“It just means so much more to me to be from Kanesatake, or a Mohawk community, work in my own community, and help monitor and protect these habitats.” Join the Kahnawàke Guardians as they wade into wetlands to conduct macroinvertebrate sampling–tiny creatures that most of us can’t even see, but are vital indicators of ecosystem health. Just another example of what Guardianship looks like: protecting lands, waters, and ALL of our relatives–even the tiny ones. #LandNeedsGuardians

“These roles need to develop our culture and language, and so I’m happy to be a part of that Guardian movement. This is who I want to be, and I love the work.” On the traditional territory of the Blackfeet Nation, Aawoohtakaaks (Shield Keepers) are protecting their land, animals, and ecosystems—just like Guardians all across Canada. In the face of near annihilation from colonization, the Blackfeet held onto their culture and the iinnii, and now they’re ensuring the Blackfeet way of life lives on by revitalizing iinnii populations, strengthening traditions, sharing knowledge, and teaching others, including federal government workers, about their history and relationship with the land.

“Sometimes you don’t see these things happening in real time, but this–it was just immediate success.” In honour of #NationalMigratoryBirdDay, check out the work that the Kahnawake Guardians’ are doing to protect Bank Swallows, a species at risk in Canada. These little birds are shoreline nesters, meaning that they burrow into the sandy sides of banks to nest. Due to development, their nesting habitat has been significantly reduced. But thanks to a little ingenuity and the vision of Guardians, a new structure was built to mimic natural sandbanks. Within weeks, hundreds of swallows made it their home! This habitat is vital for their recovery, offering safe nesting and nearby wetlands for foraging.

Shoutout to the Kahnawake Guardians and ALL of the Guardians across Canada who are working to preserve bird habitats, protect threatened species, and support the health and wellbeing of all our relations into the future. #LandNeedsGuardians

Did you know that good fire can promote biodiversity and restore traditional food sources?! Once a thriving ricing lake, now overgrown—Michela Carriere shares how cultural burning in the Saskatchewan River Delta is bringing it back to life. By setting smaller, cooler fires at the right times, the land is healing, restoring balance, boosting biodiversity, and reviving plants like wild rice and fresh willow for moose. Watch the video and discover how cultural burns are making a difference! #LandNeedsGuardians

“Get your Guardians trained up, because one day we’re gonna need it.” Wildfires are growing increasingly hotter, moving faster, and threatening communities across the country. The people of Fort Good Hope have experienced that firsthand. Their takeaway? Being prepared is key, and fire training for Guardians is a game-changer.

Check out this powerful story of how Kasho Got’ine Guardians were on the frontlines of a massive fire, stepping up to evacuate the town and fight on the front lines. Wildfires are costly, dangerous, and unpredictable—but with trained Guardians, we can help save lives and better protect our communities. #LandNeedsGuardians

People often ask, “What do Guardians do?” The better question is, what don’t they do? Guardians help Indigenous Nations honour their responsibilities to care for lands and waters.  They are the “moccasins and mukluks” on the ground, doing everything from managing protected areas, restoring animals and plants, testing water quality, and monitoring development projects. They also welcome visitors to traditional territories and maintain cultural sites. Guardians make a real difference for their communities, for lands and waters, for all of us.

“The Land Techs are the stewards of the area. They hold us accountable.” Industry is apart of life. It can provide needed resources and jobs. But it doesn't HAVE to destroy lands, water, wildlife. With Guardians on the land, working directly with industry to monitor impacts and understand what kind of industrial activities are happening in their territories, it helps both communities – but also industry themselves – make better decisions for the surrounding lands, waters, and communities. Watch the video to learn more about what actions Guardians across Canada are taking to hold industry accountable and ensure a more sustainable future for us all!

Salmon are an important species to the T'Souke First Nation, holding cultural value for everything from ceremonial purposes to traditional diet. Just west of Victoria on Vancouver Island,T’Souke Guardians are working to combat invasive species such as green crabs and knotweed that are destroying juvenile salmon habitats. By monitoring and controlling these invasive species, Guardians are helping salmon populations thrive.

“It's important to ensure that we have community members that are giving us an indication of the health of our fish in the creeks.” Every day, Imaryuk Monitors are out on the land patrolling to track the health of invertebrates that fish consume and measure the health of the wetlands, lakes, and streams that run along the vast stretch of tundra and boreal habitats between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk in the NWT. Their work to improve water quality includes addressing the rise in beaver populations, which are an invasive species in this region whose dams constrict water flow and disrupt fish habitats.

Follow along as K’ahsho Got’ine Guardians patrol their traditional territory on and around the MacKenzie River in the NWT! Water monitoring has become especially important in recent years, as the community has seen record low water levels within local streams and the MacKenzie itself. Rather than relying on outside data collected by Crown government agencies, Guardians collect their own data, enabling their leaders and the community to make informed decisions about the best ways to care for and conserve this precious resource.

On the shores of the Athabasca River in Alberta, Community-Based Monitors from the Mikisew Cree First Nation and Land Guardians from Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation are working to get a holistic understanding of their community’s health by looking into the fish they eat and the water they drink from the river. The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation hosted a fish camp where community members and scientists worked side-by-side to learn from one another, collect data, talk through concerns, and dry the healthy fish for food. By combining Indigenous and Western science, the Guardians can better understand how upstream tar sand developments and climate change are impacting the health of fish populations and the communities that rely on them.

Earth Keeper Guardian – Charlotte Denny, is calling on all Canadians to show their support for Guardian programs by joining the movement and adding their name to the statement of support today!

“What means most to me about making the snowshoe is that I know now that my grandfather and grandmother were able to make them and for me to be able to make them now, kind of makes me feel a little bit more connected to them and makes me feel happy.” Watch as the Kitigan Zibi Guardians learn from a traditional knowledge holder the art of “making snowshoes”, also known as “Ágimike”. By acknowledging the significance of Anishinaabe inventions like snowshoes, the Guardians honour the traditions, knowledge, and creativity of their ancestors. This recognition plays a vital role in protecting Indigenous cultural heritage and traditional wisdom, creating a better understanding and appreciation for Indigenous peoples' skills and innovations, many of which are still important tools to this day!

What do you think one of the coolest things about Guardians programs expanding across the country is? The ability for Guardians to share knowledge and learn from each other! Tanya Ball has been a land Guardian for many years now and has a lot of expertise, especially when it comes to collecting and managing data for the Kaska Nation. Now, she is able to share her knowledge and training not only with the Dane nan yḗ dāh Guardians Network, but also help build capacity in other regions – like the Northwest Territories. Watch to see how this collaboration and knowledge sharing not only expands skills and helps build Nationhood, but also deepens the connections Guardians have with each other and the land.

“We’re walking in with the Western science, but we always have our traditional eye watching as well.” Did you know that Guardians and scientists are working together to protect cultural values that are often overlooked by current management systems? They do this by combining Indigenous science and traditional knowledge with Western science – also sometimes called ‘two-eyed seeing’. These partnerships are important in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and Western scientific approaches which will ultimately lead to respectful and sustainable environmental management practices–but it also fosters trust, relationship, and reciprocity which will help build a better future for many generations to come.

Today there are over 1,000 Guardians stewarding lands and water, helping fight climate change, and sustaining culture and language all across Canada. The land NEEDS Guardians, but Guardians need YOUR support to continue doing this important work. Take action by signing the statement and joining the Guardians movement today.

Guardians are on the front lines observing more invasive species in their traditional territories, and it’s a growing cause for concern. Invasive species have the potential to outcompete and devastate entire ecosystems if not properly mitigated. Watch & learn from T’Sou-ke Nation Marine Team and the Imaryuk Monitors as they share a glimpse into some of the hands-on action taking place against invasive species on their traditional territories

The work of Guardians goes beyond caring for natural resources–at the heart of this work is also a connection to culture and language. From taking part in a healing ceremony at a former residential school site, to bringing traditional knowledge and teachings to trail maintenance and sacred landscapes–this work is helping revitalize cultural connection and heal the wounds left by colonialism.

Across the country, Guardians are using traditional knowledge and modern technology to detect changes in water quality and quantity that can affect communities and wildlife. Working to protect water is just one way that Guardians bring benefits for water, lands, wildlife, and communities.

In many remote communities, employment opportunities can be few and far between – but Guardians programs are helping to bridge the gap by creating meaningful jobs for community members, particularly young people. Watch as Guardians from the K’ahsho Got'ine Foundation and Taku River Tlingit talk about what this job means to them, and why we need more support for this work.