Indigenous-led conservation offers opportunity for Canada--and the world
YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T.—Canada needs to keep its promise to the world. Struck by increasing declines in wildlife and other species, Canada was among the first countries to commit to doing something about the biodiversity crisis. Under the international Convention on Biological Diversity, now supported by almost every country on earth, we pledged to protect increasing amounts of our natural lands. The next benchmark requires every nation to protect at least 17 per cent of lands by 2020.
In October, countries will gather in Beijing to evaluate progress and set new goals for 2030. Many eyes will be focused on Canada–one of five nations that together hold 80 per cent of the world’s remaining biodiversity.
The pressure is on for us to act. Not only is Canada expected to meet our 2020 commitments, but time is also running out for nature itself. Every day, there is more bad news about the environment. Protecting the last unspoiled wild places matters more now than ever.
Fortunately, with serious government attention to the problem, we can catch up. And, thankfully, Canada has a powerful partner in sustaining biodiversity: Indigenous nations.
Across the country, Indigenous nations are advancing some of the biggest, most ambitious conservation initiatives, in places we have called home since long before Canada existed. Indigenous leaders are approaching conservation at the grand scale required to turn things around.
When the call went out from Environment Canada’s Nature Fund for creating new protected area last year, dozens of Indigenous Nations responded with proposals to establish Indigenous Protected or Conserved Areas (IPCAs). These IPCAs offer a new approach to maintaining biodiversity—one that is built on partnership and respect for Indigenous Peoples, that saves nature and serves reconciliation goals at the same time.
For too long, protecting nature has focused on building a fence to keep people out. The Indigenous approach puts people back in the picture, as guardians, actively protecting and managing the lands in the same way we have always done, utilizing the same approach that has maintained the balance of nature over time. We have long recognized that land needs people and people need the land.
Our approach is gaining momentum. In 2018, the Dehcho First Nations led the creation of the joint Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area and National Wildlife Area spanning 14,242 square kilometres of boreal forest west of Yellowknife.
Last August, the Lutsël K’e Dene First Nation signed an agreement with the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories to permanently protect 26,376 square kilometres of vibrant lands. Called Thaidene Nëné, it is an Indigenous protected area and parts are also a national park, territorial park, and wildlife conservation area.
And in the early days of 2020, the Ktunaxa Nation Council announced it will design an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) around Qat’muk in British Columbia. The Ktunaxa will work with federal and provincial governments to finalize their plan.
There are many more examples from virtually every part of Canada. On Jan. 28, a delegation of more than 30 First Nation leaders from across the country arrived in Ottawa to share their experiences and work together on strategies for advancing their IPCAs.
Last summer, Canada announced funding for more than 60 projects under the Canada Nature Fund; almost 30 were for Indigenous protected and conserved areas.
To read the rest of the op-ed, go to the Hill Times.
Ethel Blondin-Andrew was the first Indigenous woman to serve as a federal cabinet minister. She currently chairs the Sahtu Secretariat and is a senior leader with the Indigenous Leadership Initiative.
Photo: Thaidene Nëné, by Pat Kane