Eriel Tchekwie Deranger

Indigenous Rights Activist & Executive Director, Indigneous Climate Action

Eriel Tchekwie Deranger is a Dënesųłiné woman (ts'ékui), member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and mother of two, coming from a family of Indigenous rights advocates fighting for the recognition, sovereignty and autonomy of their Indigenous lands and territory in what is now known as Treaty 8, Canada. 

Indigenous Climate Action welcomed Eriel Tchekwie Deranger as the organization's first Executive Director in August 2017. Deranger is a founding member of Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) and spent two years in the role of interim director, helping to build the strategic direction of the organization. Deranger has a far reaching reputation for championing climate justice, challenging fossil fuel development and championing the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through her participation with the UN Indigenous People Forum on Climate Change. 

Eriel has an extensive experience working within the Environmental Justice and Indigenous Rights field with organizations like the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), Rainforest Action Network (RAN), Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), and with her home Nation the ACFN. She is also a wife and mother of two.