Resources in chapter Create a Network or Alliance

Co-create a shared vision and purpose for the network or alliance.
Consider developing a strategic or annual plan. These documents, plus your vision statement, can help to resolve conflicts if they arise.
Be clear about network or alliance membership and expectations of these members.
Establish clear governance structures and decision-making processes at the start. Each network or alliance member must determine who has the authority to make decisions on behalf of their community or organization and what decisions they can make. A Terms of Reference can help to clarify issues of governance, decision-making, and engagement.
Take the necessary time to build trust and strong relationships amongst members. Support and foster regular communications, including regularly scheduled calls or face-to-face meetings
Focus on easy wins and low-hanging fruit in the beginning. Tackle more complex issues when relationships have deepened.
Find easy ways for members to report back to their community or organization about the activities and successes of the network or alliance.
Make sure that everyone involved understands that not all members can have equal capacity, funding or political will to contribute to the initiative in the same way.
Keep the network flexible and nimble. Enable members to maintain autonomy by opting in or out of specific activities or initiatives.
Develop data and information sharing agreements between member Nations if applicable.

Worksheet

Overview Worksheet - Create a Network or Alliance

Use this worksheet to think through whether creating or joining a guardian network or alliance makes sense for your program. Download it now

Section: Why form a network or alliance?

Growing As Needs Grow: Coastal Stewardship Network

The Coastal Stewardship Network (originally called the Coastal Guardian Watchmen Network) was created in 2005. It was established when Guardian Watchmen on BC’s North and Central Coasts came together to think about how to develop and expand the role of local Guardian Watchmen programs.

This September, the Indigenous Guardians Technical Support Team (TST) was invited to attend the first gathering of Treaty 8 Guardians in Fort St John.

Indigenous Guardians Gathering - Ottawa 2016

Sharing Intelligence Through the Coastal Stewardship Network

http://coastfunds.ca/stories/coastal-first-nations-sharing-intelligence-through…

The Coastal Stewardship Network supports Guardian Watchmen from nine First Nations and continues a long tradition of caring for coastal environments. How did it come about? This in-depth article from Coast Funds explores the history of Network, identifies key challenges and how they were overcome, and documents the economic, environmental, social and cultural outcomes associated with the Coastal Stewardship Network and the Indigenous Guardian programs it supports.

Launching the Northern Indigenous Stewardship Circle - In conversation with Amos Scott

In February 2023, the Northern Indigenous Stewardship Circle gathered in person in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, bringing together stewardship leaders from across the North.

Section: Are the conditions right to build or join a network or alliance?

“Politically, it can be difficult to get groups to work together but technically, it’s amazing how similar the issues are as well as the training needs. The Guardians themselves echo how much they value the peer and technical support through our network. We coordinate training that wouldn’t be possible without a network. We also purchase equipment such as drones and make it available for Nations to use.” .

Chris Roberts, Nanwakolas Council

Community Toolbox - Step-by-Step Guide to Creating and Maintaining Partnerships

http://ctb.ku.edu/en/creating-and-maintaining-partnerships

This toolkit provides guidance for creating a partnership among different organizations to address a common goal.

Indigenous Guardian Networks Grounded in Cultural Values

“If we start off talking about how to define traditional lands, we can get stuck.

Together is Better - The Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance

The Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’Xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv Nations realized that they could better reach their goals of ensuring healthy and balanced ecosystems, healthy local economies, and healthy communities by working together.

The Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) is promoting a federally funded, Indigenous-led National Indigenous Guardians Network in Canada. This network would support the development and employment of guardians across the country. It has generated broad support, including from the Assembly of First Nations which passed a resolution in 2015 calling for a national guardians program.

Section: What is the role of network or alliance staff?

“When providing support to the network, it’s important to do what you say you are going to do, respond quickly, and engage at the different levels – political, managerial, technical. We established trust by communicating regularly with everyone so that we’re all on the same page. We constantly check in on what our members need and what their priorities are. Our most important lesson is to emphasize the autonomy of each Nation.”

Chris Roberts, Nanwakolas Council

Resources in chapter Create a Network or Alliance

Tips for Network and Alliance Building

Overview Worksheet - Create a Network or Alliance

Section: Why form a network or alliance?

Growing As Needs Grow: Coastal Stewardship Network

Treaty 8 Guardians Gathering

Section: What Indigenous Guardian networks exist now?

Sharing Intelligence Through the Coastal Stewardship Network

Launching the Northern Indigenous Stewardship Circle - In conversation with Amos Scott

Section: Are the conditions right to build or join a network or alliance?

Community Toolbox - Step-by-Step Guide to Creating and Maintaining Partnerships

Indigenous Guardian Networks Grounded in Cultural Values

Section: What size of network or alliance is most effective?

Together is Better - The Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance

Gaining Momentum - A National Network for Indigenous Guardians

Section: What is the role of network or alliance staff?

Resources in chapter Create a Network or Alliance

Section: Why form a network or alliance?

Growing As Needs Grow: Coastal Stewardship Network

Treaty 8 Guardians Gathering

Section: What Indigenous Guardian networks exist now?

Sharing Intelligence Through the Coastal Stewardship Network

Launching the Northern Indigenous Stewardship Circle - In conversation with Amos Scott

Section: Are the conditions right to build or join a network or alliance?

“Politically, it can be difficult to get groups to work together but technically, it’s amazing how similar the issues are..."

Community Toolbox - Step-by-Step Guide to Creating and Maintaining Partnerships

Indigenous Guardian Networks Grounded in Cultural Values

Section: What size of network or alliance is most effective?

Together is Better - The Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance

Gaining Momentum - A National Network for Indigenous Guardians

Section: What is the role of network or alliance staff?

“When providing support to the network, it’s important to do what you say you are going to do..."