On February 18, 2020, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson, announced $250,000 in funding for the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region through the Climate Action Fund.
Through this funding, the organization will convene a gathering to bring together and empower First Nations to play a leading role in climate action in the Yukon. The Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region plans to raise awareness of climate change through knowledge sharing and youth leadership while exploring innovative solutions to support the energy transition in their communities.
“Canada’s north is warming three times faster than the global average, which is having real, harmful effects in the Yukon. That’s why it’s great to see the Assembly of First Nations bring together so many people—youth, elders, knowledge keepers, and other leaders—to discuss climate change and climate action,” said Larry Bagnell, member of parliament for Yukon. “We need to work together to limit warming and adapt to the challenge of a changing climate.”
The Climate Action Fund provides up to $3 million annually to support projects delivered by students, youth, Indigenous Peoples and organizations, not-for-profit organizations, small and medium-sized businesses, and research and educational institutions that raise awareness of climate change and encourage others to take meaningful climate action.
“First Nations in Yukon experience the effects of climate change at a much faster rate than the rest of the country,” said Kluane Adamek, regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region. “Today’s gathering provides a foundation for communities to work together toward the goal of creating a unified vision and action plan that are both rooted in traditional knowledge yet open to modern best practices in an ever-changing climate.”
The Yukon First Nations Climate Vision and Action Plan is in progress.
For further information on the Climate Change Action Fund, click here.
For further information on the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region, click here.
Featured image from Assembly of Frist Nations Yukon Region, by Darcy Tara.
