National Aboriginal Communities

Climate change impacts

June 21 is National Aboriginal Peoples Day in Canada.

Many Indigenous people within Canada have experienced rapid warming and noticeable climatic change in recent decades, especially in the northern regions of the country. These changes threaten the health, food security and cultures of Canadian Aboriginals.

Traditional diets consist mainly of harvested fish and animal species, and many Canadian Indigenous communities still rely heavily on meat harvested from wild or domesticated populations. Rising temperatures and changing climatic conditions are threatening the health of staple food species like caribou. Climate change is making hunting more dangerous and can limit the ability of hunters to access traditional harvesting grounds.

Reduced access to traditional food sources leaves Indigenous communities dependant on store-bought food. This can put residents at greater risk of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The cultures of Indigenous people are tied to their respective traditional homelands. As climate change alters species distributions, seasonal weather patterns and land formations it can impact the ability of Indigenous communities to practice and celebrate their culture as they have for thousands of years.

Story

“I am a Dene youth from the small town of Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories.

Climate change is the largest threat Dene culture has ever faced. We are experiencing impacts that are threatening not only our culture, but our survival. Hunting is sacred in Dene culture and yet our caribou herds are declining. Water levels are unpredictable. Ice is thin and unsafe for travel. And these are just some of the current effects. In the future our land will be completely changed, and may be so contaminated we are unable to eat even the invasive species that will eventually replace our caribou.

Climate change is a problem the Dene cannot solve on our own. We need the help of Canada and the world.”

To read the rest of Daniel T'seleie's story, see Climate Change: A Dene Man’s Appeal to Save His Culture.

* * *

Hear from Daniel regarding his recent trip to the G8/G20 in Toronto: