Climate change is affecting the health and well-being of First Nations and Inuit across Canada in diverse and profound ways and exacerbating existing challenges. Exposure to extreme weather events (e.g., wildfires, floods, storms), extreme temperatures, changes to air and water quality, food safety and security, and climate-related disease vector ecology creates direct and indirect health risks and significantly impacts cultural ways of life and connections with the land.
The full range of activities and culturally relevant factors that support health and well-being (or “health systems”) for First Nations and Inuit are also at risk from climate change. Climate-related events, for example, could damage health infrastructure (e.g. designated health centres) and affect timely delivery of care, emergency transportation routes, and provision of medical supplies. Increasing frequency and intensity of these events and climate variability can create conditions that could overwhelm health system capacity.
The Climate Resilient Health Systems Initiative (CRHS) is a three-year initiative (2023-2026) funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) as part of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy (NAS). Its purpose is to increase understanding of the climate change gaps and needs in the health services funded and/or delivered by ISC. This initiative will inform future work under the National Adaptation Strategy. Results of this work will help to identify future needs under the NAS and efforts required to build resiliency in First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada.
Climate change is intensifying health risks through extreme weather events such as wildfires, floods, and storms; rising temperatures; declining air and water quality; food insecurity; and shifting patterns of climate-related diseases. These impacts not only threaten physical and mental health but also disrupt cultural practices, traditional knowledge systems, and relationships with the land. At the same time, climate-related events can damage health infrastructure, disrupt emergency transportation routes, interrupt medical supply chains, and strain healthcare delivery systems—potentially overwhelming community health capacity.
The purpose of CRHS is to better understand climate-related gaps and needs within health services for Indigenous communities. CRHS includes two main components: a Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment component, which provides practical tools such as the Guidebook and Ecoversity Course to help communities identify climate-related health risks, assess strengths and vulnerabilities, and develop Community Climate–Health Action Plans; and a Climate Resilient Health Systems Engagement component, which supports knowledge sharing through webinars and a visual tools developed from Vulnerability Health Assessments to help communities health authorities strengthen climate resilience in health systems.
Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment
This component supports communities in identifying and understanding climate-related health risks and system vulnerabilities.
Community Health Through Climate Change Guidebook
The Guidebook was developed to help communities assess vulnerabilities and build resilience through four key objectives:
- Identify Impacts – Understand how climate change affects health, well-being, and access to healthcare.
- Assess Vulnerabilities and Strengths – Recognize risks while identifying cultural practices, knowledge, and community resources that support adaptation.
- Bridge Knowledge Systems – Integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Western medicine to create holistic and culturally safe health approaches.
- Develop Action Plans – Build locally driven, sustainable strategies that strengthen health resilience and sovereignty.
Community Health Through Climate Change Ecoversity Course
Developed to use with the Guidebook, this course provides a step-by-step framework for creating a Community Climate Health Action Plan. It can be used alongside the Guidebook or as a stand-alone resource to guide communities through planning and implementation.
When Climate Changes, Everything Changes Posters
Building on these discussions and insights from Vulnerability Health Assessments completed by First Nation Health Authorities, CRHS developed a four-poster visual tool titled When Climate Changes, Everything Changes. The posters illustrate how climate change affects community, spiritual, mental, and physical health and are designed for communities to print and display in health centers, offices, schools, or gathering spaces. Each poster can be used individually or together as a larger visual to spark conversation, raise awareness, and support local climate–health planning.
For additional information on Indigenous Services Canada’s Climate Resilient Health Systems, please contact CIER Assistant Project Manager Cassandra Hill at: [email protected] or the Climate Change Adaptation Program at: [email protected].
