First Nations Guardian Exchange

Across Turtle Island, Guardians are caring for lands and waters that help sustain us all. They are on the ground managing wildfires, testing water quality, collecting data on climate impacts, monitoring development projects, and restoring caribou, other animals, and plants.

Applications are closed, please subscribe to our newsletter for more information.

In May 2023, a Guardians gathering was held in Ottawa which brought together over 250 Guardians from four directions. During the gathering, Guardians talked about the types of support that could help them grow and sustain their initiatives. The idea of an NGN Exchange Program – which would provide funding to Guardians to meet and learn from one another– was viewed as an important initiative the NGN could support.

The objective of the First Nations Guardians Exchange Program is to support knowledge sharing among Guardians from coast to coast to coast. The program has been designed to support either a one-way exchange or a mutual exchange between Guardians initiatives.

When the Seal River Watershed Land Guardians visited Thaidene Nëné, we got to go on patrol with Ni Hat’ni Dene Guardians, and we could see the gracious way they welcome visitors while also conveying this is the traditional territory of the Nation.

— Stephanie Thorassie about recent visit with LKDFN
You can go out and work every day, like field work, and then have the weekend as well to be in the community and speak with people.

— Focus Group Participant on the Guardians Exchange Program
That was the best part of the Vancouver gathering. It was very touching, and the fact that a whole morning was set aside for ceremony, involving everyone. We all went out and received a gift.

— Guardian Focus Group Participant