b'In my view, First Nations criticalTHE CLIMATE CRISIS IS A LENS THROUGH WHICH infrastructure is not so narrowly defined, nor is it so obsessed with the merelyWE CAN SEE THE WORLD, AND THE FUTURE. WHEN human. Critical includes spirit. It includes our languages which encode andLOOKING FORWARD THROUGH THAT LENS I BELIEVE uplift concepts foreign to the colonial mind and the colonial government.THAT GETTING OUR RELATIONSHIP TO WATER HEALTHY Concepts like inter-relationship, humility,AND STRONG WILL ALSO INNATELY HELP OUR NATIONS considering seven generations and the seven grandfather teachings; conceptsBE HEALTHY AND STRONG. WATER IS LIFE.that are critical to responding to the climate crisis and concepts critical to maintaining our cohesion as Nations within those crises. Most importantly we must rememberThe time for us to build and rebuildshould be built to withstand sustained that our Nations are undergoing ais now. Climate Change Resiliencewinds of 295 km/h as were experienced diaspora. Over half of our people liveAssessment for First Nations can berecently in the Bahamas? in the urban environment, often farmore than just analysis of the bricks- Which leads to the final implication from their lands. But in the midst ofand-mortar of your community.of the climate crisis for First Nations a superstorm, do you really want toPerhaps it includes your food securitynationhood: We are survivors. We have be in downtown Toronto or Calgaryand your water security? Perhaps forsurvived murderous genocidal intent or Vancouver? My vision is that withyour Nation, as you think about what our critical infrastructure built andyou need to survive a sustained climateinitiated by the most powerful Nations maintained with an eye towardscrisis, the things that make your Nationin human history. And we survive.We surviving and thriving in the midst oftruly special will stand out. Your sacredeven thrive. We remain committed the climate crisis, our Nations will berelations to your animal kin, or perhapsto showing them a better way. Our able to hold a safe space for our peoplethe ancient and deep medicine knowledgestruggles for land, for water, for rights, to return when needed. There arent thatstill being passed down? This is the kindwill benefit the colonizers grandchildren many gardens, and very few moose, deer,of critical infrastructure that must alsoas much as our own. Nationhood in the beavers or porcupines. Even the coyotesbe protected and supported. Perhapsclimate crisis means that we must be are skinny a large city is no place tothe place in your community that youdreamers of a future much needed but survive a truly hard time. pass on knowledge, like a teaching lodge,almost unimaginable.88 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2019'