Greetings EPN Participants,  

The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (“COP 26”) concluded this month. Dr. Michael Charles (an American Indian scientist from the Navajo Nation, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineer and Sustainability Expert at The Ohio State University) traveled to COP 26 with support from the Indigenous Environmental Network and Te Ara Whatu, and served as a representative of the Indigenous Caucus at COP 26.

A few days ago, Dr. Charles sat down with Callia Téllez, Environmental Policy Fellow at the Ohio Environmental Council, and the EPN to share his take-home points from COP 26 and how the Indigenous Caucus participated in, and affected, climate change policy and negotiation at COP 26, and where he finds hope going forward.

Please take 7 minutes to review highlights of this conversation or checkout the full length one-hour interview at this unique, EPN feature Building hope in a space and movement where change feels unlikely.

Learn more at go.osu.edu/BuildingHope

In addition to outlining major events, themes, and outcomes at COP 26, Dr. Charles offers advice on how to create space to converse about the importance of self-care and community for Indigenous Peoples at climate change negotiation conferences as these negotiations place a specific weight and trauma for communities that face disproportionate harms from the climate crisis and systemic oppression.

November is Native American Heritage Month. The EPN assembled resources from previous programs and by additional partners at Ohio State, which are available here. The QR codes will take you to specific program websites, including details for an alternative celebration event to the Thanksgiving holiday, sponsored collaboratively between the Native American Indigenous Peoples Cohort and Native American and Indigenous Student Initiatives.

Learn more at go.osu.edu/nativeamericanheritagemonth

Best wishes for a safe and restful holiday ahead,

Joe Campbell and Cecil Okotah