Indigenous Leadership Initiative

What is the Indigenous Leadership Initiative? We are an Indigenous-led organization who works to work to: ➡️ strengthen Indigenous Nationhood ➡️ support Indigenous responsibility to the land ➡️ help build a new generation of Indigenous leaders

Today marks the Spring Equinox: the beginning of the season of renewal. For many Indigenous Nations, this time of year signals the Earth’s awakening. Leaves begin to grow, animals come out of hibernation, and communities gather to prepare for the work ahead. It is a time to plant seeds — not only in the soil, but in our communities, and our shared responsibilities to the land. 🌱

What happens when Indigenous knowledge and Western science come together on the land? Indigenous fire practitioner Michela Carrière is working with partners from Queen's University to study cultural burnings and the particularities of smoke. This study is part of the We Are Fire project, an initiative aimed at advancing Indigenous-led fire stewardship in the region. Learn more about the project: wearefire.ca

Many Indigenous teachings begin with a simple truth: everything is connected. The health of the environment and of our communities are inseparable. Caring for the natural world is not a separate responsibility. It is part of who we are and how we live. And when we honour those relationships, we create the conditions for all life to thrive.🌎

Joignez-vous à nous pour faire avancer l'intendance dirigée par les peuples autochtones.🪶🌿 Nous recrutons DEUX nouveaux·elles conseiller·ère·s aux opérations pour soutenir les nations autochtones qui œuvrent dans les domaines de la conservation, de la gouvernance et de l'intendance du territoire. Ce poste combine conseil stratégique et expertise technique. Ça te parle? Applique ici: nationaliteautochtone.ca/emplois-ouverts

Join us in advancing Indigenous-led stewardship.🪶🌿 ILI is hiring TWO Operations Advisors to support Indigenous Nations working on conservation, governance, and long-term land stewardship. The position blends strategic guidance and technical expertise. Sounds like you? Apply today: ilinationhood.ca/jobs

“This is an opportunity to come together as province, as a country, under the leadership of the Indigenous communities in a good way, that respects the land and waters of the Seal River region.” - @WabKinew Efforts to protect the Seal River Watershed are still underway — and today we’re reflecting back on a milestone that helped set it in motion! Guided by a vision held by the 4 First Nations of the Seal River Watershed Alliance, a collaborative process is underway to ensure this vast northern landscape remains healthy, vibrant, & accessible for all Canadians.

IPCAs are changing the conservation landscape, but what makes them different? It starts with leadership. They are designed and led by Indigenous Nations, rooted in traditional knowledge, & reflect long-term commitments to care for lands and waters. Learn more here: ilinationhood.ca/indigenous-pro…

Indigenous women are leading conservation across this country — and at ILI, their guidance is at the heart of everything we do. Today, on #InternationalWomensDay, we honour them and thank all of the women shaping a better world, for our communities and future generations .🤎

Six years ago, there were about 30 Indigenous Guardians programs in Canada. Today, there are more than 200. 🙌 That’s hundreds of teams across the country protecting lands, supporting community well-being, and carrying forward cultural responsibilities. We’re proud of how far this movement has come, and inspired by—and where it’s heading next!

Indigenous communities face some of the highest wildfire impacts—yet Indigenous fire experts have often been excluded from key decision-making spaces. That’s changing. A new collaboration with the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre moves Indigenous leadership closer to the center of wildfire operations. 🔥⬇️ ilinationhood.ca/blog/path-for-…

“We’re learning how to be our authentic self, our First Nations-selves, in this big government town.” Last week, Fellows Mary-Jo Michell and Taylor Galvin jumped into the heart of Canadian politics in a whole new way. It was a busy week, learning the ins and outs of how decisions get made in Ottawa–and how other Indigenous women have made the space of leadership their own. Hear from the Fellows in their own words – and from the team of seasoned mentors from @WCS_Canada and @ILInationhood – on what this trip meant & why it matters.👇🌱 @MandyGullMasty @ESPESP

We’re hiring a Fire Policy Advisor! 📢🔥 Help advance Indigenous-led fire stewardship through policy analysis, research, and relationship-building, while supporting Indigenous Nationsadvocating for conservation and Nationhood. Applications are open until March 20th! Apply now: bit.ly/firepolicyjob

When conservation is centered—not sidelined—economic development becomes about balance, responsibility, and long-term care. Indigenous Nations have been implementing these values for generations, and now, Indigenous-led conservation initiatives, like Guardians programs, offer a model where economic well-being and environmental care go hand in hand.

Fellows Mary-Jo Michell and Taylor Gavin of the First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellowship (supported by @ILInationhood and @WCS_Canada) meeting with Natalie Provost & Eric St-Pierre @ESPESP

Fellows Mary-Jo Michell and Taylor Gavin of the First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellowship (supported by @ILInationhood and @WCS_Canada) meeting with @MandyGullMasty

What a week in Ottawa with the First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellows! Accompanied by mentors like Valérie Courtois, Justina Ray from @WCS_Canada, and the Hon. Ethel Blondin Andrew, the Fellows met with MPs, Ministers, and Senators to learn how policy, advocacy, and relationships shape change.

Fellows Mary-Jo and Taylor are spending the week in Ottawa learning how advocacy, policy, and conservation collide, meeting with decision-makers and getting a behind-the-scenes look at how change happens. Love seeing the next generation of Indigenous women leaders moving between worlds. More coming soon, stay tuned!

Climate solutions don’t always look like new technology. Sometimes they look like protecting what already works. The Boreal Forest in Canada is one of the planet’s largest carbon stores, with 95% of it is stored underground—in wetlands, peatlands, and permafrost built over thousands of years. And Indigenous Nations are leading efforts to keep that carbon locked in place—while monitoring climate impacts on the frontlines. On #WorldWetlandDay, we honour the people who care for these lands every day. (Photo by Garry Budyk)

This is for every Guardian, every program coordinator, every advocate who helped carry this work forward. We see you. We thank you. 🤎

Over the past six years, the movement supporting Guardians has grown in such an inspiring way. We want to acknowledge everyone who has been part of it. All those who show up every day for their communities, who work long hours behind the scenes, who learn and use language and culture to heal themselves while still answering the call of the land, and everyone who advocates in their own way.

In honour of the 6-year anniversary of the campaign, we dove into the archives to uncover photos that capture what’s at the heart of the Guardian movement: the people.