The Indigenous Leadership Initiative presents the Indigenous Village at COP15
December 9 - 11, 2022
9:00 ET - 7:00 ET
Along the Prom. du Vieux-Port, across from the Grand Quai du Port de Montréal
To view Google Map Location and directions click here
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative is proud to host an Indigenous Village in the Green Zone at COP15. The village will showcase the work of Indigenous Peoples from the region, Canada, and around the world, and it will offer an Indigenized gathering space for Indigenous participants at COP15.
The village includes the installation of a traditional Innu shaputuan, with a hundred-foot-long, heated conference zone that can accommodate 120 people, as well as a stage, screen, and podium. Alongside the shaputuan there will be: a longhouse in the style of the Confederate Nations such as the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and others; a teepee, often used by the Cree, Innu, Atikamekw, and other Algonquin-speaking Nations, and an Innu matutushan—commonly known as a sweat lodge.
Cultural displays, Indigenous arts, and traditional food demonstrations will take place alongside the structures.
Vendors onsite will sell Indigenous-made and traditional art, jewelry, and other products; cash will be required.
Day 1: Friday 9 December 2022
8:00 am: Lighting of the Sacred Fire
Knowledge Keeper Don Barnaby
9:00 am —10:30 am: Indigenous Village Opening Ceremony & Remarks
Introduction of moderator: Mélanie Vincent by Valérie Courtois
Ceremonies by:
Nala “Atmosphere” Mask Dance, λáλíyasila Heiltsuk Hereditary Chief Frank Brown and Kathy Brown
International Indigenous ceremony contribution
Powwow drum, Buffalo Hat Singers
Leon Andrew and Ethel Blondin Andrew
Eric Courchene & Pejiko Meengwan
Innu drum dance, Alexandre McKenzie
Thanksgiving and song, Kevin Deer, Mohawk Elder Jean-Charles Pietacho, Chiefs in Assembly, AFNQL
10:30 am – 10:45 am: Break with tea, coffee, water, juices
10:45 am – 12 pm: Official Opening of the Village
Introduction by Valérie Courtois
Mandy Gull-Masty Grand Chief of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee
Jennifer “Jing” Corpuz, International Indigenous Forum on Biological Diversity
12 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch Break
Traditional dancing demonstration, Don Barnaby
Traditional cooking demonstration (outdoor until 5:00 pm)
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship in what is now known as Canada – a pathway to Nationhood
Moderated by: Valérie Courtois, Director, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
λáλíyasila Hereditary Chief Frank Brown
Kilslaay Kaajii Sding Miles Richardson, O.C.
Hon. Ethel Blondin-Andrew, P.C., O.C.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Canada as a global leader – Models of Indigenous conservation and stewardship
Moderator: Shaunna Morgan Siegers, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Ashley Menicoche, Edehzhie
Isaac Voyageur, Cree Nation Government
Gillian Staveley, Dena Kayeh Institute
Melody Lepine, Delta Institute
3:00 pm-3:15 pm: Break with tea, coffee, water, juices
3:15 pm – 4:30 pm: Key advancements by Indigenous Peoples around the globe
Moderator: Galina Angarova, Cultural Survival
Polina Shulbaeva, Giovanni Reyes, Stan Lui
Jennifer Corpuz, Chrissy Teresa Grant, Rodrigo Dela Cruz
Aslak Holmberg, Francisco Ramiro Batzin Chojoj, Gunn-Britt Retter
Ramson Karmushu, Vyacheslav Shadrin, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim
Lucy Mulenkei, Thomas James
4:30 pm -5:00 pm: Mix and Mingle with snacks/canapés, tea, coffee, water, juices
5:00 pm -7:00 pm: Global Film Premier of “Guardians of Our Future” and discussion on international advancement of Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship
Introduction by λáλíyasila Frank Brown
Film presentation
Film commentary by Gillian Staveley, Dena Kayeh Institute
Acoustic music performance by Florent Vollant & Maten
Day 2: Saturday 10 December 2022
8:00 am: Fire and ceremony, Don Barnaby
9:00 am – 10:10 am: Global context – urgency of action and recognition of Indigenous rights and titles in response to our biggest existential threats – Climate change and biodiversity loss
Julio Cesar Jamioy, Colombia
Tabe Casique Coronado, Peru
Pirawan Wongnithisathaporn, Thailand
Daniel Kobei, Kenya
Viktor Ika, Rapa Nui
Aslak Holmberg, Finland
10:15 am – 11:25 am: Indigenous stewardship around the globe – The movement of Guardianship and Indigenous rights in the preservation and restoration of biodiversity
Nia Tero Wayfinders Circle
Wampis in Peru
Warddeken in Australia
Udege in Russia
Rapa Nui in Chile
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: First Nations-led conservation and stewardship of marine areas; ensuring our continued relationships and prosperity as Nations
Chief Councillor Doug Neasloss, Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation, Gitdisdzu Lugyeks/Kitasu Bay MPA, BC
Trish Nash, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, Kluscap Cave IPCA, NS
Vern Cheechoo, Mushkegowuk Council, Mushkegowuk NMCA, ON
Wanli Ou, Assembly of First Nations
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch Break
Traditional dancing demonstration, Don Barnaby
Traditional cooking demonstration (outdoor until 5:00 pm)
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Ensuring a continued relationship with caribou – Nation Innue’s work to assert its leadership in the management of woodland and migratory caribou.
Chief Jean-Charles Piétacho
Serge Ashini Goupil
2:05 pm – 3:30 pm: Guardians in Québec – building capacity through partnerships with academic and philanthropic organizations
Nadine Rousselot, Université Laval
Chantal Otter-Tetreault, Cree Nation Government
David Therrien, Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki
Dolcy Meness, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Nagadjitòdjig Akì
3:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Break with tea, coffee, water, juices
3:45 pm - 4:00 pm : Word from government of Québec
Ian Lafrenière, Minister Responsible for Relations with the First Nations and the Inuit
Benoît Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Film screening of “Dene K’eh Kusan”
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: First Nations National Guardians Network Launch Party
Day 3: Sunday 11 December 2022
8:00 am: Fire and ceremony, Don Barnaby
9:00 am -9:50 am: Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas – Pathway to 30 by 30
Moderator: Shaunna Morgan Seigers, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
With representatives from:
Seal River Watershed Alliance
Mikisew
Lower Similkameen
10:00 am – 10:50 am: Stewardship from a northern perspective
Moderator: Amos Scott, Project Director, Northern Indigenous Stewardship Circle
Dehcho Guardians, Guardian Coordinator Ashley Menicoche
11:00 am – 11:50 am: Indigenous wildlife management and stewardship
Moderator: Shaunna Morgan Siegers, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
λáλíyasila, Heiltsuk Hereditary Chief Frank Brown
Linda Dwyer, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
12 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch Break
Traditional dancing demonstration, Don Barnaby
Traditional cooking demonstration (outdoor until 5:00 pm)
2:00 pm-2:50 pm: Building an Indigenous-led conservation economy – the experience of the Haida Nation and Heiltsuk Nations
Moderator: Valerie Courtois, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Kilslaay Kaajii Sding Miles Richardson, O.C.
λáλíyasila, Hereditary Chief Frank Brown
3:00 pm-4:00 pm: Full participation in the benefits of Indigenous-led nature based climate solutions – a Wahkohtowin approach
David Flood, Wahkohtowin Development
4:00 pm -5:00 pm: Closing ceremonies
Closing prayer and song: Kevin Deer, Mohawk Elder
Voice of Youth: Building hope for the future, Dolcy Meness
Final presentation: Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Resources
It’s About Relationships: Boreal Plants, Biodiversity, and Indigenous Knowledge, Shaunna Morgan Siegers
A Tool for Sharing Knowledge of Indigenous-Led Conservation, Frank Brown
Welcome to the Movement, Land Needs Guardians
Need Hope for the Planet? Look to Indigenous-Led Conservation & Stewardship, Valérie Courtois
Guardians Progress Report, Land Needs Guardians
ILI Hosted Side Event: Northwest Territories Project Finance for Permanence
Monday, December 12
Canadian Pavilion
6:00 - 7:30 PM
This event will highlight efforts underway between Indigenous governments, the Government of the Northwest Territories (NWT), Environment and Climate Change Canada, and private donors to explore and design a Project Finance for Permanence initiative for the NWT. Learn More