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Transcript

National Indigenous News August 10 · National Indigenous Newscasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: This is a look at your National Indigenous News.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Daryl Stranger.
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  SPEAKER_00: A group that represents numerous First Nations across British Columbia is calling on Ottawa and Alberta's government to halt efforts to advance the West Coast pipeline, saying expanding the oil industry will accelerate climate change and disasters.
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_00: Quote, from catastrophic wildfires to destructive floods and rising seas, the impacts of climate change are already being felt across the country.
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  SPEAKER_00: Every new fossil fuel project deepens that crisis, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs said in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: The letter came Sunday, a day after the BC government issued a state of emergency as more than 100 wildfires burned across the province, with one forcing nearly 25,000 people across two communities east of Vancouver to flee.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: Nearly half of the wildfires were burning out of control.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Indigenous Group said it is also publishing the letter on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Sunday to reaffirm that it's against the pipeline because the government has not consulted and cooperated in good faith with the First Nations.
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  SPEAKER_00: Ottawa took a step last week toward giving the proposed project a national interest designation under the Building Canada Act, which would allow the government to fast-track the pipeline and skirt some environmental laws.
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  SPEAKER_00: The government said it is accepting public feedback until mid-September on the designation.
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  SPEAKER_00: The National Tree Seed Center in Fredericton, New Brunswick is working with indigenous communities across Canada to collect and preserve native seeds through its Indigenous Seed Collection Program.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: The program, launched in 2022, aims to protect plant species that could be threatened by climate change, invasive species, or other environmental pressures.
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  SPEAKER_00: The National Tree Seed Center already holds thousands of seed collections representing hundreds of species.
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  SPEAKER_00: Through the Indigenous program, communities collect seeds and can choose how those seeds are stored and shared.
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  SPEAKER_00: One species receiving attention through seed collection efforts is black ash.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: The tree has been heavily affected by the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that is spread across North America and damaged ash populations.
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  SPEAKER_00: Black ash is also culturally significant for many Indigenous communities where it has traditionally been used for materials, medicines, and other practices.
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  SPEAKER_00: Collecting seeds can be challenging because black ash does not produce large seed crops every year.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: The tree typically has a heavy seed year only every six to nine years.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: By collecting and storing seeds when they are available, communities can have a resource to help restore forests in the future.
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  SPEAKER_00: Seed collections can also help scientists and communities preserve options for future forest restoration.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: The program also focuses on protecting indigenous communities' ownership of the seeds they collect.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: Through agreements with the National Tree Seed Center, communities maintain control over how their seeds are used and whether they are shared with others.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: Around 7,000 Indigenous youth athletes have gathered in Edmonton to take part in sport, culture, and community at the 2026 Alberta Indigenous Games.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: 650 teams from Alberta, Canada, and the United States are competing in 16 sports throughout venues in the Edmonton region.
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  SPEAKER_00: With coaches, chaperones, and officials, there will be over 9,000 participants expected to take part in these games.
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  SPEAKER_00: The 2026 Alberta Indigenous Games are projected to bring an estimated$28.5 million in total economic impact for the province.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: The games are one of Edmonton's largest annual sporting and cultural events as the economic contribution is comparable to K Days and the Canadian Finals rodeo.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: The Alberta Indigenous Games runs until August the 15th.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: That's a look at your national Indigenous news.