In a world of climate anxiety and despair, a new podcast out of the University of Victoria centres on the story of Inuk climate and human rights advocate Siila (Shelia) Watt-Cloutier and a message of hope.
A Radical Act of Hope is a limited series from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) at UVic, where host Watt-Cloutier is the inaugural Indigenous climate fellow. Blending memoir and advocacy, it shows how lived experience can be a powerful tool for both personal transformation and policy change.
Speaking alongside her are two co-hosts: PICS executive director Ian Mauro, her longtime colleague and friend, and Gitxsan and Cree-Métis climate researcher Janna Wale, PICS’ Indigenous research and partnerships lead.
With an intergenerational and women-led nature, it features Indigenous women who set powerful examples, including planetary health expert Dr. Nicole Redvers and former premier of Greenland Aleqa Hammond, a leading voice for Indigenous rights and climate resilience.
"The issue of the Arctic is a global issue right now," highlighted Mauro. "When you look at the conversation about Greenland and Trump talking about the geopolitics of the North, we actually have the former premier of Greenland, Aleqa Hammond, in this show talking about those really, really critical issues.
"This is a podcast about intergenerational knowledge that meets the moment."
Ultimately, the tone and message differ from much of climate-change-focused media today, said co-host and researcher Janna Wale.
Bringing forth the voices of Indigenous people and women – who research shows are disproportionately affected by climate change – gives narrative to the variety of impacts that sometimes get left out in the Western perspective, she added.
On a more personal level, Wale spoke about how Watt-Cloutier has inspired her as a leader.
"Siila lays the groundwork in building the argument on the international stage about how climate change can and does impact people at a community level ... she really humanized the argument."
Watt-Cloutier is recognized for her role in launching the first international legal action on climate change and human rights, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on Arctic communities and Inuit culture.
In 2005, for instance, she spearheaded a legal petition, arguing that greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. were violating Inuit human rights.
Mauro said the podcast is about the "activism within" and ultimately about working together to find solutions.
"From her perspective, advocacy is really important in a way that brings people together and doesn't alienate people," he said.
A Radical Act of Hope is produced by PICS and Everything Podcasts, with support from The Gordon Foundation and the University of Victoria. It is now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, the PICS website, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
“Indigenous wisdom is the medicine the world needs,” Watt-Cloutier said in a news release. “Our values, experience and relationship to the natural world help us to imagine and tell a different story for humanity and the planet, which can guide us towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”
