Indigenous Guardians need cultural skills and knowledge. It is important to create opportunities for guardians to work with and learn from elders and knowledge holders. This way guardians are grounded in the unique cultural context of their territory and understand the protocols and laws that apply to their work, and other important aspects of their language and culture. Some examples include:

• Indigenous Knowledge – cultural sites, harvesting sites, species information
• Language – local language, place names
• Cultural Protocols –protocols for harvesting, protocols for visiting areas in territory, protocols for sacred sites, protocols for interacting with neighbouring communities, etc.
• Indigenous Laws - local Indigenous stewardship laws and policies
• Indigenous Stewardship Plans and Agreements – existing plans/agreements/protocols signed by Indigenous community (land use plan, marine use plan, wildlife plans, chapters of settlement agreements etc.)