Supporting Indigenous Visions for Lands and Waters Across Manitoba and the Northwest Territories
Strengthening Indigenous stewardship, cultural connection and sustainable economies is at the heart of a new $6.3 million contribution from BHP Foundation that will support Nature United’s conservation work in Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. This contribution will help build on growing momentum in these regions to advance stewardship visions led by Indigenous Nations.
Growing recognition of Indigenous rights and leadership, combined with unprecedented public and philanthropic investment in conservation, has created new opportunities to advance Indigenous-led approaches at scale in both Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. Despite this momentum, many Indigenous Nations continue to face barriers to advancing stewardship visions, including limited access to planning tools, capacity and long-term sustainable financing.
Nature United brings more than a decade of experience in Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, grounded in trusted partnerships with Indigenous Nations. As the Canadian affiliate of the world's largest conservation organization, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Nature United also draws on global experience supporting Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. Building on a previous contribution that has supported this approach in Manitoba for the last seven years, this funding, which will be received by TNC, will help meet this important moment for Indigenous-led conservation in Canada, supporting the visions of Indigenous Nations for their lands and waters that build cultural continuity, economic opportunity and decision-making authority over their territories.
Over the next three years, the contribution will support Indigenous-led conservation in Manitoba through new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, improved land and freshwater management, and strengthened stewardship of rivers, lakes and wetlands. It will also contribute to strengthened stewardship and related governance systems in the Northwest Territories, while supporting durable stewardship systems across both regions through investments in governance, Guardian programs, shared decision-making structures and long-term capacity.
.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1536&quality=75&branch=main "Boreal Manitoba is a critical source of freshwater that supports biodiversity, as well as rural communities and urban populations across Manitoba. © Andre Brandt (2).jpg")
Quotes
"Indigenous Nations are leading some of the most important conservation work in Canada today. As recognition of this continues to grow, there is a unique and time-bound opportunity to advance Indigenous-led conservation in both Manitoba and the Northwest Territories to address climate change, halt biodiversity loss and build a resilient future. This support will help us work together to remove barriers, strengthen capacity and create conditions for durable conservation outcomes."
Hadley Archer, Executive Director, Nature United
“A rare window of opportunity exists to reshape how lands and waters are cared for in Manitoba. Building on more than a decade of partnership and trust cultivated by Nature United across Northern Manitoba and Northwest Territories, this contribution supports Indigenous Nations to advance their stewardship and resource management priorities and drive lasting change.
“The BHP Foundation recognized that catalytic philanthropic funding has a unique role to play in unlocking innovation, accelerating partnerships, and helping transform resource management systems, and create the conditions for lasting systems change that will shape a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come.”
Alyna Wyatt, Country Director, BHP Foundation
About Nature United
Nature United was founded as a Canadian charity in 2014, building on decades of conservation in Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, our organization has field staff located across the country. Nature United supports Indigenous leadership, sustainable economic development and science and large-scale conservation, primarily in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba. Our organization is also working to accelerate Natural Climate Solutions at national and regional scales. To learn more, visit natureunited.ca.
Nature United is the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization with more than a million members and a diverse team that includes more than 1,000 scientists. Our global organization works in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. To learn more, visit nature.org.
About the BHP Foundation BHP Foundation is a non-profit organization working with others to address the root causes of sustainability challenges relevant to the resources industry. Created and funded by BHP - a global resources company - the BHP Foundation's funding aims to impact the systems that prevent progress towards a more equitable and sustainable future for people and the planet. Its partnerships in Canada, Australia and Chile are primarily focused on support for greater self-determination for Indigenous Peoples and preparing underrepresented young people for the future through education. To learn more, visit www.bhp-foundation.org