Gathering for Indigenous Climate Leadership
Setting the tone for Adaptation Canada 2026
Monday, September 21
12:00 – 5:00 pm
The Gathering for Indigenous Climate Leadership aims to honour and elevate First Nation, Métis, and Inuit leadership in shaping climate adaptation, resilience, and community wellbeing. Through dialogue, relationship-building, and knowledge sharing, the gathering will explore Indigenous-led approaches to climate adaptation grounded in governance, culture, and local priorities while helping to set the tone for the broader conversations at Adaptation Canada 2026.
The gathering will take place on September 21, 2026, before full conference programming gets underway. It is a half-day event that will include light refreshments, opportunities to connect with other attendees, in addition to scheduled programming.
When is it?
Monday, September 21
12:00 – 5:00 pm
Where is it?
Westin Harbour Castle Hotel and Conference Centre
1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3
(AC2026 Venue)
Who can attend?
The gathering is open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous attendees of Adaptation Canada 2026. However, priority will be given to Indigenous delegates and individuals attending on behalf of Indigenous governments and organizations.
How can I attend?
Space for this event is limited. To express your interest in attending the gathering, please reach out to Ali Greenslade (ali.greenslade@iclei.org). You will be notified if a spot becomes available.
WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA?
12:00 – 12:30 pm
Light Lunch and Networking
12:30 – 1:00 pm
Welcome and Ceremonial Opening
1:00 – 2:15 pm
Indigenous Leadership and Governance in Adaptation
Indigenous communities across Canada are disproportionately affected by climate change and its impacts on lands, infrastructure, health, culture, and ways of life. At the same time, Indigenous communities are leading transformative work in climate adaptation, community resilience, and emergency preparedness, advancing holistic approaches grounded in Indigenous governance, local knowledge systems, and community priorities. This opening panel centres Indigenous leadership in shaping resilient futures. While acknowledging the disproportionate impacts of climate-related disasters on Indigenous communities, the discussion will focus on the growing shift from externally driven adaptation models toward Indigenous-led solutions that prioritize sovereignty, cultural continuity, relationship-building, and long-term resilience.
2:30 – 3:45 pm
Breakout Sessions: A Focus on Emergency Management
While traditional emergency management focuses on responding to and recovering from disasters, integrating climate adaptation ensures proactive, long-term resilience, preventing future damage rather than just repairing it. These sessions centre emergency management as an area for meaningful engagement on Indigenous-led climate adaptation, offering attendees distinct spaces to learn, share, and work together. Delegates will be able to select which of the following they would like to attend:
Breakout 1:
Readiness and Response – Community Case Studies from Climate Emergencies
Breakout 2:
Stories of Resilience – A Space for Sharing
Breakout 3:
Responding Together – A Workshop on Emergency Management
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Building the Future Together: Advancing Indigenous-Led Climate Resilience
Grounded in action and informed by lived experience, this plenary will close the gathering with a sense of momentum, possibility, and collective responsibility for the work ahead. It aims to move beyond vision statements toward the policies, partnerships, governance structures, and long-term investments required to support and scale Indigenous-led climate action in the years to come. The discussion will also look toward the broader Adaptation Canada 2026 program to explore how the conversations, partnerships, and practical solutions shared throughout the conference can help shape a more resilient and equitable future.