Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory encompasses a land mass of approximately 544,000 square kilometers, two-thirds of the area of Ontario, and includes one of the world’s largest carbon sinks. Derek spearheaded NAN’s Kanimayakiiwebuk (As Things Change) climate change initiative – traveling extensively across NAN territory to educate and coordinate on mitigation and adaptation efforts. He utilized social media to bridge geographic challenges, engaging NAN’s 49 First Nation communities in series of challenges and rewards to promote Earth Day by connecting with 65,000 people via Facebook. Through keynote addresses and presentations at Queen’s Park and across the Province, he has enhanced awareness of the impacts of climate change on First Nations and advocates for traditional ecological knowledge to be incorporated in climate change legislation.
