Learning from Elders
The knowledge they shared was gathered in conversations with their Elders, who highlighted observations and experiences of change in water, fish, and fishing livelihoods that point to problems of climate change. So, while the youth shared their perspectives in their own voices on posters they designed themselves, they were also connected to the knowledge of their communities.
Sharing local knowledge with an international audience
Many policy makers, researchers, and advocates were keen to hear from the youth. After months of preparation in their home communities, where the youth consulted with Elders, gathered photos and interviews from community members, and synthesized their learning into posters, youth traveled to Paris, France and Katowice, Poland, to present to:
- UNESCO representatives at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, including Canada’s Permanent Ambassador to UNESCO, Elaine Ayotte;
- Young climate researchers and advocates at the UN Conference of Youth (COY 14);
- International Indigenous delegates to COP24 at the UNC Indigenous Peoples Caucus;
- Representatives from Environment and Climate Change Canada, including Larry Hegan, Lead Negotiator for the UNFCCC Indigenous Peoples Platform; and
- Journalists from the Finnish journal, Hyvän sään aikana.
There are many venues for young people to speak at COP. For example, one of the youth participants from our group went back the next year with Indigenous Climate Action. While it might be intimidating to get involved at first, groups like this help all kinds of youth get the chance to share their voices.
“In the beginning I had no clue what UNESCO meant or how big of a deal this opportunity was for me. I learned that I was at the world’s headquarters of UNESCO and was peaking in front of world leaders on climate change from around the world. These people listened to what I had to say about the impact of climate change on my home community.” – Ryan Schaefer
Learning through travel
Of course, travelling to Europe is an experience of its own. Going abroad gave youth the chance to try new foods at the home of a Polish family, visit local historical sights like the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Silesian Ethnographic Museum, have fun skating at the Katowice Christmas Market, and (of course) take in the Eiffel Tower. For some, this was their first time travelling – and together they had fun exploring new places.
