b'INDIGENOUS LAND STEWARDSHIPThat philosophy runs throughout the program. Students learn gover-ACROSS CANADA nance systems, planning methodolo-gies, Indigenous and western science, The University of British Columbias Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardshipfacilitation and economics, always (BILS) is part of a wider shift in higher education. Similar Indigenous-focusedframed by the underlying land ethic of each Nation. Merkel describes this as stewardship and governance programs or study streams can be found at athe critical pivot point: Every society number of other universities across Canada. Below are some examples:is built from its land ethic, its ethical framework. Thats what drives the way VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY: Vancouver Island University hasa society structures itselfits gover-partnered with Coastal First Nations on the Stewardship Technicians Trainingnance, its economy, its relationships. Program, which focuses on providing technical and leadership training toWere teaching students how to root meet stewardship needs. Additionally, the university offers a Professionalstewardship systems in that ethic.Indigenous Lands Management Certificate as part of its Professional Lands Management Certification Program, and it has courses and workshopsIn practice, this education means field related to Indigenous mapping for stewardship and cultural heritage. studies where students experience stewardship firsthand. Brown recalls LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY: While it does not have a dedicated Indigenousa formative trip to the Malcolm Knapp Land Stewardship Program, Lakehead University integrates IndigenousResearch Forest at Loon Lake. Thats where we got to meet Garry Merkel in perspectives and practices into various programs focused on environmentalperson, and he taught us about land sustainability, land stewardship and land-based learning. As well, inethics and Indigenous Worldviews. partnership with Confederation College, the university hosts the AkiWe also heard from guest speakers, Kikinomakaywin Camp, a week-long program for Indigenous youthincluding Lenny Joe (the CEO of First emphasizing Indigenous cultural connections to water and land, includingNations Forestry Council and member fresh-water ecosystems and water management. It also supports theof the Nlakapamux First Nation), Manomin/Wild Rice Project, which looks at traditional food sources and thewho shared powerful teachings that impact of human settlement on the land. stayed with me. Those moments, Brown says, deepened his sense that UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA: The University of Manitoba offers a programland stewardship is not just about titled Land and Water: Indigenous Land-based Education. Facilitated by theconservation, but about sovereignty universitys Community Engaged Learning concept, the program providesand responsibility.opportunities for students and community members to connect withOne pressing area where Indigenous Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Elders and educators through immersive,Knowledgeisgainingrenewed land-based experiences. It emphasizes decolonizing education and fosteringglobal attention is fire management. positive relationships with the land. In Australia, Indigenous fire-keepers have helped reshape wildfire response UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN: The University of Saskatchewansby reintroducing controlled cultural Kanawayihetaytan Askiy (KA) Program is a certificate program focusingburning practices that reduce cata-on topics tied to the management of lands and resources. It examinesstrophic blazes and restore ecolog-environmental, legal and economic aspects of land and resourceical balance. Merkel notes that fire management in Indigenous communities. The university also has a dedicatedstewardship is a strong component office for Indigenous Engagement, ohpahotn | oohpaahotaan, and theof BILS as well. Students learn to kihci-okwmw askiy Knowledge Centre, which serves as a resource forunderstand the value of Indigenous Knowledge alongside other forms of Indigenous communities and organizations seeking land-related information,knowledge. Theyll study how to build training and research partnerships. landscape plans, develop governance systems, and integrate fire as part of UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: The University of Toronto has courses thatrestoring landscapes, Merkel says. support Indigenous land stewardship, including workshops on IndigenousIn fact, one of the programs coordi-Knowledge, land-based learning and reconciliation with the land. There isnators, a fire-keeper, is currently on the All Our Relations: Indigenous Land Stewardship and Art course, whichexchange in Australia and will bring focuses on land-based skills as tools for Indigenous cultural revitalizationback lessons from the land there to and Relating to the Land: A Land-based Learning Opportunity on theshare with the students in Canada.interconnectedness with the land, Indigenous worldviews, and reciprocalBrown sees this kind of braided knowl-relationships with the land. Also on offer is its Indigenous Outreach Programedge, where Indigenous science and at its Scarborough campus, which offers cultural exchange and dialogue withwestern science work together, as one Indigenous Peoples. of the programs greatest strengths. It emphasizes collaboration, he said. 50A CCIB PUBLICATIONFall 2025'