First Nations National Guardians Gathering 2025
June 10, 2025
The National Guardians Gathering 2025 will be held June 10-12 in Victoria, BC. About 275 Guardians will attend, joined by leaders and allies for a total of 350 participants. The event is hosted by the Indigenous Leadership Initiative and the National Guardians Network. In addition to providing opportunities for knowledge exchange, the event will shine a spotlight on the benefits that Guardians programs deliver for lands, waters, communities, and the economy.
One of the largest, most representative Guardians Gatherings yet: This is the fifth national Guardians gathering, and it will include more Guardians programs than ever before.
More than 130 different Guardians programs will be represented–many for the first time–providing a testament to the growth of the movement.
In 2016–when the first national gathering was held–there were about 30 programs operating. Now there are about 200 First Nations Guardians programs, and almost a third of First Nations have a Guardians program caring for lands and waters.
An Opening Ceremony with tribal canoes: The Gathering will begin on the morning of June 10 with a host/guest welcome ceremony rooted in the laws and protocols of West Coast Nations.
Up to 12 tribal, ocean-going canoes will paddle into Victoria Harbour carrying Guardians from across the country.
As they draw close to “Protocol Corner,” each canoe will introduce themselves to representatives of the Songhees—the host Nation—and the Songhees will welcome them ashore.
By welcoming the Guardians in the canoes, they will in turn acknowledge all the Guardians coming into Songhees territory from coast to coast.
On the shore, the Songhees Chief and Elders, members of the Esquimalt and other Coast Salish Nations will share songs and prayers. The Mayor of Victoria, and other leaders will offer remarks.
A strong link exists between tribal canoe journeys and Guardians. During canoe journeys, young people learn about language, culture, and stewardship. Afterward, many look for ways to continue to help restore the balance between Indigenous, place-based people and the natural world. Working as a Guardian allows them to honour their responsibilities to land and sea.
Marking the success of the National Guardians Network: The First Nations National Guardians Network, launched in December 2022, has successfully managed the distribution of federal Guardians funds.
2024 was the first year the NGN independently distributed Guardians funding–from intake to assessment, selection, and contribution agreements with First Nations.
The NGN has ensured that allocation of funds is efficient and respectful, and that it lands in the field when Guardians need it.
Designed and managed by First Nations individuals, the NGN is the first Indigenous-led national stewardship network in the world.
About First Nations Guardians
Guardians are trained experts who care for lands and waters across the country. They draw on Indigenous knowledge and western science to test water quality, restore animals and plants, respond to wildfire and other climate impacts, and monitor development projects. They act as the “moccasins and mukluks” on the ground for their communities.
Guardians provide jobs and sustainability: Guardians programs create local jobs and regional investment–helping reduce the high cost of living in rural communities.
There are over 1,500 Guardians working across the country.
Guardians programs serve as foundational elements of local economies and enable both conservation and economic development, from tourism to monitoring mines to land use planning. They also support local and regional businesses like mechanics, accountants, and equipment dealerships.
Guardians help create greater certainty in resource development: As Canada looks to develop critical minerals and further energy independence at home, having Guardians on the ground helps uplift First Nations’ decision making and project monitoring.
The data that Guardians collect informs Nations’ determinations about where and under what conditions development might occur on their territories.
Some Guardians programs act as independent monitors of mine sites, fostering greater trust and partnership between Nations’ and companies.
Guardians offer cost-effective solutions to wildfire and other climate impacts: Guardians help strengthen First Nations’ capacity to address changes on the ground and build partnerships with Crown agencies.
More Guardians are getting trained to respond to wildfire and keep communities safe–reducing the threat of high-intensity burns and the costs of evacuations and firefighting.
Research shows that land stewardship and other nature-based climate solutions can deliver one-third of the emissions reductions necessary to meet the Paris Climate Agreement.
Studies show that every $1 invested in Guardians programs generates at least $3 in health, social, and economic benefits. Some studies show a return of up to $20 to $1.
Guardians steward lands near major population centres, as well as in remote and rural areas including the north: While some Guardians work in remote northern areas, many care for lands and waters near Victoria, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and other big cities.
Guardians in the south protect wetlands that purify drinking water for millions of people, monitor toxic waste sites, and restore lands that sustain biodiversity near urban areas.
Right outside Montreal, for instance, members of the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office investigate contaminated sites, monitor surface water quality and air quality, manage invasive species, restore habitats, and track bird populations around Tekakwitha Island.
