First published on 06/05/2014, and last updated on 03/05/2018
By: Eli Enns, ICCA Consortium Regional Coordinator for North America and Fellow at the University of Victoria Centre for Global Studies
Following our “Conservation by and for First Nations” workshop early November 2013 in Tofino British Columbia, there has been a flurry of grass roots activity in the Canadian territories. In late November, I travelled to the University of Saskatchewan and delivered several talks about the workshop, the ICCA Consortium and the future of the Canadian ICCA Consortium (see page 8 of link 1 below). In December, there was a continuation of dialogue with the workshop participants from Ontario which culminated in January 2014 with the North East Superior Regional Chiefs Forum’ Elders Council endorsing me as the North American Coordinator, formally rallying their support behind me (see link 2 below for more on the Chief’s Forum).
I also made several presentations about the North American ICCA Consortium in both urban and remote locations throughout January, February and March 2014; including the Watershed 2014 Conference in Duncan BC (link 3 below); the Boreal Learning Network gathering near Winnipeg Manitoba (link 4 below) and the World Water Day celebration in Maple Ridge BC hosted by Watershed Watch. In between presentations, I followed up with other workshop participants by phone and in person with meetings in Vancouver and Lillooet BC. While in Lillooet with Andra Forney I was able to meet with Land and Cultural Heritage managers from the region and support a Xaxli’p direct action campaign near a salmon bearing stream where municipal development was threatening the future well being of the run.
Moving forward in the next couple of months, the goal in Canada is to continue to follow up with workshop participants in delivering community level presentations, build general awareness of the ICCA Consortium and to bring a strong message of convergence, reconciliation and peaceful leadership to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO AGM which is being hosted in Victoria BC early June. In order for environmental stewardship, sustainable livelihoods and self-determination to be realized in Canada, we need to overcome our differences and remember our international roots forged in love and brotherhood during the Treaty making. From Victoria in June, we look to prepare a contingent of indigenous protected areas leaders from across Canada to attend the World Parks Congress in Australia this November 2014.
