How Indigenous Guardians Protect the Planet and Humanity | Valérie Courtois | TED

TL;DR

Valérie Courtois, from the Ilnu community, discusses the importance of Indigenous-led approaches to land care and the role of guardians in creating a better future for all.

Transcript

(In Ilnu-aimun: Hello). I’m Valérie Courtois and I’m from the Ilnu community of Mashteuiatsh, located in Pekuakami or Lac Saint-Jean, the heart of what is now known as Québec. It is an honor to be here with you tonight. A good friend and colleague of mine, the Honorable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, the first Indigenous woman to be elected to Canada's parl... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌱 Our planet is experiencing ecological turmoil, risking the survival of millions of species. Our societies struggle to adapt to the changes caused by human transformation of the land.
• 💚 Indigenous peoples have a fundamental understanding that if we take care of the land, it takes care of us. 80% of the world's remaining biodiversity is located on lands managed by Indigenous peoples.
• 🌾 Indigenous Guardians play a crucial role in protecting and caring for the land. They are trained experts who monitor water quality, conduct research, and help restore species. Their work is rooted in Indigenous and Western sciences.
• 🌍 Guardianship programs not only benefit the environment but also have profound personal impacts. Being connected to the land helps individuals overcome challenges and trauma, improving physical and mental well-being.
• 💰 Investing in Indigenous programs, like Guardianship, can have a significant return on investment, bringing social, economic, and environmental benefits. They can contribute more to healing from the impacts of colonization than any other program.
• 🌳 Guardians help care for some of the healthiest and most vibrant lands on the continent, like the boreal forest, which is one of the largest intact forests left on the planet. They protect threatened species and create Indigenous protected and conserved areas.
• 🔒 Many of the largest and most ambitious plans to protect areas in Canada are led by Indigenous peoples. Indigenous protected and conserved areas, based on Indigenous laws and cultures, are being created, preserving vast amounts of land.
• 💪 There is a role for everyone in this model of Indigenous-led land stewardship. Studying Indigenous history, uplifting Indigenous voices, supporting leaders who value environmental protection, and using political voices can all contribute to a better future for all.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the speaker's main message in the video?

The speaker's main message is that by taking care of the land, the land will take care of us, and that Indigenous knowledge and approaches to the land can help heal the planet and create a better future for all.

Q: What are Guardians and what is their role?

Guardians are trained experts who work on behalf of their Indigenous nations. Their role is to monitor water quality, care for Indigenous-protected and conserved areas, conduct research on climate impacts, and help restore species. They bridge Indigenous and Western sciences and their work includes GIS mapping and learning from elders and knowledge keepers.

Q: How do Guardians contribute to healing and well-being?

Guardians contribute to healing and well-being by being on the land, physically active, and connected to their communities and cultures. They provide a sense of pride and purpose, and their work has been shown to reduce incarceration rates, increase health and well-being, and improve people's overall quality of life.

Q: What is the importance of Indigenous-protected and conserved areas?

Indigenous-protected and conserved areas are important because they are often the largest and most ambitious plans to protect areas in Canada. These areas, created based on Indigenous laws and cultures, are led by Indigenous peoples and often in partnership with the Canadian government. They help sustain biodiversity, protect large carbon storehouses, and contribute to the overall health of ecosystems.

Summary & Key Takeaways

-Valérie Courtois, a member of the Ilnu community, discusses the importance of taking care of the environment and the role of Indigenous guardians in protecting and restoring the land.

-Indigenous knowledge and approaches to land management offer valuable insights and strategies for addressing ecological crises and healing from colonization.

-Indigenous-led initiatives, such as the creation of protected areas and the work of guardians, can have significant social, economic, and environmental benefits.