Indigenous Lands Symposium 2026 In February 2026, the RAD team travelled to traditional lands of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation (Sudbury, Ontario), Robinson Huron Treaty Territory to participate in the Indigenous Lands Symposium, an annual event initiated by Wahkohtowin Development. The symposium took place in the unique venue of Science North, with a “Canvas Community” set-up outside featuring teaching lodges, wiigwams, tents, and a tipi for the sacred fire. Each structure was represented by one of the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings: Respect (Buffalo), Courage (Bear), Honesty (Raven), Wisdom (Bear), Humility (Wolf), Truth (Turtle), with the fire representing Love (Eagle). It was in the Honesty Teaching [...]

The Story of the RAD Vision Basket In April 2023, more than eighty Indigenous leaders, Knowledge Carriers, land stewards, and partners gathered in Sitansisk (Fredericton, New Brunswick) on the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the Wolastoqiyik for the RAD Vision Gathering. The gathering was convened to create space to listen together for what was emerging for Indigenous-led regenerative futures across Turtle Island. The gathering opened in ceremony beside the Wolastoq River, guided by Elders and Knowledge Keepers including Elder Ed Perley, Elder Ramona Nicholas, Elder Marina Moulton, Elder Alex Moulton, Elder Norman Bernard, and Elder Tina Perley Martin, with the gathering convened locally by Patricia Saulis. [...]

Unlearning Canada in 2025 This blog explores how confronting Canada’s jurisdictional conundrum is essential for advancing Indigenous-led nature-based solutions and achieving reconciliation. The Restore Assert Defend (RAD) Network sets a bar for reconciliation in action as we push for the changes that lead us towards a regenerative future. We weave connections and opportunities at the intersection of scientific analysis and Indigenous knowledge systems and governance. RAD Network supports collaboration across the many communities and organizations working on nature-based solutions, and works to support Indigenous-led regenerative economies. Restoring jurisdiction over lands and waters is not just a legal or political matter—it is the foundation for effective, [...]

Open Letter: Industrial Carbon PricingAugust 2025  > CLICK HERE to view RAD Network's Open Letter> CLICK HERE to download a template to submit your own letter In the face of recent calls to “axe the tax”, RAD Network is submitting an open letter urging the Canadian government to to keep and strengthen Canada’s industrial carbon pricing system.Research by the Canadian Climate Institute confirms industrial carbon pricing delivers three times the emissions reduction of the consumer price—and with reforms, can achieve up to 25 megatonnes of additional reductions by 2030. Rather than scrapping the industrial carbon pricing system, we’re calling for it to be modernized, expanded, and [...]

2025 National Guardians Network Gathering In June 2025, the RAD Network team was thrilled to participate in the National Guardians Network (NGN) Gathering in lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territory, Victoria, BC. The gathering brought together over 275 Guardians who are leading sustainable stewardship of lands and waters in their territories, from coast to coast to coast. As Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) put it in a recap, it’s hard to capture what it felt like – the energy in the room was truly electric. We were honoured to join in celebrating the growth of the movement and to hear from those leading the change. The gathering was grounded [...]

2025 Alberta Ecotrust Foundation Environmental Gathering. Credit: Alberta Ecotrust Foundation. May 2025 Alberta Ecotrust Foundation Environmental Gathering From May 7-9, 2025, RAD Operations team members Randi and Chelsea gathered in Moh'kinstsis (now known as Calgary) in Treaty 7 Territory for the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation Environmental Gathering. This year’s theme was Building Bridges to highlight the importance of trust, collaboration and connection in co-creating a sustainable and resilient future. The conference included various expert panels ranging from green landscapes, ‘middle’ housing infrastructure, artificial intelligence as well as various smaller break out rooms for all attendees. Both Randi and Chelsea attended the Rights of Nature breakout [...]

Image: Mount Yamnuska, aptly called Îyâ Mnathka or “flat-faced mountain” by the îyârhe Nakodabi (Stoney Nakoda). This is also the doorway into the passage and is part of the creation story. Rights of Nature: A Reflection  By Britney Supernault The idea of protecting nature is new to Indigenous Peoples. No matter where you go in the world, the Indigenous Peoples of that area have held a relationship based in respect and reciprocity with the land they share life with. There is no hierarchy of whose life matters more, or who should be dominant when it comes to humans, animal people, and the land. Instead Indigenous [...]

RAD Response: Federal Protocol for Offsets on Public Lands  October 2024 The RAD Network connects Indigenous governments to tools and resources to help advance their land relationship visions. When new tools are being developed, we want to make sure that they respond to Nations’ priorities and are designed in a way that upholds Indigenous rights. Most recently, we facilitated a process to influence the federal protocol for projects on Crown and public land in Canada’s Greenhouse Gas (GhG) Offset Credit System. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published a discussion paper, Facilitating Projects on Crown and Public Land in Canada's Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit [...]

TOOLS & SERVICES FOR INDIGENOUS NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS August 2024 At the RAD Network, we believe that collaboration is key to paving the path forward for Indigenous-led nature-based solutions (NbS). As a network, we weave relationships, connect across silos, and shed light on needs and resources. RAD seeks to connect Nations to tools and supports, while working with non-Indigenous partners to foster decolonized, rights-centered collaboration. With increasing recognition of the value and need for Indigenous-led NbS, we’re seeing a range of programs and resources emerge across the country. We summarized several of such initiatives in our April 2024 report, “Cultivating Capacity: A Scan of Needs and Resources [...]

RAD Accelerator Circles Kick Off We recently held our first RAD Accelerator Circle, kicking off a new initiative to accelerate Indigenous natural climate solutions. What are Accelerator Circles? Accelerator Circles are short online engagements, designed to explore innovative solutions and actionable steps forwards for place-based challenges. We convene around a project or strategic opportunity that Indigenous Nations are facing related to advancing nature-based solutions. In a small talking circle format, practitioners share their challenges and aspirations with a carefully curated panel of experienced voices who provide feedback and support. Circles bring together a small group of knowledge holders, experts, and asset stewards to listen and to share [...]