Join us for an inspiring event centered on Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, and climate activism, with special guest Isaac Murdoch.
The event will open with a keynote address by Isaac, followed by a thoughtful conversation between Isaac and University of Waterloo’s Elder Myeengun Henry and Amanda St. Marie. Together, they will explore the vital role of Indigenous perspectives in understanding climate change, shaping climate action, and sustaining community-rooted resilience. Attendees will gain insight into the power of story and art, the urgency of environmental stewardship, and the transformative potential of Indigenous leadership in today’s climate movement.
Co-hosted by the Waterloo Climate Institute, the Office of Indigenous Relations, and the Faculty of Environment, the evening is part of the University of Waterloo’s commitment to aligning our strengths to support Sustainable Futures.
The event will be hosted at the CIGI auditorium (67 Erb Street West Waterloo, Ontario Canada, N2L 6C2) and will close with a reception (to finish at 8:30pm).
This event is intended for UWaterloo students, staff and faculty as well as community members interested in Indigenous knowledge, climate activism, and climate change.
Please register below (space is limited).
Speakers:
Isaac Murdoch
Bomgiizhik, Isaac Murdoch is from Serpent River First Nation located between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury Ontario. He has 4 beautiful children and currently lives in the forest at Nimkii Aazhibikoong (Nim-key Awe-zhi-bick-co-ng) a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sudbury in the middle of the woods which is an Anishinaabe language and culture camp.
Raised in a traditional setting of hunting and gathering, Isaac's experiences have shaped his role as an advocate for bridging the gaps between Indigenous and Western communities. Isaac grew up in the traditional setting of hunting and gathering on the land. Having spent many years learning from Elders, he spends a lot of his time as an advocate in and outside of community to bring hope, restoration, and trust between Indigenous and Western populations.
As a voice for his ancestors and people, Issac shares stories from the past, present and with purpose for what needs to change for the future. Through the power of traditional values, beliefs and knowledge, Isaac teaches how-to live-in balance with Mother Earth and all people.
Isaac has a passion for the arts. He is a singer, songwriter and globally recognized for his work in arts and culture. With a strong commitment to his community, Isaac is a powerful and influential voice that is shaping communities, youth, and nations. As a voice for his ancestors and people, Issac shares stories from the past, present and with purpose for what needs to change for the future. Many of these stories become his visual art pieces which have become recognized worldwide.
Jean Becker
Jean is Inuk and a member of the Nunatsiavut Territory of Labrador. She recently retired from the position of Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Relations, where she provided strategic leadership in articulating the University of Waterloo’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and in identifying systemic and systematic changes that go beyond the Calls to Action, creating a long-term vision of decolonization and indigenization for the university.
Elder Myeengun Henry
As Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Elder Henry provides strategic leadership to the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Health and the University's response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. He collaborates with the Office of Indigenous Relations and with the Faculty of Health community and identifies and contributes to building reciprocal and respectful relationships with Indigenous individuals and communities.
Amanda St. Marie
Amanda St. Marie is the Environment Indigenous Initiatives Manager in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo, where she works to create meaningful opportunities for reconciliation, learning, and relationship-building. A proud member of Matachewan First Nation, she grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo and draws on her lived experience, community connections, and stories to guide her work. After earning a BA in Communication Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University, she built a career in tech, insurance, post-secondary education, and consulting, specializing in marketing strategy, content creation, and brand development. Now, she brings that breadth of experience into her role, blending creativity and strategic thinking with cultural insight to create spaces where learning, understanding, and action can take root.
Sarah Burch
Dr. Sarah Burch is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, and holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Governance and Innovation. She is the Executive Director of the Waterloo Climate Institute, a Lead Author of the United Nations’ Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and helped to lead expert input into the development of Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy. Her research uncovers transformative responses to climate change at the community scale, the political and justice dimensions of energy transitions, and the unique contributions that small businesses can make to solving these complex challenges. She leads the international partnership-based research project TRANSFORM: Accelerating sustainability entrepreneurship experiments in local spaces, and is the Director of the Sustainability Policy Research on Urban Transformations (SPROUT) Lab.