Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative (GSTI)
Get on the waitlist nowThe First Nations Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative (GSTI) offers grants to First Nation communities to support Guardians initiatives with funding for training, education, knowledge, and skills development to enhance local Guardians with capacity to manage, monitor, protect, conserve, restore, improve the stewardship of lands, waters, wildlife and other natural resources of their ancestral lands according to the traditions, values and indigenous laws of First Nations communities.
Overview
In 2021, the Province of BC announced a mandate to engage with First Nations on
the topic of First Nations Guardians to gain a better understanding of Guardian
programs and the challenges facing Guardian and Guardian-like programs in First
Nation communities across BC. An outcome of the early-stage engagement was the
development of a Guardians Engagement across the Province of British Columbia
Report . A key finding in this report identified access to education and training as a
barrier to building and growing Guardians’ capacity and programs in a meaningful
way.
In its commitment to achieve positive outcomes, the Province of BC published the
Stronger BC for Everyone – Future Ready Action Plan and included Guardian and
Stewardship Training Initiative as one of the actions to build First Nations capacity in
this area.
The Province of BC through the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship
(WLRS) and a cohort of First Nations knowledge holders of Guardian work and
programs then worked collaboratively and through engagement with First Nations to
inform a framework for dispersing funds to First Nations for Guardian Training
Initiatives. The WLRS and the First Nations Guardians Working Group have now
partnered with the New Relationship Trust (NRT) to administer and deliver an
Indigenous-led Guardian and Stewardship Training Initiative.
The Guardian and Stewardship Training Initiative offers 3 funding streams to
acknowledge and respect that First Nations have varying levels of structures,
capacity, experience and pathways to supporting their Guardians program within
their own context and vision.

Guardian and Stewardship Training Initiative
‘Guardians’ is the term used to describe First Nations-led initiative to perform a spectrum of stewardship and cultural functions and activities on their land base. This work reflects the responsibilities, laws and traditions of First Nations arising from their connection and stewardship of their territories. The Future Ready Guardians and Stewardship Training initiative will be co-developed with First Nations and will provide First Nations with access to funding for training and education so Guardians are able to expand capacity, programming, and services to meet their self-determined stewardship priorities, and to partner with B.C in co-management of lands and resources where agreed.
Objectives
The objectives of the Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiatives are to:
- Provide First Nations with funding to access training and education for their
Guardians to build and enhance capacity within First Nation communities as land
and resource managers in their territories. - Support First Nations people to receive the desired and required training to take
on Guardians and Stewardship positions in their communities. - Acknowledge and strengthen First Nations distinctive and spiritual relationship
with their lands, territories, waters, and other resources. - Strengthen First Nation capacity to steward their lands and waters, conduct
stewardship in alignment with their cultural and custom practices.
- Strengthen collaboration between First Nations and the Province of BC in
stewardship activities, and better inform resource stewardship decisions in
respective regions. - Provide training and education to First Nations Guardians that support the
transmission of custom and cultural knowledge within the context of the unique
modern, traditional, and hereditary governance structures of First Nations
alongside relevant scientific, applied science, resource management, emergency
management, and recreational education and training skill sets. - Empower First Nations Guardians employment creation, skills development and
training in the Guardians and stewardship sector. - Reduce administrative barriers for First Nations to access funding and provide a
streamlined, flexible and cooperative process to receive funding.
Who Can Apply
- BC First Nations (includes)
- Indian Act First Nations
- Modern Treaty First Nations
- Self-Government Nations
- Tribal Councils
- Organizations mandated under Hereditary Chiefs or other traditional
governance structures. - First Nation Organizations – mandated by one or more BC First Nation(s) to
represent their interests with respect to Guardians and Stewardship.
It is acknowledged and understood that First Nations may have different
governance and leadership models. In situations that the governance structure
cannot be easily validated, the NRT may request a basic letter or statement that
affirms the First Nations Leadership structure, or the same from an authorized
signatory of the Nation(s) that acknowledges and approves the proposal for the
Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative. NRT acknowledges authorized
signatories may include, but are not limited to Elected Chief, Chair of Council, Chief
Administrative Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, President etc.
Funding Streams
Stream 1: Planning and Capacity for New and Emerging Guardians Programs
Provides funding for activities and costs associated with the planning and
coordination stage of a new or emerging Guardians Program. The activities include
but are not limited to below.
Activities
Research, coordination, planning, and engagement related to
training, education, and capacity building for a Guardians
Program.
Research and cross collaboration activities with other First Nation Guardian programs
Other activities reasonably required
Funding Cap
$50,000
Stream 2: Individual First Nation Community Training for Emerging and Established Guardians and Stewardship Program within one community.
Provides funding to one First Nation community to build capacity and deliver
training for Guardians programs, to guardians employed or individuals seeking
employment as First Nation Guardians. The activities include but are not limited to
below.
Activities
Delivery of training to individuals employed or seeking
employment as First Nations Guardians
Expansion or update of existing training or skill development
programs
Support and or delivery of specific one-off training or courses
Traditional knowledge training and sharing through
mentorships, Youth Guardians programs and elder
engagement.
Equipment/supplies purchases and rental fees required in the
development and delivery of Guardian training.
Other activities reasonably required
Funding Cap
$150,000
Stream 3: Regional First Nation Community Training for Emerging and Established Guardians and Stewardship Program for multiple communities.
Provides funding to build capacity and deliver training for regional (including
Nations or Tribal Councils and stewardship organizations or networks mandated by
multiple First Nations) Guardians and Stewardship programs. The activities include
but are not limited to below.
Activities
Delivery of training to individuals employed or seeking
employment as First Nations Guardians
Expansion or update of existing training or skill development
programs
Support and or delivery of specific one-off training or courses
Traditional knowledge training and sharing through
mentorships, Youth Guardians programs and elder
engagement.
Equipment/supplies purchases and rental fees required in the
development and delivery of Guardian training.
Create efficiencies in delivering training, education and skills
development for multiple First Nations.
Other activities reasonably required
Funding Cap
$300,000
Criteria & Eligible Expenses
- Approved applicants can only receive funding for one stream per intake or
funding cycle. - Applicants that receive Stream 1 funding and successfully complete their project
will be prioritized for Stream 2 or Stream 3 funding upon receipt of a new
application within program the application intake period. - Eligible costs should be incremental costs, meaning that they are costs
typically in addition to the normal operating and fixed costs of the organizations.
The eligible include but not limited to:- Labour (new labour, wage subsidies, benefits). Wage subsidies are
capped at $30/hr. - Operating costs that are directly related to training project
- Consultancy fees (research, planning, advisory and technical services
related to training curriculum development and delivery) - Training and associated expenses (rental fees, honorariums, travel,
training related equipment) Wage subsidies, travel staffing costs related to
the Declaration Act Action Plan implementation. - Production and distribution of promotional material related to the Training.
- Specific Capacity training – skills development, workshops, courses etc.
- Administrative costs – up to a maximum of 10% of total funding.
- Capital costs (equipment) – up to a maximum of 15% of total funding.
- Other reasonable costs or incremental administrative costs associated
with the planning, development and delivery of the Training of Guardians.
- Labour (new labour, wage subsidies, benefits). Wage subsidies are
- Ineligible Costs are costs deemed unreasonable, non-incremental or not
associated with the Training initiative. These include but not limited to:- Wages/subsidies for existing Guardians not receiving training.
- Equipment that is not required to complete the training initiative.
- Debt or refinancing debt.
- Capital Costs, including acquisition of buildings, lands, vehicles, and other
major capital. - Costs incurred prior to approved project funding start date.
Application Process
The Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative will use a 2-stage intake
approach:
- Expression of Interest (EOI): This is a basic on-line form that identifies the
Applicant name, a contact person and an abbreviated description of the
proposed project. - Full Application: Eligible Projects aligned with Program objectives will be
invited to develop a full application in collaboration with Guardian Navigator.
This stage involves submitting appropriate documents and authorization
letters etc.
If you have questions about eligibility or the application process before submitting
an EOI, we encourage you to contact the Guardians and Stewardship Training
Initiative Navigator here: guardians-navigator@nrtf.ca.
Apply Now
This funding stream is closed as of August 5, 2024. Please check back at a later date.
Contact Us
Navigator Service
The GSTI Navigator service is meant to reduce application submission barriers,
working closely with potential applicants at the earliest stage possible to support
and transition expression of interests into full applications.
We encourage potential applicants to contact the GSTI Navigator, if you have
questions, require assistance or wish to discuss your Expression of Interest prior to
submitting it. Please contact us at the email address below and we will respond as
soon as practical.
By email: guardians-navigator@nrtf.ca
Key Dates
The Guardians and Stewardship Training Initiative will open and close on the
following dates:
Open: Closed August 5th, 2024 as funds were exhausted.
Close: Continuous basis until February 28th, 2025 or when available funding is exhausted.