First Nation teen calls climate change ‘deciding challenge’ for youth

By Bethany Ao, GSS correspondent

PARIS — It doesn’t take a lifetime to change the world.

Takai’ya Blaney, 14, addressed the Conference of Youth climate change summit in Paris today, telling attendees that climate change is “not an abstract statistic” but “a health issue, it’s a political issue, it’s a people issue.”

A member of the Sliammon First Nation in British Columbia, Canada, Blaney has been speaking out on environmental issues since age eight, when she learned about the Northern Gateway Pipeline that extends from Alberta to British Columbia and crosses some 45 First Nation lands.

As a youth ambassador for Native Children’s Survival, a nonprofit group that advocates for indigenous women and children around the world, Blaney addressed a UN conference in May 2014, urging the creation of the International Indigenous Children’s Fund to protect the environment and the interests of children n particular:

Read on for live tweets of Blaney’s speech by Bethany Ao, GSS correspondent and news editor.

—the editors

Ta’kaiya Blaney, a 14-year-old activist from Canada, has now taken the stage. She is part of the Tla’Amin First Nation. #COY11 #GSS_COY11

— GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“In times of great threat and tragedy, there are chances for great opportunities.” – Blaney #GSS_COY11 — GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

Blaney is now talking about how lots of sexual and psychological abuse happened in residential schools for indigenous peoples in Canada

— GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

She said this instilled a sense of sadness within her at a young age, which really shaped her identity. — GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“All of us in our lifetimes have witnessed something sad happen, whether that be personal or global.” – Blaney #GSS_COY11

— GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“We need to stand together in those times and make something from that.” – Blaney #GSS_COY11 — GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“When that territory is taken away from us, it takes away from who we are as humans.” – Blaney on oil being shipped out in Canada from coast

— GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“It’s a health issue, it’s a political issue, it’s a people issue.” – Blaney on climate changes & policy #GSS_COY11 — GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

Blaney says she entered activism through music, something she’s very passionate about. #GSS_COY11

— GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“If you have an outlet you’re passionate about, and a justice you’re passionate about, then combine the two.” – Blaney #GSS_COY11 — GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“It’s not some type of abstract statistic about temps rising, it’s about the very personal things that we recognize as a part of ourself.”

— GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“It’s about wanting to see something in the future and moving towards that vision.” – Blaney on climate change #GSS_COY11 — GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“I don’t think it’s naive or impossible to change the world, I think it’s only impossible to think you can change the world alone.”

— GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

Blaney says she has that sense of coming together b/c of her indigenous background and community from previous tragedies. #GSS_COY11 — GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“We are at the precipice of either radical change or eminent doom of the climate. This is the deciding challenge that sets the tone.” — GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

“We all have a voice, so be heard. We all have passion and art and it’s important to use your talents.” – Blaney #GSS_COY11

— GSS (@GSSVoices) November 28, 2015

—Bethany Ao is GSS News Editor for Europe and a junior at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. See more of her on-the-ground reports from COY11 on Twitter @GSSVoices, #GSS_COY11 and on Facebook. Follow Ao @BethanyAo and email her atbethanyao2017@u.northwestern.edu.