First Nations delegates say COP26 discussions should prioritize Indigenous knowledge

Our planet is changing. So is our journalism. This story is part of a CBC News initiative entitled "Our Changing Planet" to show and explain the effects of climate change and what is being done about it.

Ahead of the COP26climate conference, First Nations delegates are saying the global community needs to prioritize the perspectives of Indigenous peoples when it comes to climate solutions.

"I think people at a global stage need to hear that we, regardless of who's making policy or what's going on, Indigenous folks, knowledge keepers, elders are still caring for this land and we can only benefit from that," said Rebecca Sinclair.

Sinclair, who is Cree from Barren Lands First Nation in Manitoba, is a research and policy analyst with Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) based in Winnipeg.

Sinclair is one of nearly a dozen people fromICA who will be participating in actions, webinars and discussions at theCOP26conferencein Glasgow, Scotland, starting Sunday.

The Conference of Parties (COP), as it's known, meets every year and is the global decision-making body set upin the early 1990sto implement theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Changeand subsequent climate agreements.

"[We'll be] trying to influence as much policy as we can to uplift Indigenous voices and sovereignty and our rights," said Sinclair.

One of ICA's focuses at the conference will be on the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives.

"We're being excluded from the conversation," said Sinclair.

"I think that's what the global stage needs to understand is that you're repackaging solutions that we have and excluding us from that conversation, which can be detrimental to the climate crisis already," said Sinclair.

Since she and other members of the ICA have been in Scotland, they have been able to connect with other Indigenous organizations and grassroots collectives from across North America to learn about each other's priorities when it comes to climate change.

"We're really trying to be informed with each other's actions, with each other's goals and our strategies and in participating in this so that we're ensuring a united, collective Indigenous voice," said Sinclair.

Jayce Chiblow,the ICA's Toolkit Training Lead,said she is excited to learn from other Indigenous leaders at the conference.

Chiblow, who is Anishinaabe from Garden River First Nation in northern Ontario, saidshe trains youth to hold Indigenous knowledge in the highest esteem.

"The youth have to think of our next seven generations, so bringing that to the table is really important, and in my experience, I haven't seen colonial governments think that far ahead," said Chiblow.

Going all-in on clean energy

James Harper,who is Nehiyaw from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Alberta,is a delegate with Indigenous Clean Energy, a not-for-profit dedicated to involvingIndigenous people in clean energy projects.

He will be participating in three events at the conference and will be focusing on reframing the relationship between Indigenous people and the clean energy sector.

"We will be talking about how projects basically fit within the framework of community empowerment and what development should look like with the community participating from the start," said Harper.

• Have questions aboutCOP26or climate science, policy or politics? Email us:ask@cbc.ca. Your input helps inform our coverage.

Harper will make a presentation in the Blue Zone the area restricted to government officials and ministersfrom around the globe and willtalk about how they can support Indigenous energy initiatives.

"We'll be talking about how government policies, financial policies and so forth can help enable remote energy microgrids to come to fruition," said Harper.

"The key stress on access to funding, among other things, like capacity building and, you know, making sure that there's an updated framework in place for that duty to consult."

Harpersaid he would like the international community go all in on clean energy development.