Power of Acimowin: Storytelling and Climate Change Policy

The document examines how Indigenous stories, such as the nehiyawak tale 'Birds of Colour: Part 2', provide essential instructions for sustainable living and climate action. It argues that systemic racism and a preference for Eurocentric knowledge have excluded Indigenous expertise from Canadian climate policy. By applying the nehiyawak medicine wheel—which balances spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental aspects—the author demonstrates how storytelling fosters the agency, interconnectedness, and patience needed for effective climate mitigation and adaptation. The study concludes with policy recommendations for the Canadian government to adopt 'Two-Eyed Seeing' and ensure climate policies are led by Indigenous Peoples and Nations.

• Systemic racism in Canada acts as a barrier to Indigenous inclusion in climate policy by prioritizing Eurocentric knowledge and dismissing Indigenous worldviews as inferior, a legacy rooted in colonial oppression and residential school policies.
• Indigenous storytelling serves as a practical guide for future climate action, offering a holistic perspective that addresses root causes rather than just symptoms, unlike many western approaches.
• The nehiyawak medicine wheel provides a framework for climate action by connecting spiritual identity (the 'why'), physical embodiment (taking immediate action), emotional relationships (interconnectedness with nature), and mental wisdom (listening to Elders).
• The 'Birds of Colour: Part 2' story illustrates key climate lessons: the necessity of taking immediate action ('sometimes you only have one chance to get, or do, something'), the value of biodiversity, and the importance of patience and listening to instructions.
• Indigenous languages contain specific connotations that emphasize the interconnectedness of all living things, which could lead to more holistic climate frameworks if integrated into policy.
• Despite Indigenous lands containing 80% of the world's remaining biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples remain marginalized in policy discussions, leading to a loss of valuable expertise in environmental stewardship.

APA

Lamouche, S. (2023). Power of Acimowin: Storytelling and Climate Change Policy. Canadian Climate Institute. https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/power-acimowin-storytelling-climate-change-policy/

Chicago

Lamouche, Sandra. Power of Acimowin: Storytelling and Climate Change Policy. Canadian Climate Institute, 2023. https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/power-acimowin-storytelling-climate-change-policy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lamouche |first1=Sandra |title=Power of Acimowin: Storytelling and Climate Change Policy |publisher=Canadian Climate Institute |date=12 June 2023 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/power-acimowin-storytelling-climate-change-policy/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lamouche2023power, author = {Lamouche, Sandra}, title = {{Power of Acimowin: Storytelling and Climate Change Policy}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/power-acimowin-storytelling-climate-change-policy/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }