Reconciliation — Blog

From Consultation to Recognition and Respect: Creating Space for Indigenous Laws in Conservation

By Georgia Lloyd-Smith, West Coast Environmental Law and Larry Innes, Olthuis Kleer Townshend-LLP

Indigenous laws, governance and knowledge systems are the foundation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). Long before Canada was a country, Indigenous peoples lived under their own laws. A century or more of colonization has altered much of the landscape, and public governments (the Crown) have not recognized or respected Indigenous laws and jurisdiction in a meaningful way. But this may be changing.

To Wood Buffalo National Park, with love: Reflections from the authors

By Chloe Dragon Smith and Robert Grandjambe

We wrote this story because we have been feeling the frustrations of our experiences in the Park, where we have been based since the Covid19 pandemic hit hard in March. I have had the privilege of being involved in the Pathway to Canada Target 1 as a member of the National Advisory Panel, a federal initiative to support the creation of more protected areas in Canada.

Year 2CRPOctober 28, 2020Parks, Traditional Territory, Conflict, Reconciliation

Continuing the Journey: Connections between the CRP and the Indigenous Circle of Experts

By Justine Townsend with Eli Enns and Danika Littlechild

May 27, 2020

The seed that grew into the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP) originated in the fertile soil created by the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) and their collaborators. ICE’s mandate came to a close with their delivery of We Rise Together, the final report which was honoured alongside the work of ICE members in a ceremony in Ottawa in March 2018. Around that time the CRP began forming around the idea of supporting the continuation of the incredible groundwork ICE laid out in its 1 year journey. In their report, ICE identified the Four Moose Narrative (underlying challenges), examples of Indigenous-led conservation across the country, and 28 recommendations. These recommendations address ways that Canada could expand its protected area network by supporting Indigenous-led conservation in the spirit and practice of reconciliation.