The LC3 Network is committed to learning from Indigenous history, cultures and worldviews and using this understanding to advance Reconciliation. This understanding shapes our actions and helps to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are at the heart of what climate action means for communities and the environment—because real progress happens when all voices are heard.
We are challenged by this work and sometimes don’t know where and how to begin. Over the past two years, LC3 staff and leadership has supported one another in aligning our mandate to reduce urban climate emissions with Reconciliation principles and respecting the needs, interests and priorities of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous-serving organizations. Together, we’ve shared approaches for building meaningful relationships, deepening our own education and continuously refining our learnings along the way.
ZEIC’s 2024 staff retreat featured a Takaya Tour canoe voyage through Səlilwət (Burrard Inlet) to deepen learning on Indigenous history and Reconciliation.
Here are some insights we have gained from our education and practice, and most importantly, from Indigenous collaborators, community partners and advisors:
- Start by focusing inward. We need to continually strengthen understanding among our largely non-Indigenous staff and boards of Indigenous experiences and priorities. This means committing to ongoing learning and unlearning, guided by Indigenous advisors. Over the past year, LC3 team members have taken meaningful steps on this path, including:
- In-house review and support with Dr. Lindsay Cole’s Social Innovation, Equity, and Decolonization work;
- A relationship with New Power Labs;
- Training from Dr. Damien Lee on Reconciliation and Decolonizing the Environmental Sector;
- Training by Ashukan Institute focused on Indigenous peoples in Quebec, principles of Reconciliation, and combating systemic racism;
- Fundamentals of OCAP Training on Indigenous data sovereignty;
- Support from Balsam Indigenous Advisory and Education to build a tailored Reconciliation Roadmap and training on Indigenous Recruitment and Retention;
- Participation in the University of Alberta’s renowned Indigenous Canada course.
- Peer support helps. Within the LC3 Network, a dedicated community of practice meets every two months to explore how equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous Reconciliation principles can be meaningfully applied to climate work. These conversations consider Reconciliation pathways and approaches to relationship-building as well as strategies for internal training and capacity building. By learning and sharing together, we build momentum and spark ideas that turn Reconciliation values into action.
- We need to slow down. Authentic relationship building takes time. As the centres establish operations and deliver on diverse commitments, it is difficult to secure the time and capacity needed to build relationships. There is tension between striving for urgent action on the climate crisis while also recognizing that lasting change requires new and equitable relationships at individual and systemic levels. We need to build relationships with Indigenous People at ‘the pace of trust’ while also managing project timelines, funder expectations and our own worries about making mistakes.
- Showing up counts. LC3 representatives have been showing up at key events to listen and learn. Some centres are also providing sponsorships for others to join in at important events that are often cost-prohibitive to many. Securing invitations to others’ events and actively inviting others to attend and help lead our activities is a simple but important technique, with the team noting that invitations are a powerful approach.
- Details matter. We are gaining a deeper understanding of the process of Indigenous community ally-ship, and this is helping us act on our intentions and commitments to Reconciliation in all areas, no matter how seemingly small.
- Re-calibrate the tools. We apply an explicit decision-making rubric to all our program and granting decisions to help focus attention on equity, diversity and inclusion and Reconciliation elements. However, with experience and growing understanding, we realize that we may need different tools to guide us in our Reconciliation journey, recognizing the unique opportunities and challenges in this area. This coming year, we will be adopting a new approach in this area.
- Tune up internal systems. Many of our standard processes—hiring staff, reviewing grant applications, reporting requirements, impact investing and setting our own strategy—can carry biases including timelines and expectations that may be out of step with the needs and interests of Indigenous groups. We are identifying these gaps and adjusting our practices (e.g. making grant applications more accessible by shifting application formats, having more flexible timelines as needed for delivery of this work, and taking the time to understand more deeply what the connections are between climate action and Indigenous community priorities).
We are committed to improving our understanding and support of climate action in our cities in alignment with the principles of Reconciliation. We will make mistakes. But we are committed to continued practice, reflection and sharing of our lessons.
Join the conversation! What are your ideas, experiences and examples of how you’re advancing Reconciliation – whether as an individual, organization or partner? Or, as an Indigenous organization, what is your advice about exemplary practices? Please feel free to share your thoughts with Sarah Lusina at sarah.lusina@zeic.ca.