The University of Calgary's Mobilizing Alberta Climate Action Grant program has supported climate projects across southern Alberta since its pilot phase in 2021. The program funds initiatives in climate advocacy, equity-driven action, youth engagement, ecosystem health, climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture, supporting projects that deliver measurable, community-driven impact.
Many initiatives were shaped through collaboration with Indigenous communities, where Indigenous knowledges and leadership guided local responses to the climate crisis.
The program has awarded $720,000 to 20 initiatives, each led by a UCalgary faculty member with student and community involvement, fostering long-term partnerships that connect research with action. To date, more than 500 students have participated in 39 experiential learning opportunities, gaining practical experience addressing climate challenges.
These collaborations reflect the university's Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan, which prioritizes research and education with real-world impact, and align with ii' taa'poh'to'p, UCalgary's Indigenous strategy, by centering relationships and respecting Indigenous ways of knowing and doing.
Indigenous Knowledges shaping climate solutions
Indigenous leadership and Knowledges are essential for equitable climate solutions that protect communities, biodiversity and ecosystem health for all.
Dr. Adela Kincaid, PhD'15, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts, Department of Political Science and International Indigenous Studies, has led multiple grant-funded initiatives. One is a collaboration with Dr. Angela McGinnis, PhD, from the Red Pony Stands, focused on creating a colouring book about buffalo, plants and Indigenous cultural connections.
The project involved several student contributors: Blackfoot artist Elijah Wells and a Cree artist illustrated the book; Isabella Frey from the Faculty of Science wrote the captions; and Sylvia Lopez from the Faculty of Arts designed the cover and layout. The publication aims to increase public awareness of environmental and human relationships on the prairies and uses an arts-based storytelling approach to braid knowledge systems and model mutually beneficial relationships between people and the land.
"This work is important to me because the bison is a keystone species to the foothills and plains. Without them, the environment suffers," says Wells, a UCalgary visual studies student.
"What inspired me to create art about the Inni (bison) was the Inni project headed by Dr. Leroy Little Bear and all the work and awareness he's brought about the Inni nation and the role they play in the environment and their cultural importance to the Blackfoot nation."
Another project was co-led by Dr. Steven Vamosi, PhD, a professor in the Faculty of Science and scientific director of the Biogeoscience Institute, in collaboration with the Piikani First Nation and the Resilience Institute.
Inspired by the traditional Piikani Winter Count, the project combined Blackfoot monitoring methods with Western scientific techniques. It tracked key climate indicators identified by the Piikani Nation: sweetgrass and bison. By blending these approaches, the initiative builds local capacity to observe and respond to climate change.
"We were able to bring together multiple generations, including youth, post-secondary students, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) biologists and Indigenous Elders, to share knowledge about the cultural and ecological significance of bison and sweetgrass," Vamosi says.
"What really stood out for me about this grant program was its emphasis on one, partnering with communities on real-world problems, and two, student experiential learning."
Dr. Kerry Black, PhD, Tier II Canada Research Chair, collaborated with Dr. David Barrett, PhD, a sessional instructor in the Faculties of Arts and Science, along with UCalgary students, Living Lakes Canada and the Blackfoot Youth Water Council. The project trained students and council members to monitor aquatic ecosystems in the Bow River Basin, helping maintain their health.
"The funding helped members of the Blackfoot Youth Water Council take part in important community-based training that will support the council in advancing water stewardship initiatives in our communities," says Disa Crow Chief, community-based researcher and co-founder of the council.
Building long-term climate resilience
These collaborations reflect the program's priorities, which include reciprocal partnerships, truth and reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and student experiential learning, all aimed at strengthening climate resilience in southern Alberta.
Alana-Dawn Eirikson, MSW'18, coordinator of partnerships and events in the Office of Institutional Commitments, says UCalgary supports and honours Indigenous leadership and parallel path approaches to climate action.
"Project teams have collaborated to develop solutions grounded in both Indigenous Knowledges and western science, addressing community climate needs, and providing students practical skills in climate research, policy and community-driven action."
To learn more about other Mobilizing Alberta Climate Action Grant projects, visit the program's website. To learn more about climate change in Alberta and how you can take action, check out the free Preparing Albertans for Climate Change e-course.
University of Calgary's Institutional Sustainability Strategy provides a road map for continuous improvement in our pursuit of excellence, innovation and leadership in sustainability. We aim to be a Canadian post-secondary education leader in sustainability in our academic and engagement programs, administrative and operational practices and through supporting community and industry in their aims for leadership in sustainability.
The Office of Institutional Commitments is advancing sustainability, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and mental health and well-being at UCalgary through a whole campus approach to build a caring campus community where everyone can thrive.
