In Canada, the impacts of climate change are not felt equally. For Indigenous communities, the disruptions are often more severe, more immediate, and more deeply rooted. Yet beyond this vulnerability, these communities are also key agents of change in the ecological transition.
Grounded in ancestral knowledge, deep ties to the land, and historical resilience, Indigenous Peoples are central to building sustainable, low-carbon futures.
Heightened vulnerability
According to many experts, Indigenous communities — especially those in Northern regions — are among the most exposed to climate risks. Permafrost thaw, coastal erosion, species decline, unpredictable seasons, and biodiversity loss are affecting hunting, fishing, harvesting, and traditional lifestyles, with direct impacts on food sovereignty, health, and cultural practices.
Water-related infrastructure — including systems for collection, treatment, distribution, use, and disposal — as well as road networks, are also increasingly at risk. When combined with existing structural inequalities, these impacts further exacerbate already fragile social, economic, and environmental conditions.
Traditional knowledge as a pillar of adaptation
In the face of these challenges, Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in climate adaptation. Detailed ecosystem observations, seasonal tracking, community-based land stewardship, and intergenerational knowledge sharing provide unique insights into how to navigate climate uncertainty.
Protecting culturally significant territories — such as ancestral forests, wildlife corridors, and harvesting grounds — also means preserving biodiversity and a rich cultural and ecological heritage.
Aligning programs with local realities
Public programs are increasingly supporting adaptation initiatives led by First Nations, including flood risk mapping, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and community education projects.
However, these efforts must go further. True climate justice requires including Indigenous Peoples from the outset of project planning, fully recognizing their rights, and ensuring decision-making autonomy at every stage.
Contributing to continuous carbon improvement
Some Indigenous communities are also involved in emissions reduction and carbon offset initiatives, such as forest stewardship, renewable energy development, and wetland restoration — all grounded in local knowledge and values.
These actions are based on an intergenerational vision of sustainability, deeply rooted in principles of respect, reciprocity, and responsibility toward the Earth.
A central role in Canada’s climate future
Indigenous Peoples have a vital role to play in climate action — in adaptation, mitigation, ecological restoration, territorial governance, and social innovation. Their worldview, based on harmony with the land, offers guidance toward more equitable, resilient, and low-impact models of development.
Public institutions, municipalities, community organizations, and small businesses can help accelerate this shift — by fostering fair partnerships, integrating cultural and social dimensions into environmental strategies, and supporting Indigenous-led carbon offset and sustainability initiatives.
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Sources:
Council of Canadian Academies – Climate Change and Health in Canada
Canada in a Changing Climate – National Issues Report
Environment and Climate Change Canada – First Nations Adapt Program
Québec Centre for Biodiversity Science – Indigenous Knowledge and Climate
