Just transition in the northwest territories: Insights and values from indigenous and non-indigenous northerners

Abstract

Just transition means that society shares both tangible and intangible costs and benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy in a socially just way. Across Canada, Indigenous peoples are shouldering a disproportionate social and economic burden on non-renewable sources as well as transitioning to renewable sources of energy due to high costs, lack of appropriate technology to store excess power, and remoteness of the region. This study aims to promote the significance of Northern energy transition through Indigenous perspectives (technological-social) in advancing a low carbon future as an act of truth and reconciliation (2015) in the Northwest Territories (NWT). In the NWT successful progress for climate change issues have been made pre-Covid with a plurality of perspectives but there is room for an improved post-Covid process that requires an emphasis on the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives (technological-social) as equal to non-Indigenous perspectives (technological). Results identify three themes, which are Indigenous land ethos (Mother Earth relationality), community energy autonomy (informed leadership), and capacity training (humanizing outreach) as key drivers to future just transition in the Northwest Territories.

Keywords

• Indigenous northern values
• Just transition partnerships (indigenous and non-indigenous)
• Renewable energy projects
• Holistic northern voices
• Climate change collaborations