The Indigenous Leadership Initiative is dedicated to strengthening Indigenous Nationhood as a path to fulfilling the responsibility to care for lands and waters.

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The latest from ILI

Videos

Videos
Knowledge exchange: Nagadjitòdjig Aki & Deshkan Zibing Guardians
Knowledge exchange: Nagadjitòdjig Aki & Deshkan Zibing Guardians

What happens when two Guardian crews meet on the land? 
A week of learning, laughter & connection. From water monitoring to language, the Deshkan Ziibiing & Nagadjitòdjig Aki Guardians shared teachings & pride—showing what Indigenous-led stewardship looks like day-to-day. 

Being a Guardian is built on connection — to land, to culture, and to each other. “Every Nation has something to teach, and something to learn.”

When the Nagadjitòdjig Aki Guardians hosted friends from Deshkan Ziibiing, they shared more than technical tips—they shared teachings, laughter, and the bond that comes from caring for the same Mother Earth.

Over shared meals, stories, and fieldwork, they both taught and learned from one another about traditional knowledge, new tools in land conservation, and their day-to-day and finding joy in the work.

Cheers to friendship and a stronger network of Guardians lifting each other up! 

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REIGNITION: Bringing Good Fire Back to the Land
REIGNITION: Bringing Good Fire Back to the Land

For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples used fire with intention—to care for the land, support plants and wildlife, and keep territories in balance. Premiered at the Banff Mountain Film Festival, this short film traces how that relationship was disrupted, and how Indigenous fire stewardship is now being revitalized across the country.

Premiered at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, this short film explores the resurgence of Indigenous fire stewardship across Canada. Through the voices of Elders, Guardians, and fire experts, the film shows how cultural burning restores ecosystems, reduces extreme wildfire risk, and reconnects communities to their responsibilities on the land.

This is a story about “good fire,” Indigenous leadership, and a future shaped by generations of knowledge and a deep relationship with our ecosystems. 

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Indigenous Women: The leaders shaping a better future
Indigenous Women: The leaders shaping a better future

In First Nations all across Canada, but also around the world, Indigenous women are defending lands and waters, carrying ancestral knowledge, and protecting the rights of future generations.

In First Nations all across Canada, but also around the world, Indigenous women are defending lands and waters, carrying ancestral knowledge, and protecting the rights of future generations. 🌿
Today, we celebrate their contributions and their leadership. We acknowledge the sacrifices they make. And we affirm the need for their leadership to be respected and supported.

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News

News Release
Dahti Tsetso Shifts to New Role as Inaugural CEO of Our Land for the Future Trust
Dahti Tsetso Shifts to New Role as Inaugural CEO of Our Land for the Future Trust

“Dahti Tsetso has a remarkable ability to bring people together. And she has a deep commitment to uplifting Indigenous self-determination and the inherent right of Nations to decide the future of their lands and waters. We will miss working with Dahti day-to-day, but we are happy to see her lead an initiative whose vision and values resonate with ours.”

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The Indigenous Leadership Initiative Receives Major Gift from the Mastercard Foundation
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative Receives Major Gift from the Mastercard Foundation

“We are deeply honoured and humbled by this gift,” said Valérie Courtois, the Executive Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative. “It recognizes the relationship between caring for the land and nurturing the next generation.”

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Inaugural Fellows Selected for Groundbreaking Opportunity for First Nations Women Leaders in Conservation and Stewardship
Inaugural Fellows Selected for Groundbreaking Opportunity for First Nations Women Leaders in Conservation and Stewardship

The first recipients of the First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellowship were announced in Victoria, BC. This innovative program aims to uplift emerging women leaders in conservation and stewardship and to expand their positive impact within and beyond their Nations.

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“It’s not just about the hectares, it’s really about the people…this agreement has so much transformative potential.” A wintry morning in Behchokǫ̀ set the stage for the celebration of a historic agreement made possibl
Today, we honour the memory of former Premier John Horgan and his leadership in advancing reconciliation and supporting Indigenous leadership in conservation. He was a big supporter of Guardians – pictured here at the 2019 National Guardians Ga
"We know that the return on investment for these dollars will be much greater than the investments themselves … We know what kind of impact these investments will have within our communities, across our regions, across the territory.&quot
BIG NEWS for the North! 🌲💧 A new, transformative agreement has been signed in the Northwest Territories, which will lead to $375 million for Indigenous leadership in caring for lands, waters, and wildlife. The NWT ‘Our Land for the Future&rsq
🔥Wildfires are exceeding management capabilities, but Indigenous fire stewardship offers hope. At the Wildland Fire Conference, our team led discussions and learned from Indigenous leaders who shared tools, techniques, and success stories for integr
Today, we celebrate the incredible achievements of Valérie Courtois, Executive Director of the ILI, now recognized as an Honourary Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society! As the Executive Director of the Indigenous Leadership Init
With heavy hearts, we honour the memory of Mazina Giizhik, Senator Murray Sinclair, a lawyer, judge, and leader who fought for justice and truth for Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. Senator Sinclair’s dedication to uncovering the storie
ICYMI: North America has lost 3 billion birds in the last 50 years, but the Seal River Watershed is a beacon of hope. A recent study led by @seal.riverwatershedinitiative and the @audubonsociety catalogued over 100 bird species thriving in the propos
At COP15 world leaders adopted the Global Biodiversity Framework—which recognizes Indigenous People's vital role and protecting the planet’s biodiversity. 🌱 Now, as they gather at #Cop16 in Colombia, It is important that Indigenous Peopl
“We are learning from each other, and we are gaining strength together. As we gather at COP16, we will offer this hope for the future of our planet.” 🌎 As leaders discuss pathways forward in Cali, Colombia for the UN Biodiversity Confere
“Being able to address climate change, use traditional ecological knowledge, and participate in co-management is Indigenous peoples’ contribution to saving the planet.” Great news! Thanks to the Northern Chumash Tribe, the first Ind

“The growing Indigenous conservation movement offers Canada a powerful opportunity to keep our promises to the world.”

— The Honourable Ethel Blondin Andrew, P.C., O.C, and ILI Senior Leader