Indigenous-led Conservation

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples have protected and cared for their traditional territories in reciprocity natural areas, plants and wildlife that have sustained them for millennia. Colonial practices, including conservation, have led to the dislocation and disconnection of Indigenous Peoples from their traditional territories, severing inherent cultural connections and roles and responsibilities to the land that are deeply rooted in place. Conservation actions have had negative impacts on Indigenous lands, communities and cultures, perpetuating harm by impacting economies, intergenerational knowledge transfer, language, harvesting and spiritual practices. Increased recognition of this colonial history and growing respect for Indigenous ways of knowing are transforming conservation efforts in Canada and around the world Indigenous leadership in conservation is reclaiming their place on the land.

NCC has much to learn from Indigenous Peoples across Canada that will help us to become better land managers and conservationists. We are committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous people and their communities that are grounded in mutual respect and the desire to achieve significant and lasting conservation outcomes together. NCC will use our capacity, expertise and influence to act as an ally in support of Indigenous-led conservation projects and as a partner in joint initiatives. NCC will continue to expand our understanding of lands and waters and improve our stewardship by learning from shared Indigenous Knowledge, history and contemporary relationships in reciprocity with the land.  NCC has a unique opportunity to share our capacity to assist Indigenous communities and Nations to achieve their conservation and stewardship goals.

To support this work in the spirit of reconciliation, NCC launched the three-year Indigenous Conservation Engagement Framework (Framework) in 2018. Based on the success, opportunities and learnings of the original Framework, NCC renewed the Framework in 2023 to bring us forward to 2030. We are committed to learning from and alongside Indigenous partners, advisors and the land. Our commitment to Indigenous communities and landscapes across Canada and the people and species they sustain are expressed in the Framework through four strategies:

• Building meaningful relationships
• Enabling a culturally competent organization
• Transforming our conservation practices
• Supporting Indigenous-led conservation

NCC’s vision and values for being partners and allies in conservation

We envision building meaningful relationships that are grounded in mutual respect and the desire to achieve significant and lasting conservation outcomes. NCC will use our capacity, expertise and influence to act as an ally in support of Indigenous-led conservation projects and as a partner in joint initiatives. NCC will expand our understanding of our lands and waters and improve our stewardship by learning from Indigenous Knowledge and history.

Read NCC's 2023 Indigenous Conservation Engagement Framework and renewal of that commitment and learn more about our support for Indigenous-led conservation here.