Canada Launches World’s Largest Indigenous-Led Conservation Initiative

Indigenous-led conservation in the Northwest Territories sets a global precedent, with communities drawing on traditional knowledge and stewardship practices to safeguard nearly 30% of the region’s lands and waters.

The Indigenous-led conservation movement achieved a significant victory in July 2025 when Canada signed a $300 million grant agreement for NWT: Our Land for the Future. This groundbreaking initiative represents one of the most extensive Indigenous-led land conservation efforts globally, protecting some of the world’s most intact boreal and tundra ecosystems.

Twenty-one Indigenous governments and organizations now steward up to 380,000 square kilometers of land and inland water. This area spans nearly 30% of the Northwest Territories, equalling almost seven times the size of the province of Nova Scotia or the entire country of Japan. The project aims to protect over 2% of Canada’s total landmass in new terrestrial and freshwater areas.

The funding combines $300 million from the Canadian government with $75 million from philanthropic partners. This investment will support long-term conservation while generating hundreds of good, culturally meaningful jobs throughout the territory.

“Signing this grant agreement marks a major shift. Our historic partnership is moving from the planning phase into action and implementation. Funds will soon flow to Indigenous partners to care for lands and waters and generate sustainable opportunities for the North. The vision we have created together is becoming a reality on the ground,” said Danny Yakeleya, Chair of the Our Land for the Future Trust.

“We belong to the land, and the land belongs to us. The investment announced today will help us steward our sacred responsibilities. We are creating something beautiful with this partnership. We are offering a shining light to inspire others. We honour our leadership as Dene in protecting the spirit of the land while also honouring the collaboration and partnership achieved together, “ said Grand Chief Herb Norwegian of the Dehcho First Nations.

Indigenous-led conservation approaches recognize that Indigenous peoples are globally recognized leaders in environmental stewardship. Traditional knowledge systems and cultural practices have maintained healthy ecosystems for thousands of years. This initiative builds on that foundation while addressing modern conservation challenges.

The Our Land for the Future Trust Governance Committee, composed entirely of Indigenous members, will decide how investments flow to Indigenous recipients each year. This governance structure ensures Indigenous communities maintain control over conservation priorities and implementation strategies.

Key activities receiving funding include Indigenous Guardians programs with support for operations, training, recruitment, and career development. These Guardians monitor ecological health, protect cultural sites, and safeguard sensitive areas and species across the vast northern landscape.

The initiative will establish and steward Protected Areas, Conserved Areas, and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Both new and existing conservation sites will benefit from enhanced management and expanded protection measures.

Climate action represents another priority area. Indigenous-led conservation teams will conduct research, impact assessments, adaptation strategies, and mitigation activities related to climate change effects across northern ecosystems.

Local and regional conservation-based economic development forms a cornerstone of the program. Indigenous harvesting economies, ecotourism, cultural tourism, traditional arts, and artisanal enterprises will provide sustainable economic opportunities while supporting environmental preservation.

This Indigenous-led conservation project contributes to Canada’s commitment as one of the 122 signatories of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC for N&P). The global agreement established a target to conserve 30% of land and water by 2030 while recognizing the critical role of Indigenous communities in halting biodiversity loss.

The Project Finance for Permanence model represents an innovative funding approach for large-scale conservation. This mechanism brings together diverse partners, including governments and private donors, to support long-term, sustainable protection of lands and inland waters.

NWT: Our Land for the Future stands as one of four Project Finance for Permanence initiatives announced by Canada in December 2022. Together, these four initiatives could protect up to one million square kilometers, representing a significant contribution to national conservation goals.

The initiative moves beyond traditional conservation models that often excluded Indigenous voices from decision-making. Indigenous-led conservation acknowledges that Indigenous communities possess deep ecological knowledge and have successfully managed landscapes for millennia.

Environmental monitoring and climate change research will benefit from Indigenous knowledge and modern scientific methods. This collaborative approach produces a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem health and climate impacts across northern regions.

Cultural and Indigenous language revitalization activities connect conservation work to broader Indigenous community goals. On-the-land programs strengthen cultural identity while building community capacity for long-term stewardship responsibilities.

The initiative addresses environmental justice by ensuring Indigenous communities benefit economically from conservation rather than being displaced. Sustainable community economic development creates opportunities that align with traditional values and environmental protection goals.

The Northwest Territories provide an ideal location for large-scale Indigenous-led conservation. The region contains some of the world’s most pristine wilderness areas with intact ecosystem functions. Indigenous communities maintain strong connections to traditional territories across these landscapes.

This Indigenous-led conservation initiative demonstrates what becomes possible when governments recognize Indigenous rights and expertise in environmental stewardship. The model offers lessons for conservation efforts worldwide, showing how traditional knowledge and modern conservation science can work together effectively.