OTTAWA, Dec. 15, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous and Northern partners to address and mitigate the impacts of the changing climate on their communities.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, announced the opening of the 2018-2019 call for proposals for the new Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program.

This program is a direct response to issues identified by the National Indigenous Organizations through their engagement on the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. The program will provide $31.4 million over five years in funding starting in April 2017, to support Indigenous communities in the development and implementation of community-based climate monitoring projects.

The Government of Canada will prioritize proposals that are community-driven, engage Indigenous youth, and that effectively draw on Indigenous Knowledge and traditional science.  Applicants can submit their proposals until Friday, February 16, 2018 and  successful applicants will be notified by Spring 2018.

For more information, please visit the Department's Calls for Proposals page: http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/prev-prev/eng/1436191420868/1436191651704

Quotes

"Indigenous people have been clear – today's rapid acceleration of climate change is having a worrying and negative impact on their daily lives, their communities, and Canada's many ecosystems. By providing support for Community- based monitoring of the impacts of climate change in Indigenous communities, this program addresses these challenges. Through collaboration among Indigenous organizations, territorial governments and other partners, this program will draw on Indigenous knowledge and modern science to inform adaptation decisions and ensure that those impacted by climate change are also on the frontline of mitigation."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

Quick Facts

• The Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program is a national program that supports First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities. It is part of Canada's national plan to address climate change issues, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change.
• Support will be provided to fund projects under three main pillars:
• community climate monitoring and capacity building
• Indigenous Knowledge, information sharing and data management
• connecting data, researchers and networks
• The Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring (Climate Monitoring) program complements existing investments under the Climate Change Preparedness in the North and First Nation Adapt programs funded under Budgets 2016 and 2017.
• National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs) include the Assembly of First Nations, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council, and the Native Women's Association of Canada. The Government of Canada is working to foster a relationship with all NIOs to move forward on a Nation-to-Nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.

Associated Links

• Find out how INAC takes action on climate change, and protects the environment.
• Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program
• Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program
• The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2017/15/c2764.html