A Conversation with Eric Christmas on Indigenous Leadership and Knowledge Systems
Meaningful innovation does not happen in isolation. It happens in dialogue with communities, with culture, and with care. That’s why our “Breaking Ground, Making Waves” series has been highlighting the voices of leaders whose work is transforming the way we understand and relate to the world.
In this episode, our VP of Community, Diana Philip, sat down with Eric Christmas, Planetary’s Senior Adviser Indigenous Relations. Eric’s story is one of deep commitment to his (Mi’kmaq) communities, a career shaped by listening, learning, and leading across sectors and generations, and always in service of something bigger than himself.
A Life Devoted to First Nations
Eric’s path into leadership didn’t follow a straight line. He returned to finish his education in his mid-20’s, and while taking humanities courses, was struck by how many of the challenges facing First Nations communities. That insight shaped the trajectory of his career from government roles in fisheries and oceans to navigating complex consultations in offshore resource projects, to working directly with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs.
Throughout, Eric has maintained a clear through-line: He has centered Indigenous rights, responsibilities, and worldviews in each and every conversation. Whether advising on policy or building nation-owned structures for governance and economic participation, his approach is grounded in collective strength and cultural integrity.
Understanding First Nations Governance in Nova Scotia
For those unfamiliar with the structure of Mi’kmaq leadership in Nova Scotia, Eric offered an important overview: There are 13 First Nations, each with their own elected Chief and Council, supported by regional organizations like KMKNO and tribal councils such as CMM serving mainland communities) and UNSM (serving Cape Breton). These entities play critical roles in consultation, advocacy, and program delivery, ranging from health and education to environmental stewardship.
But as Eric points out, Mi’kmaq governance is not just political, it is relational. It’s about a responsibility to the land, to each other, and to future generations. That’s why many projects in Mi’ma’ki are evaluated not only through legal or economic lenses, but through cultural and ecological lenses, as well.
Two-Eyed Seeing: Merging Knowledge Systems for a Stronger Future
One of the most profound elements of the conversation with Eric centered around the concept of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing. This principle of Two-Eyed Seeing was brought forward by Elder Dr. Albert Marshall.
As Eric shared, Elder Marshall asked a question in the 1990’s that still resonates today: Why weren’t more Mi’kmaq students going into the sciences? The answer revealed a systemic absence of Indigenous knowledge in scientific education. Two-Eyed Seeing emerged as a way to bridge that gap: to “See with one eye the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and with the other eye the strengths of Western knowledge, and to use both eyes together.”
Today, that principle guides much of Eric’s work, and it has begun to shape Planetary’s approach as well. When our team presented our scientific work and our plan for integrating two-eyed seeing to Elder Marshall and the CEPI committee, Edler Marshall’s response was deeply affirming: he called it the most compelling real-world application of Two-Eyed Seeing he had ever seen.
Bringing Indigenous Knowledge into the Heart of Innovation
Eric reminded us that Indigenous science, rooted in observation, interconnection, and stewardship, has always existed. What’s changing now is that it’s being recognized, respected, and invited to lead.
His vision for this moment is clear: build partnerships that aren’t just performative, but generative. Create structures where Indigenous leadership isn’t included as an afterthought, but centered from the very start. Use frameworks like Two-Eyed Seeing not as metaphors, but as actual methods.
We are proud to be walking a path with Eric, and we are humbled by the trust and guidance he brings.
