The Nature of All Things Indigenous: Discussing the Changing Climate of Truth, Reconciliation and Nurturing Connections

Register for our second in-person Indigenous Speakers Series session on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (PT) at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC Vancouver campus. In this event, we are excited and honoured to welcome Dr. David Suzuki and Dr. Shane Pointe, who will share their perspectives and experiences on our changing climate. In this era of truth-telling and reckoning with the past, we need one another to spark an urgent call for change—to reset our relationship with Mother Earth and the sacred, finite resources we all share.

Live Stream | Register to receive the webcast link closer to the event date.
In-person location | Jack Poole Hall, Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, 6163 University Boulevard, UBC Vancouver Point Grey Campus (Google Maps location)

*Note: Given the importance and sensitivity of the event, we kindly request that those attending in-person commit to participating throughout the entire day.

Program

9:00 AM – Opening in a Good Way
The day begins with a traditional prayer chant to welcome our Ancestors and set the tone for the important work ahead. Dr. Shane Pointe (Ti-te-in) will then welcome us to Musqueam territory.

Moderators & Greetings
Derek Thompson and Maï Yasué will guide the day in a respectful way, offering warm greetings and introducing Dr. David Suzuki and Dr. Shane Pointe.

Speaker Introductions & Reflections
Dr. Suzuki and Dr. Pointe will introduce themselves and share reflections, followed by remarks on the purpose of the gathering and the value of cultural work.

Witnesses
Four community witnesses will be called to observe the proceedings and hold memory of the day, honouring the oral traditions of First Nations.

Honouring Ceremony
A ceremony will recognize those among us who are grieving and honour Dr. Shane Pointe’s meaningful contributions. Traditional songs will welcome both speakers into this space.

12:00 PM – Lunch
A nourishing lunch will be provided for all attendees at no cost, with refreshments available throughout the day.

1:00 PM – Meaningful Conversations
Moderated by Derek and Maï, this dialogue with Dr. Suzuki and Dr. Pointe will be guided by prepared questions to create a safe and supportive space.

3:30 PM – Conclusion
The day will close with reflections from the moderators, witnesses, and acknowledgements of all who supported the event, followed by a traditional song.

Description 

Written by Derek K Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun
, Director, Indigenous Engagement

Dr. David Suzuki is synonymous with all sorts of references about the responsibility that we all share in caring for our planet. Dr. Suzuki has been recognized for his unwavering activism to change the way we think about our environment and to fundamentally shift the way we behave towards our planet. He has also been a strong supporter of First Nations and Indigenous knowledge systems within the context of climate change and protecting the environment.

Dr. Shane Pointe | Ti-te-in has spent his entire career breathing life into who we are and where we come from as First Nations and Indigenous peoples. He believes in the power and perseverance of our intergenerational intelligence in spite of being profoundly affected by the systems of oppression and assimilation. Ti-te-in is the inaugural recipient of the Honorary Doctorate of Original Laws from the Native Education College, and this acknowledgement reinforces the relevance of First Nations and Indigenous knowledge.

There’s never been a more urgent time in which we find ourselves to strengthen our efforts to create communities of resilience and an intensity of purpose to come to terms with climate change and our relationship with Mother Earth. In an era of truth and reconciliation, there is an intense interest to learn from First Nations and Indigenous peoples and communities to better understand our relationship with the natural world, and to create the space and opportunity for the telling of our stories of the past and present that speak to a vibrant world in which all things have life and are respected. First Nations traditions are living intergenerational experiences of respectful cohabitation, where humans considered themselves to be only one of many beings in a sacred landscape.

This important conversation will bring together Dr. Suzuki and Dr. Pointe to discuss their respective views and experiences about our changing climate. In an era of telling the truth and reckoning with the past we need each other to bring about an urgency of change to reset our relationship with our Mother Earth and the sacred and scarce resources we all share.

You are invited to bear witness to how we, as First Nations, understand this important work within the context of our culture, our ceremonies, our spiritual work, and the way that we do things in our communities. You are invited to be a part of our efforts to heal, to come together, to work with each other, and to anchor our commitments to do and be better. You are invited to experience the unique features of our culture, our identity, and our sensibilities about this important work. You are all invited to be a part of telling the truth, of reckoning with the truth, and reconciling for the present and for the future.