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Topic

Bridging Intent and Action: Uncovering Barriers to Indigenous Collaboration in Metro Vancouver’s Climate Action Development

School of Public Administration

Date & location

• Thursday, December 19, 2024
• 10:00 A.M.
• Virtual Defence

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Sarah Marie Wiebe, School of Public Administration, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
• Prof. Robert Lapper, School of Public Administration, UVic (Member)

External Examiner

• Dr. Jeff Corntassel, Indigenous Studies, UVic

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Jean Buckler, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, UVic

Abstract

This thesis investigates the critical alignment between intention and process in the pursuit of ‘genuine collaboration’ with First Nations and Indigenous communities on climate action within Metro Vancouver. This study explores the unique regional barriers that impede meaningful engagement and partnership toward epistemological pluralism by identifying and analyzing the vital role of Indigenous perspectives in shaping practical, holistic, and inclusive climate responses. Through a polycentric approach, the research examines existing structural, legislative, and policy frameworks within Metro Vancouver, highlighting how these impact meaningful Indigenous participation in climate policy development.

Aligning closely with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and subsequent federal and provincial directives, Metro Vancouver has committed to fostering genuine collaboration with First Nations and enhancing Indigenous inclusion in climate policy. This includes adopting trans-local guidance to engage First Nations in projects in an ‘early and ongoing’ manner. However, despite these commitments, current engagement with First Nations on climate initiatives often begins at a stage when draft policy documents and project definitions are already established, limiting the capacity to incorporate diverse epistemologies—a core principle underpinning reconciliation-driven collaboration and foundational to effective planetary health interventions. This study investigates the challenges and barriers Metro Vancouver faces in cultivating deep, collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities around varied climate knowledge systems. To focus this exploration, the research examines Metro Vancouver staff’s experiences initiating 'early' engagement as an initial step towards achieving ‘meaningful engagement’ and ‘genuine collaboration’ with First Nations.

Using interpretive policy analysis and a critical policy lens, this research explores findings from a literature review, critical document analysis and ten qualitative interviews with regional staff to determine how Indigenous climate engagement guidance like ‘early involvement’ is interpreted, communicated and implemented to pursue genuine collaboration. Finally, the study makes recommendations on how to move forward, albeit incrementally. Findings revealed that for climate policy, development specifically, ‘early’ is a misnomer, and the process requires ongoing dialogue around climate issues outside of a reductionist project scope to accommodate holistic approaches. A co-developed dialogue space that democratizes knowledge would be a step towards meaningfully considering the systemic drivers of climate change through epistemic pluralism and would help build collaborative relationships built on trust with First Nations, both of which are needed to create holistic environmental interventions. Effective co-developed climate policy should not seek to overcome differences to co-create but work to accommodate plural epistemologies that challenge Western dualism by focusing on connection and relationships to build transformative futures together. This thesis advances regional efforts towards more effective and socially just climate solutions in Metro Vancouver by identifying barriers and proposing pathways for stronger Indigenous climate collaboration through equal partnerships.