Indigenous leader advocates for climate policy rooted in land stewardship
Eriel Tchekwie Deranger argues that addressing the climate crisis requires dismantling colonial systems and embracing Indigenous governance, which prioritizes sustainability, cultural connection, and equitable coexistence with nature.
Keridwen Cornelius reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, an Indigenous activist from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, leads efforts to embed Indigenous values into climate action.
- She emphasizes decolonizing environmental policy by addressing root causes like colonialism and extractivism and incorporating Indigenous knowledge.
- Her organization, Indigenous Climate Action, seeks equal partnerships between governments and Indigenous nations to create sustainable systems.
Key quote:
“We need to create more biodiversity of humans, including a diversity of governance systems and policies for managing lands.”
— Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, executive director of Indigenous Climate Action
Why this matters:
Mainstream climate policies often overlook the deep ecological knowledge of Indigenous communities, who steward a significant portion of Earth’s biodiversity. Adopting Indigenous-led frameworks could create more effective and inclusive solutions to the climate crisis while challenging exploitative systems.
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