The Seal River Watershed Land Guardian Program is a First Nations-led initiative that protects one of the largest remaining intact watersheds on the planet, located in northern Manitoba. The program empowers local Guardians from four First Nations—Sayisi Dene First Nation, Barren Lands First Nation, Northlands Denesuline First Nation, and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation—to act as caretakers of their ancestral lands and waters.

At its core, the program blends traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern science and technology to monitor and care for the watershed’s health. Land Guardians are trained in environmental monitoring, survival skills, safety practices, and the use of advanced tools like trail cameras, MOTUS towers, and audio recorders. Their work includes tracking wildlife, monitoring water and fish quality, preserving language and cultural knowledge, and engaging youth in land-based education.

The program is more than just conservation—it is a cultural and spiritual commitment to the land. By protecting the watershed, Guardians are also protecting Indigenous ways of life, passing down knowledge to future generations, and building community resilience.

Through community outreach, educational events, and youth mentorship, the program not only strengthens ecological health but also builds a deeper sense of connection and responsibility to the land. This is Indigenous stewardship in action—rooted in care, continuity, and a shared vision for a thriving future.

Core Activities:

Environmental Monitoring: Guardians track wildlife through trail cameras and audio units, monitor fish populations, and gather data on bird migrations using technologies like MOTUS towers.

Water Quality & Fish Quality Testing: Launching in 2025, a comprehensive water testing program will safeguard clean water for future generations.

Cultural Preservation: Guardians document and translate bird species into Indigenous languages, harvest traditional medicines, and protect culturally significant sites.

Youth Engagement: Youth Land Guardians are trained through land-based programs, including fish harvesting, survival training, and birdwatching.

Community Outreach: Guardians regularly present in schools, lead community events, and collaborate with Elders to share knowledge and listen to community priorities.

Vision: The Land Guardian Program is rooted in Indigenous stewardship, with a focus on intergenerational knowledge sharing, cultural revitalization, and long-term conservation. It sees the protection of the watershed not only as environmental work but as a sacred duty, sustaining identity, language, and life itself.