Events
Exploring Indigenous-led Guardianship in the United States
Join Indigenous leaders and allies from across the U.S. to explore the possibilities for creating a U.S. network of Tribal stewardship.
Rooted in the Land, Strong in Our Cultures: A Celebration of First Nations Guardians
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative and the Honourable Michèle Audette, Senator, arranged to build a shaputuan on Parliament Hill to honour First Nations Guardians programs. More than two dozen Parliamentarians participated in the celebration, along with First Nations leaders and about 40 First Nations Guardians.
The First Nations National Guardians Gathering 2023
The largest National Guardians Gathering to date! More than 250 Guardians are convening in Ottawa, joined by leaders, partners, and allies for a total of 350 participants.
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative Presents the Indigenous Village at COP15
The Indigenous Leadership Initiative is proud to host an Indigenous Village within the Green Zone of COP15. The village will showcase the work of Indigenous Peoples from the region, Canada, and around the world, and it will offer an Indigenized gathering space for Indigenous participants to COP.
Located at the Old Port in Montreal, the village will be active from December 9 through December 11.
ILI Virtual Workshop Rekindling our Relationship to Fire: First Nations Guardians Wildfire Response & Management
First Nations are often on the frontlines of wildfires.Yet we also offer Indigenous knowledge and laws that reduce risk and preserve the health of forests. The ILI is convening this workshop to help strengthen Indigenous leadership in managing and responding to wildfires. The virtual event will offer an opportunity to exchange perspectives on existing and potential roles for Guardians in wildfire management and response.
2021 First Nations Guardians Gathering
The 2021 Virtual Guardians Gathering was a great success.
With over 8,000 public views and 600+ registered participants, the gathering brought together Indigenous leaders, Guardians and allies from across the country, united under the theme “Zhundaa Gogha Ełehé Ats’et’ı̨” meaning, Together for Our Future. From IPCA’s to Guardians work on the ground to how we can collaborate with each other and Government, the Gathering created a space for sharing and building, in the name of protecting the lands & waters we all rely on.
First Nations Guardians Gathering 2019
More than 300 First Nations guardians, leaders and partners are gathering in Vancouver to discuss the next steps in creating a national guardians network.
National Indigenous Guardians Workshop
Hosted by the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI)May 23-24, 2018Ottawa
ILI continues its efforts to build a strong and representative Indigenous Guardians Network to sustain the work of creating hundreds of nation-building Guardians programs across the country to monitor, protect and ensure Indigenous decision-making on Indigenous lands and waters. Guardians’ voices must be heard.
2016 Inaugural Indigenous Guardians Gathering
The early morning sun broke through the Ottawa skyline as Algonquin elder Peter Decontie lit the fire. The scent of wood smoke and tobacco filled the crisp autumn air, and the crowd of nearly 200 leaned in to hear his prayer. People had traveled from across the country to attend the National Indigenous Guardians Gathering, and after a water ceremony at the river’s edge led by Elder Josée Whiteduck of Kitigan Zibi First Nation, they stood on Victoria Island—in the heart of the capital—to hear elders speak about the resilience of Indigenous People’s connection to the land.