Search for Resources

Indigenous Knowledge, Science, and Climate Change in The North

Secondary

Description

The circumpolar North is on the frontlines of climate change: the land, lakes, and lifeways of humans and animals are rapidly changing. The nourishment this community receives from the land is quickly disappearing. François Paulette, a Denesuline and Smith’s Landing Treaty 8 First Nation member has witnessed these changes across his homeland. Through relationship building, trust, and balance between traditional knowledge and science, Paulette believes that critical climate solutions are possible.

The circumpolar North is on the frontlines of climate change: the land, lakes, and lifeways of humans and animals are rapidly changing. The nourishment this community receives from the land is quickly disappearing. François Paulette, a Denesuline and Smith’s Landing Treaty 8 First Nation member has witnessed these changes across his homeland. Through relationship building, trust, and balance between traditional knowledge and science, Paulette believes that critical climate solutions are possible.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

The video offers an excellent case study to support climate change education in a range of subject areas, including geography, social studies, and science. It will be of particular interest to those examining climate change in Canada's North and its impact on First Nation communities. It also illustrates the need to find a medium, a place of  balance between science and traditional knowledge

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Aboriginal Studies 10: Aboriginal Worldviews
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Science 11: The transfer of energy through the atmosphere creates weather and is affected by climate change
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Geography 12: Demographic patterns and population distribution are influenced by physical features and natural resources
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geographic Issues of the 21st Century: Natural Resources
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian Geography 120: Indigenous Perspectives on Canadian Geography
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Norther Studies 10: Module 3: Northern Economy
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Sustainable Solutions 12:Indigenous Peoples and the Land
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring Canadian Geography: Physical Geography and Physical Processes in Canada
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science (Academic):Earth and Space Science: Climate Change
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Forces of Nature: Physical Processes and Disasters (Univ./College Prep.): The Physical Environment: Sustainability and Stewardship
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.) Dynamics and Change
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living in a Sustainable World (Workplace Prep.) Sustainability of Natural Resources
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
        • World Geography: Urban Patterns & Populations (Univ. / College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Native Studies 10: Community and Kinship: Aboriginal Perspectives
        • Native Studies 10: Identity and Worldviews, Aboriginal Perspectives
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Science 11: The transfer of energy through the atmosphere creates weather and is affected by climate change
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Geography 12: Demographic patterns and population distribution are influenced by physical features and natural resources

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Indigenous Knowledge (2)

  • Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing
  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge