Indigenous Leaders Fawn Sharp, Francesca Hillery, and Ken Paul on the Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Ocean Climate Solutions

In this episode of Plan Sea, hosts Anna Madlener and Carbon to Sea’s Senior Manager for Communications Danny Gawlowski record from Carbon to Sea’s 2026 Annual Convening in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. They sit down with Fawn Sharp, and Francesca Hillery, and Ken Paul for a conversation on Indigenous knowledge systems, ocean climate solutions, and the future of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE).In this episode, Anna and Danny explore how Indigenous knowledge can shape ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (oCDR). They’re joined by Indigenous leaders: Ken Paul, former national Director of Fisheries with the Assembly of First Nations, current Principal of Pokiok Associates and member of the Wolastoqey Nation at Neqotkuk; Fawn Sharp, former president of the National Congress of American Indians, former president of the Quinault Indian Nation, and current President of Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission; and Francesca Hillery, Director of Programs and Partnerships for Tribal Carbon Solutions and member of the Round Valley Tribes in California, to discuss the importance of meaningful partnership, sovereignty, and Indigenous science in climate innovation.Fawn, Francesca, and Ken reflect on the role of Indigenous knowledge systems in environmental stewardship, emphasizing that these systems are grounded in centuries of observation, ecological understanding, and relationships with the natural world, and paired with cutting-edge scientific capabilities. Sharp emphasizes there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to Indigenous engagement. Instead, meaningful relationships should be collaborative, equitable, and rooted in Indigenous-led science and governance.The conversation also explores the risks of developing oCDR without collaboration with Indigenous communities. Without Indigenous input, Paul and Hillery warn of premature scaling and the commodification of nature. They emphasized the opportunity for Indigenous knowledge to guide and influence this emerging field.  Plan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative and the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.ACRONYMS/CONCEPTS:mCDR: marine carbon dioxide removaloCDR: ocean-based carbon dioxide removalOAE: ocean alkalinity enhancementNGO: non-governmental organizationFAO: Food and Agriculture OrganizationUNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural OrganizationCOP: Conference of the PartiesIPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeGIS: Geographic Information SystemsPlan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative & the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.