On Saturday, June 15th, Twyla Edgi-Masuzumi and her fellow Guardians were cooking breakfast on the shores of the Mackenzie River and noticed a plume of smoke rising from the forest in the direction of their community of Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories.

COVID-19 is helping us see that we are all connected, and we have a shared responsibility. The Coastal Guardian Watchmen help honour this responsibility. They serve as the eyes and ears for our territory. They have the training to understand what is happening on the land, and they ensure the natural resources that sustains us now will continue to sustain us. They are the voice of the ecosystems we all depend on.

COVID-19 poses unique challenges to Indigenous Nations. Indigenous Guardians have the skills to help with patrols, outreach to elders, food distribution and preparing families to go out on the land can keep people safe. “Being involved in emergency response just gives me another way to help,” said Tanya Ball.