TORONTO, ON, September 30, 2024 – The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day for recognizing the atrocities of the residential school system and honouring survivors of the system. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission put out 94 Calls to Action for settlers of Canada to address. Restoring balance and well-being involves right relations with Peoples, Lands and Waterways. 

In respect of successive generations of Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial who have stewarded their territories, it is clear that Indigenous leadership and engagement is necessary to address climate change, and therefore is also central to the responsible scaling of carbon removal solutions. Rise Consulting Ltd. was engaged by Carbon Removal Canada to conduct interviews and provide research regarding the priorities of Indigenous Peoples, communities, and organizations who are thinking of engaging in carbon removal and clean energy activities. 

Carbon Removal Canada and Rise Consulting Ltd. have published an executive summary of their research paper on Indigenous Engagement in Carbon Removal. They hope this summary will help settler carbon removal companies address Action #92 for Business and Reconciliation in the Calls to Action. 

Recently, the Net-Zero Advisory Body advised the Government of Canada to set a numerical goal for carbon emissions removed from the atmosphere, indicating that carbon removal is key to addressing the country’s climate targets for 2035. The executive summary identifies key themes for carbon removal actors to consider that align with Action #92,  such as obtaining Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) and respecting Indigenous land and cultural rights. 

“We are such proud partners to Carbon Removal Canada as they progress on their journey of truth and reconciliation action alongside those ventures in this essential sector. We were humbled to hear from Indigenous Leadership from coast-to-coast-to-coast. We received guidance on working with and standing behind Indigenous communities as they pursue sovereignty and exercise self-determination for projects in their communities.
This is just the beginning of the story. We learned earlier this month how even the ‘TEK’ label was imposed by colonial systems. Indigenous Peoples and communities know their land best from long practiced knowledge and lived experience. Earlier this month, at the Responsible Carbon Removal: Centring Indigenous Leadership Workshop, Ken Paul (Wolastoqey Nation at Neqotkuk) shared, ‘You cannot plug holes in your science with Indigenous knowledge. Be prepared to learn a whole new way.’” – Patti Derbyshire, MA, M.Ed, Rise Consulting Ltd., Senior Consultant – Research, Learning and Equity Systems

“For carbon removal solutions to be effective and responsible, it is essential for companies to educate themselves on Indigenous rights and priorities. We hope this document serves as a resource in that learning journey, fostering better understanding and collaboration with Indigenous leadership.”  – Natasha Bernardi, Carbon Removal Canada, Senior Manager of Partnerships & Impact