Biography
Eriel Tchekwie Deranger is a formidable advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental justice, deeply rooted in the traditions and heritage of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), a Dënesųłiné Nation in northern Alberta, Canada. Her commitment to environmental protection is profoundly personal, shaped by the rich cultural legacy of her people and the existential threats that have imperiled their land and way of life.
Eriel was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, after her family’s ancestral lands near Uranium City were forcibly taken for mining and other extraction activities. Her deep connection to her heritage and homeland has been a guiding force throughout her life and work, inspiring her to advocate fiercely for Indigenous rights and environmental justice in the face of continued industrial encroachment.
“My family has been challenging these industries for decades, citing the risks and dangers to the land, water, animals, our way of life, and ultimately our inherent and treaty rights,” she said.
In 2015, Eriel founded the Canada-based Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) and has led it to become a powerful advocate for Indigenous sovereignty and rights-based approaches to environmental protection. Under her leadership, ICA’s work is grounded in the understanding that climate change is more than an environmental issue, but a direct consequence of colonialism and systemic oppression.
“For Indigenous peoples, climate change began with colonization,” she said. “We cannot just work to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions and treat this crisis as one that is degraded to a mathematical equation to be solved. Instead, we must look at ways to decolonize the processes and the policies in order to address the climate crisis.”
Eriel finds balance in her creative pursuits, including painting, drawing, reading, and spending time with her family. She is deeply aware of the importance of self-care in sustaining her activism and has developed practices to maintain her well-being, knowing that the work she does is not just a career, but a profound calling.
Breakthrough program
Eriel Tchekwie Deranger was selected for the Climate Breakthrough Award program in 2024.
Eriel wants to launch a globally coordinated effort that allows for effective and resourced participation of Indigenous peoples in bringing forward climate solutions. Despite the landmark adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007, Eriel is acutely aware that Indigenous peoples continue to be sidelined in global negotiations and decision-making processes.
Indigenous-led climate solutions are undervalued and underrepresented. Eriel’s initiative seeks to overcome what she identifies as key barriers to these solutions, including enduring systems of colonization, inadequate funding, insufficient training opportunities led by and for Indigenous people, and a lack of direct information dissemination to communities.
With her deep connections among key stakeholders in Indigenous climate action, Eriel is uniquely positioned to drive this bold effort. She has played a crucial role in organizing Indigenous participation at various international climate conferences. She’s also a member of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change and a founding member of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus.
Though it may be difficult to quantify the exact emissions reduction potential of this initiative with current knowledge, the transformative impact of a fully-resourced Indigenous movement that is guided by a global vision for climate stability is undeniable. This work promises to reshape the global climate movement, ensuring that Indigenous voices are not just included but are central to the fight for climate justice.
