Yellowknife — May 24, 2023
The NWT Climate Change Council has successfully recruited 11 youth from across the territory for the newly-established Climate Youth Advisory Group.
Youth occupy the frontlines of climate change, demanding accountability from governments and industry around the world. With Canada’s Arctic warming up to four times faster than the rest of Canada, Northwest Territories (NWT) youth have a unique voice to share.
Made up of youth under the age of 30, the advisory group will have representation from all regions of the NWT bringing their unique, regional experiences to the table.
Members of the Climate Youth Advisory Group will be engaging with their community – including other youth and elders – and bringing their voices to three virtual meetings and one in-person meeting per year.
In return, members will have an opportunity to learn about policy making and provide advice and insight into recommendations made by the NWT Climate Change Council.
The members of the Climate Youth Advisory Group are:
Beaufort Delta: Jessi Pascal and Grace Illasiak
Dehcho: Mary Ann Minoza-Sylvester and Lauren Corneille-Lafferty
North Slave: Tanisha Beaverho and Jody Ann Zoe
Sahtu: Andrew Speakman
South Slave: Julia Gyapay and Reegan Jungkind
Yellowknife: James Thomas and Ellen Gillies
Learn more about the members in the backgrounder attached.
Quote(s)
“Youth are concerned about climate change – and will face it more than any of us. They have an important role to play in our collective efforts to address climate change. It is encouraging to see so many youth stepping up to make their voices heard and taking action to improve their communities. I applaud everyone who applied for the Climate Youth Advisory Group – and look forward to seeing their work.”
- Shane Thompson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“The Youth are our future, and we need to support them to be able to participate in these important discussions on Climate Change. The Council is pleased that good progress has been made on launching the Climate Youth Advisory Group. The youth voice will be important to amplify in the next Action Plan and help shape future Climate initiatives and policies. I am thankful to have been a part of the selection committee reviewing the excellent applicants. It was hard to choose as there are so many very high-quality applicants. The Council is looking forward to working with the youth and receiving their input over the next two years in the critical Climate discussions. Lots of work to do.”
- Tim Heron, Co-Chair, NWT Climate Change Council
Quick facts
- The Climate Youth Advisory Group will meet for the first time in June 2023.
- The Climate Youth Advisory Group was established as one of the mandates of the Climate Change Council to ensure there is a balance of young voices to influence climate action and policy in the NWT.
- The NWT Climate Change Council is a forum for sharing information, for collaboration, and for engagement among non-elected staff of Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, representatives of NWT communities, and the GNWT, with input from external partners.
- The Council provides guidance and advice to inform and advance GNWT climate change and environment programs in alignment with the perspectives, interests, and knowledge of Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, and communities.
Related links
For media requests:
Mike Westwick
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
