Partners in Climate Action: How Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation is addressing flood-related risks through knowledge sharing and collaboration

Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation in Saskatchewan utilized the Pathways to Climate Change Resilience Guidebook to develop a climate adaptation plan following severe flooding in 2005, 2007, and 2011. By integrating Traditional Knowledge and partnering with entities like the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Research Council, the community identified risks—including extreme heat and precipitation variability—and implemented infrastructure improvements such as expanded drainage systems and water quality research.

• Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation in Saskatchewan used the Pathways to Climate Change Resilience Guidebook to conduct an adaptation planning process. This allowed the community to prioritize adaptation actions based on local climate projections and gain a better understanding of climate-related opportunities and risks.
• The community's adaptation planning was prompted by repeat flooding events in 2005, 2007, and 2011, which caused health and safety concerns and damaged infrastructure. Climate projections for the area between the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers indicate future risks including longer periods of extreme heat, more frequent windstorms, warmer winters, and greater precipitation variability.
• The use of Traditional Knowledge to validate current changes and past climate served as an effective method for engaging community members in ongoing monitoring and adaptation initiatives.
• Collaboration with a wide network of partners enabled the community to access information and resources to prove the inadequacy of existing infrastructure, which subsequently led to support and funding for long-term solutions.
• Specific adaptation actions implemented by Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation include the installation of larger culverts and an expanded drainage ditch to prevent flooding and secure road access, as well as drinking water quality research conducted with the Saskatchewan Research Council and the University of Saskatchewan.

APA

Rooban,, A. (2019). Partners in Climate Action: How Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation is addressing flood-related risks through knowledge sharing and collaboration. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/partners-climate-action-how-beardys-and-okemasis-cree-nation-addressing-flood-related-risks

Chicago

Rooban,, Anne. Partners in Climate Action: How Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation is addressing flood-related risks through knowledge sharing and collaboration. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2019. https://www.iisd.org/publications/partners-climate-action-how-beardys-and-okemasis-cree-nation-addressing-flood-related-risks.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rooban, |first1=Anne |title=Partners in Climate Action: How Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation is addressing flood-related risks through knowledge sharing and collaboration |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=15 September 2019 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/partners-climate-action-how-beardys-and-okemasis-cree-nation-addressing-flood-related-risks |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rooban2019partners, author = {Rooban,, Anne}, title = {{Partners in Climate Action: How Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation is addressing flood-related risks through knowledge sharing and collaboration}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2019}, month = sep, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/partners-climate-action-how-beardys-and-okemasis-cree-nation-addressing-flood-related-risks}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }