Indigenous Principles of Stewardship

The STEWARD principles draw on ways of caring for land, water and community that Indigenous peoples have practised for thousands of years. This lesson looks at those roots more closely: what they offer, how they have shaped some of the strongest cases in this course, and how to work with them respectfully, whether you are Indigenous or not.

A note before we begin. There is no single Indigenous worldview. Hundreds of Nations across Canada, and thousands around the world, each have their own languages, laws, teachings and protocols. This lesson does not speak for any Nation. It describes common themes, and points you to the people who hold the knowledge in your own place.

Common themes

While every Nation is different, several themes appear across many Indigenous approaches to land and community.

Relationship. Land, water, plants and animals are relatives, not resources. People belong to the land as much as the land belongs to people. This changes the question from “what can we take?” to “what is our responsibility?”

Reciprocity. What is taken must be balanced by what is given back. Harvesting comes with obligations: take only what you need, share what you take, and care for the place that provides it.

Responsibility to future generations. Decisions are weighed by their effect on people not yet born. This long view is the root of the Think in Generations principle.

Knowledge held in place. Knowledge about land is built over many generations of living in one place, and carried in language, stories, ceremonies, names and practice. It is specific, detailed and often tested over centuries.

Collective rights and responsibilities. Land and knowledge are often held collectively, by a Nation, a house or a family, with responsibilities as well as rights.

Governance. Indigenous Nations have their own laws and decision-making systems that long predate Canada. Stewardship is not only a set of values. It is a form of governance.

Stewardship as governance

Some of the strongest cases in this course show what happens when Indigenous governance leads.

Governance varies by place. Ask the Nation or Nations concerned how decisions are made, who has authority to speak for the project and what relationships need to be established. Follow that direction when designing a partnership.

On the Sunshine Coast, shíshálh Nation regained self-government in 1986. The Nation describes self-government as a responsibility to make decisions for its people, lands and future.

Across the BC coast, Guardian programs employ Nation members to monitor and care for their territories, combining traditional knowledge with modern science. And Coast Funds, an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization, supports stewardship and economic development together, treating them as one goal.

These examples show something important for anyone building an enterprise. Indigenous stewardship is not a constraint on economic development. Where Nations hold real authority, it is often the foundation that makes long-term development possible.

Consent and the right to lead

Consent and authority must be addressed through the processes that apply to the particular place and project. Establish the relevant rights holders, decision-makers and required approvals early, with advice from qualified local specialists where needed.

In practice, consent means more than consultation. It means involving a Nation before decisions are made, sharing full information, respecting the Nation’s own decision-making process, and accepting that the answer may be no, or yes with conditions.

The right to lead goes further. On their own lands, Indigenous Nations should be able to lead the projects that affect them, own a meaningful share of the value they create, and decide how their knowledge is used. That is what the Advance Reconciliation principle asks for.

Working respectfully with Indigenous knowledge

Whether you are part of a Nation or working alongside one, a few practices help.

• Ask first. Before using any knowledge, story, name or image, ask the people who hold it, and respect their answer.
• Follow protocols. Many Nations have protocols for meetings, ceremonies, sharing knowledge and working on their lands. Learn them, and ask when you’re unsure.
• Credit and compensate. Knowledge holders deserve recognition and fair payment for their time and expertise, through proper agreements with defined scopes.
• Don’t take and generalise. A teaching from one Nation is not a universal Indigenous principle. Name where it comes from, and don’t apply it elsewhere without permission.
• Let communities own their knowledge. Information gathered with a community belongs to that community. Agree in writing how it can be used.
• Build relationships, not transactions. Trust takes time. Show up, listen and keep your commitments.

For non-Indigenous learners

Many people taking this course are not Indigenous. You don’t need to adopt anyone’s culture to learn from these principles. What matters is humility, respect and action: understanding whose land you are on, learning the history of that place, building relationships with the Nations there, and supporting Indigenous ownership and leadership in the projects you are part of.

The principles in STEWARD are offered as practical guidance for everyone. Their roots should always be acknowledged.