2021 First Nations Guardians Gathering
June 1st-4th, 2021
The 2021 Virtual Guardians Gathering was a success.
With over 8,000 public views and 600+ registered participants, the gathering brought together Indigenous leaders, Guardians and allies from across the country, united under the theme “Zhundaa Gogha Ełehé Ats’et’ı̨” meaning, Together for Our Future.
From IPCA’s to Guardians work on the ground to how we can collaborate with each other and Government, the Gathering created a space for sharing and building, in the name of protecting the lands & waters we all rely on.
Below, find videos of each day’s sessions, documents from the gathering, photo voice stories, and other resources to relive the event.
And take a look at the blog post from Deputy Director Dahti Tsetso below, to hear some of the highlights from the Gathering.
Recordings of the 2021 First Nations Guardians Gathering
The Guardians Gathering spanned four days, including Sharing Circles, presentations, and an awards ceremony. Below, you can find the events of each day and direct links to recordings of each session.
Day 1: Inspiring & Educating about the Value of Indigenous-LedStewardship & Guardians Programs
Watch here: https://youtu.be/LLTid55TQ0M?t=51
Welcome & Introduction of Elders for Opening Ceremony by Dahti Tsetso
215 Seconds of Silence and Reflection with Bev Sellars
Opening Ceremony: Fire Feeding Video led by Chief Gerald Antoine and Dene Elders
Opening Remarks by Valérie Courtois & Introduction of Nigit’stil Norbert
Sharing Circle with Guardians moderated by Valérie Courtois with Shauna Yeomans-Lindstrom, Taku River Tlingit, Tanya Ball, Dena Kayeh Institute, Amberly Quakegesic, Wahkohtowin, William Alger, Edéhzhíe Protected Area
Review of Graphic Recording with Nigit’stil and Valérie Courtois
Closing Remarks by Michèle Audette
Day 2: The Heart of Guardian Work
Watch here:
Welcoming Remarks with Dahti Tsetso and review of previous day’s Graphic Recording with Nigit’stil Norbert
Opening Keynotes by Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew P. C. & Deputy Grand Chief Mandy Gull
Sharing Circle with Storytellers moderated by Chelsie Parayko, with Qátuwas Brown, Haíɫzaqv Climate Action, Cody Anderson, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Robby Dick, Ross River Dena Council, Lisa Shepherd, Dena Kayeh Institute
Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso - Charlotte Denny Earth Keeper Unama’ki, NS
Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso - Hannah Martin, Earth Keeper, Millbrook First Nation, NS
Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso - Jack Penashue, Labrador, Innu Nation
Review of graphic recording with Nigit’stil Norbert and Dahti Tsetso
Closing Remarks with Bev Sellars
Day 3: The Environment of Guardianship Programs
Watch here:
Welcoming Remarks with Dahti Tsetso and review of previous day’s Graphic Recording with Nigit’stil Norbert
Story of the National Guardians Network and Q&A with Miles Richardson, O.C. Moderated by Valérie Courtois
Overview of the Role of the Joint Working Group and Moving Forward with Loretta Bayer and Julie Boucher, JWG Co-Chairs
Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso - Ashley Menicoche, Edehzhie, NWT
Fireside Chat with ECCC Minister Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson on the Federal Budget Allocation for Guardian Programs and IPCAs moderated by Valérie Courtois with Lisa Young, Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, Jimmy Morgan, Gitanyow Huwilp Society, Chief Heidi Cook, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Chief Gordon Planes, T’Sou-Ke First Nation
Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso - Jennifer Simard, Director of OPG Relations, Moose Cree First Nation, ON
Sharing Circle on Indigenous Leadership in Stewardship: Stories of Emerging & Established IPCAs moderated by Steven Nitah, with Gillian Staveley, Dena Kayeh Institute, Gregory Jeddore, Miawpukek First Nation, Stephanie Thorassie, Seal River Watershed Alliance
Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso, Arial Sanguez, Edehzhie, NWT, Isabelle Allen, Wahkohtowin, ON
Review of graphic recording with Nigit’stil and Dahti Tsetso
Closing Remarks by Frank Brown
Day 4: Lessons Learned: Sharing Successes & Challenges
Watch here:
Welcoming Remarks with Valérie Courtois review of previous day’s Graphic Recording with Nigit’stil Norbert
Opening Remarks with Honourable John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia, Video Message
Sharing Circle on Lessons Learned on Building Guardian and Stewardship Programs from the Coastal Stewardship Network moderated by Dahti Tsetso with Ross Wilson, Metlakatla Stewardship Society, Ernest Tallio, Nuxalk Coastal Guardian Watchmen, Vanessa Bellis, Haida Fisheries, Lara Hoshizaki, Coastal Stewardship Network
Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso - Jimmy Morgan, Lead Guardian, Gitanyow Nation, BC
Welcome back and Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso and Blythe Commando, Guardian, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, QC, Cody Anderson, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, MB
Guardian Photo Story with Dahti Tsetso - Gregory Jeddore, Natural Resources Manager, Miawpukek First Nation, Labrador
Welcome to Recognition Celebration & Closing Ceremony by Valérie Courtois
Collaboration Award to the Joint Working Group on Guardians presented by Frank Brown
Indigenous Guardian Ally Award to Steve Kallick (IBCC) presented by Valérie Courtois & Dave Porter
Emerging Leadership Award to Jean-Luc Kanapé presented by Michèle Audette
Outstanding Individual Leadership Award to Jarett Quock presented by Norma Kassi
Trailblazer Award to Captain Gold presented by Bev Sellars
Musical Performance by Leela Gilday
Review of graphic recording with Nigit’stil and Valérie Courtois
Closing Remarks for the Gathering by Dave Porter
Closing Prayer by Dene Elder
Graphic Recordings by Nigit’stil Norbert
Artist Nigit’stil Norbert created a graphic recording of each day of our 2021 Guardians Gathering, as show below. Each image contains a summary of the days highlights and important events. Take a look to relive the event
Click to enlarge each image
Documents & Resources
Below are select documents that were shared during the Gathering, including full transcripts of Keynotes, discussion documents, and powerpoints.
Opening Keynote: Ethel Blondin-Andrew - Day 2 First Nations Guardians Gathering 2021
This is the full opening remarks from the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew’s speech during Day 2 of the 2021 First Nations Guardians Gathering. She is a Shútao’tine (Mountain Dene) from Tulit’a, Northwest Territories (NWT), and a Senior Leader at ILI. In her speech, she spoke about her experiences at residential school, her youth, the power of Indigenous leadership, and the work of Guardians.
Joint Working Group Federal Funding Placemat - Day 3 First Nations Guardians Gathering
This document from the Joint Working Group (JWG) outlines the pathways and funding sources for Guardians programs and other Indigenous-led conservation Initiatives. This was shared on Day 3 of the Guardians Gathering as part of a presentation from JWG co-chairs Loretta Bayer and Julie Boucher.
The Business Case for a National First Nations Guardians Network - Day 3 Executive Summary
Momentum has been growing behind calls for a National First Nations Guardians Network. Since time immemorial, First Nations have honed our knowledge of the best way to care for our lands, waters, resources, and people. Today, there is increasing recognition of the role our knowledge can play in ensuring the best stewardship. Learn more by reading the Business Case for a National First Nations Guardians Network below.
Project Summary - Day 4 The Great Bear Rainforest: Indigenous-led Conservation from a Heiltsuk Perspective
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative is proud to announce a new stewardship project that tells the story from the perspective of Heiltsuk First Nation hereditary chief Frank Brown of how Heiltsuk homelands at the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest came to seed Indigenous stewardship and guardian programs on the Pacific Coast, emerging as an early form of modern Indigenous-led conservation.
Guardians Photo Voice Wall
From salmon restoration along coastal waters, to monitoring the mine and industry activity, to leading workshops for Youth & Elders and passing on culture and tradition, Guardians do it all.
We asked Guardians at our 2021 Guardians Gathering to share glimpses of what it’s like to be a Guardian — whether it’s a favourite place on the land, wildlife, a sentimental belonging, or an image that shares a time they were proud to be a Guardian.
Be inspired and get a glimpse at what this looks like firsthand from Guardians Photo Voice’s below.
“This photo always fills my heart and reminds me of the responsibility I have as a Cree woman to share knowledge and to take in and love up knowledge that is shared with me. Pictured is my uncle, cousin and niece, Neila. The two men were sitting on the dock enjoying each other’s company and sharing. Neila walked up and squeezed herself in between the two. She sat there for 20 minutes listening, absorbing and learning. The land, the knowledge, guardians and the relations.”
- Chelsie Parayko
“I'm the Lands Guardian in Poplar River First Nation (Manitoba). I wanted to show some pictures of our youth camp last summer located in our traditional territory.”
- Norway Rabliauskas
(cont) “We wanted to connect some of the youth with the land, while teaching them some of the history of our community. It was a great trip and they all loved it.”
- Norway Rabliauskas
- Norway Rabliauskas
- Norway Rabliauskas
“I was helping my co-worker Amberly Quakegesic open up the Birch shack in Chapleau Ontario back in May, when this little fox stopped in to see what we were up to. A part of our Guardians program is collecting Birch sap and making Birch syrup in the Boreal forest, I love having the opportunity every spring to get out on the land and reconnect with the ones who live there 🌳🦊”
- Isabelle Allen
“I arrived early and cooked fresh fish to welcome Canada's Minister, etc. to our Thaidene Nene Indigenous Protected Area back in 2019, I answered questions and asked a few myself... all for our future generations and their continued ability to exercise our sovereignty... included in this photo is my Uncle Archie Catholique and Elder Albert Boucher”
- Stephanie Poole
“K’ahsho Got’ine Guardians at our winter camp at Narehten. Joseph Tobac, John Tobac, Twyla Marcie Edgi, and Buddy Gully, Shaun Tobac & Matthew Cotchilly. This was our first camp together as a team. We went from -50 to -12 over 10 days; it was busy and beautiful. A great start, leading to a culture camp weeks later.”
- Alexa Scully
“Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg has been actively protecting species at risk within our community for the last 17 years. Our Nagadjitodjig Aki (Guardians) now monitor our Aki. One of the species, we protect is the Wood Turtle. On our land we identify wood turtle critical habitat.”
- Linda Dwyer-Commando
(cont) “The importance of being present on the land and the monitoring of the health of our water is tied to the health and well being of our community and culture. Nothing better than a day on our beautiful waterways. Featuring Blythe Commando”
- Linda Dwyer-Commando
“I’m not an official guardian, but I am the director of operations at the Seal River Watershed Initiative/Alliance. The photo that I wanted to submit is one of me and my caribou hide that I tanned in my backyard of my urban home in Winnipeg.
Smoky red eyes, a dirty face, and pure joy. This is the authentic me. I love to be able to create like our elders created, and to share this knowledge to our youth is of utmost importance! Being a guardian means practicing our cultures, and for me during this pandemic it means practicing my Dene culture where ever I may be. As soon as I am able to, I will be home in Sayisi-nene tanning hides with my Granny out on the land. It’s where my spirit feels most full.”
- Stephanie Thorassie
These photos are from Temagami First Nation territory n'Daki Menan. Adrienne Alexandra is a Climate Change Researcher at Temagami First Nation. She shares “We are not funded by the Guardian Program in Canada, but we do have an environmental monitoring program which we are just wrapping up! ur project has really evolved over the 3 year period and has really built up much more than originally anticipated. We have really focused on water quality and weather parameter monitoring.”
(cont) “We also work hard to monitor and manage invasive species in our traditional territory and document species when we do field monitoring. All the data collection has really added to our ability to add value layers in GIS which we use to track species and it can be helpful in consultations or just helping our members locate species of interest.
We have also been attending meetings and workshops in regards to provincial and federal governments response to climate change and been looking at their policies and how they affect/will affect our community.”
(cont) “It is something that we keep up with an do our best to keep a close eye on while representing our community and upholding inherent rights.
During our project we have done our best to create capacity building opportunities for community members by providing mentorship and meaningful employment opportunities.”
- Adrienne Alexandra
Mushuau Atik u au Mushuau nipi
In the foreground, you see a group of mostly female caribou swimming by our camp at Mushuau-nipi (on Indian House Lake, George River, QC). The camp is located in what we call “caribou house”; it is a place where Innu and Naskapi traditionally gathered for their large Fall hunts. It is one of only two places that held gatherings of this size on our whole territory Nitassinan. We estimate nearly 10,000 years of occupation of this site. Today, I along with friends and family are the guardians of this place, where we gather yearly to be with our ancestors and with the caribou. - Valérie Courtois
There is music in the lights
Taken at Mushuau-nipi; This is a photo of a shaputuan, or “tent with two doors” that was taken during an evening of music and dancing; if you look closely you will see a music note in the northern lights, and shadows of people dancing in the tent. Mista-Shipu McKenzie was the musician; he is the son of the godfather of Innu music, Philippe McKenzie, and he was playing one of his hit songs, Ekuan Pua as this photo was taken.
- Valérie Courtois
Baby caribou keeping up with the herd
George River Caribou, taken during their steep decline. We observe them in their house every year, and that year we only saw 13 young caribou born that year. This is one of those 13; it was strong and able to keep up with its mother. Despite the despair of knowing how serious the decline of the George River Caribou Herd is, capturing this little one swimming hard and fighting to live and follow the herd gave me hope.
- Valérie Courtois
