siliwaaks | Learning | Indigenous Pathways to Climate Change Adaptation Symposium

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siliwaaks | Learning | Indigenous Pathways to Climate Change Adaptation Symposium

Presented by: Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (aka Brett Huson), Indigenous Practitioner in Residence

Event Agenda

9:00 Registration / Welcome
9:45 Prairie Climate Centre: The Story of Climate Change - How do we tell the story of climate change impacts?
10:30 Keynote speaker: Janna Wale
11:15 IDPSA presentation
12:00 Lunch and Entertainment
1:00 Panel presentations and discussions
3:00 Closing Remarks
4:00 Dismissal

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  • Keynote Speaker | Janna Wale

    Janna Wale is Gitxsan from Gitanmaax First Nation, and is also Cree-Métis on her mother’s side. She has previously worked with BC’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, as well as with several Indigenous-led organizations.

    Where possible, Janna uses a complex human-environmental systems approach, and believes that this lens can be used when looking for ways to bridge western and Indigenous climate work. At the University of British Columbia – Okanagan, Janna’s research focused on climate resilience in Indigenous communities, using a seasonal rounds model. Janna holds a M.Sc. in IGS Sustainability, and a B. Nrs. (Hon.) in Natural Resource Sciences.

    In 2023, Janna was the recipient of the Anitra Paris Memorial Award for female youth climate leadership through Clean Energy BC. She also published a report in collaboration with the Yellowhead Institute, and was named as an Indigenous Trailblazer through Diversity in Sustainability.

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  • Panelist | Az Klymiuk

    Az Klymiuk is a Cree Metis and Slavic autistic, nonbinary, first-generation scholar, descended of the Red River Whitford and Bremner families, and also has family connection to Saddle Lake/Goodfish Lake First Nation (Treaty 6).  They grew up in northern Alberta (Treaty 8 Territory), near the confluence of the Peace and Notikewin rivers, where their family practiced subsistence-based lifeways.  Az achieved a BSc. Specialization in Paleontology and MSc. in Systematics and Evolution at the University of Alberta, before moving south across the Great Plains to Lawrence, KS, where they completed a PhD. with Honours in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.  After that, Az moved to the shore of Lake Michigan, and worked at the Field Museum in Chicago, before joining the University of Manitoba in January 2022.  Az' research focuses on the studying the ecology and diversity of plant-fungal interactions, especially in wetlands.

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  • Panelist | Shawn Bailey

    Shawn Bailey, Indigenous Scholar and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and Price Faculty of Engineering.  Shawn is a member of the Metis Nation of Ontario, a husband and a father.  His work is rooted in gratitude for traditional Indigenous knowledge and its potential to inform contemporary practice and pedagogy.  His intuitive devotion drives him to explore the intersections between indigenous teachings, sustainability, and relationality. Shawn aims to introduce Indigenous knowledge into curriculum development and design.  His research endeavours revolve around understanding how indigenous teachings can guide us toward renewed sustainability practices, emphasizing the importance of our relationship with the land and each other.

  • Headshot of Jenna Vandal.

  • Panelist | Jenna Vandal

    Jenna is a Metis naturalist and activist born and raised in St. Boniface, Winnipeg- the heart of the Metis Nation. She delivers Native plant identification walks in both English and French and has been facilitating these walks since 2019 in urban greenspaces in and around Winnipeg. These walks include sharing knowledge on how to identify prairie plants, exploring some of their edible and medicinal uses, and honouring Anishinaabe nomenclature.

    Jenna graduated from University of Manitoba in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Native Studies and minoring in Geography. Her focus was Metis history, culture, and politics. In July 2017 Jenna started the Roostertown Blockade, an attempt to protect an ecologically, historically and culturally significant urban forest and wetland in Winnipeg from development. The land was classified by the city as Grade A habitat, it was part of the historic Metis riverlots of St. Boniface, and part of the now-demolished Metis community of Rooster Town. The blockade remained for 3 months until the developer obtained an injunction and clear cut the Parker Wetlands.

    Jenna most has spent the majority of her career working with Indigenous youth through organizations such as Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Center, Manitoba Metis Federation, Ka Ni Kanichihk, and Shoal Lake #40 Ojibway Heritage School. Her work has always focused on mentorship, cultural education, and wellness. She is currently a stay at home mom to her 2 year old.

    She is most passionate about engaging with Indigenous youth on the land, and exploring their connection to-and inherent knowledge of, prairie plants. She has led plant walks for organizations such as Wahbung Abinoonjiiag, University of Manitoba, Waterways, Anishiative, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Yellowquill College, Public Service Alliance of Canada, and L'Union Nationalle Metisse Ste Joseph du Manitoba. She recently led a plant walk for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the CEO of The Forks at The Forks' Prairie Garden as well.

    You can check out Season 3 Episode 6 of Michif Country on APTN Lumi to watch Jenna and fellow Michif plant aficionado Andrea Taillieu explore the Native plants in the historic Metis community of St Laurent.