Full Agenda: The 2025 First Nations National Guardians Gathering

Victoria, BC, June 10 – 12

Victoria Conference Centre

Travel Day / June 9

3:00 – Onward Hotel check-in

6:00 – 9:00   Registration at the Victoria Conference Centre 

Day 1 / June 10

7:00 – 8:00       Last call for Registration

8:00 – 12:00     Opening Ceremony

  • A bagged breakfast will be accessible on-site

12:00 – 1:00   Lunch in the Crystal Ballroom at the Victoria Conference Centre

12:00 – 1:15 Overview

  • Gillian Staveley, Dena Kayeh Institute

  • Iris Catholique, Thaidene Nëné

12:00 – 1:15 Welcome from the NGN and ILI

  • Jaimee Gaunce, National Guardians Network

  • Valerie Courtois, Indigenous Leadership Initiative

1:45 – 1:55   Video Address by Premier Eby

2:00 – 3:00  National Guardians Network Growth and the Path Forward

  • Jaimee Gaunce, National Guardians Network

  • Gillian Stavely, Dena Kaya Institute

3:00 – 3:30     Health Break

3:30 – 4:30     Restorying Fire Kinship through Guardians

  • Moderator: Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson

  • Elder Paul Courtoreielle

  • Alvin First Rider

  • Joel Lafferty

  • Tiffany Joseph

6:00 – 7:00     Awards Ceremony and Social  

Day 2 / June 11

8:00 – 9:00     Buffet Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15    Overview

9:15 – 10:00  Fireside Chat with B.C. Ministers

  • Moderator: Miles Richardson, Indigenous Leadership Initiative

  • Hon. Randene Neill

10:00 – 10:30  Building the Business Case for Guardians

  • Valérie Courtois, Indigenous Leadership Initiative

  • Linda Dwyer, Indigenous Leadership Initiative

10:30 – 11:00  Health Break

11:00 – 12:00  Guardians Movement in the U.S.

  • Moderator: Shawn Watts, Indigenous Leadership Initiative

12:00 – 1:00     Lunch Break

1:00 – 2:15       Breakout Sessions

  • Honouring Indigenous Leadership & Natural Climate Solutions - Theatre (available in French)

  • Guardians Training - Saanich

  • Learning with the Land - Oak Bay 1

  • NGN Supporting Initiatives - Oak Bay 2

2:15 – 2:45 Health Break

2:45 – 4:00      Breakout Sessions

  • The Role of Guardians in IPCAs (available in French) - Theatre

  • Guardians in Urban Environments - Saanich

  • Guardians and Emergency Services - Oak Bay 1

  • Reshaping Natural Climate Solution Designs with an Indigenous Lens - Oak Bay 2

6:00 – 9:00       Red Carpet, Film Screening, and Reception

Day 3 / June 12

8:00 – 9:00     Buffet Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15    Overview and Special Announcement

9:15 – 10:15  Innovative Financing: the PFP Model

  • Moderator:

10:15 – 10:45  Health Break

10:45 – 12:00  Breakout Sessions

  • Rooted in Language, Guided by the Land: Youth Voices (available in French) - Theatre

  • Guardians as a Profession: Building an Accreditation Process for the National Guardians Network - Saanich

  • Guardians and Food Sovereignty - Oak Bay 1

  • Le Rôle des Gardiens au Québec - Oak Bay 2

12:00 – 1:00     Lunch Break

1:00 – 2:00       Breakout Sessions

  • Guardians and FPIC (available in French) - Theatre

  • Help Design the Guardians Exchange Program - Saanich

  • Building of a Wildland Fire Guardian Initiative - Oak Bay 1

2:00 – 2:30 Health Break

2:30 – 3:30      Guardians Voices from Coast to Coast

  • Moderator: Amos Scott

3:30 – 4:00      Closing Ceremony

  • Valérie Courtois, Indigenous Leadership Initiative

  • Jaimee Gaunce, National Guardians Network