KSA国际影视传媒檃hsho GotSA国际影视传媒檌ne guardians Twyla Edgi-Masuzumi, John Tobac and Buddy Gully pulled more than 300 fish out of the waters last week, distributing them to community members in the Northwest Territories who often struggle with the high cost of food.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 very expensive to live here SA国际影视传媒� ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of people struggling out here,SA国际影视传媒� said Edgi-Masuzumi.
Gathering food for communities is just the start of the work they do: they locate missing boaters, help with hide tanning and language camps, started their own water-monitoring initiative and are working to revitalize the trails their ancestors used to travel on.
SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檝e walked thousands and thousands of miles, and just having that feeling of walking in their footsteps is amazing,SA国际影视传媒� Edgi-Masuzumi said.
But their work through the Indigenous Guardians program, while fulfilling for them and their community, isnSA国际影视传媒檛 always secure.
Now, thanks to a $375-million conservation fund, she said their work will be able to continue for years to come.
The Our Land for the Future fund is a collaboration among government, philanthropic organizations and Indigenous peoples that includes $300 million from the federal government and $75 million from private donors. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the largest single investment in Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship to date in the territory.
That fund, announced on Nov. 14, will be used for Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship, ecotourism, traditional economic activities and climate research, among others. Money is expected to begin flowing out of it by mid-2025, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 expected to support hundreds of jobs per year over 10 years.
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the product of more than 20 Indigenous nations, government and philanthropic partners working together, and was no easy feat, said Dahti Tsetso, the deputy director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative.
Her organization was approached to help with the partnership table, and tasked with outreach.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been a bit of a journey to get here, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 really exciting to have got to a point where weSA国际影视传媒檙e ready to sign,SA国际影视传媒� Tsetso said.
SA国际影视传媒淲e know that the return on investment for these dollars will be much greater than the investments themselves SA国际影视传媒� We know what kind of impact these investments will have within our communities, across our regions, across the territory.SA国际影视传媒�
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the fund will be transformational for the region that is feeling the brunt of the climate emergency.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a real need to address it,SA国际影视传媒� he said in an interview.
SA国际影视传媒淎nd what weSA国际影视传媒檙e seeing is Indigenous Peoples SA国际影视传媒� who are the true custodians of their land SA国际影视传媒� having control over what they need to do to preserve and protect their land.SA国际影视传媒�
The fund can be used to establish new protected and conserved areas identified by Indigenous governments, which Anandasangaree said will move the government closer to its goal of conserving 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030.
SA国际影视传媒淭he signing of this landmark agreement marks a historic milestone in nature protection in the North and is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and a shared commitment to safeguarding nature, and building a conservation economy,SA国际影视传媒� Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said in a statement.
SA国际影视传媒淲ith our support to Indigenous leadership in conservation, we are ensuring the protection of these lands, as well as creating cultural and economic opportunities for our children, grandchildren, and all future generations.SA国际影视传媒�
For guardians Edgi-Masuzumi, Tobac and Gully, those generations are always at the front of mind.
Edgi-Masuzumi said that is what drives her.
SA国际影视传媒淲e all have kids, and we want nothing but the best for them,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
SA国际影视传媒淎nd to keep them on the land, passing what we learned onto themSA国际影视传媒� ItSA国际影视传媒檚 like weSA国际影视传媒檙e making our own little history, and they can carry that for us when weSA国际影视传媒檙e not in this job anymore.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒擝y Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
