Chapter 12

Establish Presence and Authority

Guardian programs often focus on monitoring human activity to ensure that resource users are following relevant rules and regulations. This could include Indigenous laws and regulations and/or Canadian rules and regulations.

There are a number of different strategies guardian programs can consider - including education, outreach, observe-record-report, compliance and, if appropriate or desired, enforcement.

How your program approaches this important and complex topic requires careful deliberation by leadership and the community at large. Legal counsel should also be considered early on and revisited on a regular basis.

Explore this section to learn:

  1. Why it’s important to have a strong visual presence on the land and waters.
  2. Why professional appearance and conduct is important.
  3. How information, education and outreach are connected to compliance.
  4. Why it’s important to follow strict observe, record, and report procedures.
  5. Where authority and enforcement fit into your guardian program.
  6. The challenges of being involved in compliance and enforcement.
Tipsheet

Tips for Asserting Presence and Authority

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  1. Don’t underestimate the power of “presence.” Having identifiable guardians out on the lands and waters patrolling and monitoring will influence what activity happens in your territory.
  2. People respond well to uniformed guardians that conduct themselves professionally and treat people respectfully.
  3. Seek clarity from your leaders and your community about which rules and regulations related to stewardship are the highest priority for your guardians to help ensure compliance with.  
  4. Inform and educate people about rules and regulations, most often this will lead to voluntary compliance.  People may not know what is expected and will typically respond positively to learning about the rules and regulations.  
  5. Have pamphlets, formal letters, or other printed materials to share with people that provide information about your Indigenous Guardian program and/or important rules and regulations that you are asking people to follow.  
  6. Develop strong and reciprocal relationships with resource agencies who enforce provincial, territorial and federal laws. This will help improve response to infractions or emerging issues that your guardians observe, record and report. See the chapter 'Establish Relationships with Resource Agencies' for further information.
  7. If your community is focused on the revitalization and application of Indigenous laws related to stewardship, make sure that you guardian program is actively involved in these conversations.
  8. Think about the big picture and things you can do to build broader support for stewardship policies and laws that are a priority for your community.
  9. Community leaders can act as powerful influencers when it comes to behavior shifts around rules and regulations. Engage them in supporting education and outreach around compliance issues. See the chapter 'Engage the Community' for more ideas.
  10. Influencing the actions of community members can be challenging.  It can be done by engaging the community early on, building knowledge and trust, developing a sense of shared stewardship responsibility, and having clarity around rules and the implications of breaking the rules.
  11. If your community is interested in Indigenous Guardians playing an enforcement role, be strategic about the enforcement responsibilities your community wants and systematically work towards them. With enforcement comes significant responsibility and requires dedicated resources. Know what you’re committing to.
Tipsheet

Tips for Asserting Presence and Authority

Worksheet

Overview Worksheet - Establish Presence and Authority

This worksheet provides a series of questions to help think through how your Indigenous Guardian program can play a role in asserting presence and authority on your lands and waters. Download it now

Worksheet

Overview Worksheet - Establish Presence and Authority