Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have respectfully lived with the natural world, and have a deep connection to the land, water, and ecosystems that are central to their cultures, languages, and livelihoods. Through this intergenerational experience and observation, Indigenous peoples were amongst the first to notice climate change and also have critical knowledges for navigating and adapting to it.
This article was written by Lara Varty, Sector Innovation Coordinator at Foresight Canada. Lara lives on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation in Courtenay, BC.
Indigenous Peoples in Canada are collaborating on the development and implementation of climate solutions across Canada, despite facing disproportionate impacts from climate change.
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada—a time to recognize and celebrate the traditions, contributions, and achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples in Canada. Climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous communities through extreme weather events, damage to traditional territories, and threats to cultural ways of life. Despite this, Indigenous people, organizations, and communities are powerfully driving climate initiatives, leading in clean and renewable energy development and championing Indigenous-led ventures.
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize that efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate impacts are strengthened with the leadership and support of Indigenous people. Join us in celebrating the role of Indigenous communities in Canada driving climate action and technology adoption.
Clean and Renewable Energy
This past year has been outstanding for the development of Indigenous-led climate projects, demonstrating that Indigenous communities across Canada are increasingly at the forefront of clean and renewable energy development. In British Columbia, 12 First Nations are developing clean energy projects through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, which will help lower energy costs and provide the communities with efficient, sustainable energy sources.
Amlamgog (Fort Folly First Nation), a Mi'kmaq community in southeastern New Brunswick is leading the way in progressive energy. In partnership with Foresight, they launched the Amlamgog Microgrid Challenge to find a scalable, renewable energy solution that would enhance community energy resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support the development of the Indigenous Distributed Energy Demonstration Project. This initiative contributes to the economic self-determination and energy independence of the community.
The challenge winner, Lighthouse Energy, specializes in stabilizing electrical grids by harnessing unused renewable energy—reducing electricity costs, and making clean energy more accessible. Amlamgog’s leadership and commitment in advancing Indigenous energy sovereignty on their own terms serves as a powerful example of communities acting as key contributors to Canada's net zero future.
Indigenous-led projects like the Amlamgog Microgrid Challenge are highly impactful because they are designed by and for community members, directly addressing specific challenges and needs. Projects like these build capacity in Indigenous communities and support energy independence and decarbonization.
Organizations like Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) further support Indigenous-led decarbonization initiatives through dedicated project development and capacity-building programs, fostering long-term resilience and self-determined development goals for Indigenous communities across the country.
Indigenous Innovation
Indigenous entrepreneurs are also bringing forward new ideas and technologies that address complex climate and environmental challenges. One example is Satya Organics, a Foresight alumna that’s rethinking sustainability in the cosmetic sector by reducing waste through environmentally responsible product design. The Indigenous Tech Circle is another example of Indigenous led entrepreneurship in technology. Part of the Canadian Technology Network, it supports Indigenous founders with a like-minded community network, mentorship, and acceleration programs tailored to Indigenous entrepreneurs. Partner companies of the Indigenous Tech Circle include Raven Indigenous Capital Partners and Indigenomics Institute, among others.
Barriers to Indigenous-Led Projects
While we are seeing tremendous progress in technology adoption led by Indigenous communities across Canada, barriers remain in creating equitable decarbonization opportunities. Capacity constraints, high upfront costs, challenges accessing capital, and engagement barriers are some of the greatest hurdles that Indigenous communities face.
Indigenous governments and organizations are often subject to higher lending rates, driven by a misperception of elevated risk—rates that can exceed project profitability and limit access to funding. Reports have also shown that Indigenous businesses have 11 times less access to market capital than non-Indigenous businesses. These inequities create additional hurdles, even as Indigenous-led projects consistently demonstrate success and impact across sectors.
Natural Resources Canada states that “major economic, social, and capacity barriers still exist to ensuring meaningful and equitable participation in projects.” Lenders like Raven Capital are instrumental in tackling these issues by investing directly in Indigenous communities—accelerating cleantech development while reinforcing a foundation for more inclusive and equitable innovation.
Building an Equitable Future
Despite these challenging barriers, Indigenous founders and ecosystem supporters are leading climate initiatives at an unprecedented pace. Indigenous communities across Canada are demonstrating vital leadership by decarbonizing their communities, developing new solutions to complex environmental challenges, and driving the fight against climate change. This leadership is helping build a resilient, decarbonized Canada, ready for future generations to come.
Foresight Canada’s Innovation Challenge program connects end-users with cleantech solutions to address real-world sustainability and operational needs.
Learn more about our Innovation Challenges and how you can adopt clean technologies that support your goals of sustainability, productivity, and profitability.
