History

The First Nations National Guardians Network (NGN) builds on Indigenous Peoples’ experiences as caretakers of land, water, and ice. As First Nations reclaim their authority and jurisdiction over lands and waters, Guardians programs offer an on-the-ground expression of Indigenous responsibility and decision-making.

In 2014, there were about 30 Guardians programs operating in the country. Representatives from several of those programs came together for the first national Guardians workshop in Squamish, BC. They identified key priorities, including supporting Guardians’ work at the national level.

The Assembly of First Nations at the Special Chiefs Assembly passed a supportive resolution on Guardians in December 2015. The AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde asked the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) to explore how to advance the concept of a national approach to Guardians. Then in 2017, ILI and partners helped secure an initial federal investment of $25 million over five years in Guardians programs and the launch of a national Guardians network.

Designing the network offered an opportunity to shift how First Nations and Canada work together. Rather than having the government design and deliver a program to Indigenous Peoples, this process encourages Indigenous and Crown representatives to collaborate as partners.

In September 2018 Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the ILI created the First Nations-Federal Pilot Joint Working Group for Guardians. It included eight Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and four federal representatives. At the National Guardians Gathering in Vancouver in 2019, the Joint Working Group presented suggested criteria for funding Guardians programs, a training framework, and a proposed structure for the national network. The Joint Working Group continued to collaborate on disbursing funds for Guardians.

In December 2022, the Indigenous Leadership Initiative and the Government of Canada jointly introduced the First Nations National Guardians Network with the intention to expand and support individual First Nations Guardians initiatives from coast to coast to coast. This made the NGN the first-ever national Indigenous-led stewardship network in the world.

Throughout 2023, the network worked to establish governance and operations. In October 2023, the inaugural First Nations Guardians Fund application was launched to support a variety of projects from emerging initiatives to established programs. The application period was open from October to December 2023. Funding distribution for the 2024-25 fiscal year is approximately $14 million.

The 2024 application marked the first year the decisions about the funding were made by First Nations and the funds managed by a First Nations led organization.