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Shifting Tides Tour Indigenous Responses to Global Climate Change Mona Belleau
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An International Event Indigenous Peoples of diverse origines de (Cree, Cook Islands Māori, Coast Salish, Inuit) Public speaking tour in the Cook Islands and in Canada
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Funding Organizations Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (NGO based in Victoria, B. C. who has been working for Social Justice in the South Pacific for nearly 40 years) Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
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Objectives of Shifting Tides Bridge together Indigenous Peoples from the South and the North and to offer them a tribune Demonstrate that climate change is not only environmental, but also social, political and economic. Voice the preoccupations of the Indigenous peoples met on Global Climate Change and on the environment in general To focus on mitigation and adaptation strategies that could become part of eventual economic development and cultural preservation initiatives
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International Delegation Shaunna Morgan, Cree, Senior Manager, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Larry Grant, Salish Elder, Adjunct Professor, University of British Columbia Apai Mataiopo (Tekeu Framhein), Vice-President of the Koutu Nui Te Pa Mataiopo (Imogen Pua Ingram), Secretary of the Koutu Nui Myself, Inuk from Nunavut
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Itinerary and partners met Cook Islands Koutu Nui WWF Youth Group University of the South Pacific Victoria Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives at the University of Victoria Cowichan Elder’s Centre Malaspina University-College Vancouver Musqueam Band Council Elder’s Centre University of British Columbia Winnipeg Ka Ni Kanichihk (group of women and youth) Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Ottawa Canadian Parliament Canadian Council for International Co-operation Meeting with Senator Charlie Watt Iqaluit Nunavut Arctic College Elder’s Centre
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Îles Cook
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The Cook Islands Archipelago of 15 volcanic islands and atolls in the Pacific Ocean To the West of French Polynesia It’s highest point is 652 meters high M ā ori «Free association» with New Zealand
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Preoccupations Cook Islands Sea level rise Coastal erosion Coral bleaching Shifting fish stocks Increased storm activity (5 hurricanes in 2005) Open fires for burning garbage Access to fresh water Accumulation of toxins in seafood Industrialization Feeling like the blame is not theirs
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Preoccupations Victoria / Duncan Dramatic decrease in salmon stocks Cedars that are dying Vancouver Dramatic decrease in salmon stocks Loss of ancestral lands to development Winnipeg Winter roads that lead to Aboriginal communities in the North are not as safe as before No recycling bins in a neighbourhood mainly populated by Aboriginals
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Preoccupations Iqaluit Progressive loss of ice coverage in the Northwest Passage Accumulation of toxins in the seafood Industrialization in the South Feeling like the blame is not ours Loss of traditional knowledge due to climate change Endangerment of the hunters and of those who go out on the land Shifting of fish stocks and other species New species of fauna and flora Lack of knowledge as to the effects of these new species on the fragile northern ecosystem
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First victims of climate change? Nunavut / Inuit Thawing of glaciers ↓ Difficulty for certain animals to survive (polar bears, walruses, seals, etc.) ↓ Loss of culture Cook Islands Sea level rise ↓ Obligation to abandon islands and to move to larger ones or to Australia or New Zealand ↓ Loss of culture and diaspora
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First victims of climate change? Nunavut / Inuit High dependency on environmental resources for food ↓ Contaminants in the food sources ↓ Negative impacts on health Cook Islands High dependency on environmental resources for food ↓ Contaminants in the food sources ↓ Negative impacts on health
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First victims of climate change? Nunavut / Inuit Changing climate conditions ↓ Harder to predict the weather ↓ Lives of hunters and fishermen at greater risk Cook Islands Changing climate conditions ↓ Harder to predict the weather ↓ Lives of fishermen at greater risk
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Common preoccupations Strong interrelation between Indigenous peoples and their territory Dependency on traditional foods More intense weather Unpredictable weather Security of those going out on the land and at sea Loss of land Loss of culture/traditional way of life
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What did Shifting Tides enable? To show international solidarity between Indigenous peoples on the subject of Global Climate Change To show that Climate Change is global and that it affects the North as much as the South To show that Indigenous peoples are still largely dependent on the resources and the environment that surround them To give a voice to Indigenous peoples to share their realities
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Next step We hope that similar initiatives be put together to shed more light on the effects of Global Climate Change on the Indigenous peoples around the World.
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Nakurmiik! Meegwech! Huy ch q'u! Meitaki maata! Merci!
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