Indigenous environmental leadership, funding, and initiatives
Environmental conservation funding for Indigenous Peoples
Find federal programs that help fund environmental initiatives with Indigenous leadership.
Indigenous environmental leadership
Indigenous peoples have been stewards and care takers of the lands, waters and ice and leaders in ecosystem conservation in what is now known as Canada, since time immemorial. First Nations, Inuit and Métis are key partners in conserving and protecting nature and monitoring climate change. They have unique perspectives, knowledge, rights and responsibilities to teach, inspire and help improve natural balance
The leadership and guidance of Indigenous peoples are critical to achieve Canada’s domestic and international biodiversity goals including conserving at least 25 percent of Canada’s lands and oceans by the end of 2025, and creating healthier habitats for species at risk. In the spirit of reconciliation, the Government of Canada partners with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to plan and establish several protected areas with Indigenous leadership and to help support employment positions through initiatives like Indigenous Guardians.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities are also at the forefront of the impacts of climate change. Changing climate exacerbates existing challenges and health stressors for Indigenous peoples in Canada such as wildfires, permafrost thaw, changing wildlife patterns, diminishing access to traditional food sources and flooding. The Arctic and Northern regions are amongst the most impacted by the effects of climate change. As the impacts of climate change continue to threaten communities, it is increasingly essential to work with and support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations to help monitor, mitigate and adapt to climate change and build resilience in the North.
Together, we are braiding Indigenous knowledge systems with Western science for on-the-ground conservation, research and monitoring of biodiversity and climate change in Canada.
Video series
Indigenous voices - Link to see full video series on YouTube Video
Indigenous Guardians Initiative
Indigenous guardians are engaged as the “eyes on the ground” in Indigenous territories. They monitor ecological health, maintain cultural sites, and protect sensitive areas and species. This initiative supports Indigenous peoples in exercising their responsibilities to the lands, waters and ice within their traditional territories through on-the-ground stewardship initiatives. It is implemented in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis, using an individual approach that respects and recognizes their unique perspectives, rights, responsibilities and needs. Learn more at: Indigenous Guardians initiative.
Indigenous Partnerships for Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
Projects will help conserve, restore and enhance Canada’s wetlands, peatlands and grasslands. They will help us adapt better to climate change by buffering extreme weather events such as flooding and urban heat island effects, and reduce impacts to human health and safety. The NSCSF Indigenous Partnerships stream governance is co-developed and co-delivered with First Nations, Inuit and Métis on an individual basis that respects and recognizes their unique perspectives, rights and responsibilities. Learn more at: Indigenous Partnerships for Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.
Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring
The program provides funding to support Indigenous peoples in the design, implementation or expansion of long-term, community-based, climate-monitoring projects. Specifically, it supports community-led projects to monitor climate and the environmental effects of climate change on communities and traditional territories. This program also facilitates access to tools and best practices, enhances collaboration and coordination among initiatives, and supports Indigenous participation in program oversight. Learn more at: Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring.
Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk
The program is advancing reconciliation through conservation by building capacity to enable Indigenous leadership for species at risk conservation and to develop Species at Risk Act agreements for co-management or self-administered regimes. Learn more at: Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk. Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk The fund was established in 2004 and supports the development of Indigenous capacity to participate actively in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act. This Act recognizes the important role that Indigenous peoples play in wildlife conservation and the need to consider Indigenous knowledge in determining which species may be at risk, and both the development and the implementation of protection and recovery measures. Learn more at: Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk.
Partnerships and advisory bodies
Indigenous Leadership Initiative
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) supports Indigenous Nations in honouring the responsibility to care for lands and waters. The ILI and Environment and Climate Change Canada created the First Nations/Federal Pilot Joint Working Group for Guardians, which establishes funding criteria and provides a new model for Nation-to-Nation partnerships. The ILI is helping launch the First Nations National Guardians Network with federal support. And the ILI advises the government on advancing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Learn more at: Indigenous Leadership Initiative.
Distinctions-based senior bilateral tables on clean growth and climate change
In 2016, the federal government committed to strengthening collaboration with Indigenous peoples as partners in climate action. Following joint commitments made by the Prime Minister and the National Leaders of the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council, the federal government established three distinctions-based senior bilateral tables. Based on the recognition of rights, co-operation and partnership, they help foster a collaborative approach to ongoing engagement with Indigenous peoples, and to support Indigenous climate leadership. Learn more at: Distinctions-based senior bilateral tables on clean growth and climate change.
National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk
The National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on implementing the administration of the Species at Risk Act and provides advice to the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council. Learn more at: National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk
Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership
The Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership is a 7-year initiative bringing together over 30 leaders from Indigenous communities, environmental organizations, academia and government, committed to supporting Indigenous-led conservation across the country. Learn more at: Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership.
Indigenous Circle of Experts
Conservation experts from across Canada collaborated and provided recommendations and guidance to federal and provincial/territorial ministers for achieving the goals of the Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous protected and conserved areas in the spirit and practice of reconciliation. We Rise Together.
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