ILI Recognized for Conservation Leadership
INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
Quebec: October 17, 2017: The Indigenous Leadership Initiative is honoured to receive the 2019 Gold Leaf Award from the Canadian Council of Ecological Areas. The council is a national organization dedicated to expanding and managing a network of protected areas that conserve the rich ecological diversity of the country’s land and seascape.
At an event in Quebec City on October 10, the council gave the Gold Leaf Award to the ILI in recognition of our work related to Indigenous land management and on-the-land stewardship–including the Indigenous Guardians programs—within Canada’s Boreal Forest.
Valérie Courtois, the director of ILI, was also honored by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society at a reception in Ottawa on June 27, 2018. The award was a tribute to Valérie’s leadership advocating for a national Indigenous Guardians Network.
Michelle Miller, the executive director of the Kaska Dena Council, accepted the award on Valérie’s behalf, expressing her appreciation for the honour and her gratitude for all the elders, guardians and other Indigenous Peoples who are caring for the land and caring for our way of life. She also thanked the Government of Canada for its commitment to being good partners with guardians across the country.
ILI shares both of these awards with the many people, organizations and communities helping support our work. And to the past, present and future Indigenous Guardians across this country.
Valérie Courtois receiving the 2019 Gold Leaf Award from Jessica Elliott, chairperson of CCEA.
