THE NEXT 40 Public Policy & Energy Sovereignty in Arctic Communities

Co-hosted by Gwich’in Tribal Council and USask

The Next 40: Public Policy & Energy Sovereignty in Arctic Communities was a kick-off event to CASES, co-hosted by Gwich’in Tribal Council and USask. The 2-day event engaged 12 Gwich’in youth – the next generation of leaders – from Gwich’in communities to learn about energy sovereignty, climate change, and the role of youth in shaping the future of their communities. Included among invited mentors were USask law student Alyson Bear (Dakota and Anishinaabe heritage); UofA graduate Jordan Koe (Tetlit Gwich'in heritage); and USask Education graduate Curtis Vinish (Métis heritage). Guest speakers included Amy Amos, Executive Director of Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board; Guy Lonechild, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Power Authority; and Dorothy Myo, Senior Director of Policy and Research, Métis Nation Saskatchewan.

 

DAY ONE - Monday, May 6

11:15 am: Opening Welcome, University of Saskatchewan

11:15 am – Noon: Jordan Koe, previous The Next 40 participant and University of Alberta graduate

Noon - 1 pm: Lunch

1 – 1:45 pm: Greg Poelzer, Lead, Renewable Energy in Northern, Remote and Indigenous Communities and Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability

1:45 pm: Break

2 - 3 pm: The Next 40: Youth Leading the Way

  • Alyson Bear, Dakota and Anishinaabe heritage, University of Saskatchewan College of Law student
  • Jordan Koe, Tetlit Gwich'in heritage, University of Alberta graduate
  • Curtis Vinish, Métis heritage, University of Saskatchewan College of Education graduate

3 - 3:45 pm: Dakota Norris, USask student, Indigenous Peoples in the global economy and e-commerce use in the North

DAY TWO - Tuesday, May 7

9 am: Opening Remarks

9:05 - 10:15 am: Amy Amos, Executive Director, Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, Inuvik, NWT

10:15 - 10:30 am: Break

10:30 am - Noon: Indigenous Leadership Panel

  • Dr. Bonita Beatty, Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies, College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan
  • Guy Lonechild, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Power Authority
  • Jordan Peterson, Deputy Grand Chief/Vice-President, Gwich'in Tribal Council
  • Matt Vermette, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Research Group
  • Dorothy Myo, Senior Director of Policy and Research, Métis Nation Saskatchewan

Noon - 1 2:30 pm: Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 pm: Renewable Energy and Community Engagement in Arctic Communities

  • Jenna Gall, Community Energy Project Manager, First Nations Power Authority; Candidate, Master of Environment and Sustainability, SENS, USask.
  • Jarrett Merasty, Educator; Candidate, Master of Environment and Sustainability, SENS, USask.
  • Martin Boucher, Faculty Lecturer, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy; Candidate, PhD in Environment and Sustainability, SENS, USask.

1:30 - 2:15 pm: Keynote Speaker: Jordan Peterson, Deputy Grand Chief & Vice President, Gwich’in Tribal Council

2:30 - 3:30 pm: Dominique Souris, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Youth Climate Lab, Ottawa, ON

3:30 - 4:30 pm: Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement, University of Saskatchewan

4:30 pm: Closing Prayer and Remarks