Climate Change Council
The NWT Climate Change Council is a forum for the sharing of information, for collaboration, and for engagement between non-elected staff of Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, representatives of NWT communities and the GNWT, with input from external partners. The Council provides guidance and advice to inform and advance GNWT climate change and environment programs in alignment with IGO and community perspectives, interests, and knowledge. Further, the Council provides an opportunity to build on and strengthen relationships, shared understandings, and trust, which supports the GNWT’s commitment to move towards implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). They will work with advisory panels and groups including Elders, youth, and stakeholders to find shared solutions to the challenges and opportunities we face. The NWT Climate Change Council will also gather input from the Climate Change Advisory Group that includes environmental non-government organizations, industry, co-management organizations and academia.
- Read the Terms of Reference.
- Read the NWT Climate Change Council workflow.
The Council will help inform the development, implementation and review of the following GNWT programs, agreements, strategies, and action plans such as the:
- 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework, 2019-2023 Action Plan, and future action plans
- 2030 NWT Energy Strategy and Action Plan
- NWT Water Stewardship Strategy and action plans
- Transboundary Water Management Agreements
- NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program
- Sustainable Livelihoods Action Plan 2019-2023
NWT Climate Change Council – Membership list
| Organization[1] | Members and Alternates |
|---|---|
| Acho Dene Koe First Nation | Appointed:Michelle Correa Ferrufino Alternate: Mark McDougall |
| Akaitcho Dene First Nations | No members designated |
| Dehcho First Nations | Appointed: Ramona Pearson Alternate: Mike Low |
| Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government | Appointed: Gina Bayha Alternate: David Little |
| Gwich'in Tribal Council | Appointed: Leigh-Ann Williams Jones Alternate: Kanda Gnama |
| Inuvialuit Regional Corporation | Appointed: Roxanne Springer Alternate: Shanay Williams |
| Kátł’odeeche First Nation | Appointed: Joseph Gormaly Alternate: Debbie Miller |
| North Slave Métis Alliance | Appointed: Alan Alex Alternate: Noah Johnson |
| NWT Métis Nation | Appointed: Lorne Napier Alternate: Tim Heron |
| Sahtu Secretariat Inc. |
Appointed: Orlena Modeste |
| Salt River First Nation | Appointed: Kendra Bourke (Co-chair) Alternate: Alexander (Donny) Beaulieu |
| Tłı̨chǫ Government | Appointed: Phoebe Rabesca Alternate: N/A |
| Nahanni Butte Dene Band |
Appointed: Chief Steve Vital |
| Northwest Territories Association of Communities | Appointed: Sara Brown Alternate: N/A |
| Department of Environment and Natural Resources | Appointed: Julian Kanigan, (Co-Chair) Alternate: Cory Doll (A/Co-Chair) |
| Department of Infrastructure | Appointed: Loretta Ransom Alternate: N/A |
NWT Climate Change Council Priorities
- The NWT Climate Change Council has identified its initial areas of focus including mitigation, community adaptation planning, impacts on the environment, impacts on people, and information sharing and outreach.
- Informed by the areas of focus, initial meetings aimed at building a shared understanding of climate change impacts and initiatives have taken place in the NWT.
- Key objectives of the Council require members to share the perspectives and interests of their organizations; share useful information, including Indigenous or scientific knowledge; and identify opportunities, concerns and emerging issues and seek solutions.
- Informing GNWT priorities and informing and building alignment of priorities with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations is also a key part of a Council member’s role.
- Scheduled and potential agenda items for the next several Council meetings include:
- Engaging on the NWT (Adaptation) Risk and Opportunities Plan: Building a shared understanding of NWT climate priorities.
- Gaining Council perspectives on NWT input to the National Adaptation Strategy.
- Exploring the case for regional adaptation positions.
- Input into the 2022-2025 Energy Action Plan.
- Initiating the Youth Advisory Group.
- Informing:
- An NWT Climate Change Outreach Plan
- Climate Monitoring and Climate Impact Monitoring Plans
- Climate change research priorities
- Climate Information Library
- Forest landscape vulnerability
- Climate Change Strategic Framework Evaluation
Upcoming meeting(s) and agenda
Meeting date
Oct 24, 2022
Draft agenda items
- NWT Climate Change Council – Evolution to Date
- Adaptation Achievements and Priorities
- Looking Forward on Adaptation
- Implementing Adaptation in a Coordinated Way
- Climate Youth Advisory Board
- Communications