A Timeline of Modern Guardianship

2022:

January: Over 75,000 people have joined the Land Needs Guardians campaign, its launch video has almost 2 million views. 

January: Preparations underway to launch the National First Nations Guardians Network in 2022. 

2021:

September: ILI finalizes the business case for a National Network, including extensive consultations with programs across Canada

August: Canada announces $340 million in new funding over 5 years (2021-2026) to support Indigenous-led conservation, including over $173 million for Guardians programs and the First Nations National Guardians Network. 

June: Over 250 people attend the third Guardians Gathering virtually, and more than 10,000 people livestream the public sessions.

June: An additional 10 Tier 1 Guardians programs receive $600,000 from the First Nations’ stream of the federal pilot funding.

February: Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden single out the leadership of Indigenous Nations in “advancing climate solutions and protecting nature.” 

2020:

September: At the UN Biodiversity Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau says Canada will work to protect 30% of land by 2030 “the same way we are working now - with Indigenous Peoples.”

August: ILI makes a formal budget submission, requesting the federal government invest in Guardians programs.

February: Guardians are highlighted in Parliament when Prime Minister Trudeau says that “Indigenous leadership in conservation” will help Canada achieve its biodiversity goals.

January: The Land Needs Guardians campaign launches to celebrate Guardians and help secure long-term federal funding for Guardians programs; early supporters include Elders, MPs, former Prime Ministers, Harrison Ford, James Cameron, and many others. 

2019: 

November: The K’asho Got’ıne establish Ts’udé Nilįné Tuyeta Indigenous Protected Area and Territorial Park. Guardians train to conduct research and respond to climate change in Tuyeta. 

August: 27 proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas receive support from Canada’s Nature Fund to meet biodiversity goals. The majority of the proposals include Guardians. 

August: Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation establishes Thaidene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area in partnership with Crown governments. Ni Hat’ni Dene Guardians care for the 26,376 sq km area 

July: Joint Working Group selects and distributes 22 Guardians programs –both new and existing–receive $6.4 million from the First Nations’ stream (2019-2022) of the federal pilot funding. 

 March: Over 300 Guardians, leaders, and partners attend the second Guardians Gathering in Vancouver and Buffy Saint-Marie and David Suzuki are named honourary Guardians. 

2018: 

November: 24 Guardians programs, through directed funding, receive a total of $3.99 million ($1.8 million from ECCC Guardian funds and an additional $2.1 million from other government departments).

October: Dehcho First Nations create the Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area/National Wildlife Area; Dehcho K’éhodi Guardians co-manage the 14,249 sq kms west of Yellowknife 

September: ILI and ECCC create Joint Working Group to establish a partnership approach to Guardians funding. It includes 8 Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and 4 federal representatives. 

May: ILI hosts the National Indigenous Guardians Workshop in Ottawa to outline the Joint Working Group and other foundational elements of a national network.

March: Indigenous Circle of Experts releases We Rise Together to recommend how IPCAs can help Canada meet conservation goals; the report calls for respecting Guardians expertise

2017: 

May: Economic Club of Canada hosts panel on Guardians, including the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, CEO of Mining Association of Canada Pierre Gratton, and ILI leaders.

March:$25 million over 5 years for a pilot Guardians program is included in the 2017 federal budget. ECCC Minister McKenna commits to a Nation-to-Nation approach and long-term partnership to program. 

2016:

October: Over 200 people attend the first Guardians Gathering, hosted by ILI.

October: 51 MPs sign letter to Parliamentary Committee on Finance in support of Guardians and Indigenous-led conservation. ILI presents to Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development since they discussed guardians in their report. Later this is submitted to the Hill Times.

August: ILI makes a formal budget submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, requesting investment in Guardians programs and a national Guardians network.

2015: 

December: The Assembly of First Nations passes a resolution of support for Land Guardians programs enabling First Nations’ land management and oversight in their territories.

2014:

February: ILI and partners convene members of Guardians programs in Squamish to identify priorities: a national network, stable funding, and professional training for Guardians.

2013: 

ILI is established to support Indigenous Nations in honouring the cultural responsibility to care for lands and waters, including through Guardians programs. 

ILI and Partners attend Congress on Land and Sea Managers, Australia.

2005:

The Coastal First Nations develop a collective stewardship vision and form the Coastal Guardian Watchmen network to monitor and protect traditional territories. 

1999:

Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources launches to represent the Mi’kmaw voice on natural resources and environment concerns in Cape Breton, including through Fisheries Guardians.

1992: 

The Innu Nation form the Fisheries Guardians to sustain salmon and other fisheries; then they establish Minashkuat Kanakuatakᵘ  monitor caribou, forestry, and world’s largest nickel mine.

Early 1980’s:

The Haida Nation create the Haida Watchmen–the first modern Guardians program within Canada–to monitor fisheries, patrol the coast, and care for cultural sites within Gwaii Haanas.