Storytelling for Change: Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE), approach to Anti-Racism and Decolonization in Environmental Education.
At the Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE), Amy Thompson is making meaningful strides toward decolonization and anti-racism in the environmental sector. As the Southern Alberta Coordinator for Environmental Education and Engagement, Amy works closely with communities across southern Alberta, helping them deepen their understanding of climate education and connect environmental challenges to lived experiences. For her, it’s not just about raising awareness but fostering partnerships and amplifying voices of marginalized individuals in environmental conversations.
“Populations who have been traditionally marginalized feel the impacts of climate change the most,” Amy explains. “They’ve also been working to drive change the longest. We have so much to learn from them, and we must use our privilege to amplify their voices.”
This commitment to equity is woven into ACEE’s efforts to decolonize its approach. By focusing on relationship-building and collaboration, Amy and her team prioritize creating spaces where communities feel supported and empowered to take action. One exciting initiative is ACEE’s upcoming Eco-Justice Course, developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Launching next year, the free online course will equip educators with tools to recognize how intersectionality impacts environmental education and how systemic changes can be rooted in justice and equity.
ACEE is also fostering deeper connections through professional development workshops that address decolonization and intersectionality. These workshops empower educators to reflect on their own influences and help students see the environment through their unique cultural and social lenses.
As Amy puts it, “Understanding who we’re working with individually is critical before addressing the broader scope of environmental issues. Building relationships first, then collaborating, helps us uplift others and create lasting change.”
Beyond the Eco-Justice Course, ACEE is also pursuing a Living Library project, a storytelling platform where Albertans can share how climate change impacts their daily lives and how they are addressing these challenges. Through these efforts ACEE is not only addressing climate change but is also aiming to create a more equitable and inclusive future for environmental education across Alberta.
For more information about ACEE’s initiatives and to sign up for the Eco Justice Course, visit their website here: www.abcee.org
Written by: Bolade Afolabi