5 Breakthroughs in 2021 that Advanced Indigenous-led Conservation
December 20, 2021
Monitoring in Ts'udé Nilįné Tuyeta Indigenous Protected Area, NWT. Photo: Pat Kane.
This past year brought many challenges, from the ongoing pandemic to the intensifying impacts of climate change. Yet in the midst of these hardships, Indigenous Peoples continued to care for lands and waters and offer solutions to some of the biggest crises of our time.
Indigenous-led conservation generated new levels of recognition and support in 2021. From communities launching their own Guardians programs to international summits spurring increased pledges to fund to Indigenous land stewardship, people increasingly understand that Indigenous Nations are at the forefront of tackling the interrelated challenges of climate change, loss of biodiversity, and the ongoing effects of colonialism.
Here are some of the major breakthroughs from 2021.
$340 million federal funding for Indigenous-led conservation & stewardship
On August 12, the Government of Canada announced $340 million in new funding over five years to support Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship. This investment includes more than $173 million for Guardians programs and over $166 million for Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). This marks the largest federal investment in Indigenous-led stewardship to date.
A view of the proposed Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area in northern Manitoba. Photo: Jordan Melograna
10 Guardians programs secure federal funding; now over 80 Guardians programs
Ten new Guardians initiatives received funding in June under the Indigenous Guardians Pilot program. The Guardians programs were selected by the Joint Working Group for Guardians, which includes eight Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and four federal representatives. Now there are more than 80 Guardians programs operating across the country, and many more First Nations are working to put Guardians on the ground to care for lands and waters.
Over 250 people attend 3rd First Nations Guardians Gathering virtually
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative hosted the virtual Guardians Gathering in June for four days of conversation on stewardship, Nationhood, and the healing power of the land. In addition to the Guardians who joined, over 10,000 people viewed the public kick-off event on Facebook Live. “I am so proud to be a part of the Guardians movement,” the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew told the gathering. “We are like the raven. We are the sentinels of the earth. We renew the land, and we laugh while we do it.”
A graphic created by Nigit’stil Norbert illustrating the conversation on Day 1 of the 2021 First Nations Guardians Gathering.
$1.7 billion pledged to support Indigenous stewardship around the globe
At the global climate summit—known as COP26—in Glasgow in November, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, the United States, and 17 funders including the Bezos Earth Fund and Ford Foundation, announced they would invest $1.7 billion USD to support the work of Indigenous and local communities to protect forests. They cited Indigenous and local communities’ proven leadership in preventing the deforestation that fuels climate change.
Over 70,000 support the Land Needs Guardians movement
The Land Needs Guardians campaign launched in January 2019 to celebrate the work of Indigenous Guardians and call for long-term investments in Guardians programs and Indigenous-led stewardship. Since then, more than 70,000 people have joined the campaign to advance Guardians’ conservation leadership. Indigenous Guardians are helping build a brighter and more sustainable future, and that’s why so many people have joined the Land Needs Guardians campaign. We thank all the supporters and all the Guardians who care for lands and waters every day.