Indigenous Climate Resilience Forum 2025

The B.C. Climate Action Secretariat and the B.C. Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions is pleased to invite you to the fourth annual Indigenous Climate Resilience Forum which will focus closely on Today, Tomorrow and Beyond – Climate Resilience One Step at a Time, taking place February 18 - 20, 2025.

At the cusp of a transformative time for Mother Earth and her children, it’s imperative that we collectively work towards climate resilience to protect land-based relationships for current and future generations.

This year’s Indigenous Climate Resilience Forum will recognize the wisdom of the past, whilst focusing on the knowledge, priorities, and approaches of the next generation. Working together to forge a new path forward, this year’s line-up of speakers and presentations will focus on creating a lasting legacy through climate resilience for generations to come. Participants will have a unique opportunity to examine the ways of the past with the priorities of the future.

Forum Objectives

The Forum is a free, three-day virtual event designed to inform, connect, and support Indigenous communities in building resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The Forum aims to centre Indigenous voices by:

• Sharing and celebrating the work happening in communities,
• Facilitating knowledge sharing amongst Indigenous folks, and
• Supporting connections between Indigenous communities and government bodies.

We will also be sharing community stories, cross-ministry dialogues, skill-builiding workshops, panels, networking opportunities, and more!

Keynote Speaker

The fourth annual Indigenous Climate Resilience Forum will host Melina Laboucan-Massimo as our Keynote Speaker. Melina is Lubicon Cree from Northern Alberta. Melina is the Founder of Sacred Earth Solar and Co-Founder and Senior Director at Indigenous Climate Action. She is the inaugural fellow at the David Suzuki Foundation where her research focused on Climate Change, Indigenous Knowledge and Renewable Energy.

Melina is the host of a TV docu series called Power to the People which profiles renewable energy in Indigenous communities across the country. Melina holds a Master's degree in Indigenous Governance at the University of Victoria with a focus on Renewable Energy. As a part of her master's thesis, Melina implemented a 20.8 kW solar project in her home community of Little Buffalo which powers the health centre in the heart of the tar sands.

Elder & Youth Witnesses

We are thrilled to have Shane Pointe and Katisha Paul join us for the entire forum as our Elder and Youth Witnesses.

Shane Pointe, Hopokeltun, is a proud Knowledge Keeper who belongs to the land of Musqueam. As an artist, teacher, cultural mentor and a proud community member he shares our culture with a generous heart and deep wisdom. Uncle Shane brings warmth, gentleness and generosity to all his interactions.

Katisha Paul, also known as Kwikws l̲vs̲áos (Little Angel), is a xwílŋəxw sɬéniʔ (woman of this land: She/her pronouns) from the W̱ JOȽEȽP and Lil’wat nations living in xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) territory. She is a BC First Nations Justice Council policy analyst, the elected Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) Youth Representative, Urban Native Youth Association Board member, and BC Assembly of First Nations Climate Steering Committee member.

In 2023, she was working with the Indigenous Youth Internship Program at the Ministry of Attorney General, BC Public Service Agency (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), and UBCIC as a policy analyst. Kwikws l̲vs̲áos advocates for the advancement of land, title, and human rights by implementing the action items of the Declaration Act Action Plan, amalgamating Indigenous law with Canadian law, and sustaining Indigenous relations. Influenced by the traditional ways of her ancestors, she holds a strong belief in the power of balance and equality.

More speakers will be announced closer to the Forum!