Resilient foundations: Examples of investing in water, food, and shelter to address the immediate and future health and wellbeing of people in British Columbia

Presenters: Patrick Michell, former Chief of the Kanaka Bar Indian Band, has dedicated his life’s work to taking grass roots actions to reduce the impacts of climate change in his community and beyond – and his tireless and common sense advocacy is well known across the political spectrum, both provincially and federally. Closer to home, under Chief Michell’s leadership, Kanaka Bar transitioned from a community struggling from the diverse impacts of Canadian colonization to a community that has instilled climate resiliency into all decisions and investments made within and by the community. The community has implemented a community resiliency plan that aims to further self-sufficient and sustainable physiological foundations so that the community can shelter in place during an extreme weather event. Patrick’s story and community plans and projects serves not only as an example for many other Indigenous communities but offers inspiration to all Canadians that the climate crisis isn’t insurmountable. Dr. Shannon Waters is Coast Salish and a member of Stz’uminus First Nation on Vancouver Island. She was honored to work in her home territory as a family doctor but became largely frustrated with the health system's focus on sickness and instead chose to focus on what keeps us well. Shannon completed her specialty training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine. She has worked in this field federally, provincially and at First Nations organizations. Shannon is currently honored to have come full circle and to be working in her home territory as the local Medical Health Officer with Island Health. Her priorities in her work are connection to the environment, mental wellness, and maternal/child/family health. Summary: What we do to our environment, we do to ourselves. This talk will highlight local and regional responses to climate change in BC from an Indigenous perspective. Former Chief Patrick Michell will discuss the work he has led in Kanaka Bar to address the immediate and future threats of climate change, which have strengthened the social and material fabric of the community. Dr. Shannon Waters will discuss how Indigenous voices, perspectives, and world views are driving the response to climate change in BC and worldwide.

Mediasite Presenter

2/21/2023 8:00:00 PM