New and Noteworthy

Shaunna Morgan, Manager, Taking Action on Climate Change will be presenting at the Capacity Development Conference: Building on Experience in Whitehorse, Yukon on February 9, 2010. Her interactive presentation will be on Climate Change Planning and Governance Tools.

The 9th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference is being held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on February 25-27, 2010. This year’s theme is ‘Patterns Of Change: Learning From Our Past To Manage Our Present And Conserve Our Future’. The conference will bring together decision-makers, researchers, community and grass-roots groups along with farmers, ranchers, Aboriginal groups and other private citizens who have an interest in sustaining prairie land, water, plants and animals.

Due to the importance of prairie conservation to many First Nations, CIER sits on the steering committee for the conference with the goal of increasing both Aboriginal content and participation at the conference.

If you have any questions regarding the conference, please contact us or go to the conference website.

Does your First Nation have concerns about contaminants issues?

Health Canada’s Manitoba Regional First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program is currently accepting proposals for 2010-11.

This program is intended to support First Nations with community-based projects that explore the link between environmental contaminants and human health. Projects must be directed by the community, and build capacity through partnership with government departments or academic institutions. The project should address high priority, local issues in communities where exposure to environmental contaminants could have detrimental human health impacts.

As the Environmental Contaminants Pathfinder, CIER is offering proposal-writing support to Manitoba First Nations interested in applying to the funding program. We can assist First Nations by providing support to:

• Identify community environmental contaminants concerns;
• Develop project ideas;
• Find project partners; and,
• Prepare proposal submissions for 2010 funding.

If you would like assistance from CIER or have questions about the funding program, please contact us or read the Call for Proposals.

Proposals for the 2010-11 funding period are due to Health Canada no later than March 1, 2010. 

We are very happy to announce our entry into YouTube, and the official release of Environmental Governance at Work: First Nations Showing the Way.

We developed this 30-minute film in partnership with the National Centre for First Nations Governance, and with the participation of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC).

In this film, CSTC members share their stories, describing how environmental governance is being put into action in their First Nations. Through their stories, they also describe the outcomes that have resulted because of their successful environmental governance. CSTC is showing the way!

Please visit CIERWorld to view the video, in four parts. Or, if you would like to own a copy of the DVD, please complete our online form.

Thank you to everyone who submitted an application for our Research Associate position with our Taking Action on Climate Change program area. The application deadline has now been reached, and we will no longer be accepting applications for this position.