CIER will support the community in meeting their own food sovereignty goals. Future goals include modifying a shipping container appropriately to be used as a dressing station. This easy-to-access and easy-to-clean space will encourage hunting for traditional meat and can be a place to learn and pass down Traditional Knowledge.

The goal was to provide a forum for meaningful discussion with Indigenous governments and communities in identifying gaps and priorities related to federal contaminated sites management and the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) Program.

This national movement is about empowering children with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle climate change. Project 2050 teaches children and youth that our habits can have a big impact on the planet, and by working together, we can build a more climate-resilient future.

The overall goal of the project in Canada is to identify KBAs and map out priority areas that meet these scientific criteria to support biodiversity conservation. While KBAs don’t usually include a focus on Indigenous values,  there is likely to be overlaps in the areas identified as KBAs and areas that are important to Indigenous Peoples.

The Climate Resilient Health Systems Initiative (CRHS) is a two-year initiative (2023-2025) 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.

The purpose of this workshop was to facilitate information sharing between First Nations and federal and provincial governments on four critical environmental issues: environmental governance, waste management on reserves, environmental regulations, and climate change.

CIER is collaborating with the NCCID to identify gaps and inequities related to food security, food safety and climate change in Indigenous communities across Canada. CIER’s role is to raise awareness of food security issues faced by communities as a result of climate change and define strategies to mitigate them. CIER has developed informational pamphlets to share key findings and is developing a story book to provide further insights.

A joint collaboration between Health Canada (HC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), CIER is hosting Clean Air Day (CAD) during Environment Week in June 2023. The focus is on the intersections between air pollution and climate change and the co-benefits of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions on air quality and reducing the effects of climate change from activities that happen both inside and outside of the home. The project seeks to increase Indigenous (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) engagement on CAD through a national outreach plan.

CIER invites all Indigenous artists to participate in the 2023 Pollinators Success Stories Art Contest. The contest is designed to educate youth on why pollinators matter and celebrate pollinator success stories within the community.

A shared learning that explores climate change in the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation for the community to learn from, understand, or  discover how to implement it.

This colouring book emerged from the Gaa-Wiikwedaawangaag Climate Change Project. It is meant to help teach the youth of Sandy Bay about their lands and waters in their own language.

A handbook for Water Champions to find solutions and support communities in their journeys to better water partnerships and decisions.

This Toolkit provides a suite of user-friendly tools, resources, and key considerations to support Indigenous individuals and communities interested in undertaking climate change adaptation planning. The intent is for the toolkit to be used by communities at all different stages of the adaptation planning process, including communities with little or no prior experience.

The purpose of this study was to identify impacts and strategies for climate change on ice conditions, winter roads, access trails, and Manitoba First Nations.

These guidebooks proposal a model of watershed planning that is led by First Nations and creates an opportunity to address unique First Nation needs, relationships, and rights. These guidebooks aim to support increased First Nations’ involvement in regional watershed planning processes.

Using the Dakota Field Guide & Storybook you can learn how to identify over 80 different birds, discover their Dakota names, and explore unique pieces of Traditional Dakota Knowledge about them. The birds presented in the Field Guide can be found in or around Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, in southwestern Manitoba, Canada. It is an introductory-level guide to birds, bird watching, and the grassland ecosystem.

In 2021, CIER partnered with researchers from the University of Toronto to better understand and apply Indigenous knowledge in the design and construction of natural infrastructure. The purpose of the project was to inform the creation of a network of natural infrastructure projects across the south Lake Winnipeg Basin led by the Collaborative Leadership Initiative. This guidebook is based on engagement with staff and community members from First Nations in the region and aims to provide guidance for communities to initiate, plan, and build natural infrastructure.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) provided funding for CIER and Tall Grass Development to talk to and visit Aboriginal communities to learn about housing. Four communities shared their experiences with using local materials for housing construction, and fourteen Aboriginal communities shared their ideas about alternative designs

This study illuminates the practical needs and capacities required to implement watershed governance in B.C.

The primary goal of this project was to host a workshop to further capacity building among tribal and indigenous groups to build resilience in their communities and adapt to climate change.

CIER’s proposed Environmental Excellence Vision is a ‘By First Nations, For First Nations’ plan to guide us in responding to First Nations’ environmental needs. This plan will help CIER to work more extensively and effectively with and for First Nations.
These documents summarize the findings of our second year of dialogues and research (2005-2006).

CIER’s proposed Environmental Excellence Vision is a ‘By First Nations, For First Nations’ plan to guide us in responding to First Nations’ environmental needs. This plan will help CIER to work more extensively and effectively with and for First Nations.
These documents summarize the findings of our first year of dialogues and research (2004-2005).

First Nations share the fundamental principle that the “environment” is a source of reference to the extremely dynamic and infinitely complex system of interaction between all Creation, including natural and cyclical processes. All Creation is connected and interrelated, and all parts of the environment combine to form a whole. This discussion paper is in recognition of the need to develop First Nation institutions having the mandate and capacity to deal with environmental issues.

CIER commissioned six papers by Indigenous scholars, lawyers, and leaders that explored First Nations and their own laws based upon their relationship with their lands and waters.

The guidebook is based on the knowledge of 14 Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN) traditional harvesters and community members, and focuses on plants and animals within the traditional territory of MCFN.

This project was designed to support Indigenous communities in their effort to use diesel supplied energy more efficiently through capacity building activities related to the development and delivery of knowledge and skills.

The Central Grasslands Roadmap Summit Workshop was held on March 7th, 2022 and connected First Nations and Metis communities from Canada and the United States. It was a discussion-based workshop where participants were invited to share their voices on what grasslands mean to them and learn about existing Indigenous grasslands projects designed to help protect these highly sensitive ecosystems.

A report summarising participants? feedback provided through an online survey conducted by CIER to learn more about the environmental information needs of Aboriginal peoples and the general public.

CIER conducted a survey to identify the priorities and needs of Aboriginal communities across the country that are involved in mapping and GIS activities, or require mapping and GIS support.

In this report, CIER explores through a literature review and case study analyses, the experience of three First Nations in the federal Environmental Assessment (EA) process to assess if their experience could be characterized as a meaningful level of involvement.

Nation to Nation is a magazine-style document that provides a brief overview of sustainable initiatives in First Nations across Canada. It is intended for First Nations communities and external support organizations. Researchers from CIER traveled to 15 selected First Nations (August 2004 to January 2005) interested in sharing information about their sustainable initiative. Interviews and storytelling methods were used to gather information from these communities.

This reader-friendly report outlines common elements that contributed to the success of sustainable initiatives in First Nations across Canada.

This document reports on a three-year project to understand the potential consequences and challenges of climate change for Aboriginal communities south of 60° latitude. The project focuses on Aboriginal communities that are south of 60° latitude in order to address a gap in the research and understanding of climate change and its effects on Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

It is the view of the authors that many of the challenges being faced in relation to proposed projects subject to National Energy Board (NEB) processes and consultation by the Crown are a result of the failure to build appropriate governance mechanisms that include Indigenous governments in discharging political commitments, policy and program development, and other obligations.This report, as a secondary focus, comments on some key inadequacies in the NEB Crown consultation process. It also provides, as answers to questions articulated in the relevant NEB Modernization Process Discussion Papers, some recommendations about how to improve Indigenous-specific elements of the NEB itself.

This paper examines how the NWT can take advantage of these opportunities and create a ‘made in the North’ solution that implements carbon pricing fairly, ensures vulnerable Northerners are not unfairly impacted and leverages the new federal funding to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This short document reports on academic research currently being published on First Nations environmental issues. While it does not represent a comprehensive review of research, it provides background on the type of research being done by western scientists, and identifies the research gaps.

Telling stories is a traditional way of communicating important messages for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Across Canada, Aboriginal communities have stories to share about renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change adaptation initiatives. CIER prepared a short and non-technical report that introduces Aboriginal and northern communities to success stories supported by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program and ecoENERGY program. The report also includes lessons learned and next steps from the perspectives of each community.

Reflections on Success is as a record of the many successes realized by the First Nation and northern communities the Aboriginal and Northern Community Action Program (ANCAP) was able to support between 2003 and 2007. These stories were gathered by the First Nation organizations enlisted by the ANCAP to meet common goals.

This presentation provides an overview of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) legislation and process as it relates to Aboriginal peoples.

Through the Species at Risk Pathfinder Initiative, CIER has created an information package with a number of resources that you can use to find out more about species at risk in your community and what you can do to get involved.

CIER researched the feasibility of developing a green roof strategy for the City of Winnipeg. For this study, we focused primarily on the potential stormwater retention benefits of green roofs in the City of Winnipeg?s combined sewer overflow (CSO) district. We showed that significant CSO reductions could be achieved in certain areas of the city by using green roof technology. This project was funded by: the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Enabling Fund, the Province of Manitoba?s Sustainable Development Innovations Fund, and in-kind support of numerous other public and private sector parties.

The guide profiles practices that lead to success when implementing Aboriginal mapping programs in Canada. Additionally, Aboriginal peoples experiences are shared in a case study format to highlight specific principles in action.

CIER designed this guide to assist communities to more effectively engage in consultations with the Crown, and ultimately as a tool to protect their rights and interests.

This document represents the culmination of a three-year project to understand the potential consequences and challenges of climate change for Aboriginal communities south of 60° latitude. The project focuses on Aboriginal communities that are south of 60° latitude in order to address a gap in the research and understanding of climate change and its effects on Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

Many First Nations within the boreal region of Canada continue to harvest traditional foods and medicines that serve an integral role in maintaining community well-being. Climate change impacts on species abundance and distribution has great potential to affect the day-to-day lives of First Nations in Manitoba.

As the Manitoba First Nation Environmental Contaminants Pathfinder, CIER has developed theThink, Plan, Know: Successful Community-Based Environmental Contaminants Projects – Proposal Writing Workbook to assist people attending our proposal writing workshops. This new workbook has been updated to allow you to work through the entire process without first attending the workshop. Within you will find resources and activites that will guide you through developing your project idea, designing the project, writing the proposal and making it a reality.

This presentation provides a general introduction to First Nations perspectives on the environment. With plenty of ‘food for thought’, good examples, and a sound introduction, it can be drawn upon to build awareness about First Nations.

This video is a 10 minute public health message that focuses on lead; a toxic substance that humans can be exposed to in a variety of ways, including through the foods we eat.
It will describe what lead is, where it is found and how lead exposure can affect our health. It will also provide ways to reduce lead exposure that can happen through hunting or eating wild game shot with lead ammunition. This video is geared toward First Nations communities and others that value hunting as an important part of their lifestyle.

In February 2008, CIER conducted a survey to identify environmental monitoring issues for Aboriginal communities in Canada, including monitoring priorities, preferred methods for monitoring and any existing barriers to monitoring.

Co-authored with the Policy Research Initiative (PRI) of the Privy Council Office, this report presents the results of the field-testing exercise of the CWSI, conducted with six communities throughout Canada. It includes the findings of the testing process and recommendations for consideration.

This paper, a joint publication of CIER and the POLIS Project, expands on the concept of collaborative consent and examining how it can be applied in the specific context of freshwater governance in British Columbia.

This presentation outlines key challenges faced by Indigenous peoples when participating in watershed governance, including policy voids that hinder their involvement. It also suggests possibilities for future cooperative effort.

Through the Comprehensive Community Planning Training Program, CIER provided a variety of information resources to participants to support their efforts in the development and implementation of an integrated community sustainability plan.

CIER worked with First Nations in Manitoba to implement the First Nations Fish Habitat Program (FNFHP). The goal of the FNFHP is to assist First Nations to protect, recover, and manage their fish habitat. Please visit the links below to learn more about this exciting program!

The teaching kit includes easy to use lesson plans and resources to help First Nations children and youth learn about species at risk. Included with the teaching kit is a colourful 2012-13 calendar that is easy to print and assemble.

This report describes these components and provides a step-by-step guide for how to build an overarching monitoring framework that is scientifically rigorous, technically feasible, decision-oriented, and scalable. This guidance is applied to two different Indigenous communities (Matawa First Nations Management and Dehcho First Nations) to illustrate how it can be applied more broadly.

For our 25th Anniversary Celebration, we published a CIER magazine that looks at 25 CIER projects that have boosted our trajectory over the years, with highlights from guest writers who have helped shape and continually inspire us to grow our movement to protect the earth we all share.

The Anishinaabemowin Climate Change Glossary was developed by fluent Anishinaabemowin speakers and language experts from 12 communities. Participants shared their experiences, observations, and stories in the Anishinaabemowin language. This glossary supports Anishinaabe and Cree communities with climate change adaptation planning and serve as a resource to support language revitalization efforts.

The Species at Risk Action Booklets for northeastern, northwestern and southwestern First Nations provide information about the species at risk that can potentially be found in these areas.  They are ‘Action’ Booklets because they describe actions that your community can take to protect and recover species at risk.

These six reports introduce the global and regional issues of climate change, examine the unique issues associated with climate change as they relate to First Nations’ economies, governance structures, and the physical, social and cultural aspects of First Nations, and examines gaps in knowledge that must be filled before making recommendations on areas that require further research.