A recent study reveals a concerning truth: of the 422 species at risk of extinction in Canada, only eight are showing signs of recovery. This is not just an environmental crisis; it’s a call to action that Indigenous Guardians are uniquely prepared to answer. For generations, Indigenous communities have lived in balance with the land, guided by traditions that teach us that nature thrives when we respect it. Through the National Guardians Network this wisdom is now being supported, amplified, and brought to the forefront of conservation efforts across the country.

Today the First Nations National Guardians Network launched at the COP15 Biodiversity Summit in Montréal. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada Steven Guilbeault announced federal funding for the Network.

The Network will support First Nations Guardians who are helping sustain biodiversity across the country. It will also create a new way for First Nations and Canada to work together.

Five prominent leaders in Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship have been named to the inaugural council of the First Nations National Guardians Network. The council will guide the launch of the Network in late 2022 and set it on a path to supporting Guardians for years to come.