Sheila Watt-Cloutier, from Kuujjuaq Nunavik in Northern Quebec, is the Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, an international organization of Inuit People. Ms Watt-Cloutier has been an influential spokesperson for Inuit on political, environmental and cultural matters. She was instrumental in the global negotiations that led to the 2001 Stockholm Convention banning the generation and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that contaminate the arctic food web. Recently, Ms Watt-Cloutier has been working hard to alert the world about the impacts of climate change on the North and the Inuit People. She and her organization have filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to defend the rights of Inuit against the impacts of climate change. Ms Watt-Cloutier has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including the United Nations Champion of the Earth Award, the Earth Day Canada Outstanding Commitment to the Environment Award and the Order of Canada. To go along with our year-long look at Canada's North, Ms Watt-Cloutier graciously agreed to talk to EcoKids about her work and what Canadian teachers and students can do to help.

Why is it important for young people to know about climate change and its impacts on the North?

I think it's very important because this is their future. Those who are in the power positions and positions in which we can make effective change, are not doing as much as they need to be doing. The next generation, the younger generation, has to be adding a lot of pressure onto the powers that be because this is their future and we don't want this generation hijacking their future as a result of short-term thinking.

Do you think the next generation is aware of this issue?

I think there is a growing awareness. I was very impressed when I was in Vancouver receiving the citation for lifetime achievement from the Canadian Environmental Board. I realized there are a lot of young children in schools in the younger generation that are really trying to make a difference, but there needs to be a lot more of that. I also hear on the other side that there are many schools that are not incorporating any of these issues into their curriculum. Once kids start to understand and make the connections themselves to what is happening, they can add a lot of pressure with parents at home, and then parents in turn can become more aware. Without learning about these issues, they won't be able to make effective decisions and change in their adult years.

What has inspired you to do the work that you do?

The love of my grandson and his future; the love of my culture and cultural heritage. Most of what I do is driven as a mother and grandmother. I am fortunate that as a mother and grandmother, I was given a political platform to do this incredible global work that I've done for the past 11 years. The mix of my strong maternal protection instincts for my children and grandchildren, and also remembering very clearly as a young child growing up very traditionally and travelling only by dog team the first ten years of my life; and being born into this powerful (Inuit) culture that is so connected to nature, that has profoundly given me the foundation upon which I do this work. I've never lost the understanding of connectivity and connection and interconnectedness of all things. Having that remarkable introduction and connection to our hunting culture and to nature, wildlife and resources has given me that insight into how precious all of this is.

What can teachers do to help their students understand this issue?

Teachers can do a lot by becoming more aware of this issue. They can also pressure the school boards to make it a part of the school curriculum so that we can ensure that our children are taught about these issues.

What advice would you give to EcoKids who want to take action on this issue?

Become aware and be conscious of your everyday actions. Watch and observe your parents and the choices they make about their lifestyle. Be a responsible consumer and influence your parents to be responsible consumers as well. People today are too concerned about saving time and having convenience.