Building Ethical Partnerships for Indigenous-led Conservation

On November 8th, 2022, we hosted a dialogue on building, strengthening, and renewing reciprocal, responsible, and respectful relationships for Indigenous-led conservation.

The Indigenous-led conservation movement has gained momentum in recent years, thanks to the grassroots efforts of Indigenous leaders and their communities, and to the milestone report from the Indigenous Circle of Experts: We Rise Together.

The report sets out several recommendations for federal, provincial, and territorial governments, environmental organizations, philanthropy, and civil society to “build a new relationship on protected and conserved areas” (p10). These relationships must be built through the principles of respect, responsibility, and reciprocity – and they extend beyond human relationships, to relationships with the lands, waters, non-human relatives, and future generations.

The Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership was established to act on these recommendations, bringing together partners to elevate and advance Indigenous-led conservation through reconciliation.

Through our sharing circles, dialogues, and virtual gatherings, we are hearing one key question loud and clear: “As a non-Indigenous person, how can I support Indigenous-led conservation?”

In this session, we explored this question and more, through stories and examples of ethical relationships and partnerships that have been built, strengthened, or renewed.

What is clear is that there is no ‘one-size-fits all’ approach. Each partnership is context-specific and depends on individual relationships as well as distinct community protocols, values, visions, and objectives.

This session was moderated by Dr. Kristi Leora Gansworth (Kitigan Zibi), with guest speakers: Steven Nitah (CRP Leadership Circle and Nature for Justice) and Kevin Smith (Ducks Unlimited Canada); Chad Luke (Ktunaxa Nation), Richard Klafki (Nature Conservancy of Canada), and Kerri Garner (Ktunaxa Nation); and Willard Sparrow (Musqueam Nation) and Nicholas Scapillati (Grizzly Bear Foundation)

Watch the full recording below:

Interested in learning more about ethical partnerships? These resources are a good place to start:

“How to Be an Ally to Indigenous-led Conservation”. Indigenous Leadership Initiative and Land Needs Guardians.

“Ally Toolkit”. Wolastoqey Nation.

IPCA Knowledge Basket: a digital space created to honour, celebrate, and catalyze Indigenous-led conservation pathways in Canada, including Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).