Indigenous Guardians

Overview

Indigenous Guardians funding provides Indigenous peoples with a greater opportunity to exercise responsibility in stewardship of their traditional lands, waters, and ice.

Indigenous Guardians are the “eyes and ears on-the-ground,” monitoring ecological health, maintaining cultural sites, and protecting sensitive areas and species.

Funding for Guardians initiatives supports Indigenous rights and responsibilities in:

• protecting and conserving ecosystems
• developing and maintaining sustainable economies
• continuing the profound connections between natural landscapes and Indigenous cultures

In 2017, the Government of Canada announced an initial investment of $25 million to launch an Indigenous Guardians Pilot from 2018-2022. During this time, over 80 Indigenous-led Guardians initiatives across Canada received funding.

Building on the success of the pilot, the Government of Canada announced an additional $100 million in 2021 to extend Indigenous Guardians funding through 2026. This investment supports both new and existing Indigenous Guardians initiative and promotes the development of Indigenous Guardians networks for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis through a distinctions-based governance structure.

On March 31, 2026, renewed funding was announced through A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature.

Map of funded initiatives

Since 2018, over 240 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis initiatives have received Indigenous Guardians funding. Combined, these investments have helped support the creation of approximately 1,500 traditional and culturally meaningful employment opportunities, while protecting nature and wildlife.

See the Indigenous Guardians map for more information on funded initiatives.

Governance structures for First Nations, Inuit and Métis

Funding and decision-making processes are co-designed, developed and delivered with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis using a distinctions-based approach that respects and recognizes their unique perspectives, rights, responsibilities, and needs. For more information, visit the pages linked below:

• First Nations Guardians
• Inuit Guardians
• Métis Guardians

Eligible recipients

Eligible recipients include:

• Indigenous Nations, organizations, governments, individuals, boards, commissions, communities, associations and authorities, including:
  • Indigenous not-for-profit organizations
  • district councils, Chiefs councils and Tribal councils
  • Indigenous research, academic and educational institutions
  • Indigenous for-profit organizations

Eligible activities

Eligible activities for Indigenous Guardians funding include, but are not limited to:

• gathering and the application of Indigenous laws, teachings and Knowledge
• maintenance and support of Indigenous relationships with lands, waters, ice, animals and plants
• capacity building, outreach, education and training of Indigenous youth, tourists, and community members
• emergency response
• data collection and monitoring related to the use of lands, waters and other earthly gifts on traditional territories, including cultural sites
• species and habitat identification, monitoring and protection
• habitat stewardship for maintenance and improvement of ecosystem services
• conservation, land use and land relationship planning
• governance, engagement, capacity-building, networking activities
• technical support from professionals and consultants
• enforcement and compliance support through observation, recording, and reporting

Application process

Information on applications for 2026-27 funding is available on the First Nations and Métis Guardians webpages.

Applications for the Inuit Guardians funding is expected to open in Fall 2026. Consult the Inuit Guardians webpage regularly for more updates on new funding opportunities.

For more information

For more information, please contact the Indigenous Guardians Secretariat by email at gardiensautochtones-indigenousguardians@ec.gc.ca.

News

• Canada invests $19.6 million to advance Indigenous-led climate action and nature protection 
• Funding for First Nations Guardians now managed by world’s first Indigenous-led national stewardship network
• Backgrounder: 80 First Nations Initiatives 2024-2025
• Successful Indigenous Guardians initiatives now in over a quarter of First Nations across Canada
• Guardians of the earth
• Government of Canada supports Indigenous Guardians nature conservation with $30M fund
• Government of Canada announces $340 million to support Indigenous-led conservation
• Government of Canada invests in 10 First Nations Guardians initiatives
• Indigenous Guardians First Nations Tier 1 projects 2021-2022
• Government of Canada invests in Inuit leadership through the Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program
• Canada invests $6.4 million to support First Nations leadership in conservation
• Government of Canada invests in Métis Nation leadership through the Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program
• Government of Canada supports Indigenous leadership in conservation

Related links

• At a glance – Evaluation of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Indigenous Guardians Initiative - Canada.ca
• Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions
• Indigenous Guardians Toolkit (from Nature United)
• Indigenous Guardians - Toolkit Map
• Mandate letter: Appearance before the Standing Committee – December 14, 2023 - Canada.ca
• Indigenous Climate and Environmental Funding Programs (Government of Canada funding programs – Canada.ca)
• Environment and Climate Change Canada funding programs (ECCC funding programs - Canada.ca)
• Parks Canada Indigenous Guardian and Watchmen Programs
• Nature United Indigenous led conservation
• Indigenous Leadership Initiative
• Canada's Nature Legacy