Still Fighting for a Seat at the Table

Lac at sundown with mountains in the background — Photo: Wuikinuxv Territory by Abúk Danielle Shaw

Coasts and Ocean | Government and Policy | Indigenous-led Conservation

Abúk Danielle Shaw and Alex Barron | August 27, 2025

Indigenous Leadership at the UN Ocean Conference

In contrast to the internet conspiracy theories, it sometimes feels like the UN barely recognizes that Indigenous People exist, let alone that they’ve been playing a leading role in managing and protecting the coast and ocean the world over for generations.

Back in June 2022, we attended the 2nd United Nations Oceans Conference, a global gathering for all things ocean-related – from protecting coral reefs, to decarbonizing shipping, to supporting small-scale fishers. But one thing was glaringly absent from the formal agenda: Indigenous Peoples. Yes, a few Indigenous delegates were sprinkled across side panels and negotiating rooms — but more by accident than intention.

We decided to change that.

We made the epic, post-pandemic journey from the remote BC coast to bustling Lisbon, Portugal — a trip filled with layovers, masks, and more nasal swabs than we care to remember. Jet-lagged and running on coffee, we nervously watched the clock tick past 8:00 AM in a small hotel meeting room, wondering if anyone would show up to the space we carved out.

By 8:30 AM, it was standing room only.

Multiple boats next to each other in a port of Nice — Photo: Nice, France by Sabine Jessen

One by one Indigenous leaders from around the world – BC, the Arctic, Labrador, Fiji, Hawaii, Australia, Chile, French Polynesia, Africa – filled the room with stories of resistance and strength. From the halls of power in the White House, to the Bighouses of BC, to the mangroves of the South Pacific, and everywhere in between, they shared their work, their wisdom, their hope, and their worries. Friendships were formed, connections were made, knowledge was exchanged.

Three years later, in June 2025, we decided to do it again. Bigger and bolder. With a bit more confidence and lots of excitement.

This time, we headed to Nice, France, for the 3^rd United Nations Oceans Conference with help from our friends at the Assembly of First Nations, Nanwakolas Council, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and Nature United/TNC.

For two mornings, we took over the Nice Opera House, a grand yet worn old building, rich in colonial history but with no air conditioning. We had more than 100 people sign up for each day, far more than we could accommodate. It was an amazing, wonderful, exhausting experience.

Given the success in Lisbon and three years of leadership by Indigenous People in effective, grassroots conservation, we honestly thought we may have competition this time. But once again, this was the only event at the entire conference designed by and for Indigenous Peoples. The only space where their voices led. The only space that recognized that the solutions to our ocean crisis are already being lived, practiced, and passed on in Indigenous communities.

This should not be so.

Two mans doing small-scale fishing in Wuikinuxv Territory — Photo: Small-scale fishing in Wuikinuxv Territory by Abúk Danielle Shaw

Indigenous communities directly impacted by the effects of climate change and sea level rise in real time are actively leading some of the most innovative and effective conservation projects the world over, fixing decades of damage from industrial activities like bottom trawling, oil and gas production and rampant development. They are rebuilding ecosystems and feeding communities by teaching traditional, sustainable harvesting methods.

And Indigenous Peoples are doing this while needing to constantly battle greedy corporations and clueless governments that want to pillage every last fish, mine the depths of the ocean, develop every inch of coastline for industrial ports or exclusive resorts, and turn the ocean into a noisy and polluted superhighway for tankers and container ships.

And, they are doing this while still being excluded from the global tables where ocean policy is decided. The irony is glaring. The people doing some of the world’s most effective conservation work are the ones left fighting for a seat at the table.

There are glimmers of hope. Canada’s official delegation included many Indigenous leaders, and the number of Indigenous attendees in Nice far surpassed those at Lisbon. We’re seeing progress — slow, incremental, but real.

Yet, there is much work still to be done. Organizations like CPAWS are honoured to play a critical role in supporting Indigenous leaders and helping to create space and opportunities for Indigenous leaders to connect and be heard at meetings and conferences. But this can’t just be a side event organized by NGOs.

The 5^th International Marine Protected Area Congress, held in Vancouver in 2023, set a precedent for integrating and recognizing Indigenous leadership and values. Indigenous leadership was woven through all aspects of IMPAC5, from the planning committees to the program. There was dedicated space for Indigenous delegates to connect within the conference and a special Indigenous Caucus event.

That’s the model we need to carry forward.

Photo of Sabine, Abúk and Alex in the port of Nice — Photo: Sabine Jessen (Senior Strategic Advisor, National Ocean Program, CPAWS), Abúk Danielle Shaw (Elected Chief Councillor, Wuikinuxv Nation) and Alex Barron (National Director, National Ocean Program, CPAWS) in Nice, France

As we look toward the next United Nations Ocean Conference, we hope it’s one where Indigenous Peoples don’t have to fight for their own space — because that space will already be there, acknowledged, respected, and centred.

Until then, we’ll keep showing up, speaking out, and bringing others with us.

We raise our hands and offer deep thanks to all who supported our event in Nice. You helped create something vital — and we’re just getting started.

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