CIER : Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources

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CIER : Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources

Supporting Indigenous people and communities to be leaders in positive environmental change. We knew we needed our own institutions! It was as simple as that.

Over 25 years ago, a group of us—we were all Chiefs at that time—were talking about how to address the many serious environmental problems faced by our communities. We knew the significance of grounding initiatives in two knowledge systems—Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science because the problems are complex and environmental issues don’t follow political, cultural or legal boundaries. But, as

First Nations our lives and our rights are tied to the natural environment, we feel the immediate and direct effect of resource extraction or hydroelectric development, forest fires or polluted waters. Yet, we have largely been excluded from decisions that are defining our future. That day, as we put our minds together it became abundantly clear to us that we needed to focus first on building internal capacity in our communities to deal with these issues ourselves. It is critical for reconciliation and decolonization to have Indigenous Peoples building our own institutions that can work in partnership with other organizations and governments in Canada. This idea of our strong institutions that are in relationship with each other is the foundation of change...We all need to decolonize. So, we created a national non-profit organisation, secured charitable status a few years later, and our first initiative was a post-secondary education program. We started with education because our vision was clear: begin by creating one paid First Nation permanent position in each community focused on addressing their environmental issues. As CIER has grown, we have developed long-term partnerships with communities, funders, and supporters. We have always had both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the organization because we need many types of knowledge and experience to do our work; we use our Indigenous Knowledge systems and the best of what the western world has to offer. Our Board of Directors provides guidance and ensures we are always keeping Indigenous priorities and needs front and centre. And, while we are still working on that goal of one paid staff person in each community, we are driven by our vision of communities controlling our own destiny in protecting and using our lands and waters and building sustainable communities.

06/17/2026

🔎 The CIER resource library has everything from tips to full guidebooks on topics from current and past projects.

Discover and explore the wide variety of tools available for Indigenous and non-Indigenous community leaders, students, academics, professionals, and more: https://yourcier.org/resources/

06/16/2026

What are the benefits to Indigenous owners of electricity transmission projects? What unique dynamics make Indigenous Nations integral to clean growth?

New analysis reveals why Indigenous-led infrastructure is a generational opportunity: exploring the levers that connect communities to economic growth, reduce diesel dependency, and affirm Indigenous authority.

Read the full case study by Frank Busch, Joel Krupa, Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, and Tamara Krawchenko, published in partnership with CIER : Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources through the Indigenous Perspectives program 🔽
https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/indigenous-led-electricity-transmission-projects/

06/12/2026

The Voice newsletter - Summer 2026 edition launches next Friday for the solstice🌼☀️

Don't forget to subscribe before it goes live: https://yourcier.org/news/e-newsletter/

06/11/2026

📢ICYMI: The "Community Health through Climate Change" Guidebook and Ecoversity Course is a community-led process designed to provide communities with the tools and skills to identify how climate change may impact health, assess challenges, and build on existing strengths, such as cultural practices, knowledge, and local resources. 📖💻

The guidebook acts as a step-by-step guide on how to develop a Community Climate–Health Action Plan, and the Ecoversity Course provides an interactive way to learn about the topic. Both resources are available on our website: https://yourcier.org/climate-resilient-health-systems-initiative-crhs/

06/05/2026

June 6 is Blue Jean Jacket Day to raise awareness for Missing, Murdered, and Exploited Indigenous Men and Boys.

Seek out a local walk, or host your own, in support.

06/02/2026

We're teaming up with Wawanesa to support the St. Theresa Point (STP) FireSmart Training Program! 🧯🔥

The program invites community members to take part in a 6-week Friendly FireSmart Competition to help reduce wildfire risk around homes and properties.

Over the challenge period, local FireSmart team members will work with up to 100 homes to identify practical improvements, support wildfire preparedness, and recognize households making strong progress. The top 6 homes will receive prizes! 🎉

Simple actions can make a big difference, including:
- Clearing brush, branches, and debris around the home.
- Cleaning up yards and reducing flammable materials near buildings.
- Moving firewood and combustible items away from the house.
- Improving household wildfire readiness and safety.

This initiative, brought together by CIER, St. Theresa Point First Nation, Wawanesa Insurance Climate Champions, and FireSmart Canada, helps strengthen local capacity, support community education, and encourage practical action to reduce wildfire risk in STP.

05/29/2026

⚠️ IMPORTANT REMINDER: Applications for the Indigenous Youth Energy Champion Accelerator close this Sunday, May 31! ⚠️

IYECA is a 6-month educational program designed to support passionate Indigenous Youth to launch their careers in the energy sector.

The participants, Youth Energy Champions, will document their program experience through a creative community-informed zine, sharing their energy perspectives. Each approved participant will receive a $10,000 stipend to maximize their work’s potential.

Youth can expect a structured training curriculum, one-on-one mentoring, group support meetings and professional skills development opportunities.

No prior energy knowledge or education is required, just passion and a willingness to learn!
If you know someone who would make a good Youth Energy Champion, pass this along 📨

➡️ For more info or to apply: https://yourcier.org/energy-insites/youth-champions/

05/27/2026

The ClimateWest 2026 forum, held on May 12-13 in Winnipeg, brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, communities, academics, and climate adaptation practitioners from across the prairies. 🌾📊

The forum provided a space to share knowledge, build connections, and explore practical solutions for climate preparedness and adaptation in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Thomas McKay, a Project Manager at CIER, spoke on Two-Eyed Seeing for Solutions Across the Prairies. Thomas highlighted how Indigenous Knowledge and western science can work together to support practical, community-led climate adaptation.

Through partnerships with communities like Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation and technical partners in western science, we’re helping move climate adaptation from knowledge into action by turning complex technical planning into community stories, maps, artwork, and implementation pathways.

This work shows that climate solutions across the prairies are most effective when guided by model, memory, data, relationships, science, and community leadership.

See the full list of presentations and recordings from ClimateWest 2026: https://climatewest.ca/climatewest-2026-forum/

05/26/2026

This webinar is highly recommended as the weather warms up! ☀️🌡️

The Fraser Basin Council has developed the Extreme Heat Mapping Project Guidance Framework to support communities in designing and implementing extreme heat mapping projects.

The "Using the Extreme Heat Mapping Guidance Framework" webinar, hosted by the Fraser Basin Council, will introduce the guidance framework, walk through how to use it in practice, and share insights from a community that has undertaken a heat mapping project.

This resource brings together best practices, data sources, and practical considerations to help communities better understand how heat is experienced across places and populations.
The guidance framework is intended for First Nations, local governments, and other practitioners who are exploring or undertaking extreme heat mapping.

Register on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xN9aY6UKSESfDfgbDrArQQ #/registration

05/25/2026

URGENT UPDATE: Out of respect to the recent tragedy in the community, the event will be postponed till the summer. Details to come. Our hearts are with the people of the Lake Francis community.

***

🚨THIS WEDNESDAY 🚨

We've partnered with Nature Conservancy of Canada / Conservation de la nature Canada to bring you the Conservation Knowledge: Sharing Space Workshop! 🌱

This gathering takes place next week in the St. Laurent Shoal Lakes area and is intended to build respectful, reciprocal conversations between the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Red River Métis, First Nations, and local communities.

The day is about understanding that the land, waters, plants, animals, and people are interconnected, and that conservation must be guided by shared responsibilities and knowledge.

EVENT DETAILS:
📅Wednesday, May 27, 2026
⏰10:00 am - 2:00 pm Central Time
📍Lake Francis Community Centre - Lake Francis, MB
🥪Lunch is included
🎟️Free Admission

Please RSVP at the ☎️ in the photo. See you there! 👋

Address

PO Box 26092, RPO Maryland
Winnipeg, MB
R3B0S6

Website

http://www.yourcier.org/

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