Where There Are Guardians, There Are Benefits
A lot has changed since the Land Needs Guardians campaign launched four years ago this week. Back then, there were about 60 Guardians programs. Today more than 160 First Nations Guardians programs care for lands and waters across the country. Four years ago, the federal government had committed only $25 million over five years for Guardians. Since then, the Guardians movement secured another $100 million in federal funds to go directly to Indigenous Nations for supporting Guardians programs.
And back in 2020, this campaign was just beginning. Now nearly 150,000 people have joined the Land Needs Guardians campaign! Guardians, Elders, youth, leaders, allies, and supporters from across Canada and beyond have shown their support for long-term federal investment in Guardians programs.
They have also helped spread the word: Millions of people have watched and shared Land Needs Guardians videos—the latest series alone has been viewed 2 million times since launching in October.
The more people learn about Guardians, the more they support them. In a recent national poll, conducted by Abacus Data for ILI, Canadians expressed broad, cross partisan support for Guardians:
75% of Canadians favour Guardians programs.
73% favour federal funding for Guardians programs, with strong cross partisan support.
And the vast majority of Canadians view Guardians’ work as a cost-effective solution for climate change, reconciliation, and conservation—even during the country’s affordability crisis.
Momentum is building and it’s not hard to see why.
Guardians Are Good for People and the Land
The growth in Guardians confirms what we already knew: where there are Guardians, there are benefits—for lands and waters, for health and wellbeing, for communities and regional economies, for the country and for all of us.
Researchers have found that lands cared for by Indigenous Peoples are healthier and more vibrant. That’s why 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is on lands cared for and loved by Indigenous Peoples. And analysis shows that every $1 invested in Guardians programs generates at least $3 in health, social, and economic benefits. Some studies estimate a return of $20 to $1.
Major Breakthroughs from the Year
Throughout this past year, Guardians have hosted culture camps, conducted research, and helped their communities respond to record-breaking fires, floods, and heatwaves. The roles they play and knowledge they gather strengthens First Nations decision-making and Indigenous Nationhood.
In addition to these on-the-ground benefits, this past year has also brought highlights for the Guardians movement, including:
The National Guardians Network—the world’s first Indigenous-led national stewardship network—began supporting Guardians. The Network pools federal funds and other investments and creates a streamlined process for Guardians programs to apply for support—an application process that is shaped by First Nations perspectives and Guardians’ lived experience.
More than 350 Guardians, leaders, partners, and allies came together in Ottawa in May for the biggest National First Nations Guardians Gathering yet. They spent three days immersed in knowledge exchanges, training sessions, and celebrations.
In September, Environment and Climate Change Canada Minister Steven Guilbeault announced federal funding for 41 new Guardians programs and 49 existing programs, and he passed the torch for managing federal Guardians funding to the National Guardians Network.
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative and the Honourable Michèle Audette, Senator, built a shaputuan on Parliament Hill in November to celebrate the enormous contributions Guardians make to this country. More than two dozen Parliamentarians participated in the celebration, along with First Nations leaders and about 40 First Nations Guardians.
Hope for the Future
The Guardians movement is accomplishing great things, but there is more to be done! The Land Needs Guardians campaign will continue calling for long-term federal investment to help ensure that every First Nation that wants to launch and sustain a Guardians program can do so.
Join us and sign the statement to demonstrate the broad public support for Guardians funding.
Because investing in Guardians is about building a better future. So many Guardians are stepping up to assume responsibility as stewards of lands and waters, and it fills their families, communities, and Nations with pride to watch them rise. By honouring and supporting this work, we can spread the benefits of Guardians across the country.