The answer to climate change must start with the internal healing of humanity…

By Amanda Appasamy, 1st year MDP student

One of the highlights of my placement at the International Institute for Sustainable Development was having the honour to attend and volunteer as a note taker at the Onjisay Aki “A Changing Earth” Summit -an International climate change summit at Turtle Lodge in Sagkeeng First Nation, Manitoba.

Ceremony representing the Eagle and Condor prophecy

The summit gathered Indigenous Knowledge keepers and environmental leaders from the International community to share Indigenous ancestral and scientific knowledge; whereby an international call to action was created to address the climate change crisis and to initiate a path of healing for all peoples, animals and the earth. 

This spiritual gathering of Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge keepers represents the fulfillment of the Eagle and the Condor Prophecy; the Eagle representing the people of the North and the Condor, the people of the South coming together in unity and collaboration to renew relationships with the earth.

The spiritual and ceremonial aspects of this conference have definitely transformed and changed my perspective on the solutions to climate change. I have associated the cause of climate change crisis and environmental destruction to greed, corruption and power. However, what was said at this conference is that the very decision makers that are responsible for climate change, are our relatives.

Hence, the answer lies in healing humanity first. As expressed by Paul K. Chappell, the Peace Leadership Director of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation during the summit, “No other species on the planet suffer from the range of mental health issues that humans have”, “In order to heal the earth, we need to feed the world’s spiritual needs.”

Humanity is indeed hurting and suffering. The answer to climate change lies within our inner selves. We can achieve this by building united communities and alliances with Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples whilst respecting Indigenous ancestral knowledge. This powerful and unique spiritual experience has definitely ignited my hopes and inspired me to continue with the fight for an inclusive and just society.   

Peruvian knowledge keepers assisting the Thunderbird nest building ceremony representing the re-establishment of the human alliance with nature

PEKE: An opportunity for “Building Health Knowledge Relationships into Action”

By Gabriela Jimenez, 2nd year MDP student

This summer I am doing my placement in Winnipeg at the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM), specifically with Partners for Engagement and Knowledge Exchange (PEKE). 

PEKE is a research initiative that started in 2014 with Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funding. It follows reconciliation premises to enhance the exchange of Traditional and scientific knowledge, and to incorporate a holistic perspective in health improvements in First Nations and Indigenous communities located nationally (Canada) and internationally.

The main goals of PEKE are: engage and inform partners, research communities and First Nations; develop health interventions that are informed by and congruent with Indigenous knowledge and values; and create a culture of KTEA (Knowledge Translation and Exchange towards Action) that is sustainable beyond the life of this initiative.

My role in this placement is to structure an Evaluation Plan to be consistent with PEKE’s objectives and Indigenous perspectives. This opportunity is very relevant for my professional experience, because PEKE is a real project in progress that I have to understand in order to develop a plan for immediate implementation. The placement timeline is short, which makes it challenging and but it is also a wonderful hands-on learning experience that is continuously supported and supervised by PEKE’s Coordinator.

Two recent examples of PEKE’s activities for Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, are the Anishinaabe Nibi (Water) Gathering and the Webinar - Turning Drinking Water Rights Research into Action. These events weree open to everyone in communities and/or organizations that are interested in increasing the knowledge and action to improve First Nations health. PEKE holds and promotes many activities to get involved in and take action in policy change. 

Whiteshell Provincial Park, Anishinaabe Nibi (Water) Gathering, May 23rd, 2017

Initiatives such as PEKE, are designed to be sustainable by creating a culture of Traditional Knowledge recognition for successful implementation in communities. PEKE provides a change in the approach of health interventions by engaging different partners to work collaboratively for mutual understanding of healthy ways of life. I am happy to have the opportunity to support and participate in this project and its events.