Saturday Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Breakout 2 (2:30 – 3:15)

4. The ABCDs of Indigenous-Led Climate Resilience

Grounded in the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) model, this session focuses on building strong community connections and empowering grassroots climate champions to address climate change and its intersecting challenges.

The session will start with an introduction to the ABCD approach and its power to foster meaningful dialogue, collective action, and local leadership. Participants will explore explore how communities can lead impactful climate solutions by leveraging their strengths, traditional knowledge, and cultural practices.

What to Expect:

  • Showcase of Indigenous-led climate initiatives rooted in ABCD

  • Strategies to support Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination

  • Tools to center community assets in climate resilience planning

Speakers:

Kevin Good, Climate & Sustainability Leader, Member of Snuneymuxw and Tseshaht First Nations

Crystal Lewis, Youth Representative for the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, Member of Squamish First Nation

5. Climate Stories That Work: Sharpening Your Climate Communication Skills

Sharpen your climate communications skills in this hands-on workshop. We’ll cover how to frame messages for different audiences (with examples!), avoid common mistakes, and share your personal climate story to inspire action — whether you’re leading a campaign or talking to friends and family.  

Speaker: Chloë Fraser, Communications Leader, Facilitator and Storytelling Consultant                                                    

6. Climate Anxiety & Mental Health: Building Our Inner Resources 

This session invites participants into an informative and interactive exploration of eco-distress and emotional resilience during the climate crisis. Teddy offers a guide for coping with these deeply uncertain times, offering practices for moving through difficult feelings like grief, disappointment, anger, frustration, and helplessness in a healthy way, in order to prevent overwhelm and burnout. 

What to Expect:

  • Tips for building healthy resilience during times of threat

  • Introduction to techniques for naming and expressing your emotions, and adapting to the climate crisis

  • Be in community with others who are also navigating their way through the complexity of the climate anxiety. 

Speaker: Teddy Kellam, Climate + Mental Health Specialist