How are information, education and outreach connected to compliance?

Indigenous Guardians play an important role in educating and encouraging people to learn about and follow rules and regulations. In fact, people involved in many different types of enforcement say that education and outreach is by far the most used and impactful tactic for achieving compliance.

In order for guardians to feel comfortable explaining the rules and asking people to comply with them, they need to have a clear understanding of and be confident about what the rules are. Ensure that guardians have adequate training and the resources they need to make this work easier.

A field guide to environmental laws and regulations in BC was developed for guardians on the west coast to support them to conduct outreach and education with visitors and resource users. You can read more about it in the story 'Guardians Equipped with Easy-to-Use Guidebook on Environmental Laws' or download the guidebook. There are also several links below to permits and hunting regulations that guardians educate people about in their respective territories.

“Our goal is to educate people before confrontation happens in the field. We post signs with traditional territory boundaries and contact numbers. Our first goal is to ensure people understand our expectations around being in the territory.”

Bruce Maclean, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation

We're here to inform people who come to our territory and to inspire a shift in how people view and use our lands.

Chantal Pronteau, former Kitasoo Xai'Xais Guardian

Guardians Equipped with Easy-to-Use Guidebook on Environmental Laws

Indigenous Guardians on the west coast decided that they needed a quick and easy summary of the most important laws that visitors in their territory should be following. The information needed to clear and understandable. It also had to be accessible when guardians were out patrolling their lands and waters.

Environmental Law Clinic - Environmental Laws: A Field Guide for BC's Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii

The 'Environmental Laws: A Field Guide for BC's Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii' shared by the Environmental Law Clinic at UVic is a field guide to common environmental offences, including fishing, hunting and trapping, pollution, forest practices, cultural and archaeological sites, parks and protected areas, species at risk, and boating for coastal British Columbia.

Hunting in B.C.? Important Information from the Kaska Nation

https://kaskadenacouncil.com/dease-river-first-nation/

Kaska Dena Council brochure The 'Hunting in B.C.? Important Information from the Kaska Nation' brochure is an example of a Nation providing information for hunters on expectations regarding hunting on their territories, including hunting regulations, cultural uses of meat, and compulsory inspection parts for moose kills.

Ni-Hat'Ni Resource Binder

The Ni-Hat'Ni Resource Binder, shared by Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, is a draft operating manual for the Ni-Hat'Ni Dene (Watchers of the Land) program. It is a helpful resource for developing protocols on engaging visitors, record-keeping, safety procedures, and interpretive and educational resources.

“Our goal is to educate people before confrontation happens in the field..."

We're here to inspire a shift ...

How are information, education and outreach connected to compliance?

Guardians Equipped with Easy-to-Use Guidebook on Environmental Laws

Environmental Law Clinic - Environmental Laws: A Field Guide for BC's Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii

Hunting in B.C.? Important Information from the Kaska Nation

Ni-Hat'Ni Resource Binder

Guardians Equipped with Easy-to-Use Guidebook on Environmental Laws

Environmental Law Clinic - Environmental Laws: A Field Guide for BC's Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii

Hunting in B.C.? Important Information from the Kaska Nation

Ni-Hat'Ni Resource Binder