In February 2023, the Northern Indigenous Stewardship Circle gathered in person in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, bringing together stewardship leaders from across the North.
Tara Marsden is Wilps Gahmlaxyeltxw, Wilp Sustainability Director and lead for the Wilp Wii Litsxw Meziadin Indigenous Protected Area (MIPA). Tara is a long-term, consistent, and essential force in Gitanyow land use planning and IPCA initiatives, and helps to integrate the work that Guardians do.
Indigenous Guardians are the eyes, ears, and presence on the land and water for their communities and people, but what does that role look like when a Nation creates an Indigenous Protected Area?
Nicole (Cole) Morven is the Harvest Monitor Coordinator for the Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife Department. This conversation was facilitated by TST Outreach and Communications Coordinator, Emily Diemert, and has been edited for length and clarity.
Indigenous Guardians do all sorts of essential work in the field, sometimes in challenging conditions. Teams who trust each other and work well together make that work more effective, safer, and more fun for everyone.