How indigenous conservation protects Canada’s environment
How indigenous conservation protects Canada's environment BBC
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Indigenous Guardians: Protecting Canada’s Environment and Promoting Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction
In Canada, centring conservation with the country’s indigenous peoples is allowing its original stewards to reconnect to their land and culture – and proving remarkably effective.
Monitoring Water Quality and Indigenous Knowledge
Every year, Dolcy Meness and her colleague from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg territory, an Algonquin First Nation in Quebec, monitor the water quality in streams and rivers. They use a two-eyed seeing approach, combining indigenous knowledge with Western science, to assess the impacts of extractive industries on their territory. By collecting data on water temperature, PH, salinity, and conductivity, they can determine if companies are adhering to regulations.
- Indigenous knowledge helps identify signs of environmental degradation, such as sand in streams from logging roads.
- Meness and her colleagues are responsible for monitoring 50 sites throughout the Ottawa River watershed.
Indigenous Guardians and Conservation Initiatives
Indigenous Guardians are part of a flourishing movement of 1,000 individuals across Canada who are stewarding their traditional lands and waters. They play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Indigenous peoples demonstrate a more sustainable path forward based on respect and reciprocity with the environment.
- Indigenous-led conservation initiatives have led to the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) that could conserve over 500,000 sq km of land.
- Indigenous-managed lands support more threatened species and hold 80% of remaining biodiversity globally.
Challenges and Opportunities
While progress has been made, there are still barriers hindering further indigenous-led conservation efforts in Canada:
- Systemic racism and stereotypes perpetuated in Canadian society.
- The need for recognition and validation of indigenous knowledge systems.
- Funding stability for guardians programs.
The establishment of the First Nations National Guardians Network aims to address these challenges and expand support for guardians programs. It is hoped that Canada can serve as a model for decolonization and reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of trusting indigenous peoples and their knowledge.
Conclusion
Indigenous Guardians in Canada are playing a vital role in protecting the environment, promoting sustainable development, and fostering reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous communities. Their efforts contribute to achieving the SDGs and offer valuable lessons for conservation worldwide.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article discusses the importance of indigenous-led conservation initiatives in protecting Canada’s oceans and freshwater resources.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – The article highlights the role of indigenous peoples in stewarding their traditional lands and waters to conserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article emphasizes the need for collaboration and support from governments and non-indigenous organizations to enable and finance indigenous-led conservation initiatives.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans – The article discusses the monitoring of water quality in streams and rivers to ensure companies are adhering to regulations and minimizing impacts on water ecosystems.
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species – The article highlights the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) by First Nations in Canada to conserve biodiversity and protect habitats.
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships – The article emphasizes the need for partnerships between indigenous nations, non-indigenous organizations, and the government to support and finance indigenous-led conservation initiatives.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Water quality indicators: The article mentions the collection of data on water temperature, pH, salinity, and conductivity to monitor the impacts of extractive industries on water ecosystems.
- Protected areas coverage: The article discusses the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) by First Nations in Canada, indicating progress towards protecting and restoring natural habitats.
- Investment and funding indicators: The article highlights the need for permanent federal investment in guardians programs and the expansion of support for indigenous-led conservation initiatives, indicating the importance of financial resources for achieving conservation targets.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans | – Water quality indicators (temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity) – Compliance with regulations by companies – Restoration efforts for impacted water ecosystems |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | – Coverage of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) – Conservation of biodiversity and protection of habitats – Restoration efforts for degraded natural habitats |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships | – Investment and funding indicators for indigenous-led conservation initiatives – Collaboration between indigenous nations, non-indigenous organizations, and the government – Support and financing mechanisms for guardians programs |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: bbc.com
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