Indigenous leadership in conservation at Parks Canada

Prioritizing Indigenous leadership in conservation is key to the protection of natural heritage and is essential to promoting Indigenous stewardship in places Parks Canada has a role in administering.

The important role First Nations, Métis and Inuit have played since time immemorial as stewards of the land, waters and ice is increasingly being recognized and formally acknowledged. The conservation and restoration of heritage places provides a meaningful space for advancing Indigenous stewardship.

Parks Canada is working towards protected area management and governance that respects and honors Indigenous stewardship. Through acts of formal recognition, such as the co-management of heritage places, Parks Canada and Indigenous Peoples are working together to further develop and maintain essential relationships. Partnering in conservation and restoration efforts that are guided by Indigenous leadership is part of putting Indigenous stewardship into action.