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The Great Lakes have seen a 25% decrease in basin-wide ice cover since 1973, with all five lakes experiencing shorter ice durations. This trend, mirrored across the Northern Hemisphere, is linked to warming winter air and contributes to increased lake-effect snow, altered fish species competition, and risks to cultural heritage and safety. While natural patterns like El Niño cause year-to-year variability, long-term projections suggest further ice loss and surface water warming this century.

The document details the transition of Natasha and Andrew Akiwenzie from operating a commercial fishery in Neyaashiinigmiing, Ontario, to establishing the Bagida’waad Alliance after climate-driven changes made fishing unsustainable. It highlights the environmental pressures faced by the fishery, the organization's current initiatives in youth education and stewardship, and provides a comprehensive set of policy recommendations across multiple levels of government to support Indigenous-led climate action.

The document details the transition of Natasha and Andrew Akiwenzie from operating a commercial fishery to establishing the Bagida’waad Alliance, a non-profit focused on climate awareness and Indigenous stewardship. It describes how increasing storm intensity, warming waters, and invasive species led to the decline of the lake cisco (corégone) and the eventual closure of their business in 2018. The Bagida’waad Alliance now engages youth through filmmaking, digital media, and land-based learning, while advocating for the integration of Indigenous knowledge into federal and provincial climate policies.

The report projects that Ohio will face significantly hotter summers, increased flooding, and agricultural disruptions if current emissions trends continue. It highlights severe risks to public health from heat waves and ozone pollution, and warns of crop and livestock stress. The document advocates for a transition to clean energy through stronger renewable electricity standards, updated building codes, and federal cap-and-trade legislation.