Federal environment minister Catherine McKenna at a roundtable discussion with Indigenous leaders at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney Tuesday morning. Photo courtesy Twitter/@cathmckenna.
Some Indigenous communities have been earmarked for federal funding to manage ancestral lands according to their traditional laws and values.
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced in Sidney Tuesday 28 Indigenous projects have been selected for early funding totalling just under $5.7 million to the Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program.
The program enhances the role of First Nations to protect Indigenous ecosystems.
The government says the new funding will support new and existing Indigenous guardians programs across Canada.
Today, Minister McKenna announced $5.7M in funding to the #Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program to support the stewardship and contributions of #Indigenous peoples in conserving Canadian #nature. https://t.co/lmCzwy23hS #ProtectingNature pic.twitter.com/j0e64maoC1
— Minister C. McKenna (@ec_minister) November 13, 2018
The Indigenous Guardians program committed $25 million over five years in the 2017 federal budget and is also aimed at advancing reconciliation with First Nations peoples.
Thank you for the great visit, Institute of Ocean Sciences, and for hosting the roundtable with Indigenous leaders this morning. Pleased to discuss opportunities for reconciliation, protecting nature, and the Indigenous Guardians program. #ProtectingNature pic.twitter.com/D2U6fj2b6q
— Catherine McKenna ?? (@cathmckenna) November 13, 2018
McKenna said plastics and climate action are among other topics to be discussed while she is in Greater Victoria Tuesday to start a three-day B.C. trip on nature conservation.
Later today the minister will go on a hike at Pearson College with local youth and other stakeholders to highlight the importance of nature and protected areas.
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