Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - July 4, 2024 - A new report from Deloitte Canada suggests that Indigenous communities in Canada are 18 times more likely to be evacuated due to climate emergencies, highlighting the need for Indigenous-led action and policy.

The consulting firm polled Indigenous youth across the country to determine their desired climate action and policy. The report found that Indigenous people in Canada have been excluded from decision-making about land and resource management, and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted by changes to climate and the environment, which threaten their physical well-being and the survival of their spiritual and cultural practices.

The report calls for Indigenous leaders to be given space to participate meaningfully in environmental decision-making and for governments to transition to "more conscientious" Indigenous-led land management.

The report further says Indigenous knowledge and experience are essential for climate action and policy, as they can help Indigenous communities survive without disease, famines, or living with the land in harmony.

Indigenous knowledge keepers, who have lived on the land their entire life, are often not treated as experts due to their lack of education or willingness to attend westernized schools. Governments and Indigenous groups are now starting to take into consideration Indigenous traditional knowledge, but more can be done.