Seniors build momentum for climate action at Yellowknife potluck

Yellowknife seniors gathered to talk about climate change over a potluck dinner including chili, salad and fish at the Baker Community Centre on Tuesday evening.

It was one of 76 climate actions expected to unfold across the country as part of a campaign by Seniors for Climate, a national organization, to mark National Seniors Day.

Lois Little, who helped organize the local event, said she hoped its momentum would stimulate political change — especially with a federal election on the horizon.

There was lots of food for people who attended the potluck. (Liny Lamberink/CBC)

"Last year I became a great great aunt, you know, and I think about what kind of world that little person is going to inherit, and it's not a hopeful world at the moment," she said. "If we all work together, I think we can change that."

Little estimates about 50 people attended the potluck. Once everyone filled a plate with food, they sat down at one of seven tables, each with a different discussion topic and expert to help guide the conversation. The topics ranged from wildfires to permafrost to family.

Though the conversations were heavy at times, attendees also found reasons for optimism.

A couple of the things written down after participants were asked, at the eco-anxiety table, to talk about what gives them hope. (Liny Lamberink/CBC)

"I felt really hopeful at the end because there was so much good energy and information exchange in the room, and a few ideas about what to do next as a group," said Miki Ehrlich. "It just had a good feeling."

Ben McDonald, another participant, said the evening was useful — and was the start of something bigger.

From left to right and posing in their new "emissions caps" stand Wendy Bisaro, Lois Little and Kevin O'Reilly. (Liny Lamberink/CBC)

"We are a powerful voting block and many of us have got resources and time and things like that, so it's a good group to get organized and on the ball about this," he said. "We can't let the politicians make their own decisions. So, we have to get organized and apply pressure to business owners, corporate owners and politicians."

Before the evening came to a close, Little asked the room for feedback. Some attendees said they'd be interested in similar events in the future, and that politicians be invited as well.

Little, who helped organize the local event, estimates about 50 people came out for the potluck and climate discussion. (Liny Lamberink/CBC)

Another said they were tired of waiting for politicians to act and that the group should take collective action of its own. That was one of the central themes written on a sheet of paper at the evening's end.

"We need to take action into our own hands," it read.

"We want to be leaders, not victims," read another.

Seniors gathered for a range of different types of climate actions elsewhere across the country. According to Seniors for Climate's Facebook page, the events included marches, letter-writing campaigns and flash mobs.