The Spark: Unique Beginnings for Indigenous Guardian Programs
Every Indigenous Guardian Program has a different story about how it came into being. Here is a look at the unique starting points of some Indigenous Guardian Programs.
In 2010, the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations in BC, piloted their first Guardian Watchman program after participating in the Coastal Guardian Watchmen Network’s annual gathering. Inspired by other Nations, they realized that developing a Guardian program was an effective way to accomplish the stewardship goals outlined in their Comprehensive Community Plan.
Community members of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in northern BC felt concerned that hunting, mining and other development impacts were not being sufficiently mitigated or monitored by the province. It was clear that the Taku River Tlingit First Nation needed better information, data, and oversight of activities to make management decisions. To address these concerns, they went through a comprehensive process to develop a land use vision. This document described a need for Tlingit land guardians to monitor activities in the traditional territory.