Relearning reciprocity: Indigenous leadership and the future of conservation – David Suzuki Foundation
April 15, 2026
Reciprocity is a key element of the world views of many Indigenous cultures, including those in Canada. The relationships between people, lands, waters and all living things create a web of connections that sustain all life. Reciprocity recognizes the importance of each of these connections and values giving and receiving in equal measure in each of these relationships.
Our modern industrialized Western society does not function in alignment with this view of reciprocal relationships. We have long been taking more from our lands and waters than we have been giving back, often without an understanding of the consequences. The world’s biodiversity and natural spaces are increasingly under pressure as resource extraction and industrial development continue. With this comes a loss of function and the services that ecosystems provide, including water filtration, carbon storage, temperature regulation, flood prevention, food provisioning and more. Many Indigenous Peoples in Canada live on the front lines of industrial development and directly experience its impacts. There is a huge opportunity to address the biodiversity crisis and advance reconciliation by empowering Indigenous Peoples to reclaim governance of their lands and waters and integrating their knowledge and world views into stewardship.
