David Lertzman - Faculty Highlight

The Sustainable Energy Development (SEDV) program is fortunate to have a diverse group of faculty members providing a variety of perspectives. Dr. David Lertzman, who holds a PhD in Ecological Sustainability and Community Development, adds immense value to the program furthering students’ knowledge of indigenous peoples, ecological systems and sustainability.

David’s passion for sustainability was sparked at a young age with annual family backpack trips in the mountains. His career eventually unfolded after a series of excursions in the Stein Valley during his 20s. The Stein is a spiritually powerful place in south-central BC where 'Nlaka'pamux people completed traditional training and rites of passage. Through these experiences, and a Masters degree, David realized his life’s path would be in working with indigenous peoples and on environmental issues.

Lertzman didn’t anticipate going on to a PhD, but felt called to work with Dr. William Reese, creator of the ecological footprint who led UBC’s ecological planning program. David completed course work spending his summers working with youth in the Stein Rediscovery Program, and was eventually adopted into a local 'Nlaka'pamux family. Lertzman went on to work with other programs learning from numerous First Nation communities. Thus, he feels privileged to have earned two degrees: one gained in the four walls of academia, the other learned outdoors in the Circle. This prepared him to work in the shared challenge of sustainability.

A faculty member at the Haskayne School of Business, Lertzman’s research examines the environmental interface of indigenous peoples and energy industries across three cultural- biodiversity diversity hotspots including Canada’s Boreal and Pacific Temperate forests, and the Western Amazon jungle. His SSHRC funded research video, Pimachihowan, provides a window into sophisticated Boreal Cree concepts on consultation and accommodation with background to the ecological, economic and cultural drivers for the interface of indigenous peoples and energy industries on the road to reconciliation.

Lertzman brings value through unique teaching initiatives, like Wilderness Retreat courses, for which he’s won several awards. He sees the emerging policy space of reconciliation as an opportunity to facilitate authentic cross-cultural dialogue in the context of sustainability. “Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and residential schools legacy, are giving us a picture of the work towards reconciliation; this is just the beginning. For me it comes down to the land itself. Our wealth, health, quality and way of life are all fostered on the birth right of the First Peoples of the land. They’ve been the most impacted and benefited the least. Addressing this ethical contradiction will be the greater work of reconciliation, and probably what I’ll be doing the rest of my life.”

As an active member of the University of Calgary, Lertzman is honoured, humbled and inspired to play a role in our new campus-wide Indigenous Strategy, Ii’taa’poh’to’p. He’s excited the University has jumped in with both feet. Through community engagement and collective self-reflection, David feels we’re beginning to make headway into shared ethical space putting us at the forefront of indigenous strategy for the academy.

When asked for one piece of advice to give students and alumni of the SEDV program, Lertzman shared the following:

“The Earth is alive. We’re a part of her. We have the responsibility and power to be the kind of person we most want to be, connected with everything so we can make a difference in this world…And you’re never alone; you’re always connected, always part of a larger Circle whether you’re aware of it or not. When you’re called to be of service for something larger than yourself, you’ll find capabilities and resources you didn’t even know you have.”

Outside teaching and research, David enjoys spending time with his family in their cabin on the Ghost River, running and meditating in the woods. He’s also an accomplished singer/song-writer and multi-instrumentalist performer.