By Teena Monteleone and Derek Cornet

Jolibois inspired by world parliamentarians on similar Indigenous issues

Oct 3, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Fighting for sustainable food systems, corporate social responsibility and responding to climate change were just a few of the topics discussed at the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region. It was part of an annual forum for the Canadian Europe Parliamentary Association.

The member of parliament for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River attended the event in Finland to represent the NDP and in her capacity as the critic for Indigenous Services.

“I was very proud to have brought the issues that Northerners deal with daily to this important international conference,” Jolibois told larongeNOW.

What surprised Jolibois the most is the similarities that Canada’s Indigenous communities share with others around the world. She was especially intrigued by the Sàmi people who inhabit parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia.

“They are the Indigenous people of northern Europe and I was intrigued to learn that they are, as we are here, worried about Indigenous languages and how we can retain them…especially in the digital era,” Jolibois said.  

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Discussion surrounded how digital technology could potentially help strengthen and retain not just the languages, but also culture.

“We will now do that in solidarity with Indigenous people in other parts of the world,” Jolibois said.  

Parliamentarians also heard about climate change at the forum. Jolibois said scientists explained how northern Russia, like Saskatchewan, has several forest fires and the increase in carbon dioxide is raising the sea level and changing weather patterns around the world.

“I learned so much and was inspired to learn that they have similar issues as we do in northern Canada,” she said.
 

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