Leadership is not just about individual voices. It is about creating the conditions where First Nations women are supported, resourced, and connected—ensuring their leadership continues to grow and thrive ..read more

Indigenous leadership is at the heart of NWT: Our Land for the Future.  Indigenous Governments in the NWT are the sole beneficiaries of the funds, and the investments will help enable Indigenous Governments to advance their aspirations for the land ..read more

The Indigenous-led stewardship movement is growing. We are learning from each other and gaining strength together. As we gather at COP16, we will offer this hope for the future of our planet. Our survival as a species is dependent on the actions we take in advancing meaningful and effective solutions.  ..read more

The conservation landscape is evolving rapidly in Canada and internationally, opening new pathways for Indigenous-led sustainable futures. These pathways can help to right the colonial wrong of severing Indigenous peoples from their stewardship responsibilities ..read more

As autumn wildfires burn, Canada is on track to record the second largest wildfire season in 20 years. From the heartbreak of the Jasper fire to the waves of smoke stretching from Kelowna to Montreal, this year confirms that wildfire has is now a perennial and costly national crisis ..read more

The Shield Keepers are one of many tribally led stewardship programs emerging across what is now known as the United States. These initiatives—often called Guardians programs—help Tribal Nations care for traditional territories and exercise their inherent sovereign responsibilities to lands and waters ..read more

Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson putting fire on the land. June 24, 2024 After the devastating wildfire season of 2023, Canada is bracing for more record-breaking fires. Indigenous knowledge offers a way to navigate this new era. Indigenous-led stewardship takes a holistic view of fire on the landscape. It’s not just about suppressing fire, but also about putting fire on the land where it is needed to help prevent out-of-control fires. It’s a year-round, ongoing relationship with fire. Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson, who recently joined the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, is a research scientis ..read more

“The Exploring Indigenous-led US Guardianship Gathering” at the Lummi Nation began in ceremony, with participants welcoming the arrival of canoes, including from the Puyallup Tribe. May 29, 2024 On a beautiful spring evening, hundreds of people gathered in the Wexliem Community Building on the Lummi Nation for a salmon feast. The space filled with the swirl of youth from the Lummi Nation’s Blackhawk Dancers and the sounds of Puyallup and Heiltsuk drummers. After distributing gifts, speakers welcomed a group of special guests: dozens of representatives from tribal nations who had come to atten ..read more

Drummers from the Lummi Nation help welcome the arrival of canoes at the start of the recent Exploring Indigenous-led US Guardianship Gathering. May 28, 2024 The Indigenous Guardians movement has grown exponentially in recent years. Back in 2016, about 30 Indigenous Guardians programs cared for lands and waters. Today more than 200 Guardians programs are operating across what is now known as Canada. That means over 1,000 Guardians are on the ground, helping their Nations honour the responsibility to care for their territories. Not only are more First Nations eager to launch their own Guardian ..read more

The NWT Project Financing For Permanence offers tangible benefits from putting reconciliation into action built on a foundation of honouring our shared responsibilities to the land and people of the NWT. Photograph courtesy of Dehcho First Nations February 26, 2024 By Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik, Gwich'in Tribal Council, and Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, Dehcho First Nations As leaders of Indigenous governments, we have experienced firsthand the legacy of colonialism and the impacts of imposed decisions and past developments that did not consider our governance, perspectives, knowledge, and n ..read more