Our Land, Our Future

In November, I had the opportunity to attend the “Our Land, Our Future: National Summit on Indigenous Youth and Natural Resource Development” in Calgary (traditional Blackfoot territory, part of Treaty 7). This summit featured a gathering between industry, Indigenous and government leaders from across Canada alongside Indigenous youth.

This gathering was valuable and important for a number of reasons. Most prominently it brought Indigenous youth to the forefront of Canada’s discourse on sustainable natural resource development. Meaningful engagement of Indigenous youth in relation to natural resource development at this scale has been very scarce, and an event like this is the first of its kind to open that space.

Having Indigenous youth engagement in the pictures we paint is absolutely vital to the life of our communities. As the fastest growing population in Canada, and a demographic that will live with and support decisions made into the future; It is important to empower our communities to better prepare for a future they will inherit.

Our Land

At the summit conversation was rich and multiple ideas were shared. Most noteworthy was discussion based on our relationship to land. Many speakers at the summit echoed the sentiments that the health of our land is equivalent to the health of our people. This is forcefully the truth. Without consideration of our land, this fractures the cultural confidence and identity, and heavily affects the health and well being of Indigenous people.

Not only does this affect our Indigenous peoples, but for all people this ruptures our connection with the land and all the wealth nature shares that nurtures us physically, mentally, and spiritually. Learn more about nature’s benefits in my previous blog.

Our Future

In considerations of natural resource development, what do we want in our future, and for our children? Is it prosperity and wealth? How do we define wealth? Perhaps if we have not done so already, it is time to rethink how we see wealth, as more than immediate economic prosperity, but a future that is sustainable, and contributing to the health of our people.

Thankful for my invitation to attend, I came in with many questions, but have left with many more. Inspired, reflective, curious, and hopeful. May we all grow a healthy and prosperous future together.