What is the Indigenous Leadership Initiative? We are an Indigenous-led organization who works to work to:
➡️ strengthen Indigenous Nationhood
➡️ support Indigenous responsibility to the land
➡️ help build a new generation of Indigenous leaders
#Indigenous
Protected & Conserved Areas are more than just lines on a map: they protect places that matter most & support healthy lands, which builds healthy communities. They’re an expression of Nationhood, & we’re proud to support this work across Canada
Today we celebrate a transition that marks a new era in
#conservation
: the Indigenous Leadership Initiative is honoured to assume leadership of a long-standing coalition to protect the Boreal. We are grateful to our partners at IBCC & hope this inspires others to follow suit.
Fire danger is on the rise in our communities, yet First Nations are often overlooked in fire fighting. Guardians can bring Indigenous knowledge and expertise to firefighting & bring opportunities to those most impacted by fire.
@BradyHighway
@BenjiSJones
“The common denominator among nearly all Indigenous Peoples is that we have a deep, spiritual, reciprocal connection with the Earth.” Great read in
@TIME
by
@hindououmar
on how it’s time to change the way the world allocates climate solution funds.
We want more Canadians to know and celebrate the many benefits that Guardians programs provide—to the land and our shared future. But don’t just take our word for it… watch & learn from the latest from
@Land_Guardians
& then voice your support:
“We have the vision, we need the resources.” With 80% of the world's remaining
#biodiversity
on lands by
#Indigenous
Peoples, it’s time to take a long, serious look at investing in Indigenous-led
#conservation
& stewardship. Here's what that could mean.
"People acknowledge that it's women who are taking care of the land. They always have been & always will be." Did you know? Indigenous women lead 2/3 of the 23 proposed IPCAs ILI partners on. Learn more from
@valeriecourtois
@GillianStaveley
@NBulowski
“When you love someone, you do everything you can to protect them. You fight for them. You nurture them. All of this Indigenous people felt for their lands, waters & everything in them.” Daily inspiration from Bev Sellars, on love for the land:
Indigenous fire stewardship is not just about fire suppression, it’s a year-round reciprocal relationship with the land. Read our Q&A with expert
@ChristiansonAmy
on how an Indigenous approach to fire promotes healthy forests and communities.
“An
#Indigenous
Protected Area isn’t about keeping people out. It’s about protecting Indigenous Peoples’ ability to practise tradition and culture on the land and act as stewards.”
#LandNeedsGuardians
“We’re educating the world about how important it is to take care of this fragile earth, because if we take care if it, it will take care of us.” A great example of how Indigenous leadership protects the lands & waters we rely on, & how this can inform the future of conservation:
The work of Guardians is healing: for our communities, for our lands, for ourselves. It’s causing a ripple effect across the country that we saw firsthand from hundreds of Guardians coming together for a virtual gathering last month.
#LandNeedsGuardians
The Dehcho First Nation worked for many years to establish Edéhzhíe: an
#Indigenous
Protected & Conserved Area that spans 14,240 km sq in the NWT. Thanks to their leadership, these lands known as the breadbasket of the Dehcho, will continue to give life now & in the future.
Indigenous Peoples are leading the way in sustaining biodiversity. By placing this vital work at the heart of our shared effort to protect nature, we can help reverse the tide of extinction, sustain lands and water & build a better future for all people.
#ClimateWeekNYC
#UNGA77
Global leaders, it's time to recognize the crucial role of Indigenous Peoples in protecting forests and combating climate change. As
#COP28
unfolds in Dubai, it’s time to provide direct financial resources and respect for
#Indigenous
-led
#conservation
.
“If Canada wants reconciliation with
#Indigenous
Peoples, it has to start with reconciliation with Mother Earth...investing in IPCAs and Guardians is a great place to begin.” Bev Sellars in the
@georgiastraight
@GsIndigenous
.
Who are Guardians, and what do they do? They perform data collection, protect wildlife, and help not only their Nations, but also decision makers across the country, understand what’s happening on the ground. Watch and learn why ILI supports this work – and why you should too.
First Nations are spearheading some of the most ambitious conservation programs. Investing in & trusting in
#Indigenous
leadership at
#COP15
will create more impactful outcomes on biodiversity & climate, shares Gillian Staveley of
@DenaKayeh
.
@Sevawood
:
Indigenous-led conservation is a gift. By closing the financing gaps and building partnerships rooted in respect for
#Indigenous
knowledge, rights & leadership, Canada can set an example for the world.
#COP15
Understanding how fire can be a tool to help better the land just got easier, thanks to the Muskrats to Moose Project! Their new toolkit is an incredible resource for
#Indigenous
fire knowledge & fire management strategies.
It can be hard to remain optimistic in the face of grim scientific reports & political wrangling. But as
@valeriecourtois
explains, there is cause for hope: the loss of biodiversity is a problem we can solve-
#Indigenous
Peoples are already doing it.
#COP27
It’s exciting to see
#Indigenous
-led
#conservation
at the forefront of global biodiversity investment. Supporting Indigenous Peoples in sustaining lands, waters, and the species that depend on them will benefit all and help reach
#30by30
goals.
Good morning
#COP15
! It may be chilly outside this morning but it’s warm inside the shaputuan, where ceremony is underway to open the
#Indigenous
Village. Come to the Old Port and learn more about Indigenous-led
#conservation
, language, art &
#culture
.
Protecting large, intact forests--like the boreal in Canada--is one of our best opportunities to fight climate change. Thankfully, Indigenous Nations are already leading the way in protecting it. Find out how supporting this work is one of the best ways to lead on climate action.
Indigenous stewardship is strengthening the country, bringing us together & creating a better path forward. Join us for a live conversation with
@valeriecourtois
on 12/7 on the importance of this work & how it's creating a brighter future for Canada. ➡️
As countries gather in Geneva to negotiate new biodiversity targets, they can look to the leadership of Indigenous Peoples. By placing Indigenous-led conservation at the heart of efforts to protect nature, we can meet international targets & better sustain lands & waters.
Did you know that a majority of Canadians support Guardians? In fact, a recent poll from
@abacusdataca
found the vast majority of Canadians support Indigenous Guardians programs & view their work as a cost-effective solution to the challenges of climate change, reconciliation, &
A conversation you don’t want to miss: first
#Indigenous
woman to serve as MP & in the federal cabinet, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, joins
@Linda_Solomon
on
@NatObserver
on Indigenous-led
#conservation
& how it’s creating hope for the future. Register now →
Guardians are caring for lands & waters across the country. Tune into our live conversation w/
@environmentca
&
@s_guilbeault
on
#IndigenousPeoplesDay
to celebrate this work & learn how the positive impacts of Guardians can be seen & felt across the country.
The evidence is clear: we can protect land & generate economic benefits through
#Indigenous
-led
#conservation
. Let’s invest in this model now, when it can help us build a healthier, more sustainable future.
@jp_gladu
We love seeing the Guardians movement grow! We joined tribal reps and partners for an exciting conversation about
#Indigenous
Guardianship in the US. The gathering fostered knowledge sharing & explored ways to support collaboration across Turtle Island.
The connective thread of
#Indigenous
stewardship: how it's building nationhood, increasing equity and advancing
#conservation
. A conversation rich in wisdom & insights from
@valeriecourtois
, Ethel Blondin-Andrew,
@BobRae48
& Rt. Hon. Paul Martin.
From the Heiltsuk to Mi’kmaq,
@globalnews
follows
#Indigenous
Guardians as they use ancestral knowledge & traditional values in salmon & moose management. A look at how these values are guiding Indigenous leadership in climate action.
#LandNeedsGuardians
We need Guardians on the ground now more than ever: they are helping protect land & water, restoring plants & animal populations & fighting threats from
#climatechange
. Join the movement that’s 50,000 strong—add your name & help get more Guardians on the land!
@land_guardians
Hear from Wahkohtowin Guardian Amberly Quakegesic (& others!) about their favorite parts of being a Guardian, the challenges & more at the kick off of the 2021 First Nations
#GuardiansGathering
→
#GG21
The Kaska Dena have a visionary plan to protect Dene Kʼéh Kusān — this is a must read on how supporting this work can help B.C. build a better, more equitable future rooted in sustainability and respect.
#Indigenous
#conservation
@thenarwhalca
Canada has made bold pledges to conserve lands and address the climate crisis. Now is the time to follow through and get it done.
#Indigenous
-led
#conservation
initiatives are already underway, let’s expand this work and invest in our shared future.
Celebrating one year since we assumed leadership of
@borealconserve
! Take a look at some of the highlights & how this was another step towards recognizing that Indigenous Peoples should be at the forefront of stewardship & conservation of their homelands.
Listen, learn, and be inspired: hear from Guardians about how Indigenous stewardship initiatives are transforming
#conservation
. Tune in for the 2021 First Nations
#GuardiansGathering
kickoff event. RSVP on Facebook:
Indigenous tourism generated $94M & 1,000+ jobs in 2017. A proposed
#Indigenous
Protected Area in the Seal River Watershed could expand this even further, provide jobs for our communities & keep the places we love healthy for caribou, polar bears & the whole of Canada.
BIG NEWS: the federal government just made an investment of $340M in
#Indigenous
-led
#conservation
. This support means that “together, we can forge a new model that embodies a respectful relationship btwn people & the land.”
@valeriecourtois
@environmentca
Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas are more than just lines on a map. They protect places that matter most. They support healthy lands, which in turn builds healthy communities. They are an expression of Nationhood—and we are proud to support this work across the country.
Zhundaa Gogha Ełehé Ats’et’ı̨ means “Together for our Future” & is exactly what Guardians across the country are doing next week during the 2021 First Nations Guardians Gathering. Join them at the Kickoff event to learn & be inspired:
#GG21
Live from the
@CBD_COP15
Canada Pavilion:
@s_guilbeault
is announcing the First Nations National Guardians Network. This first of its kind (in the world!) initiative will help protect
#lands
& waters, & connect Guardians from coast to coast to coast.
@land_guardians
“It’s the future…you can’t have land without Guardians.” Celebrating 2 years of the
#LandNeedsGuardians
movement and the leadership of Guardians on the ground, protecting the lands and waters we all depend upon.
On
#NationaIndigenousPeoplesDay
, join us in celebrating the leadership & resilience of the
#Indigenous
Peoples who are leading the way in protecting the lands & waters we all rely on. This work is healing, & it’s helping build a better, more sustainable future. Art:
@lanahjewell
With a wealth of knowledge & experience on the land, Guardians can help lead a new model in wildfire management & response. Join our special event on Oct. 13th to hear from people on the ground about what this looks like & how it benefits all of us. RSVP:
#Indigenous
Peoples have cared for this continent for millennia. A new tool for this stewardship work? IPCAs. IPCAs are an expression of Nationhood, they are also helping sustain lands for the health of the world. More on how we’re supporting this work:
Across the country,
#Indigenous
Nations are leading the way in conserving the lands & waters we all rely on.
#Budget2021
recognizes that this work is central to meeting climate &
#biodiversity
targets. We look forward to the details of investment for these critical initiatives.
A conversation you don't want to miss: join
@valeriecourtois
& panelists Ethel Blondin Andrew,
@BobRae48
& the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin discussing the innovative work of
#Indigenous
Nations in
#conservation
& how it’s creating a brighter future for Canada.
Today marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We not only remember the history & violence of Residential Schools, but we recognize that the impacts continue to be felt for Indigenous Peoples today. (1/3)
Art by: Urban Iskwew
"Our identity is inseparable from our lands & waters. Protecting them is a sacred obligation to return the care they show to us."
@jesshousty
on growing in resiliency, self-reliance & how rooting ourselves in ancestral strength can build a better future.
Indigenous Guardians across Canada are on the front lines of
#wildfire
response & as impacts from
#climatechange
increase,
#Guardians
programs can help address this new era of climate-induced fires. Here’s what that looks like on the ground.
Why support the creation of more
#IndigenousGuardians
programs? Guardians programs have clear benefits, not only for the land, but also improved community and cultural well-being, increased capacity, and economic opportunities.
@CFNGBI
As Manitobaʻs last undeveloped river, the Seal River has remained the same since time immemorial. The SRWAʻs proposed IPA is a clear example of the ways
#Indigenous
Nations are sustaining people, nature & culture–a model for global
#conservation
as we look towards
#COP15
.
Today isn’t just any other day – it’s Budget Day! And that means we’ll be announcing new measures to support you and your family, and to keep growing our economy. Here’s a preview of what’s to come.
#Budget2023
Recent reports from the
@UNBiodiversity
paint a bleak picture. But there were bright spots: the work of First Nations to establish
#IPCAs
in Canada gained international recognition as a new way to approach
#conservation
.
A big step forward in the North:
#Indigenous
governments, alongside Canada, the GNWT & private donors, have signed the framework for what will be when final, one of the largest Indigenous-led
#conservation
efforts in the world: the NWT Project Finance for Permanence
Before we begin the
#GuardiansGathering
, Bev Sellars pays respect to the 215 children who were found in a massive grave in her home territory. We honour theirs and countless other
#Indigenous
children's lives lost with a moment of silence.
#215children
(Image:
@LouannNeel1
)
During our time at
#COP15
in Dec,
#Indigenous
leaders from around the world shared how we can better protect
#biodiversity
by learning from Indigenous-led approaches to conservation. The historic
@UN
Biodiversity agreement shows the world is starting to listen. Learn more →
"80% of the world’s remaining
#biodiversity
is on lands managed by Indigenous Peoples. It’s not an accident. It’s the result of
#Indigenous
stewardship.” We are live with the inspirational Ethel-Blondin Andrew via
@NatObserver
! Join the conversation:
How is Indigenous-led
#conservation
intertwined with Nationhood, food security & opportunity for
#Indigenous
youth? Join the conversation with Ethel Blondin-Andrew &
@Linda_Solomon
via this special event hosted by
@NatObserver
on 1/21! Register now:
"We hope our collaboration will provide a model on how to address the pressing challenges of our time.” Powerful read in the
@TheHillTimes
on the benefits of the
#NWTPFP
& why Canada must fully commit to investing in the initiative.
@JustinTrudeau
Today we honour the thousands of Indigenous womens, girls, & 2Sprited lives that have been lost, & help spread awareness about the disproportionate level of violence faced by our Indigenous sisters. We will not forget you & must advocate for change.
#MMIWG2S
Art by: Luke Swinson
Tonight we recognize & celebrate the work of Guardians—and the joy, healing, and hope that comes with becoming strong for ourselves, our nations, and for our lands and waters. We were honoured to welcome Her Excellency the
@GGCanada
to this celebration.
Celebrating, recognizing & lifting up the work of
#Indigenous
women across the country. Today & every day we acknowledge the leadership, sacrifice, & courage of First Nations women & girls who are leading in their communities to take care of the land & each other.
#IWD2021
Indigenous-led conservation is sustaining lands, creating jobs & supporting health & wellbeing. It’s also spurring new ways of working together and strengthening our shared future as a country. Join us on May 12 to hear more! Register:
#Indigenous
peoples are leading the way in protecting lands & waters across the entire continent. We welcome the support from
@JustinTrudeau
&
@JoeBiden
and look forward to advancing
#conservation
in partnership together. More:
Congratulations to our ILI Senior Leader, Michèle Audette, on her appointment as Senator for Quebec! Michele's experience and leadership will strengthen the Senate and help shape a better future for all Canadians. We are so proud
@michele_audette
!
Great news! Today,
@environmentca
announced 41 new Guardians programs that will be established across the country. With these new programs, a quarter of First Nations communities now have a Guardians program. But that’s not all. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Our hearts are heavy and with our friends, neighbors, and family in the NWT. Sending prayers to the land, the plants, the animals – and our gratitude to all of the Guardians and other leaders who are helping coordinate with evacuation & fire mitigation efforts.
#Yellowknife
“Take care of the land. Take care of the animals. Take care of the people.” That’s the aim of the Ross River Dena, who are working to create an
#Indigenous
Protected Area spanning 25,000 sq km – providing opportunity for young people & sustaining vulnerable caribou populations.
Good news: a historic agreement btwn
@Mushkegowuk
& the federal government will establish a new National Marine Conservation Area. This
#Indigenous
-led initiative means 90K sq km will be protected & get Canada closer to reaching
#25x25
goals.
@JonathanWNV
Great news! The Dene Tha’ First Nation plans to create an IPCA to protect Bistcho Lake. Home to caribou, waterbirds, and other wildlife--these lands are an ecologically important area & hold an important cultural & spiritual place.
The ILI is proud to host an
#Indigenous
Village in the Green Zone at
#COP15
. The village will showcase the work of Indigenous Peoples & will offer an Indigenized gathering space for participants. Construction kicked off today, have a look at the beginnings of the Innu shaputuan‼️
Excited to watch our Executive Director,
@ValerieCourtois
, accept
@StanfordLaw
's Bright Award, sharing, “I am not standing here alone, the rock stars are the Elders sharing their knowledge, the
#Indigenous
Guardians helping restore caribou herds, and the young leaders
“It’s about making our land healthier. There are so many other benefits that come from that; around a green economy, around improving agriculture, around the social benefits for employment, around education for schools.”
82% of the worlds remaining
#biodiversity
is managed by
#Indigenous
Peoples. "That tells me that the Indigenous worldview & its relationship with nature is a solution that all populations of the world can look towards." ILI Senior Leader
@StevenNitah
A powerful, beautiful moment: Watch
@michele_audette
read her swearing-in in Innu-aimun. Congratulations on becoming the first Innu woman in the Senate! We are so proud of our former ILI leader.
#Indigenous
#cdnpoli
Following today's announcement for $600K for 10 new Guardians programs,
@JonathanWNV
joins a fireside chat with Indigenous leaders, sharing: "Guardians programs are an essential part of Canada’s path forward both in protecting nature & renewing relationships."
#GuardiansGathering
This
#RedDressDay
, remember: Indigenous women are 12x more likely to be murdered or go missing in comparison to other Canadian women. Take today to honour & remember the stolen lives as we advocate for a safer future together.
#MMIW2S
#NoMoreStolenSisters
Art by
@emilykewageshig
Mark
#IndigenousPeoplesDay
by learning how Indigenous Guardians are leading the way in caring for lands & waters across the country. We’ll be live w/
@environmentca
& Minister
@s_guilbeault
to talk about the importance of this work & how it’s benefiting communities.
“It’s a story worth telling.” The Seal River Watershed Alliance is developing a 50,000sq km Indigenous Protected Area in Manitoba. This Indigenous-led initiative will create jobs & ensure
#Indigenous
cultures thrive while protecting the watersheds biodiversity for generations on.
Good morning from
#COP15
in Montreal! As day one gets underway, we're excited to see the
#Indigenous
Village taking shape. Our programming showcasing Indigenous-led
#conservation
initiatives begins on December 9th. Join us!➡️
Colonial trauma is a root cause of violence against women & against our land. One day of remembrance does not erase this trauma. But it’s a day to recognize it, to raise our collective voice & take one more step in a fight for a better future. In solidarity.
#NoMoreStolenSisters
The success of Indigenous Peoples who are leading the way in restoring lands and waters is clear: In B.C, killer whales & herring populations are rebounding, and eelgrass regrowing thanks to the efforts of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
As
#COP15
kicks off, we want to highlight
#Indigenous
-led
#conservation
in Canada:
@DenaKayeh
is proposing an IPCA to protect one of the largest intact landscapes in B.C, called Dene K’éh Kusān. Learn how it will support healing, create economic opportunity, & sustain the land.
In closing ceremony for the
#GuardiansGathering
, Jonas Antoine, Dehcho Dene Elder shared "Everything we do is to protect Mother Earth. It’s said that the land speaks to us. We stand with purpose, that purpose is the land. So today, we ask again, to our Creator, give us strength.
This announcement represents years of collaborative work by the
@CFNGBI
, the B.C. & Canadian Governments under the shared goal to protect marine habitats, while also recognizing that Indigenous Peoples must be a part of developing new protected areas.
“Having more Guardians on the land is one of the most effective ways to heal from colonialism.” As we mark
#OrangeShirtDay
,
@valeriecourtois
reflects on why Guardians Programs &
#Indigenous
-led conservation aid a connection to land & foster reconciliation.
Who’s excited?! 🙌 We’re on the ground in Ottawa getting ready for the largest EVER First Nations National
#Guardians
Gathering. We can’t wait to celebrate how this movement has grown! Follow along here, & be sure to tune into our livestream to learn more about Guardians.
“There’s an awakening happening all across Canada.” We can feel this energy, too. Great highlight of our new Deputy Director and the work ahead for ILI & in
#Indigenous
-led conservation!
“It's not an accident most of that biodiversity is located on
#Indigenous
lands & having young people on the land, healing, learning.. just makes my heart soar.” ICYMI:
@valeriecourtois
talks
#COP15
, IPCAʻs & Guardians with Dolcy Meness on
@TheCurrentCBC