About Us

Values

  • Uphold the knowledge of Elders and Knowledge Keepers
  • Ground our work in Spirit and Ceremony
  • Be guided by the Seven Ancestral Grandfather and Grandmother Teachings of Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom
  • Prioritize integrity
  • Centre Indigenous languages, worldviews, and guiding principles
  • Honour cultural and kinship ties
  • Develop relationships rooted in reciprocity and respect
  • Work in Ethical Space

Goals

  1. Advance Indigenous rights and responsibilities to care for lands, waters, biodiversity and climate, through the establishment of IPCAs and Indigenous-led nature-based solutions;
  2. Share knowledge, tools and expertise among Indigenous Nations on how to implement nature-based solutions in their territories and build regenerative economies;
  3. Influence policy and legislation changes to centre Indigenous jurisdiction, and inherent rights and responsibilities in nature-based solutions (including carbon and other natural assets);
  4. Create new financial pathways and equitable funding by connecting Nations and Indigenous organisations to financial resources through ethical, reciprocal relationships with funders and investors (including creation of standards and protocols that centre Indigenous rights);
  5. Connect youth (students) to active programs in Indigenous-led nature-based solutions to provide an opportunity to contribute and grow skills.

The RAD Network will pursue these goals by building relationships, practical tools, and knowledge sharing opportunities. Our approach is firmly grounded in Ethical Space and pursued in alignment with the path laid out by the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE).

Ash Basket Network Model

Inspired by teachings shared with us by Wolastoqiyik Knowledge Carrier Terry Young, the RAD Network employs an “ash basket” network model. Like an ash basket, a network depends on its many strands, woven together to create a strong and flexible container with a purpose to carry something forward. The RAD Network is supported through collective, braided (or woven) contributions from Network Partners and relationships rooted in reciprocity. These woven contributions enable us to advance the goals of RAD Network and produce work through our core Operations group and the Work Streams with guidance from our Indigenous Leadership Group. We are currently developing Reciprocity Agreements with Network Partners to ground our work in reciprocity, integrity and care.

Team

The Leadership Group guides the strategic direction, goals, and approach of the Network. The current Leadership Group includes David Flood (Wahkohtowin Development), Steven Nitah (Nature for Justice), Terry Dorward (IISAAK OLAM Foundation), Samantha Whiteye (Carolinian Canada – Indigenous Leadership Pillar) and Gwen Bridge (Gwen Bridge Consulting). We also acknowledge and extend our gratitude to Trish Nash, Patricia Saulis, Kim Neale and Eli Enns who contributed their time and knowledge to the inaugural Leadership Circle. We are grateful to Patricia Saulis for first envisioning the idea to host our Full Moon Network gatherings and for her role as Convenor of our Spring 2023 gathering, “Envisioning the Indigenous-led Conservation Economy” on Wolastoqiyik Territory.

The Operations Group consists of Randi Russell, Mary-Kate Craig, Darcy Riddell, Chelsea Martin, Lara Powell, Britney Supernault and Julee Boan. We extend gratitude for woven contributions from previous core working group members including Wynona Acco-Barron, Kevin Smith, Dani Warren, Audrey Popa, Santiago (Santi) Ramirez Said, Saba Thackurdeen, Rebecca Rogerson, and Sophie Sanniti among others.

Vision

Read the Executive Summary of our Vision Report here, co-created based on outcomes of our Spring 2023 Vision Gathering. Watch the launch webinar to hear from the Leadership Circle about the network’s vision and check out our Tools and Reports page for the full report, video outputs and more.