As most people are affected by climate change, it might seem strange to consider that a particular community suffers more than others. However, given the disproportionate distribution of natural disaster relief services, the remote location of many communities in “Canada”, and the institutionalized discrimination of Indigenous groups – it becomes a harsh reality that must be appropriately remedied (Natural Resources Canada, 2024).
Why are Indigenous communities disproportionately affected by climate change?
As discussed by the NCCIH (2022), Indigenous groups in Canada and globally are uniquely poised as vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This is because Indigenous peoples often live in areas and regions that are already experiencing rapid changes from the normal state of the earth – further, they depend on natural resources, plants, land, waters, and animals for their livelihoods, health, cultures, identities, and wellbeing. Additionally, the already existing institutionalized discrimination towards Indigenous people as compared to others further exacerbates the impacts of climate change, as there are reduced resources to serve as disaster relief.
Changes to a region’s temperature and precipitation result in a higher frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, like forest fires, floods, ocean level rise, etc which are difficult to adapt to without adequate resources. Even so, Indigenous peoples are not passive watchers of these happenings in their environment, as expressed in this quote by Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner and Aka Niviâna, two Indigenous women from Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and the Marshall Islands:
“Sister of ocean and sand, can you see our glaciers groan with the weight of the world’s heat? I wait for you, here, on the land of my ancestors, heart heavy with a thirst for solutions as I watch this land change while the world remains silent (Jetñil-Kijiner & Niviâna, 2022).”
Indigenous mental health in the face of climate change
Climate change poses a significant threat to the cultural practices, traditions, and livelihoods of Indigenous peoples, as these are deeply tied to the land on which they live. Their traditions and livelihoods are also closely connected to their identity, sense of belonging, and community cohesion – which become at risk due to climate change. Changes in these relationships to oneself or others can have a severe impact on mental health and well-being, which can disproportionately affect groups such as Indigenous women, children, Elders, and socio-economically disadvantaged individuals, who may feel deeply unsettled by the environmental transformations they witness (Manning & Clayton, 2018). Specifically for Indigenous peoples, time spent and access to the land is important for livelihoods, resources, and food – and is linked to the protection and enhancement of Indigenous psychological needs and wellbeing (Middleton et al., 2020).
Additionally, drastic changes in weather events can result in strong emotional responses even in populations outside of Indigenous ones, such as suicide, depression, and anxiety which are correlated with dramatic shifts in weather. Indirect experiences of climate change also incited strong emotional responses in Indigenous participants in one study by Middleton et al. (2020) who found that Indigenous peoples sympathized or feared for others also experiencing extreme weather events, resulting in emotional distress.
Further, Indigenous communities already face elevated rates of suicide, violence, and substance abuse, due to intergenerational trauma and systemic marginalization. Climate change worsens these challenges by disrupting traditional emotional supports and practices like hunting – vital for cultural identity, well-being, and the intergenerational sharing of knowledge. The resulting loss of connection to the land can heighten stress, anxiety, and ecological grief, as individuals mourn the degradation of ecosystems, species, and cultural heritage (NCCIH, 2022).
Path for hope – Indigenous people as stewards of adaptation and resilience
Despite these challenges, engaging in land-and culture-based activities has been shown to improve resilience by providing emotional, social, and spiritual benefits. Such activities can reduce stress, promote physical health, reconnect individuals to traditional knowledge, and strengthen community bonds. However, barriers such as inadequate mental health services and jurisdictional fragmentation of healthcare continue to hinder effective responses to these mental health impacts in many Indigenous communities (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2016).
A prominent example of a land-based intervention was that of the Selkirk First Nation, in the Yukon. Salmon fishing is central to their diet and cultural identity, but declining salmon populations due to climate change have threatened food security and disrupted traditional practices. To address these challenges, the Selkirk First Nation implemented a community-based research project that was funded by the federal government.
The project aimed to ameliorate the mental health of the Selkirk’s youth by engaging them in traditional fishing activities, teaching them about their cultural heritage, and building their understanding of climate change. The intervention included opportunities to learn from Elders, skill development, and cultural activities to foster community cohesion and the sharing of knowledge intergenerationally. The program was able to serve as an emotional and physical adaptation to the changes in the land, resulting in reconnecting youth to the land, promoting resilience through traditional lifestyles and values, and strengthening cultural practices (Selkirk First Nation, 2016).
This initiative highlights the importance of approaches to resilience that are grounded in traditional cultures and community cohesion: addressing the mental health impacts of climate change while preserving Indigenous traditions for future generations.
References
Jetñil-Kijiner, K., & Niviâna, A. (2022). Rise: From one island to another.
Manning, C., & Clayton, S. (2018). Threats to mental health and wellbeing associated with
climate change. In S. Clayton & C. Manning (Eds.), Psychology and Climate change:
Human perceptions, impacts and responses (pp. 217-44). Amsterdam: Academic Press.
Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2016). Towards Creating a Mental Health Action Plan for Canada Roundtable Report — 2015. https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/wp-content/uploads/drupal/2016-08/towards_creating_a_mental_health_action_plan_for_canada_roundtable_report.pdf
Middleton, J., Cunsolo, A., Jones-Bitton, A., Wright, C. J., & Harper, S. L. (2020). Indigenous mental health in a changing climate: a systematic scoping review of the global literature. Environmental Research Letters, 15(5), 053001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab68a9
National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH). (2022). Climate change and Indigenous people’s health in Canada. https://www.nccih.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/Attachments/10367/Climate_Change_and_Indigenous_Peoples_Health_EN_Web_2022-03-22.pdf
Natural Resources Canada. (2024). Government of Canada releases new report showing the impacts of climate change and necessity of Indigenous-Led Climate Change adaptation. https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2024/05/government-of-canada-releases-new-report-showing-the-impacts-of-climate-change-and-necessity-of-indigenous-led-climate-change-adaptation.html
Selkirk First Nation. (2016). Adapting to climate change and keeping our traditions. Selkirk First Nation. https://static1.squarespace.com/ static/56afc7218259b53bd8383cb8/t/57ab923e59cc6830752 7742f/1470861914849/Selkirk+Climate+Change+Adaptatio n+Plan_CommunityReport_final%5B2%5D.compressed.pdf
Written By:
Mariam Arafa
