Larissa Stendie, Board Director

image10.pngMPhil.Sustainability | Public Engagement

Larissa is a researcher and consultant who has worked internationally and across Canada for the last 12 years on energy and climate issues through a justice lens. Currently, she is engaged with First Nations and communities on affordable, net-zero housing, renewable energy, and resilience planning, and worked with CCPA-BC/UVic on the Corporate Mapping Project. She holds an interdisciplinary Masters in Sustainability (political ecology) from the University of Oslo, and IAP2 engagement training. Prior to this, she was a research manager for Parkland Institute, Sierra Club BC’s climate and energy campaigner, a medic in the oil-patch, administrator of an Arctic diamond exploration camp, and worked in international development and documentary projects in Sierra Leone, Palestine, Peru, and The Gambia.

Larissa has been a strong supporter of Iron & Earth since its inception, and as an Albertan, has a grounded understanding of how important a just, post-carbon transition for workers and communities is. As part of the Board of Directors, Larissa hopes to support fund development, public/stakeholder engagement, and project development.

 

Iron & Earth was founded and operates on Indigenous land within Treaty Six Territory and Métis Region 4 in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan (in Nehiyawewin/Cree), so-called Edmonton. The home of many Indigenous Peoples including the Nehiyawak/Cree, Tsuut’ina, Niitsitapi/Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Haudenosaunee/Iroquois, Dene Suliné, Anishinaabe/Ojibway/Saulteaux, and the Inuk/Inuit.

We pay our respects to all Indigenous Peoples of this land. Through their spiritual and practical relationships with the land, a rich heritage for our learning and our life as a community has been created and maintained. We recognize that the transition to a low-carbon future must be led by Indigenous Peoples and that there will be no justice unless we acknowledge and repair our relationship with the land.

We are committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and acknowledge that we are always learning and unlearning practices that minimize harm and lead to the development of trust between us and Indigenous Peoples across Nations and urban centers.