Indigenous Leadership Initiative

Indigenous-led conservation is a proven model for sustaining biodiversity. By placing this vital work at the heart of our shared effort to protect nature, we can help reverse the tide of extinction, sustain lands and water, and build a better future for all people. #ClimateWeekNYC #UNGA77 #COP15 #climatechange #30x30

Ray Nobis grew up on the shores of Lake Nipigon alongside his dad–as a kid, he learned how to trap and hunt and grew up to be a fisherman. But when industry upstream began impacting the lands, water, and wildlife that his First Nation relied on, that livelihood was no longer viable. And so he–alongside others from his community of Rocky Bay First Nation–began to study the health of their food and water six years ago. Today, seven First Nations have joined together with researchers in a powerful new collaboration to protect all of the great lakes around Lake Superior. The Nations are partnering with Western scientists to blend Traditional knowledge with new technology which will help them better understand and address challenges like pollution, habitat loss, and climate change in a holistic way. Raj Bejankiwar, a scientist with the International Joint Commission, attended the First Nations gathering to discuss a way forward and shared that, “We have a mandate of preserving the Great Lakes but we can’t do that without understanding what Indigenous people do: that water is not a resource, but something to have a relationship with, one to value.” The Narwhal https://lnkd.in/e6qc8tkr

One year ago our friends at the Seal River Watershed Alliance signed an MOU with the governments of Canada and Manitoba, marking a major step forward in establishing the Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area. The four First Nations leading the way in protecting the watershed have a shared vision to protect this irreplaceable landscape not only for their own communities–but for the benefit of all Canadians.  This historic event last year demonstrates the kind of benefits that flow from Nation-to-Nation-to Nation relationships--benefits like respect for Indigenous leadership, thriving communities, sustainable economic growth, healthy lands and waters, and a brighter future for all of us. Take a moment to be reminded why the Seal River Watershed deserves YOUR support:  https://lnkd.in/gzd4HYyX 📸 Block by Block Creative

Raising our hands to all of the firefighters doing good work in California. 🤎Love seeing support from all corners of Turtle Island and beyond, and in particular the Indigenous crews & experts from places like the Navajo and Klamath Nations. Indigenous Nations on the continent are all too familiar with these increasingly threatening wildfires, and Nation to Nation support is crucial. Los Angeles is built on the traditional territory of the Tonga, Tataviam, Serrano, Kith, and Chumash peoples–who had a beneficial relationship with fire. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. https://lnkd.in/ePqc9nqR

What defines IPCAs? 🍃 They are Indigenous-led 🍃 They represent a long-term commitment to conservation 🍃 They elevate Indigenous rights and responsibilities Leadership on the land is a core part of Indigenous Nationhood, which is why many First Nations are establishing IPCAs. Indigenous Nations draw on traditional knowledge and connection to the land to support biodiversity initiatives across IPCAs–after all, healthy lands support healthy communities, which will build a better future for all of us.

“Good fire” is integral to maintaining healthy lands and communities. By using fire in a controlled and strategic manner, Indigenous communities can rejuvenate their lands, promote biodiversity and reduce wildfire risks. As Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson shares, “We're burning in the spring or the fall. When it's cooler, there's more humidity in the air, the fires can't get that hot, so it removes dead, dry and healthy vegetation from the landscape, but it leaves the roots completely intact so that the plants are able to re -sprout quickly.” Cultural burns, or “good fire,” not only benefits plants and animals but also reduces the risk of wildfires for communities while strengthening the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional knowledge.

Ribbon skirts are more than clothing; they are powerful symbols of identity, culture, and connection to the land. ✨ Today, on #NationalRibbonSkirtDay, we celebrate Indigenous women and the beauty they bring to the world through their stories, traditions, and leadership. 🧡✨ 📸Christina Bekintis

Looking to be inspired? Take a minute to learn about how the Blackfoot Confederacy are spearheading a movement to revive buffalo herds in their ancestral lands in Montana and Alberta. The buffalo have sustained Blackfoot communities and – before colonization –  defined the prairie ecosystem for millennia. Their return means ecological renewal and a reconnection to tradition, culture, and each other. Atop a cliff where the historic buffalo jump might have occurred, Tyson Running Wolf envisions the harmony these efforts bring: “Beautiful, isn’t it?” The work of Blackfoot leaders and the Shield Keepers – Indigenous land stewards much like Guardians – demonstrate the importance of Indigenous leadership in conservation and how the land and people's health are deeply intertwined.  https://lnkd.in/ggiDGjEe

“We were gifted responsibilities, and we’re asked under those relationship covenants, natural law covenants, to assume those responsibilities.” – David Flood David Flood’s reflections cut to the heart of Indigenous stewardship. These are not abstract ideas—they are responsibilities gifted to us through natural law and rooted in the deep relationships we share with the land. For Indigenous Nations, leadership means upholding these sacred teachings in every decision we make. Stewardship is a strength, a duty, and a continuation of who we have always been. Listen to David’s powerful message about what it means to lead from a place of responsibility and connection.

Winter Solstice❄️ reflects the turning of seasons and holds deep meaning for Indigenous Peoples. It is a time to pause, reflect, honour the lessons the land carries, and gather for storytelling and connection. But the long night offers more than rest; it is a sacred moment to look inward and prepare for the return of the light. Stories, songs, and ceremonies during this time bring guidance through the season, grounding us in the strength of the community and the land. We celebrate the long night, and as the sun slowly returns, we celebrate a time of renewal. ❄️ 📸 Boreal Conservation