KEPO to present at COP15 on Sunday

12/08/2022

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) and the Kahnaw�:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) are pleased to announce that Rats�nhaienhs Ross Montour and the KEPO staff will be making a presentation at the COP15 global biodiversity conference this weekend. They will be presenting on the challenges and successes encountered during the Tekakwitha Island and Bay Restoration project.

COP15 is taking place from December 7-19 at the Palais des Congres in Montreal. This year�s objective is to negotiate and adopt the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The framework will contain a series of global goals and targets which will drive conservation priorities to the year 2030 and beyond.

�It is crucial that the important role of Indigenous Peoples in achieving the objectives of this convention is recognized, and that promotion of Indigenous leadership in conservation is featured prominently throughout the framework,� said Rats�nhaienhs Montour, who holds the Environment Portfolio on behalf of the MCK. �We will call for more and better quality partnerships with Indigenous Peoples so we can see more Indigenous-led conservation projects through to fruition.�

The Convention on Biological Diversity was the first global agreement to cover all aspects of biological diversity, and compels countries to:

• Respect, preserve and maintain the knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous Peoples and to promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holders of such knowledge as well as encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge, innovations and practices;
• Protect and encourage customary use of biological resources in accordance with traditional cultural practices that are compatible with conservation or sustainable use; and
• Encourage and develop methods of cooperation for the development and use of technologies, including indigenous and traditional technologies in pursuance of the objectives of this Convention.

�We have an incredible opportunity to not only showcase the excellent work that we have done, but also to show the world that we as Onkweh�n:we are ready willing and able to play a key leadership role in protecting and preserving nature for current and future generations,� said KEPO�s Director, Ben Green-Stacey. �This is fundamental to who we are � it�s in our DNA.�