The Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP) was an Indigenous-led network that was active from 2019 to 2025. It brought together a diverse range of partners to support Indigenous-led conservation and facilitate broader transformation of the Canadian conservation sector.
The CRP was established immediately following the work of the Indigenous Circle of Experts, and several core ICE members served as leaders in the CRP. The partnership was a collective of Indigenous leadership, environmental conservation organizations, academic institutions, scholars, and researchers, and communities acting on and building from the recommendations set out by the Indigenous Circle of Experts’ report, We Rise Together. It was hosted by the IISAAK OLAM Foundation, the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, and the University of Guelph. The CRP helped facilitate and strengthen existing relationships that are now integral to the Indigenous-led conservation movement in Canada.
To learn more about the CRP, visit the “About” section.
To learn more about our work, see our:
Public Resources;
Webinars and Videos;
Student and Postdoctoral Researcher Projects; and
Scholarly contributions
Our Legacy
The CRP helped catalyze several legacy initiatives that are carrying forward the important work of supporting Indigenous-led conservation and transforming the conservation sector.
The IPCA Knowledge Basket
The IPCA Knowledge Basket is a web-based platform that holds and shares resources and stories to inform, guide, and advance Indigenous-led conservation initiatives, including IPCAs. The IISAAK OLAM Foundation is currently stewarding this initiative.
IPCA Innovation Centres
IPCA Innovation Centres are regional spaces and places for learning, inspiration, and connection to support the establishment, governance, and management of IPCAs. The Pacific IPCA Innovation Centre was established in 2021, and more are emerging.
Restore, Assert, Defend Network
A network of Indigenous leaders, Knowledge Carriers, Guardians, and allies working toward a shared vision for decolonized and regenerative Indigenous-led conservation. Together, RAD seeks to bring sustainability and abundance to Indigenous-led nature and climate solutions, in part through financing to support community and conservation visions.
First 30x30 Canada
First 30x30 Canada supports Indigenous-led conservation by harnessing nature-based solutions and carbon finance. Nature-based solutions (NbS) protect and restore ecosystems to benefit both human well-being and biodiversity.
“I’ve learned personally from what we were able to achieve on the ground, and [we’ve achieved a lot] from learning and sharing with each other.
But also, with all the communities that we’ve engaged with over these years. It’s really them, the communities on the ground, that we’re here to support.
And it’s encouraging me to continue to drive this right in our region, and to share what we’re learning in the spirit of ‘We Rise Together’. At the end of the day, we’re here to support communities. I think the best way to do that is by working together.
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