About the Event 4th National Climate Gathering Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership: Braiding Relationships, Knowledge Systems, and Inherent Responsibilities
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will host its 4th National Climate Gathering “Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership: Braiding Relationships, Knowledge Systems, and Inherent Responsibilities”, on October 5-8, 2026, in Hamilton, Ontario.
The event will take place at the Hamilton Convention Centre, a venue that is located on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations, and within the lands protected by the ‘Dish with One Spoon” wampum agreement.
Building on the success of the three previous gatherings, our 2026 program will bring together First Nations experts, leadership, Elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and other experts to share knowledge and to discuss and emphasize the solutions First Nations are advancing on the local, regional, national, and international stages in the face of rapid change. 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, housing, and many others.
The evolution and completion of the AFN National Climate Strategy and First Nations Climate Lens was instrumental in positioning First Nations as climate leaders and active drivers of positive change, challenging conventional conceptualizations of First Nations as simply ‘vulnerable’ populations and passive recipients of climate impacts.
Shifting to the implementation of the AFN National Climate Strategy and Climate Lens, the 2026 Gathering will showcase First Nations’ stewardship approaches to climate action and conservation through a diverse range of panel presentations, workshops, video screenings, and other activities.
Who Should Attend?
- First Nations leaders and citizens
- First Nations environmental specialists
- Dedicated academics, Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) and government officials
Register Now
Draft Gathering Program:
Monday, October 5, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Youth Gathering
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Gathering Registration Open – Hamilton Convention Centre
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
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 7, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Gathering Registration Open
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions
Thursday, October 8, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions and Closing Ceremonies
How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.
Background
In July 2019, 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 has hosted three previous gatherings: the first in 2020 in Whitehorse, Yukon, on the territory of the Ta’an Kwächän and the Kwanlin Dün; the second in 2022 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati peoples; and the third in 2024, in Calgary, Alberta, in Moh’kinsstis, the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, and the Stoney Nakoda Nations (Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley First Nations).
After four years of engagement with First Nations rights and title holders, the AFN National Climate Strategy was formally released on October 18, 2023. The Strategy contains seven priority areas, 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/
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
3rd National Climate Gathering: Catalyzing First Nations Climate and Conservation Leadership for Transformative Change
AFN 3rd National Climate Gathering Report
AFN 3rd National Climate Gathering Youth Report
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).
4th NATIONAL CLIMATE GATHERING
Building on the success of the three previous gatherings, our 2026 program will bring together First Nations experts, leadership, Elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and other professionals to share knowledge, and to discuss and emphasize the solutions First Nations are advancing at the local, regional, national, and international stage in the face of rapid change. 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, housing, among many others.
The evolution and completion of the AFN National Climate Strategy and First Nations Climate Lens was instrumental in positioning First Nations as climate leaders and active drivers of positive change, and challenging conventional conceptualizations of First Nations as ‘vulnerable’ populations and passive recipients of climate impacts.
Shifting to the implementation of the AFN National Climate Strategy and Climate Lens, the 2026 Gathering will showcase First Nations’ stewardship approaches to climate action and conservation through a diverse range of panel presentations, workshops, video screenings, and other activities.
Registration
The AFN invites you to register for the 4th National Climate Gathering, Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership: Braiding Relationships, Knowledge Systems, and Inherent Responsibilities on October 5-8, 2026. All participants are encouraged to pre-register.
You will receive a confirmation email.
Travel
All activities will be taking place at the Hamilton Convention Centre, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton, Ontario; more information on the facility can be found here: Hamilton Convention Centre.
Porter and WestJet offer direct flights to Hamilton International Airport (YHM). While Air Canada does not fly to Hamilton, they do provide a flight/bus option.
Fly + Bus with Air Canada. You can book this combination on the Air Canada website (www.aircanada.com) by indicating Hamilton as your final destination. Fly Air Canada to Toronto Pearson Airport, then board the provided bus to the Hamilton airport, where you can take a taxi or Uber to your hotel.
Fly + Drive: Fly to Toronto Pearson Airport, then book a rental car to drive 60 km to Hamilton.
Fly + GO Train: Fly to Toronto Pearson Airport, then, from the airport, take the UP Train (Union-Pearson) to Union Station. Board the GO Train to Hamilton, King St. – Queen St. station, where you will take a taxi or Uber to your hotel. Plan your trip on the GO Train here: GO Train to Hamilton.
VIA Rail
Take VIA Rail to Aldershot Station in Burlington, Ontario, where you will take a 15-minute taxi or Uber ride (10 km) to downtown Hamilton, depending on traffic. Note that if you are coming from the east, a train change will be required in Toronto’s Union Station.
- VIA Rail has a special Indigenous communities discount by using this link: https://www.viarail.ca/en/offers/indigenous-communities. Identification will be requested when using this discount and more information on what ID would be required is provided on the VIA Rail link above.
Air Canada
Many Air Canada flights fly into Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario. This is a promotion code for the 4th National Climate Gathering. To book a flight with your promotion code, access www.aircanada.com and enter your promotion code in the Promotion Code Box.
Promotion Code: QC37QGG1
Applicable Rules
- The booking is to be made to the following city: Hamilton, YHM (CA)
- The travel period begins Monday, September 28, 2026, and ends Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- 5% discount on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher for North America
- 10% discount on standard fares & higher, 12% discount on Business Class fares (exception: 5% on the lowest Business Class).’ For International Travel’
Porter Airlines
Porter offers direct flights to Hamilton from Vancouver, BC, Edmonton, AB, Halifax, NS, and starting in June, Ottawa, ON. For additional options, you can also fly into Pearson International Airport and use one of the options listed above to get to Hamilton.
Note: Starting in June 22, 2026, Porter will be offering flights from Ottawa to Hamilton.
Porter Airlines is proud to offer up to 10% discount on available base fares (with the exception of the lowest class fare during a public seat sale) for travel to and from the AFN 4th National Climate Gathering 2026. The discounted fares are available for booking until October 10, 2026, and are available for travel:
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All Markets |
Toronto – All Airports (YTO) |
October 3, 2026 |
October 8, 2026 |
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Toronto – All Airport (YTO) |
All Markets |
October 5, 2026 |
October 10, 2026 |
Please book online at https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/?promocode=AFN26 or through your
travel agent using promo code “AFN26”.
WestJet Airlines
WestJet offers direct flights to Hamilton from Calgary, AB. For additional options, you can also fly into Pearson International Airport and use one of the options listed above to get to Hamilton.
Westjet will offer the following: 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium base fares for travel within Canada, and 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for travel between Canada and the US. No discount will apply to Ultra Basic or Business class bookings.
To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed above. Please visit www.westjet.com to make a booking online.
Coupon Code: Guest web/Travel Agent web: 3S4Y8LK
Promo Code: Travel Agent GDS only: YBC29
Hotel Accommodations
The AFN has secured a group discount rate for a limited number of rooms at the Sheraton Hamilton Downtown. National Climate Gathering participants are advised to book their rooms as soon as possible.
Participants are responsible for their own accommodation costs. A credit card may be required at check-in.
- Sheraton Hamilton Downtown – 116 King Street West, Hamilton, Ontario
- Rooms are available starting on October 5 – October 9, 2026, starting at the rate of $219 plus applicable taxes.
- To book online: Link to group discount rate for AFN’s 4th National Climate Gathering 2026
- To book via phone: 1-888-627-8161, using the discount booking code AFN.
DEADLINE: Group discount rate available until September 7, 2026
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/
Trade Show
Please note that there is a limited number of Trade Show booths available for the 4th National Climate Gathering, Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership: Braiding Relationships, Knowledge Systems, and Inherent Responsibilities.
This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your organization/business and interact with First Nations leadership from across Canada, First Nation environmental specialists, youth, dedicated academics, environmental NGOs, consultants, government officials and leading members of academia with an interest in First Nations environmental issues. Note that booths are available on a first-come, first-served basis depending on when the registration forms are received.
Please contact us at [email protected] to get an Exhibitor/Vendor registration package.
Sponsorship
We invite you to become a sponsor of the 4th National Climate Gathering, Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership: Braiding Relationships, Knowledge Systems, and Inherent Responsibilities.
AFN will welcome First Nations leadership from across Canada, First Nation environmental specialists, youth, environmental NGOs, consultants, government officials and leading members of academia with an interest in First Nations environmental issues to the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee Nations, and within the lands protected by the ‘Dish with One Spoon’ wampum agreement.
There are a number of sponsorship opportunities with some great benefits. For more information, please email us at [email protected] for our sponsorship package.
Accessibility
If you require ASL/LSQ or other accommodation, please indicate by July 1, 2026, using the online registration system or emailing us at [email protected].
For questions about accessibility (disability) accommodations, please e-mail [email protected].
Contact Information
If you need assistance registering online, please email the AFN Registration Coordinator at [email protected]. For event-related inquiries, please email [email protected].