As an observer, Jacob Crane, Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program Manager at the GreenHouse, attended COP26 to better understand how the United Nations Framework works, learn more about the emissions solutions that are currently being discussed and learn how he can start to make a difference. But above that Jacob’s main goal while attending COP26 was representation; ensuring that Indigenous voices are being heard at the UN level and creating space for Indigenous voices.
In the Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program, Jacob coaches and mentors young Indigenous entrepreneurs about representation and how they can go into any industry and successfully build a business. He focuses greatly on teaching his students how to create spaces for Indigenous Entrepreneurs, like themselves, since these spaces weren’t made for them. Similarly, Jacob said, “The UN Framework was not designed with Indigenous People in mind.” He hopes to create avenues for his students to one day have the opportunity to attend the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change or any other space they might want to be a part of. Jacob tries to lead by example and create space for Indigenous voices by doing so.