Inaugural Fellows Selected for Groundbreaking Opportunity for First Nations Women Leaders in Conservation and Stewardship
June 12, 2025
The fellows were announced at the First Nations National Guardians Network 2025 in Victoria, BC
Victoria, BC: June 12, 2025: The inaugural recipients of the First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellowship will be announced today at the First Nations National Guardians Gathering in Victoria, BC. This innovative program aims to uplift emerging women leaders in conservation and stewardship and to expand their positive impact within and beyond their Nations. It is hosted by the Indigenous Leadership Initiative and Wildlife Conservation Society Canada in a unique partnership that will offer fellows skill building in
Indigenous-led conservation, western science, and policy advocacy for thriving lands and communities.
Called the First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellowship, the fellowship recognizes the vital role First Nations women play in caring for lands and waters. Women are already leading many Guardians programs, Indigenous Protected and Conservation Area proposals, and other Indigenous-led conservation initiatives across the country. With added support, they can help generate transformative benefits for their communities and for conservation efforts across the country.
Two women were awarded fellowships in this first year of the initiative:
Mary-Jo Michell from Nlaka’pamux (British Columbia) She is an elected councillor and Lands and Culture Coordinator at the Kanaka Bar Indian Band. Her work includes supporting the ‘Zuminstm e tmíxʷ kt ƛ̓əq̓ƛ̓áq̓tn̓’ Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area and the Nation’s intention to reassume their role as guardians and stewards of their territory.
“As a result of this fellowship, I see myself becoming a confident leader in conservation, particularly the establishment of our territory’s Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area,” said Michell. “It will also help me share my knowledge and encourage others to remain committed to protecting our tmíxw (earth/land). I am grateful for this learning opportunity.”
Taylor Galvin Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki from Brokenhead Ojibway Nation (Manitoba). Galvin’s work blends Indigenous science, sturgeon conservation, and youth mentorship. She serves as the Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve Chair and is the community coordinator for an Indigenous-led environmental monitoring project in Tataskweyak Cree Nation. Her Master’s thesis at the University of Manitoba explores lake sturgeon conservation through Indigenous science and storytelling.
“I am honoured to be one of the inaugural fellows,” said Galvin. “At this stage in my life, I feel called to not only grow as a leader but to uplift and mentor the next generation of young women in our Nations. This fellowship will help support those efforts and the work to protect the waters and the beings with whom we share this planet.”
“We are excited to launch the fellowship with these two remarkable young women leaders,” said ILI Executive Director Valérie Courtois. “Taylor and Mary-Jo bring a fierce commitment to caring for lands and waters, honouring Indigenous knowledge and responsibility, and creating a better future for all of us. Yet even the most dedicated leaders can feel isolated sometimes. This fellowship offers training, but it will also build a network of Indigenous conservation leaders who support one another and enjoy the support of those who came before them.”
Since mentoring and community-building are central to the fellowship, ILI and WCS Canada convened an Aunties Circle of Indigenous women and their allies with deep experience in leadership, research, conservation, and stewardship. The Aunties will help steer the program and offer dedicated guidance to the fellows.
“Conservation is a collective effort,” said WCS Canada President and Senior Scientist Justina Ray. “We are far more powerful when we collaborate across geographies, cultures, and knowledge systems. This fellowship, and our partnership with Indigenous Leadership Initiative, reflects that spirit. We are honoured to support and learn from Taylor and Mary-Jo in this pilot year, and to uphold the vital role of Indigenous leadership in shaping the future of conservation in Canada.”
The First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellowship honours the legacy of Dr. Cheryl-Lesley Chetkiewicz, WCS Canada’s Director of Indigenous Communities and Conservation, whom the world lost almost exactly one year before this official launch. A driving force behind the fellowship’s vision, Cheryl was deeply committed to strengthening relationships between conservation science and Indigenous leadership. Her values - collaboration, integrity, and compassion - are embedded in the program’s design and continue to guide its purpose and direction.
Over 70 people applied for the fellowship, and applicants went through a careful selection process, with each finalist being interviewed by a panel composed of Aunties and senior staff from both host organizations. Now the chosen fellows will embark on a year-long learning expedition to explore public policy, research design and implementation, communications, mentorship, and land use planning. It will offer experiential learning, ranging from video storytelling to wildlife monitoring.
Attending the First Nations National Guardians Gathering in Victoria is one of those learning opportunities. The Gathering includes about 275 Guardians along with leaders and allies for a total of 350 participants. More than 130 Guardians programs are represented, bringing a rich diversity of knowledge and offering a testament to the growth of the Guardians movement. The fellows will be introduced to the Gathering on the plenary stage and spend time learning from others on the frontlines of Indigenous-led stewardship.
Media Contacts:
Indigenous Leadership Initiative: Jenn Wesanko / jenn@jennwesanko.com / 604-347-5988
Wildlife Conservation Society Canada: Ashleigh Talbot / atalbot@wcs.org / 778-400-7090
About the Indigenous Leadership Initiative: The Indigenous Leadership Initiative is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Indigenous Nationshood as a path to fulfilling the responsibility to care for lands and waters.
About Wildlife Conservation Society Canada: WCS Canada is a national non-profit organization that provides evidence-based technical guidance and policy recommendations to empower decision-makers to take transformative action for wildlife, ecosystems, and people.
