How will your Indigenous Guardian program be governed?

Determining the governance framework for your Indigenous Guardian program will depend on the existing governance institutions and processes in your community and how and where your Indigenous Guardian program fits under these existing institutions and processes.

The structure of your Indigenous Guardian program will likely inform the governance framework and vice versa. Some factors to consider might include the relationships between your Indigenous Guardian program and:

• Elected leadership
• Hereditary leadership
• Resource management boards/committees
• Elders Advisory
• Youth Advisory
• Community Advisory

Governance can be understood as the process for decision-making and implementing decisions. It depends on organizational structures, decision-makers, and the information needed for decision-making.

When thinking about your program’s governance, it can be useful to consider questions about decision-making, reporting and authority.  Use the Worksheet "Governance of your Indigenous Guardian Program" to dive deeper into some important questions.

Every Indigenous community or organization will likely have established practices of what constitutes good or appropriate governance, as well as existing institutions and organizational frameworks to consider. The Centre for First Nations Governance provides guidance on 5 key pillars for effective governance that might be helpful to consider when developing a governance framework for your Indigenous Guardian program.