Today as we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, we reflect on the many contributions Indigenous people have made to Canada.
Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), for example, are providing renewed opportunities for Indigenous-led protection and conservation of ecosystems. IPCAs are stewarded according to Indigenous laws, governance, and knowledge systems lending invaluable insight into best practices for ecological resilience. Additionally, IPCAs take a multigenerational and two-eyed seeing approach to ensure the future well-being of lands, rivers, watersheds, marine areas, forests, plants, wildlife, and other environmental values in areas across Canada.
We recognize these and other contributions on National Indigenous Peoples Day and every day, and respect:
The diversity of Indigenous cultures and worldviews and their roles in Canada’s past, present, and future.
Our collective responsibility to share natural resources revenues and close gaps in socio-economic conditions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Our role in the journey towards reconciliation by advancing Indigenous knowledge systems in all our work.
Our privilege to live, work, and play on Indigenous land.