Canadian Geographic Films is producing a docuseries and feature-length film focusing on Indigenous stewards of the environment.

Aimed at international audiences, Indigenous Guardians will be produced under the Royal Canadian Geographic Society banner with Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) under a new partnership the two organizations have forged. Canadian Geographic Films will solicit broadcast and streaming licences this winter for both the 7 x 60-minute series and film.

Dene filmmaker Amos Scott (Drum Song For The Soul), past recipient of the Whistler Film Festival Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship, is working with the team to develop the project. He will lead a group of Indigenous directors and creatives who will drive the series’ production.

The subject matter will focus on those caring for Canadian lands and waters, highlighting Indigenous leadership  in sustaining plants, animals, clean air, water, healthy communities in this age of climate change and loss of biodiversity. ILI and RCGS will implement best practices in Indigenous filmmaking protocols, and involve various Indigenous Nations in the production.

Scott tells Playback Daily planning is in the early stages and funding is still in development, but he says he is looking forward to telling some much needed stories.

“I’ve learned a lot from my peers within the Indigenous film industry in Canada and my hope is the opportunity for  filmmakers and crew here to be involved in a production that is really grounded in our value system and therefore sharing the story of Indigenous Guardians and the work that they do,” says Scott.

“Guardians carry on what Indigenous Peoples have always done: protect the earth for the next seven generations,” said Chief Perry Bellegarde, honorary president of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, in a statement. “This creative partnership between the Indigenous Leadership Initiative and the RCGS will shine a light on how the work of Guardians sustains the planet and all of our relations — human and beyond.”

 Indigenous Guardians are trained experts who manage protected areas, restoring caribou, salmon, and other species, and monitoring development. There are more than 70 Guardians programs in the country, and Valérie Courtois, ILI director, says more people need to know about their function.

“We are excited about this unique partnership,” Courtois in a statement. “We can draw on each other’s strengths to shine a spotlight on the great work of Guardians. And we will do it in a good way: The project will be led by Indigenous creatives and centre Indigenous people telling our own stories. It will engage people of all backgrounds with its focus on Guardians’ expertise, resilience, humour, and love of the land.”

Charlene Bearhead, director of reconciliation for the RCGS, added: “Guardians are the climate and environmental heroes of today who carry the practices, science and knowledge of their ancestors to combat the dire challenges the planet is now facing. The stories of the incredible work of Guardians are needed now more than ever.”

Pictured: Nuxalk Guardians monitoring salmon habitat off the coast of B.C. courtesy ‘Qatuwas Brown