“We Are Stronger Together:” Momentum Builds for Guardians Movement
By Dahti Tsetso
When you bring hundreds of Guardians together, you can feel the energy and knowledge grow—even over Zoom. The First Nations Guardians Gathering 2021 convened Guardians in early June for four days of conversation about stewardship, Nationhood, and the healing power of the land. The Gathering drew more than 600 registered participants, and an additional 10,000 people viewed the public kick-off event on Facebook Live.
The opportunity to connect uplifted us all.
During a Sharing Circle, William Alger, a Guardian for the Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area in the Northwest Territories, talked about how inspiring it is to learn from other Guardians. He wants people across Canada to experience that same inspiration too. “Hopefully, we can be recognized nationwide,” he said because Guardians “are here to stay, and it's our time to shine.”
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) was proud to host the Gathering and help build that national recognition. When we first convened a Gathering in 2016, about 30 Guardians programs were operating in the country. Today there are over 70 active Guardians program, and 25 more in the design phase. Meanwhile, over 60,000 people have joined the Land Needs Guardians campaign calling for long-term support for Guardians programs.
The momentum is building.
More Guardians are on the ground, caring for lands and waters we all depend on. They are bringing together youth and Elders and sustaining our languages and cultures. They are helping Indigenous Nations determine the future of our territories. And they are ensuring Canada meets critical conservation and climate commitments.
The Gathering was a celebration of what all Guardians do on behalf of our communities, our Nations, and Canada. We heard from several Indigenous leaders, including Deputy Grand Chief Mandy Gull of the Cree Nation Government and the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew. “I am so proud to be a part of the Guardians movement,” Blondin-Andrew said. “We are like the raven. We are the sentinels of the earth. We renew the land, and we laugh while we do it.”
ILI Director Valérie Courtois moderated a Fireside Chat with ECCC Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, Chief Gordon Planes, T’Sou-Ke First Nation, Jimmy Morgan, Gitanyow Huwilip Society, Lisa Young, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, and Chief Heidi Cook, Misipawistik Cree Nation.
Federal and provincial leaders expressed their support for Guardians during the event. Environment and Climate Change Canada Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said: “Guardians are an essential part of Canada's path forward, both for protecting nature and working towards a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples.” And BC Premier John Horgan shared a recorded message announcing an engagement process to explore how the province and First Nations can partner on expanding Guardians programs.
The Gathering confirmed time and time again why this work is so important. Amberly Quakegesic of the Wahkohtowin Program said “We all need fresh air to breathe, we need clean water to drink and healthy food on the table. We need to protect what matters and that's what the Guardian program is.”
Healing on the Land
The Gathering began just days after the discovery of 215 children buried at the residential school in Kamloops. The impact of those graves reverberates across our communities. We experience our own private and collective moments of grief and the coming together during the Gathering offered a healing balm.
As we listened to Guardians talk about their connection to the land and the pride they feel in Indigenous culture and knowledge, it felt like reclamation—like we are taking back what those schools tried to rob from us. It was uplifting to celebrate knowledge and relationships that are central to who we are as Indigenous Peoples. As Dehcho Dene Elder Angus Ekenele shared during our Opening Ceremony, “We may not see our ancestors here, but they are standing with us.”
Artist Nigit’stil Norbert did graphic recording throughout the Gathering. This image illustrates presentations and conversations from Day 2 of the event.
Strengthening Nations & Building Networks
Guardians programs play a vital role in helping our Nations heal and grow stronger. These programs prioritize Indigenous knowledge systems, generate economic opportunity rooted in our cultures, and honour the responsibility to care for lands. Many Guardians talked about the power of having their own people on the land wearing uniforms and representing their Nations. ILI Senior Leader Miles Richardson underscored the connection, saying Guardians are a tool for Nations to assert their laws and vision. “The way you decolonize your program is to respect and implement your own Nation’s laws.”
Richardson gave a presentation on the National Guardians Network, which will build connections between Guardians and help support training and knowledge sharing. It will also support the launch of new programs, with a goal of ensuring there are 400 Guardians programs established across the country. ILI Director Valerie Courtois explained, “Our vision for the network is that Nations have the Guardians they need when they need them.”
During the Gathering, Guardians shared Photo Stories with the crowd. Jimmy Morgan of the Gitanyow Huwilp Society, shared this image of a water flow survey. “Guardians actually save a lot of money because they're able to do these high level tasks and the biologists and hydrologists sign off on them,” he said.
Young Guardians Are Prepared to Lead
The theme of the Gathering was drawn from the Dene Zhatié phrase Zhundaa Gogha Ełehé Ats’et’ı̨, which means “Together for Our Future.” The future was on our minds throughout the week, weaving through conversations about climate change and cultural connections. But even more prominent was the sense of hope and possibility emerging from a new generation of young leaders.
Whether it was young Guardians screening videos they produced and exploring the power of telling stories through an indigenous lens, or whether it was young experts describing how their Nations are working to create Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, the Gathering shined a spotlight on way Guardianship develops leadership.
“I'm really excited and grateful to be part of this next generation of land protectors,” said Shauna Yeomans-Lindstrom, a Guardians for the Take River Tlingit First Nation. “I often speak with my Grandma, and it feels like she's passed on that torch, like I’m taking on that responsibility, and it's really exciting.”
I think everyone listening to these young voices shared the view of Valérie Courtois when she said to several young Guardians: “the future of this country is in good hands with you.”
Thank you to all the Guardians, leaders and allies who participated in the First Nations Guardians Gathering 2021. We look forward to the next time we come together again.
Stay Tuned: We will soon post videos from all the large-group sessions during the Gathering for those who were unable to attend in June.
