About the Event 3rd National Climate Gathering
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will host its 3rd National Climate Gathering themed “Catalyzing First Nations Climate and Conservation Leadership for Transformative Change,” on October 7-10, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta.
Building on the momentum of previous Gatherings, the 2024 program aims to unite First Nations experts, leaders, elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and professionals. Participants will share knowledge and discuss innovative solutions First Nations are advancing in response to rapid environmental changes at local, regional, national, and international levels. With a focus on the AFN National Climate Strategy and Climate Lens, the Gathering will feature a range of activities, including diverse panel presentations, workshops, and video screenings, to demonstrate the First Nations’ stewardship approach to climate action and conservation.
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Who Should Attend?
- First Nations leaders and citizens
- First Nations environmental specialists
- Dedicated academics, Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and government officials
Goals Background
In July 2019, the First Nations-in-Assembly passed Resolution 05/2019, Declaring a First Nations Climate Emergency, which mandated the AFN to host biennial National Climate Gatherings and develop an AFN National Climate Strategy. AFN hosted its first gathering in March 2020 in Whitehorse, Yukon, on the territory of the Ta’an Kwächän and the Kwanlin Dün, and a second, in 2022, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati peoples.
The previous two Gatherings brought together a total of some 1000 participants from coast to coast to coast, including First Nations Leadership, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and youth, to share and discuss First Nations-led climate actions and solutions. The Gatherings offered an opportunity to show that, despite the disproportionate risks, First Nations possess a deep and holistic understanding of the root causes of the climate crisis. This way of understanding and interacting with all of creation positions First Nations as active leaders in the drive to avert catastrophic climate change. In this light, the Gatherings sought to achieve a better understanding of how the climate crisis is accelerating and exacerbating existing challenges facing First Nations (e.g., increased flooding, forest fires, biodiversity loss, etc.), as well as to examine and discuss solutions from across the country in a multidimensional, interconnected, and interrelated way.
“We are part of the Land and Water, we are one – that is part of our worldview. Our languages are different, but our values are similar. First Nation peoples are leading the charge, not policymakers who do not understand our ways of knowing and being.” – Regional Chief Adamek
The success of the previous Gatherings laid the foundation for the development of the AFN National Climate Strategy and First Nations Climate Lens, a collective effort that was instrumental in positioning First Nations as climate leaders and active drivers of positive change, challenging conventional conceptualizations of First Nations as ‘vulnerable’ populations and the passive recipients of climate impacts.
How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.
Registration
The AFN invites you to register for this in-person Gathering taking place on October 7-10, 2024, at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre in downtown Calgary, Alberta.
If you need assistance registering online, please contact our Registration Coordinator at [email protected].
Call for Sessions
Would you be interested in presenting at the 3rd National Climate Gathering?
The AFN has issued a Call for Sessions with a deadline of April 15, 2024. If you are interested in being part of our agenda, check for more information:
Gathering Trade Show
Please note that there are a limited number of Trade Show booths available for the Gathering. Note that booths are available on a first-come-first-served basis set on when the registration forms are received. Please contact us at [email protected] for a Trade Show registration package.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We invite you to become a sponsor of the 3rd National Climate Gathering; Gathering attendees will include First Nations leaders and citizens, First Nations environmental specialists, dedicated academics, environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and government officials. There are a number of sponsorship opportunities, and more information can be found in our sponsorship package.
Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
Overview
Building on the success of the previous Gatherings, our 2024 program will bring together First Nations experts, leadership, Elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and other professionals to share knowledge, and to discuss and emphasize solutions First Nations are advancing in the face of rapid change at the local, regional, national, and international stage.
Potential topics include:
- First Nations knowledge systems, health, languages, cultures and spiritualities.
- First Nations jurisdiction and Inherent right to self-determination in conservation and climate action.
- First Nations capacity and governance in Climate action and strategies.
- Addressing natural and built infrastructure deficits impacting First Nations.
- Ensuring First Nations’ self-sufficiency in the areas of food, water, and energy.
- First Nations-led prevention, mitigation and emergency response to climate emergencies.
- First Nation re-assertions of jurisdiction, LAND BACK, and other forms of resistance
- First Nation youth climate initiatives, activities, and actions.
Proposed Gathering Program:
Monday, October 7, 2024
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Gathering Registration Open – Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Gathering Registration Open
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies, Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions
5:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
Networking Activity
Thursday, October 10, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions and Closing Ceremonies
Logistics
All activities will be taking place at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, 136 8th Avenue, Calgary, Alberta.
TRAVEL
Indigeno Travel is the preferred travel agency of the AFN. Indigeno Travel is Indigenous-owned and its service comes complete with conference discounts, 24/7 emergency service for unforeseen flight changes, and a dedicated agent for personalized service. Please contact Indigeno, toll-free at 1-888-202-8262, or by email at [email protected] to make your flight arrangements.
AIR CANADA
This is a promotion code for the convention product. To book a flight with your promotion code, access aircanada.com and enter your promotion code in the Promotion Code Box.
Your Air Canada promotion code: P6ARFYW1
Applicable Rules:
- The booking is to be made to the following city: Calgary, Alberta (YYC)
- The travel period begins on Monday, September 30, 2024, and ends Thursday, October 17, 2024.
- Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- For North America 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher. For International Travel’ 10% on standard fares & higher.
WESTJET
Your Westjet Coupon Code: Guest web/Travel Agent web: 9V0N3YS
Coupon Code: Guest web/Travel Agent web: YBJ32
- The booking is to be made to the following city: Calgary
- The travel period begins: 9/30/2024
- The travel period ends: 10/17/2024
Hotel Accommodations
DEADLINE: Room rate available until September 14, 2024
The following hotel in Calgary has set aside rooms for Gathering delegates. Please note that there are a limited number of hotel rooms so we would advise you to book your room as soon as possible.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary Downtown – 209 4th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta
Rooms are available starting on October 7 – October 11, 2024, starting at the rate of $204 plus applicable taxes.
- Online using booking Link: Book your group rate for AFN’s 3rd National Climate Gathering
AFN National Climate Strategy
In July 2023, First Nations-in-Assembly passed Resolution 36/2023, Urgent and Transformative Climate Action through the AFN National Climate Strategy, endorsing the AFN National Climate Strategy and reaffirming the declaration of a First Nations Climate Emergency that was adopted through Resolution 05/2019. Formally released on October 18, 2023, the Strategy contains seven priority areas to advance First Nations Climate Leadership, alongside 108 different strategies and actions.
Underpinning the Climate Strategy is the First Nations Climate Lens which contains four concentric circles – Natural Law, Worldviews, Lived Reality, and Context. Together, they bring into focus First Nations climate solutions. For more information on the AFN National Climate Strategy and the First Nations Climate Lens, please visit our website: https://afn.ca/environment/national-climate-strategy/
Previous AFN Climate Gatherings
This will be AFN’s 3rd National Climate Gathering and will now shift its focus to the implementation of the AFN National Climate Strategy. The knowledge, contributions and conclusions from the 1st and 2nd Gathering were fundamental for the development of the First Nations Climate Lens and AFN National Climate Strategy.
1st AFN National Climate Gathering (2020): Driving Change, Leading Solutions
AFN 1st National Climate Gathering Video
AFN 1st National Climate Gathering Report
2nd AFN National Climate Gathering (2022): Preserving our Environment, Lands and Water for Future Generations
AFN 2nd National Climate Gathering Video
AFN 2nd National Climate Gathering Youth-led Climate Solutions Video
AFN 2nd National Climate Gathering Report
AFN 3rd National Climate Gathering Theme
3rd National Climate Gathering: Catalyzing First Nations Climate and Conservation Leadership for Transformative Change
Building on the success of the previous gatherings, our 2024 program will bring together First Nations experts, leadership, Elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and other professionals to share knowledge, and to discuss and emphasize solutions First Nations are advancing in the face of rapid change at the local, regional, national, and international stage. These multi-dimensional, interconnected, and interrelated solutions enable the connection between a healthy environment and everything else – our health, well-being, culture, language, water, food security and housing, among other things.
Shifting to the implementation of the AFN National Climate Strategy and Climate Lens, the 2024 Gathering will showcase First Nations stewardship approach to climate action and conservation through a diversity of panel presentations, workshops, video screenings, and other activities (where possible).
Contact Information
If you need assistance registering online, please contact our Registration Coordinator at [email protected].
For general information on the 3rd National Climate Gathering, contact us at [email protected].