Tribal Partnerships

Tribal Partnerships

Our National Parks are one of America’s greatest spaces for storytelling and preservation. At Voyageurs Conservancy we understand our responsibility to the original stewards of the land. Voyageurs National Park and the Conservancy are working collaboratively to better involve Tribal Nations in the stewardship of Voyageurs. We aim to develop a meaningful shared co-stewardship plan and partnership strategy between the park and its Affiliated Tribal Nations, Canadian First Nations, and Métis community councils. Voyageurs National Park is on the ceded treaty lands of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and the park has also identified 17 other Federally recognized affiliated nations, along with seven Canadian First Nations and the Northwestern Ontario Métis Community closely associated with the lands and waters of the park.

Co-stewardship aligns with broader efforts to mitigate climate change, protect ecosystems, and promote sustainable land use practices in VOYA and serves as a model across NPS units. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation approaches, it seeks to enhance resilience and biodiversity. In addition, opportunities exist to provide training, technical assistance, and resources to empower VOYA and NPS to collaborate with Indigenous communities in land stewardship practices, governance, and sustainable development.

Now Seeking: Indigenous Guidance Council Representatives

The co-stewardship project is seeking representatives from each tribe affiliated with Voyageurs National Park to join the Indigenous Guidance Council (IGC). This council will provide guidance and recommendations to advance co-stewardship initiatives, bringing forward priorities important for cultural preservation and the biocultural integrity of Voyageurs National Park. The IGC will also shape the content and focus of co-stewardship agreements and support implementation of collaborative activities. IGC members will receive fair and appropriate compensation for their service.

Membership requires a letter of support from your Nation's Council. An example form letter is available as a starting point and can be modified to fit your needs.

IGC Letter of Support Form

Questions? Contact:
Larissa Juip, Project Manager
Larissa@Voyageurs.org 218-252-5755

More Information: Voyageurs National Park Tribal Costewardship Workshop Series

  • The National Park Service-Voyageurs National Park and its philanthropic partner, the Voyageurs Conservancy, have been jointly awarded a three-year grant by the National Park Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation to build and strengthen relationships with Tribes and Canadian Nations with connections to what is now the park and to involve interested Tribes in co-stewardship of the park. The project includes funding to compensate Tribes and Nations for participation.

  • Co-stewardship can have many different meanings; for this project co-stewardship means collaborative or cooperative arrangements between Department of the Interior (DOI) bureaus, such as the National Park Service, and Tribes related to shared interests in managing, conserving, and preserving Federal lands and waters.

    For more information: Co-stewardship | U.S. Department of the Interior

  • The project seeks to help empower Indigenous governments to reclaim connections and stewardship roles with their ancestral lands within what is now the park. Within this broad context, the primary project goal is:

    • Building meaningful relationships between all participating governments and organizations.

    Additional goals identified in the grant are:

    • Learning from Tribes and Nations about how Voyageurs and the Conservancy can better understand their perspectives and interests in and about the park.

    • Learning from Tribes and Nations about how Voyageurs and the Conservancy can better communicate, share information and opportunities, and collaborate with them.

    • Collaboratively working on projects that incorporate Indigenous interests, perspectives, and knowledge at Voyageurs. Specific projects would be jointly identified by all participants. Funds are available to compensate representatives from Tribes and Nations for work on specific projects.

    Some of these goals may take the form of one or more co-stewardship agreements between Voyageurs and Tribes. Additionally, or alternatively, other ways to build and grow relationships may be created.

    As a project crossing an international boundary and involving such a wide range of tribes and nations, this project may also serve as pattern for future co-stewardship projects in the United States and Canada.

  • The project core is workshops where Tribes, Nations, Voyageurs, and the Conservancy learn from each other and identify if and how to work towards stewardship. Additionally, virtual opportunities and single-day excursions into the park between workshops will provide further ways to contribute to these conversations and be involved in co-stewardship.

  • Invitations to participate have been sent to:

    • Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Mashkiiziibii);

    • Bois Forte Band of Chippewa (Zagaakwaandagowininiwag)

    • Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Nah-gah-chi-wa-nong)

    • Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Gichi-Onigaming)

    • Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

    • Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

    • Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag)

    • Lower Sioux Indian Community of Minnesota Mdewakanton Sioux (Cansa’yapi)

    • Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (Misi-zaaga’iganiing)

    • Prairie Island Indian Community of Minnesota Mdewakanton Sioux (Tinta Wita)

    • Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Gaa-Miskwaabikaang)

    • Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (Miskwaagamiiwi – Zaagaiganing)

    • St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin

    • Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Indian Community of Minnesota

    • Spirit Lake Nation

    • Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota

    • Upper Sioux Indian Community of Minnesota (Pezihutazizi Oyate)

    • White Earth Nation (Gaa- waabaabiganikaag)

    • Couchiching First Nation

    • Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation

    • Mitaanjigamiing First Nation

    • Naicatchewenin First Nations

    • Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation

    • Rainy River First Nation

    • Seine River First Nation

    • Métis Nation of Ontario

  • Tribal and National governments can designate attendees of their choosing.

  • Funds covering honorariums for attendance and reimbursement for travel, lodging and meals will be provided. Each attending Tribe or Nation will receive $5,400.

  • Minnesota Indian Education Association Annual Conference – March 18-20 | Mystic Lake, Shakopee, MN

    Voyageurs on Tap – May 14 | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Bang Brewing, St. Paul, MN

    In-Person Convening – June 22-24 | More details to come!

THANK YOU PARTNERS

Support for the Voyageurs Tribal Co-Stewardship Initiative generously provided by the National Park Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation.