Restoring an artificial island to revitalize both biodiversity AND Indigenous culture with the Kahnawà:ke Guardians

What happens when ecological restoration and culture grow together? 

On Tekakwitha Island, the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office and its Guardians have been bringing life back to the land since 2018—restoring habitats, monitoring wildlife, and rebuilding ecosystems from the ground up.

But the story doesn’t stop there. The island has also become a vibrant gathering place for Pow-wow, community, and outdoor activities. 

This is an inspiring story of resilience, taking a painful history of ecological destruction and transforming it into a place where turtles nest, plants return, and people can thrive.