CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Uplifting Youth Climate Leaders Project

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is seeking a consultant to deliver the Uplifting Youth Climate Leaders Project working with the FNLC Climate Project manager, UBCIC staff and the FNLC climate team.

Background

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is a political collaborative working relationship between the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), the First Nations Summit (FNS), and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC).

Mandated by First Nations in B.C., the FNLC engages in advocacy and develops strategies and actions to bring about significant and meaningful change for all First Nations in British Columbia.

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC), launched the B.C. First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan (the FNSCAP) in April 2022.  Within the Capacity and Leadership pathway of the FNSCAP, Theme 2.6 focuses on a Commitment to Youth.  The objectives of this commitment are to 1) Increase opportunities for First Nations youth to take on climate advocacy and leadership positions both within and outside of their communities and 2) Create inclusive and culturally appropriate spaces for First Nations youth, including 2SLGBQQIA+ youth, to participate in climate discussions and response and support the implementation of any outcomes.

In addition to the strong focus on Youth within Theme 2.6 of the FNSCAP, and woven throughout the Strategy, other key documents which include recommendations related to youth climate action are:

• Spiritual Knowledge Keepers’ Report
• The First Nations Leadership Council Climate Emergency Survey Findings
• Back to the Land: A Vision for Climate Justice in Our Communities
• FNPSS- Youth Engagement Roundtable Strategic Planning Session Summary

This project addresses objectives within the FNSCAP Strategy and these reports.

Objectives

• To provide training opportunities for youth, especially through land-based learning.
• To enable advocacy opportunities for youth, such as ensuring youth are present at decision-making tables.
• To create mentorship opportunities for youth, particularly between elders/knowledge holders and youth and/or indigenous climate leaders and youth.
• To open spaces that recognize and support existing youth climate leadership and champions.
• To create youth climate action opportunities of all types, (e.g. on the land, in their communities, via employment).
• To Create spaces and opportunities for youth to share their climate work with one another (i.e. youth networks)

Project Activities and Timeline

The project begins by developing a youth advisory committee/circle and identifying elder mentors to guide the project from start to finish. The project will then engage a broader group of approximately 20 youth. Once both the advisory

circle and the wider group of participants are in place, there will be a series of sessions (~3) over 2-3 months to prepare for a full day youth session tied to a broader climate gathering.  The preparatory sessions will include opportunities for youth to share their climate work with one another, and will also connect youth to elders, knowledge keepers and climate mentors.  Presentations and readings, related to timely and current climate issues/policy and relevant to the climate gathering will accompany the sessions to build tools for meaningful engagement.  This youth event will include a facilitated land-based learning component and will also be a working session to outline a youth-authored proposed workplan for the next 12-months. There might also be the opportunity for the youth to present at the conference on what they have prepared or envisioned during their virtual meetings and youth event.

Project Kick-off

November 2025

• Meet with FNLC climate team to initiate project.
• Deliver a detailed project timeline and workplan.

Setting up and managing a Youth Advisory Committee/ Youth and Elders Climate Circle

November 2025 to February 2026

• Develop outline for circle/committee including schedule, guidelines, roles, responsibilities.
• Identify youth to approach and channels for reaching hard to reach youth.
• Identify elders to approach.
• Create a selection process.
• Engage and enter into agreements with approximately 5 youth and 5 elders.
• Host youth advisory committee planning sessions.

Co-design and plan Youth full day session and determine/scope session output

November 2025 to December 2025

• Develop description of opportunity, the invitation and an engagement/communications plan to engage ~20 youth participants.
• Work with UBCIC/FNS on event logistics.
• Scope and plan the land-based learning component.
• Work with Elders and Youth on their roles/responsibilities for the day and develop the facilitated session plan.
• Determine the specifics for the output/deliverable that will be authored by youth at the event and create the workshop space to begin to develop this output at the event.

Host preparatory climate policy/climate action sessions (3)

January 2025 to March 2026

• Co-design and coordinate 3 virtual sessions including:
  • Developing agendas and session objectives.
  • Developing space for elder mentorship.
  • Identifying and inviting climate mentors/leaders.
  • Determining associated background materials for each session.
  • Hosting sessions.
• Technology set up and use of interactive and inclusive technology.
• Write short session summaries.

Facilitate event

March 2026

• Confirm agenda, content and speakers/leaders for the event.
• Develop a run of show for the day of the event.
• Craft facilitators notes for the event.
• Touch base with elders, youth and presenters pre-event to confirm all details.
• Facilitate youth event.

Complete project report and conference output

April 2026

• Work with youth committee to finalize the output from the youth event (proposed idea: 12-month youth climate advocacy workplan).
• Write up an internal project report for FNLC.

Project Deliverables

• Established youth advisory committee/circle (minimum of 5 members)
• Established elder mentor team (5 elders)
• A minimum of 3 virtual meetings (combining training, mentorship, preparation for event and networking)
• Youth event (with ~20 youth participants in addition to committee)
• Youth presentation at climate gathering
• 12-month youth-in-climate workplan
• Project summary report

Remuneration

The total contract value including fees, applicable taxes and travel expenses (to be approved depending on base location of selected consultant is $25,000.00-$30,000.00.

Required Experience

Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Proponent has experience working with youth, in particular with First Nations youth.
2. Proponent has experience working with elders.
3. Proponent has knowledge of climate change (including western climate science, First Nations climate science and traditional knowledge, climate adaptation and/or climate mitigation) and how First Nations in BC are impacted.
4. Proponent is familiar with First Nations values, principles, legal traditions, and worldviews.
5. Proponent has extensive experience designing, coordinating and facilitating workshops and meetings (including in a virtual setting).
6. Proponent has experience writing reports and workplans.

Preferred Experience

1. Atleast one team member is Indigenous.
2. Proponent has experience in developing deliverables geared towards advocacy and for use in a political setting.
3. Proponent has worked on projects with youth that are related to climate change.
4. Proponent’s required experience is grounded in the BC geography and political context.

Application Process

Applicants must submit a CV, work sample and 2 references to Samantha Charlton, FNLC Climate Manager samantha@ubcic.bc.ca by November 3rd, 2025. The CV and work example should highlight your relevant experience and clearly show how you meet the eligibility requirements listed above.

If you have any questions about the application process, please reach out Samantha Charlton samantha@ubcic.bc.ca