Some Approaches to Building Relationships with Resource Agencies
Some approaches that communities have used to build productive working relationships between Indigenous Guardian programs and resource agencies include:
- Host a meeting at the beginning of each season with on-the-ground staff from all the resource agencies working in your territory. Find out what each other’s priorities are, where work activities overlap and how to communicate effectively throughout the season.
- Organize regular meetings with specific resource agencies to exchange and share information about planned activities throughout the season.
- Educate and regularly update resource agency staff about your Indigenous Guardian program and stewardship priorities and activities.
- Plan with resource agency staff to get out in the field with your guardians to create opportunities for shared learning, hands-on doing, and relationship building.
- When possible, conduct joint patrols with resource agency compliance and enforcement staff to build relationships, share knowledge, coordinate efforts, and learn from each other.
- Develop procedures with resource agency staff about best ways to report and follow up on compliance infractions that are observed and reported by your guardians.
- Where appropriate, have guardians participate in resource agency-led research and other resource management projects to build skills and experience.
- Where appropriate, invite resource agency staff to participate in your guardian and stewardship activities to build their skills and experience.
- Explore opportunities for guardians to participate in technical and professional training that is offered to resource agency staff.
- Find ways to share data, observations, and other information both formally and informally.