Indigenous Peoples and Climate Adaptation

Janis Brooks

Janis Brooks (she/her), founder of Salishan Solutions, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from diverse sectors and industries. Her lived experience as a woman of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry has helped strengthen her expertise and approach to Indigenous engagement, reconciliation, diversity and inclusion, and decolonization. She has worked as a consultant and facilitator for 18 years and has had the opportunity to work with over 300 Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada, the US, Australia, and Latin America. Janis is renowned for her innovative approach to DEI, previously acknowledged by ManageHR magazine as one of the Top 10 Emerging Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practitioners in Canada.

Brock Endean

Brock Endean (he/him) is of Métis and European ancestry. As a skilled facilitator, he works directly with clients to design and facilitate engagement projects and values-oriented solutions. Brock’s diversity of education and training includes studies in tourism management, sustainable agriculture, creative facilitation, program design, economic development, and public engagement. He has received provincial and national recognition for his work leading youth-focused projects and sustainable development initiatives. 

This course on Indigenous Peoples and Climate Adaptation offers a unique and immersive learning experience focusing on the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and climate adaptation efforts. This highly interactive session will be delivered by two facilitators and will encourage participants to consider ways to apply and integrate this knowledge and perspective both personally and professionally. Through a combination of experiential learning, including break-out groups, personal reflection, and facilitated dialogue, participants will: 

• Explore how Indigenous knowledge regards the concept of interconnectivity and how this practice can inform Land and Climate-based actions
• Develop an understanding of the voices of different Indigenous climate leaders
• Reflect upon the impacts of climate change in their territories
• Understand the significance of incorporating both Indigenous knowledge and Western science in climate adaptation projects
• Reflect on the ways that Indigenous knowledge related to climate adaptation may be considered as viable systems of scientific practice
• Understand the importance of fully collaborating with communities as equal partners in climate adaptation initiatives