Indigenous Leadership Initiative

Massive tent celebrating Canada’s land, water ‘guardians’ raised on Parliament Hill

Massive tent celebrating Canada’s land, water ‘guardians’ raised on Parliament Hill

An Indigenous group has raised a large traditional tent on the lawn of Parliament Hill to celebrate a program that places agents known as “guardians” across Canada to care for lands and waters. The communal tent, known as a shaputuan in the Innu language, was organized by the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, a group that advocates for the guardian program nationally and promotes Indigenous-led conservation efforts.

Indigenous guardians sound alarm about climate change impacts in Canada

Indigenous guardians sound alarm about climate change impacts in Canada

More than 40 Indigenous communities in Canada have launched guardian programs, which employ local members to monitor ecosystems and protect sensitive areas and species. At a national gathering in Vancouver this week, guardians raised alarm about environmental degradation and climate change in their territories.