Decolonizing Conservation Reading List
A curated list of academic resources related to the colonial roots of conservation.
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How to Search our Resources
You can search the IPCA Knowledge Basket resources by using the theme or media type dropdowns.
For academic literature, please see the Indigenous-led Conservation Reading List compiled and maintained by Megan Youdelis, Kim Tran, and Elizabeth Lunstrum.
The IPCA Knowledge Basket links to many publicly available resources that were published by Indigenous governments, civil society organizations, and others. When using resources you found from the IPCA Knowledge Basket, please follow OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession) and Faire/Care Guidelines.
Themes
Biocultural Monitoring and Community-based Stewardship
Information about biocultural approaches to monitoring and stewardship, including Indigenous Guardians programs. Includes information about traditional ecological knowledge and frameworks for ethical engagement across knowledge systems (e.g. two-eyed seeing) in the context of community-based monitoring and management.
Financing and Indigenous- led Conservation Economies
Information about revenue-generation for Indigenous-led conservation, including information about the conservation economy, nature-based climate solutions, Indigenous-led tourism.
Governance and Decision-Making
Information about Indigenous approaches to conservation governance. Includes partnerships, management, decision-making processes, and models.
Colonial conservation
Information about the dark history of conservation, in Canada and beyond. Includes critical discussions about the North American model for wildlife, and fortress conservation, which inform mainstream conservation approaches.
International context
Information from international examples of Indigenous-led conservation initiatives outside of Canada. Includes sources about relevant international policies (IUCN, CBD, UN, others).
IPCAs and Indigenous-led conservation
General information about Indigenous-led conservation and/or IPCAs, including the environmental and cultural/social benefits.
IPCA planning and establishment
The process of IPCAs and discussion of the steps taken. This includes the visioning for IPCA creation, community engagement, planning, declaration, negotiations, and relationship-building with partners that support the creation of an IPCA.
Language and cultural revitalization
Information about language and cultural revitalization, including land-based learning, in the context of Indigenous-led conservation.
Laws and Legal Systems
Information about Indigenous laws, legal systems and protocols; Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial laws and policies; case law relevant to Indigenous-led conservation; and efforts to reconcile or braid Indigenous and Crown legal systems.
Relationships, Reconciliation, and Knowledge Systems
Information about reconciliation, respectful relationships, and meaningful partnerships in the context of Indigenous-led conservation. Includes information about ethical frameworks for working across and between Indigenous and western knowledge systems.
Media Type
Agreement
Memorandums of Understanding, establishment agreements, or other templates and constructive agreements
Audio
Stories and resources you can listen to (e.g. podcasts)
Blog Post
Personal reflections and project overviews, often with hyperlinks, videos, and photographs.
Book
Fiction and non-fiction books, including book chapters and chapters from other publications
Crown Laws and Legislation
Crown legislation, laws, and regulations (Federal, Provincial, Territorial, or Municipal/Local)
Indigenous Laws and Declarations
Indigenous laws and legal orders relevant to Indigenous-led conservation. Includes declarations to create Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas made by Indigenous Nations.
Other
A resource that does not fit into one of the categories above.
Plan
Land relationship and/or land use plans, governance plans, economic plans, and other documents to guide decision-making. Includes some additional resources relevant to planning.
News Article
Article published by news media outlets. Includes articles published by online magazines.
Press Release
Official statements delivered to news media outlets
Reports
Reports published by Indigenous governments; non-Indigenous Governments (Federal, Provincial/Territorial, or Municipal/Local); non-governmental organizations; and others. Includes management plans.
Toolkit
A resource geared towards practitioners. Contains useful and applicable information.
Video
Audio and visual resources you can watch (e.g. videos)
Website
Websites or webpages