January 2023 Climate Change & Water Newsletter

Hydrogen Energy Workshop (Virtual)

Jan. 31, 2023 | 10:00 am- 12:00 pm PST

Through the Indigenous Clean Energy Opportunities process, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation and the First Nations Energy and Mining Council are seeking to engage First Nations rights holders and organizations in a collaborative dialogue to:

• position First Nations to fully participate in current and future opportunities in BC’s clean energy sector; and
• align the Province’s strategic clean energy policy and legislation with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.

This virtual Hydrogen Energy Workshop is an opportunity for for First Nations rights holders and organizations to learn more about hydrogen energy and opportunities across BC.

To register, email mark.blom@fnemc.ca.

Climate Caucus Summit 2023

Feb. 6, 2023 | Hybrid: Richmond, BC & Online via Zoom

Climate Caucus is a non-partisan network of elected local leaders and allies creating and implementing policies aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Climate Caucus invites local elected leaders from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Canada to workshop practical local climate solutions. This summit will leave you feeling re-energized about taking action. The agenda includes keynotes, workshops, and networking to address emissions reductions, energy transitions, and resilience.

Register here. 

6th Water Symposium & Trade Show

Feb. 7-9, 2023 | Telus Convention Centre, Calgary, AB

The Assembly of First Nations is hosting the 6^th Annual Water Symposium and Trade Show. This 3-day event is an opportunity to discuss safe drinking water and wastewater issues affecting First Nations across Canada, including First Nations-led solutions, implications of legislation, technical sessions, policy discussions, and urgent and emerging water issues.

Register here. 

BCAFN Water Engagement

Feb. 27, 2023 | Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, BC

The BC Assembly of First Nations is hosting a water engagement session, including presentations on the Draft Safe Drinking Water Legislation, 2013 FNLC Water Rights Strategy, and facilitated discussions on water issues specific to First Nations in BC.

Register here. 

Community Outreach Incentive Program

Deadline: Mar. 17, 2023 (Applications open Feb. 13, 2023)

This program offers support and funding to communities, organizations, and local governments to deliver electric vehicle awareness campaigns. Funding can go toward a variety of projects, including marketing campaigns, videos, webinars, or other educational materials. This is an example of a COIP project created by the Musqueam Indian Band.

Funding of up to $5,000 is available to support EV outreach activities in a single community, and up to $10,000 for a campaign that will span across multiple communities. 

For questions, email mstanyer@fraserbasin.ca.

Learn more here.

First Nation Adapt Program

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

This federal program supports First Nation communities below the 60th parallel to assess and respond to climate change impacts on community infrastructure and disaster risk reduction.

Learn more here.

Circuit Rider Training Program

There are no deadlines for this program; First Nations can join at any time.

This federal initiative is a long-term capacity building program that provides training and mentoring services to operators of First Nations drinking water and wastewater systems. 

First Nations do not need to apply; ISC's regional offices provide funding to maintain a roster of qualified experts who are available to support First Nation operators through the Circuit Rider Training Program. For more information, contact your nearest ISC regional office.

Learn more here.

CIER Ecoversity

Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources

Indigenous communities across Canada now have access to the many resources involving in-person instruction and/or physical copies of toolkits. CIER Ecoversity offers the opportunity to learn from these skills-building resources as they were originally delivered.

The first Ecoversity course is the Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Program. The ICCAP Toolkit resource is currently active in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation. The next resource to be adapted to an online course is the Indigenous Watershed Planning Program.

Learn more here. 

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