Breakouts: Knowledge Exchange Session Overview
Sessions Offered Wednesday, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Indigenous-Led Natural Climate Solutions
Theatre (Available in French)
This session brings together members of the Indigenous-Led Natural Climate Solutions Fund Working Group for a panel discussion on the history, purpose, and potential of the Indigenous-Led Nature Climate Solutions Fund. Hear directly from those shaping the fund, as they share why this is a transformative opportunity for Guardians and Nations.
Facilitator: Tyler Morrison, Indigenous-Led Natural Climate Solutions Coordinator, National Guardians Network
Kim Neale, Founder, Manitoulin Climate Collective
Joseph Pallant, Director of Carbon Strategy, Veritree
Chelsea Martin, Indigenous Partnerships Lead, RAD Network
Guardians Training
Saanich
This session will explore the need for specialized training to support the growth and success of Guardians initiatives. It will highlight innovative programs from across Canada and Guardians’ firsthand descriptions of their training experiences. The discussion will focus on lessons learned in BC, the transferability of successful approaches, and concrete next steps for strengthening training pathways for Guardians across the country.
Facilitator: Frank Brown, Senior Leader, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Josh Vickers, Heiltsuk Guardian Watchman
Learning with the Land
Oak Bay 1
Land-based learning centres Indigenous languages, knowledge, governance, and sovereignty. Learning how to conduct yourself well in the bush, how to hunt, fish and gather respectfully with reciprocity, learning your language and laws in the context that they grew from, and learning technical skills to support monitoring, stewardship, and data collection for your community; all these learnings are with the land. Learning with the land creates the Guardians that the land needs!
Facilitator: Dr. Alexa Scully, Regional Advisor, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
John Tobac, K’ahsho Got’ine Foundation
Devon McCloud, Misipawistik Cree Nation
National Guardians Network Supports for Guardians Initiatives
Oak Bay 2
The National Guardians Network (NGN) supports Guardian-led initiatives through technical assistance, capacity building, and strategic guidance. Our goal is to strengthen community-led stewardship by removing barriers and amplifying local leadership. This session is a chance to shape how NGN delivers support moving forward. Your input will guide future tools, processes, and funding priorities to better meet the needs of Nations across the Network.
Facilitator: Courtney Duquette, National Guardians Network
Mateen Hessami, Lake Babine Nation
Joceline Marier, National Guardians Network
Jack Shaw, National Guardians Network
Sessions Offered Wednesday, 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm
The Role of Guardians in IPCAs
Theatre (Available in French)
Guardians are caring for Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas on behalf of our Nations, the world, and the future. Panelists will share the pride they feel in this role, how as Guardians they support the development and stewardship, how the role changes coast to coast, and some of the successes and barriers they face.
Facilitator: Jennie McPherson, Senior Operations Advisor, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Angelina Francis, Natural Resource Manager, Miawpukek First Nation
Stello Ottawa, Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan
Jonathan Cote, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Kidjīmāninān
Mike Fobister, Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation)
Guardians in Urban Environments
Saanich
Many Indigenous communities are impacted by intensive development in their traditional territories, including from commercial, agricultural, and industrial activities. In these urban-interface communities, Guardians have important roles to play in monitoring soil, air, and water quality, managing invasive species, dealing with illegal dumping, restoring degraded habitats, as well as advocating for government action on pollution.
Facilitator: Lynn Jacobs, Policy and Operations Advisor, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Benjamin Green-Stacey, Director, Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office
Lynn Rosales, Environment Coordinator, Aamjiwnaang First Nation
Guardians and Emergency Services
Oak Bay 1
Guardians are at the forefront of reacting to and mitigating diverse emergencies, from wildfire to flooding to drought. This session will explore how Guardians are building capacity to ensure safety and respond to the needs of their communities.
Facilitator: Dr. Alexa Scully, Regional Advisor, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Iris Catholique, Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation
Danny Masuzumi, K’ahsho Got’ine Foundation
Jimmy Nuna, Innu Nation
Reshaping Natural Climate Solution Definitions with an Indigenous Lens
Oak Bay 2
Join us in conversation on understanding natural climate solutions through Indigenous worldviews, values, and priorities. This session will explore how communities are leading climate action on their own terms—centering relationality, stewardship, and land-based knowledge.
Facilitator: Tyler Morrison, Indigenous-Led Natural Climate Solutions Coordinator, National Guardians Network
Bruce Weaver, Okanagan Indian Band
Chelsea Martin, Indigenous Partnerships Lead, RAD Network
Sessions Offered Thursday, 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Rooted in Language, Guided by the Land: Youth Voices
Theatre (Available in French)
This panel highlights the experiences of young Guardians who are reconnecting with their language, culture, and land. Through their stories, we’ll explore how cultural teachings and language have shaped their approach to land stewardship and Guardianship. This conversation invites us all to reflect on the role language and culture play in shaping not only individual identities but also our collective responsibilities to care for the land.
Facilitator: Jennie McPherson, Senior Operations Advisor, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Jacy Jolivet, Wahkohtowin
Sandy Clipping, Seal River Watershed Alliance
Mathias Sampson, W̱SÁNEĆ QENTOL, YEN Marine Guardians
Dolcy Meness, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg
Guardians as a Profession: Building an Accreditation Process
Saanich
This workshop will explore how the National Guardians Network (NGN) can help lead the development of a Guardians training accreditation system. You can help shape how the NGN will work with the Guardians community and First Nations in ensuring a standard for Guardians training that is rooted in Indigenous values and approaches, and uplifts the role of Nations in determining the mandate and role of their Guardians. And you can help envision how Guardians can access the training that is meaningful to their roles and responsibilities.
Facilitator: Valérie Courtois, Executive Director, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Facilitator: Jaimee Gaunce, Executive Director, National Guardians Network
Guardians and Food Sovereignty
Oak Bay 1
Food sovereignty for First Nations is core to community resilience. Guardians initiatives are supporting their communities in managing their own food systems, and ensuring access to healthy and culturally appropriate foods.
Facilitator: Dr. Alexa Scully, Regional Advisor, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Timothy Bernard, Natural Resources Manager, Lennox Island First Nation
Jason Charlie, Lake Babine Nation
Le Rôle des Gardiens au Québec
Oak Bay 2
This session seeks to better understand the challenges specific to the province of Québec in setting up and operating Guardians programs, discussing solutions, and exploring the creation of a Québec Guardians Network. Participants will address questions such as what are the main obstacles facing programs, what could a Québec Guardians Network look like, and what should that network focus on?
Facilitator: David Therrien, Regional Advisor Québec, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Sessions Offered Thursday, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Designing the Guardians Exchange Program
Saanich
Help shape the future of the National Guardians Network’s Guardians Exchange Program. This interactive session invites your input on what the program should look like, how knowledge should be shared, what supports are needed, and how to engage leadership. Together, we’ll explore priorities like land-based learning, mentorship, and data sovereignty to ensure the program reflects the needs of Guardians across the Network.
Facilitator: Jaimee Gaunce, Executive Director, National Guardians Network
Jack Shaw, Communications and PR, National Guardians Network
Joceline Marier, Executive Assistant, National Guardians Network
Linda Dwyer, Senior Operations Advisor, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Jackie Finch, Volunteer, National Guardians Network
Anita Chow, Volunteer, National Guardians Network
Building of a Wildland Fire Guardian Initiative
Oak Bay 1
This session is for Nations interested in starting a Fire Guardians program. Members of the Blood Tribe will share their experience in co-creating a program (including values, priorities, job descriptions, budget), applying for funding, and cross-training activities. There will also be a discussion on Indigenous fire guardian initiatives and networking opportunities.
Facilitator: Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson, Senior Fire Advisor, Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Alvin First Rider, Environment Manager, Blood Tribe Land Management
Nathan Provost, Forest Health Guardian, Blood Tribe Land Management
Sheldon Brewer, Blackfeet Fire Management, former Chief Mountain Hotshot