Community Activator Series: Madison Van Dyck

Madison is currently completing a dual BA in Geography and Outdoor Recreation and Parks and Tourism at Lakehead University. She is passionate about the environment and she works to educate and facilitate climate action within her community. Read more about her on our website.

What does climate action look like to you?

Madison: Climate action can be easily ingrained in almost every element of your daily life and can also involve taking action in your community. My personal actions include growing my own food or buying locally and seasonally, limiting the consumption of products that have high carbon emissions, and prioritizing repairing, repurposing, re-gifting, and reusing. Overall, I try to be conscious of my personal actions and the consequences that they have on the planet. I strive to be a leader and I work hard to teach those around me about easy lifestyle changes. Action can also involve holding those in power accountable, such as my municipal and the federal government. 

What are some of your takeaways from FutureXChange?

Madison: Having the chance to travel to northern Canada was a real gift - it’s been something I’ve been dreaming about for years. What made this experience something truly special were the people that I got to meet on this journey: the youth from southern Canada and Gwich'in youth. Together we had the opportunity to collaborate on how we can support one another in the fight against climate change.

Climate change can be frightening and isolating, but it can also act as a catalyst for humans to build relationships and reconcile with Indigenous communities.

Gwich'in people have lived on the frozen tundra for 40,000 years. As a result, they have an intimate understanding of the land and her seasons, as well as other community members, such as Arctic fox, lashe, rabbit, and the caribou. What is now referred to as traditional ecological knowledge, is to the Gwich'in, innate wisdom passed down through teachings. As Chief Dana Tizya-Tram put it, "Traditional knowledge is climate consciousness.”

Prior to FXC, I personally had a very poor understanding of the process of policy making, and how impactful it is when it comes to climate mitigation and adaptation. The content we covered has improved my policy literacy and allows me to participate in conversations that have the potential to impact my life, my peers, and all our relations, including those with the caribou. 

What I, and I think it is fair to say all those involved in FXC, will continue to carry forward is the ability to continually radically re-imagine what the future holds for the youth of Canada. Visiting the North with such intention and capacity to learn instilled a sense of responsibility I now hold towards northern communities, to stand with them in solidarity and support them in their fight to protect their lands, as I do the same thousands of kilometres south. 

Madison’s Project

Madison’s FutureXChange community engagement project focused on two of her passions, building connections and educating others. She has been able to share her experience and lessons from FutureXChange with over 40 people directly and through several news and radio interviews. On a recent trip, Madison organized climate talks with various groups and individuals to gain a better understanding of who they are and what's preventing them from taking climate action. During these talks she used stories, quotes, and lessons from FutureXChange to inform the conversations and help increase people’s awareness and involvement in climate action.

Madison did six TV and radio interviews for CBC The National, CBC Radio North, and several other outlets in the Thunder Bay area. She focused on answering the question, “Why is climate change something I care about, and how does it affect my life?” The answers she received inspired Madison to work with CUSP Thunder Bay, a climate action group and email 15 of her local councillors and the Mayor of Thunder Bay, urging them to declare a climate emergency. 

Madison meaningfully integrates her daily life with her passion for the environment and educating others, this was clear and inspiring for the FutureXChange team. Madison continues to work on climate action through advocacy, her education, and actions with government, and we look forward to her continued success.