Group hopes federal budget will launch Indigenous guardians’ network across Canada – CBC

Ottawa asked to provide $500 million; on-the-land employment for hundreds promised

Mar 16, 2017

A national non-profit is hoping next week’s federal budget creates a network of Indigenous guardians across Canada.

In October of last year, the Indigenous Leadership Initiative asked Ottawa for funding totalling $500 million over five years to set up the network.

If successful, up to 1,600 First Nations people — including many from Northern communities — would be hired to act as paid protectors and monitors of their traditional lands. Existing local projects and a similar Australian initiative have been used as models.

March 22’s budget will reveal how much, if any, funding the project has secured — and whether funding may come at the expense of other programs.

Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/indigenous-guardians-network-budget-hopes-1.4027217