The Vuntut Gwitchin Government (VGG) is currently (as of May 2018) evaluating their research priorities and approach towards environmental monitoring on their lands. The project Nanh kak ejuk gweedhaa nakhwaandèe hah gwanaa’in “Watching Changes on the Land with our Eyes” was initiated by the VGG to better understand environmental change in their traditional territory, and how this change has been tracked over time. Informed through a comprehensive literature review and a collaborative, community-informed workshop, this report documents the emerging trends and priorities of community members and VGG staff for future community-based monitoring in VGG territory. 

In addition to identifying specific monitoring goals for key species that are relied on by community members, there were five overarching goals for a VGG approach to future environmental monitoring research: 

1. Engage youth: Ensure youth are being educated on these topics and are trained to carry on the work in the future; youth need to be given the opportunity to learn about Vuntut Gwitchin values, culture and carry on their traditional way of life;

2. Support harvester monitoring: Develop a robust harvesting reporting program in the community to have a better understanding of what community members are seeing on the land, and aid in developing management plans;

3. Community-based monitoring plans: Continue to finalize and implement all community-based monitoring programs, while updating the plans on a regular basis;

4. Study climate change locally: Climate change is having impacts on all aspects of the ecosystem, and needs to be monitored closely on an annual basis; and

5. Engage traditional knowledge: Continue to have Vuntut Gwitchin traditional knowledge, values and priorities guide environmental monitoring work and research agendas.

There is a groundswell of interest in Indigenous-led Protected Areas (IPAs) and stewardship initiatives in British Columbia and Canada. The Firelight Group initiated a preliminary study of selected IPAs, and other Indigenous conservation efforts in British Columbia, and the challenges they share. This report identified Indigenous communities in BC that are engaged or interested in establishing IPAs, synthesized community priorities, challenges, questions, and needs, then identified gaps in available resources, recommending actions and funding strategies to support future work. Wilburforce Foundation funded this work. A preliminary scoping study, this report helped to inform the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) for the federal Pathway to Canada’s Target 1 protected areas initiative.

The Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Framework is a policy guide to establish standards and best practices for including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge into environmental decision-making in Northeast Alberta. Firelight supported the process and authorship of the Framework, alongside 14 Indigenous communities, industry and government representatives.