Youth Workshops

Aboriginal Youth

The workshop with Aboriginal youth took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Participants were between 15 and 27 years old. Here are their thoughts on environmental issues:

• Aboriginal youth were able to identify with the perceived impacts of climate change on a personal level.
  
  
• Aboriginal youth attributed climate change and environmental problems to consumerism and mass consumption characterized by Western lifestyle and culture.
  
  
• Although Aboriginal youth participate in Western culture, they identified a cultural and economic gap between themselves and mainstream Western culture. Patterns of western lifestyle are perceived to be destructive.
  
  
• Colonization, industrialization and urbanization have led to dramatic changes in the way of life for aboriginal people. Traditionally, the Earth provides sustenance for Aboriginal people. However, Aboriginal connection to the land has been lost in the transition to an urban lifestyle, which does not sustain them. Their traditional lifestyle was in balance with the earth.
  
  
• While Aboriginal youth recognize problems caused by contact and colonization, they felt it was important to move forward and deal with issues facing them today by working with non-Aboriginal people for positive change. They felt that the Aboriginal community is perceived to be more connected to the Earth, but that working on environmental issues is everyone's responsibility.
  
  
• It is time to heal spiritually and regain what has been lost. This applies not only to Aboriginal people, but also to people in general.
  
  
• Respect for life is paramount. There is life in everything on the planet. When it suffers, people suffer.
  
  
• When Aboriginal people take something from the Earth, they give something back. The Aboriginal youth felt that all people should practice this.
  
  
• People do not need all the material goods that they accumulate or want.
  
  
• People need to break down class barriers. People need to act on the philosophy that 'we are all people - we all bleed.'

Here are their ideas about what can be done to reach out to youth and get them interested in climate change:

• Tailor campaigns to reflect the cultural, social and economic realities of the targeted group.
  
  
• Legislate practices such as mandatory recycling and composting.
  
  
• Lead by personal example.
  
  
• Live with and use less to decrease your own impact on the Earth.
  
  
• Use mass media such as television, radio and posters to communicate messages. Using native community radio is very important. Create television commercials about environmental messages.
  
  
• Create and use environmentally friendly technologies such as solar power, air and water filters and cloth bags.
  
  
• Hold large awareness events such as a world conference on climate change or an 'Electricity Free Day'.
  
  
• Create an 'International Centre for the Environment'.
  
  
• Fund indigenous groups to facilitate their return to traditional ways of living and repairing of the natural environment.
  
  
• Use themes and icons of popular culture to promote climate change. Develop funky clothing with messages about climate change. Create computer games based on climate change scenarios.
  
  
• Use famous people or celebrities, to promote climate change. Hold concerts with popular bands and donate all proceeds to environmental causes.

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