Melina Laboucan-Massimo: Community-Based Renewable Energy as Climate Solutions

Facing firsthand the impacts of the Alberta tar sands to her traditional territory, Laboucan-Massimo has been a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights for the past 10 years. She will discuss green energy and her experience in climate change activism.Melina Laboucan-Massimo is Lubicon Cree from Northern Alberta. She has worked on social, environmental and climate justice issues for the past 15 years. Melina has studied and worked in Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Canada focusing on resource extraction, media literacy and Indigenous rights & responsibilities. She has produced short documentaries, researched, and worked on topics ranging from the tar sands, land protection, water issues and cultural appropriation. For the past 9 years Melina has worked against tar sands expansion as a Climate & Energy campaigner with Greenpeace in Alberta as well as with the Indigenous Environmental Network internationally. Melina has also been vocal on the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women in Canada after the suspicious death of her sister Bella whose case still remains unsolved. Melina recently finished her Masters degree in Indigenous Governance at the University of Victoria with a focus on Renewable Energy in First Nation communities. This past summer Melina completed a 20.8kW solar installation in her home community of Little Buffalo in the heart of the tar sands. Melina currently serves on the board of 350.org. You can view more at: http://www.lubiconsolar.ca