Linking Cumulative Effects to Indigenous Health and Well-Being

If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you. 

The theme of the 2022 Virtual Indigenous Conference on Cumulative Effects is “A Health and Well-Being Perspective.”  The Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE) is bringing together Indigenous environmental experts and representatives of Indigenous communities to share how effective management of the environment can result in positive and lasting impacts to the health and well-being of Indigenous communities.

The linkages between health and the environment are well-established. For Indigenous peoples, this is a fundamental part of culture, teachings and Indigenous knowledge. If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you.

The 2022 virtual conference will present linkages between effective assessment, monitoring and management of cumulative effects, and improved health and well-being for those that use the land. Cumulative Effects (CE) work should endeavour to explore and better understand the health of the environment, the flora and fauna, and human interactions with the use of the land.

Traditional harvesting is an integral part of Indigenous communities. When a resource is plentiful, the community benefits from good health and well-being.

For example, fish provide both a valuable source of nourishment and income to many Indigenous people. Likewise, Indigenous harvesters benefit from the cultural and traditional use of the catch for ceremony. The catch is often shared collectively, provided to elders, or donated to community food banks. Historic and current development, land use practices and pollutants have negatively impacted the health of the fish, fish habitat and those who consume the fish. In addition to health effects, it also negatively impacts the fish economy upon which many communities rely. Without a healthy fishery, community well-being may also suffer.

This is one of many examples of how our health and well being are impacted by cumulative effects. Please join us to learn more about what we can do to mitigate these impacts.