Ottawa, the Northwest Territories and Native governments are in talks with a group of major U.S. charities about permanent funding for a program that will give First Nations responsibility for the care of parks and other conservation area on their traditional lands.
Representatives from all groups agreed to try to find a way for charities, led by The Pew Charitable Trusts, to help fund the Indigenous Guardians program in the Northwest Territories.
If successful, the project could expand to other similar programs nationwide.
Guardian programs rely on local Indigenous people to guard the territory. They manage protected areas, monitor animals and plants, assess water quality and monitor development.
They also help create land and sea use plans.
There are currently 80 Guardian programs across Canada. They were funded by a commitment of $ 173 million over five years included in last year’s budget.
Last week in Yellowknife, governments and charities came together to discuss ways to make this funding permanent, even in the North. Pew Charitable Trusts, through its trusts, controls more than $ 8 billion
.Indigenous and other local communities have centuries of knowledge and experience managing their lands and waters Tom Dillon, head of conservation programs for The Pew Charitable Trusts, said via email.
It is important to us that they directly benefit from these initiatives and that we help stimulate government support to maintain their conservation aspirations. .
Indigenous people welcome the organization’s interest in ensuring that the program stays in place said Dahti Tsetso, a member of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, who called the meeting.
There is a lot of support at all levels to explore how it can support the goalkeeper program , he says. The Northern First Nations are interested, Ms. added. Tsetso.
The Assembly of First Nations has supported the Guardians programs since 2015.
Ms Tsetso said there were many more possibilities if a deal with The Pew Charitable Trusts could be fulfilled.
It’s like creating an investment strategy, he says. We’re talking about putting a ton of resources into the NWT.
A consulting report completed for the initiative determined that every dollar spent on a Guardian program generated $ 2.50.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said there was nothing new about private organizations funding public environmental programs.
Philanthropists have been involved in conservation projects in Canada for a long time he says from Stockholm, Sweden, where he attends meetings.
We have worked in partnership with some of them and we often invest in projects together He added.
Ms Tsetso said there was no timetable yet when the money would help fund the program.
We are really at the beginning of discussions he says.
Source: Radio-Canada
