key to the success of youth who participated in the event and contributed to youth learning and leadership development.

Highlights

  • Climate change is having significant impacts on Indigenous peoples of the territorial and provincial norths of Canada [1,2]; warming temperatures, extreme weather events, and changes in valued natural resources may be contributing to anxiety among First Nations and Inuit peoples, including youth who are already characterized as socio-economically vulnerable as a result of colonial institutions and policies such as residential school programs [3,4,5,6,7,8]

  • This paper explores the value of Indigenous youth engagement in climate governance as an opportunity to offset the anxieties related to climate change

  • Our research explores the ways in which youth engagement in the COP24 meetings are supported by, and contribute to, their families and communities

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Summary

Introduction

Climate change is having significant impacts on Indigenous peoples of the territorial and provincial norths of Canada [1,2]; warming temperatures, extreme weather events, and changes in valued natural resources may be contributing to anxiety among First Nations and Inuit peoples, including youth who are already characterized as socio-economically vulnerable as a result of colonial institutions and policies such as residential school programs [3,4,5,6,7,8]. This paper explores the value of Indigenous youth engagement in climate governance as an opportunity to offset the anxieties related to climate change. Drawing on interviews with youth from First Nations and Inuvialuit communities in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alberta, Canada who attended the 2018 Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Katowice, Poland (COP24), the paper shares narratives about the value of global experiences and the importance of family and community supports. We aim to create an additional forum for youth voice on climate change as well as advance understanding of the value of Indigenous youth engagement in climate governance

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