Heiltsuk Hereditary Chief and climate resilience leader Frank Brown, λáλíya̓ sila meaning "preparing for the largest potlatch" has joined the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) at the University of Victoria (UVic) as its next Indigenous Climate Fellow.
Hereditary Chief Frank Brown in Nisqually on canoe journey. Credit: Chief Frank Brown
Brown is a respected Heiltsuk leader who has been working at the interface of climate change, conservation and community-based resurgence for numerous decades. His fellowship will uplift inclusion of Indigenous knowledges in climate research and action, specifically in support of the Relationship Protocol established between PICS and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC). His work with PICS will contribute towards implementation of the B.C. First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan.
"I am honoured to join PICS as an Indigenous Climate Fellow and look forward to ensuring First Nations leadership and knowledge are deeply considered climate solutions in the Pacific region," says Brown. "The Relationship Protocol between PICS and FNLC provides a framework for respectfully bringing together Indigenous and western ways of knowing to benefit Nations and the lands and waters that sustain us."
A leader in the Pacific coast-wide ocean-going Indigenous canoe resurgence, Brown served as the initiator and senior events planner for the Tribal Journeys to Bella Bella for Qatuwas, "people gathering together," in 1993 and 2014. He is a board member for Heiltsuk Climate Action, is a senior advisor to the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, and is actively involved in the Guardians movement.
"Chief Brown's leadership and experience advancing Indigenous-led climate solutions and stewardship is highly regarded by PICS and our partners," says PICS Executive Director Ian Mauro. "We are humbled that he is joining the team and will be providing guidance to our network and initiatives."
Brown's guidance regarding research, community engagement, and knowledge mobilization related to climate change, Indigenous knowledges, and reconciliation will support PICS and a larger community of researchers working towards implementation of the Relationship Protocol.
"The University of Victoria takes our relationships and responsibilities to Indigenous Peoples seriously. It's core to who we are as an institution, and this appointment of Hereditary Chief Frank Brown as PICS' next Indigenous Climate Fellow demonstrates this in practice," says UVic's Vice-President Indigenous Qwul'sih'yah'maht, Robina Thomas. "Chief Brown's guidance will help develop research that is respectful, relational and reciprocal."
Brown's work with PICS supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) and SDG 13 (climate action). Learn more about the SDGs at UVic.
About PICS
PICS is a collaborative and user-engaged institute that networks and convenes diverse research partners to catalyze climate solutions for British Columbia, Canada and the world. PICS is hosted and led by the University of Victoria, in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
