SENS student shares Indigenous perspective on climate change across Europe

Joe-Strack, a Champagne and Aishihik First Nations scientist, Vanier scholar and Jane Glassco Northern Fellow, will be sharing her Indigenous perspective on climate change with senior diplomats, academics, youth and the public.

 “I am truly looking forward to the opportunity to represent my home and people. We are recognized as leaders in Indigenous self-determination and now it is time to extend that to leaders in climate change adaptation,” she said.

Joe-Strack holds multiple advanced degrees in microbiology and geography and is currently working towards a PhD regarding Indigenous Land Use Planning with SENS at the University of Saskatchewan.

 “I intend to share my understanding as a scientist, cultural scholar and mother to hear from other cultures and thinkers. I want to explore how we perceive and approach the climate change challenge,” she stated.

Joe-Strack was first invited by representatives at the Canadian Embassy to Germany after hearing of her work during an Arctic conference. Ambassadors in France, Spain and Sweden promptly followed suit.

She stated that “our greatest vulnerability is that we have developed a civilization that assumes the Earth is stable. However, our Earth is alive and ever moving — kwaday dän (long ago people) knew this and lived in harmony with Earth’s cycles.”

“In our fast-paced modern society, we are easily blinded or incapable of understanding our role on Earth. We must reflect and heal if we are to understand how we can seek harmony,” Joe-Strack said.

During her tour, Joe-Strack will post regular blog updates about her travels. You can follow her on Twitter at @jocelynjs. 

About Jocelyn Joe-Strack

Jocelyn Joe-Strack is a well-respected academic with multiple advanced degrees in microbiology and geography and is currently working towards a PhD regarding Indigenous Land Use Planning with the School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) at the University of Saskatchewan.

She holds degrees from the University of Northern British Columbia and University of Victoria. She is a Jane Glassco Northern Fellow and a recipient of the prestigious 2017 Vanier Scholarship.

With her business, Subarctic Research & Strategy, Joe-Strack is currently leading development of a progressive Land Use Plan for her First Nation’s Traditional Territory – which will contribute to the Yukon-wide regional land planning process. She is concurrently applying this experience towards a PhD in Sustainability and Environment with the University of Saskatchewan. 

She was born and currently lives in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory with her husband and two young children.

Interview Opportunities

Jocelyn Joe-Strack will be blogging about her tour as well as speaking to Canadian, northern and international media. To arrange an interview with Jocelyn Joe-Strack please contact:

Corrigan Hammond, Communications Officer, The Gordon Foundation

437.772.7831 or corrigan@gordonfn.org