Indigenous input needed in fight against climate change: Manitoba chief

WINNIPEG – A regional chief from Manitoba says indigenous voices are crucial to the fight against climate change.

Kevin Hart of the Assembly of First Nations says climate change disproportionately affects aboriginal people, even though they contribute to it the least.

Hart, who co-chairs the AFN’s climate committee, has been meeting with indigenous leaders at the United Nations climate conference in Morocco.

He told CTV Winnipeg that indigenous economies are built on a harmonious relationship with nature.

Hart said governments need to consult with First Nations if the battle against climate change is to move forward.

He suggested oppression occurs when the voices of indigenous peoples are ignored.

He said he witnessed that first-hand when he visited the protest camp at Standing Rock in North Dakota, where indigenous tribes are opposing the Dakota Access pipeline.

“I was there. I was an international observer for the AFN. I saw the human rights violations.”

The conference in Morocco concludes Friday.

(CTV Winnipeg)