Peace with the Land: Reconciliation, Environmental Peacebuilding, and Indigenous Environmental Stewardship in Canada (Turtle Island) (A Path to Ottawa Event)

Feb 11, 2026 | University of Ottawa and Environmental Peacebuilding Association
Ottawa, Canada

This event will facilitate an interdisciplinary dialogue around Indigenous environmental stewardship, reconciliation, and environmental peacebuilding in the settler-colonial context (Turtle Island (Canada)), thus generating insights relevant to the Environmental Peacebuilding Association (EnPAx) Conference 2026 discussions taking place in June 2026, fostering deeper engagement with Indigenous knowledges, academic, policy, and practitioner perspectives at the intersection of reconciliation, Indigenous land stewardship and governance, and environmental peacebuilding.

This panel will bring together Indigenous leaders, scholars, and practitioners for an interdisciplinary dialogue on environmental peacebuilding within the settler-colonial context of Turtle Island (Canada). Through short presentations and a facilitated discussion, the session will explore ‘what does it mean living in peace with the Land’, engaging with relational Indigenous land stewardship and environmental governance approaches, and how these approaches challenge and transform dominant state-centered conservation and environmental peacebuilding frameworks.

The panel includes a speaker from Kebaowek First Nation, and additional invited scholars and practitioners working at the intersections of environmental protection, conservation, reconciliation, and Indigenous governance. The Kebaowek First Nation is currently at the forefront of efforts to stop the proposed Chalk River Laboratories nuclear waste disposal facility, asserting its rights and responsibilities to protect the Kichi Sibi (Ottawa River), the land and its inhabitants, and the well-being of present and future generations. The discussion will foster meaningful exchange between Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants, centering Indigenous perspectives while creating space for respectful dialogue and learning.

This event contributes to the Path to Ottawa series, leading to the 4th International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding, by foregrounding Indigenous voices and generating insights relevant to discussions on environmental governance and management, reconciliation, and peace with nature. Participants will have an opportunity to learn and engage in conversations on how Indigenous land stewardship and governance can inform more relational, just, and context-specific approaches to environmental peacebuilding in Canada and beyond.

This event will take place at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Social Sciences, FSS 6032 (6th floor) on February 11, 2026 from 11am to 12:30 pm EST. We hope you'll be able to join us!