The weather in the north is changing. Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are pushing the Earth’s climate toward a warmer world at a faster rate than ever before, with temperatures in the north rising at twice the rate of other regions. These changes, coupled with the close ties First Nation communities have with the land, make the need to prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change increasingly important.

Focusing on northern Ontario, we are working with First Nation communities to put the knowledge and memories of First Nation Elders and land-users together with weather information and climate science to build a picture of the changes that have already happened and those that are likely to come.

Through collaboration with Climate Change Specialists and Climate Change Champions in Tribal Councils and communities, we aim to assist communities in planning for and adapting to climate change in the north by facilitating community discussion, providing culturally appropriate tools, and building capacity around climate change and adaptation.

What have Elders observed?

Discussions with community Elders and learning from them is helping communities find ways of understanding the past and preparing for future change. Learn about our process and find tools for gathering knowledge in communities.

What have scientists recorded?

Weather stations can help us understand changes in climate, but only a few weather stations with long historical records are available in northern Ontario. Find out what weather stations can tell us with the Big Trout Lake Climate Story.

Why is the Climate changing?

The weather in northern Ontario is shifting. Humans are causing the Earth's climate to change faster than usual because of pollution from oil, gas and coal. Learn about global warming and climate change and find resources for discussing these topics in your community.

What will the weather be like in the future?

Scientists use computer models to predict what the climate in the north will be like 50 years or even 70 years from now. This information can help communities better prepare for changes to come.

Impacts and Adaptations

Climate change is already impacting the north. The knowledge of Elders and calculations of climate scientists are giving us a good idea of the changes in climate that are likely in the lifetime of our children and grandchildren. Learn about climate change impacts and the ways we can adapt.

Adaptation Planning   

Adaptation planning can help First Nation communities cope with the climate change impacts happening now and prepare for changes expected in the future. Find resources to help adaptation planning in your community.

Building Capacity

By working closely with Climate Change Specialists and Climate Change Champions in Tribal Councils and communities, offering training, and hosting community climate change meetings and workshops, we're working to build capacity in First Nations in northern Ontario and beyond.

The Partnership for Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation (PICCA) is a collaboration between Up North on Climate and First Nation councils in northern Ontario. Current partners include Grand Council Treaty #3, Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Matawa First Nations Management, Muskegowuk Council, Nokiiwin Tribal Council, and Shibogama First Nations Council which, together, serve 59 First Nation communities. The PICCA vision is to develop a sustainable network of knowledgeable climate change adaptation leaders in Indigenous organizations and communities that will support community-led climate change adaptation.

Many of the resources offered from Up North on Climate, including our Word Guide, Adaptation Planning Framework, and Climate Change and Adaptation Quick Guides, have been co-developed with our PICCA partners. The PICCA GeoHub, that will serve as a one-stop site for climate change adaptation information relevant to Indigenous groups, is also under development. Find the completed pages and track our progress at the link below!

https://picca-picca.hub.arcgis.com/