The Nature-Based Climate Solutions Summit (see previous note) included many leaders and organizations from Indigenous communities in Canada. They were a strong voice in explaining their ways of thinking about NbS. Indigenous leaders and organizations presented very well on their visions of NbS and prepared a statement. Here are some excerpts that are compelling from the Statement: “Nature-based solutions are being increasingly-referenced in mainstream-culture to describe how Indigenous Peoples have, and continue to, interact with the land, water, air, and all of creation. We are glad that they, that you are finally listening. However, the current framing of these solutions continues to conceptualize humans as separate from nature, commodify nature in terms of balance sheets and offsets, and views the land and water as void of Indigenous Peoples and open for development. Clearly, we need a complete rethink. Real solutions, truly nature-based solutions, require a transformation beyond the mainstream-approach; A transformation that shifts the paradigm away from a hyper-consumerist culture to a paradigm rooted in relationships that value the nexus of people, land and reciprocity… Nature-based solutions must recognize that Indigenous Peoples, whether Mi’kmaq, Anishinaabe, Cree or Metis, are Nations and Peoples that can hold certain inherent, Treaty, and constitutionally protected rights. Any solution must simultaneously empower Indigenous Peoples to exercise their authority and contribute to reconciliation. Without this, and even with the most progressive intents, dominant society will continue to marginalize Indigenous Peoples and our land tenure systems.” (Indigenous Peoples Statement on Nature-Based Climate Solutions Developed and delivered by Indigenous Peoples participating in the Nature-Based Climate Solutions Summit. Delivered on February 06, 2020 at Algonquin Territory / Mississauga Territory / Ottawa-Canada. Provided by Liette Vasseur CEM SC member) |