Called “a groundbreaking move for Syilx-led environmental stewardship” by the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the signatories to the MOA are said to represent 126 elected leaders who have formalized their shared commitment to protecting water.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is the first time that elected leaders from the Syilx Nation and Local Governments have come together to discuss issues of common concern that transcend jurisdictional boundaries.  The MOA supports a shared pathway to address watershed challenges and opportunities.

The Collaborative Leadership Table, initiated through a partnership with Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) and the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) adapted CIER’s Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI) model for the Okanagan region to work together on watershed issues for the Okanagan and Similkameen Rivers.

Thebacha Leadership Council gains strength in unity in Fort Smith, N.W.T. by bringing together 4 local governments to tackle key community issue and receives community approval.

The Northern Whooping Crane Festival kicks off this weekend, running September 5-8. It’s the flagship event for the newly created Thebacha Leadership Council.The council, in the works for years was officially formalized through the Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI) on June 21 when five community leaders signed a memorandum of agreement to work collaboratively on areas of common concern.

The changemaker series highlights the organizations, supported by BHP Foundation, that work on building solutions to complex social and environmental challenges. This time, we highlight the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER)’s impact and its Collaborative Leadership Initiative.

Michael Miltenberger, a former longtime MLA and cabinet minister residing in Fort Smith gives his thoughts as the project lead on the new collaborative agreement among the Salt River First Nation, Smith’s Landing First Nation, Fort Smith Métis Council and Town of Fort Smith.

Elected leaders sign a historic agreement committing to work together to “building a strong, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable community, region, and territory for all with an unrivalled quality of life.”

An online interactive course that provides an introduction to collaborative consent, a core concept of CLI. Participants will gain knowledge and tools to advance collaborative decision making between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments over our shared lands, waters, and resources.

A formal brief submitted by CIER to the federal Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development for its study on freshwater. The brief discusses Indigenous water rights, suggests mechanisms for recognizing those rights, and shares learnings from existing collaborative models, including the Collaborative Leadership Initiative.

Summary of next steps identified by the Chiefs, Mayors and Reeves of the Collaborative Leadership Initiative

First Nations leaders and officials gather for a “land reclamation” ceremony at the site of the former Kapyong Barracks, which will one day be home to the largest urban reserve in Canada.

The CLI Manitoba leaders agreed to explore innovative solutions to address the deteriorating health of Lake Winnipeg.  This report, commissioned by CIER for the consideration of the CLI Manitoba leaders, examines the feasibility of a water quality trading program in the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

Everything you want to know about the Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI).

Relive the moments in this retrospective video of the CLI Manitoba project.

An introduction to the who, what, where, why and how of the CLI process.

Discover the complete CLI Manitoba journey leading to the signing of an historic MOU and joint initiatives between the leaders.

Read about three natural infrastructure projects that were sparked by the Collaborative Leadership Initiative.

A feature length documentary chronicling the CLI Manitoba process.

Municipal and Indigenous leaders in Manitoba speak about their collaborative efforts to save Lake Winnipeg and improve water quality.

The relationship building process of CLI Manitoba set the groundwork for this successful collaboration.

CLI Elders Rodney Burns, Stan McKay, and Garry McLean discuss reconciliation with CLI facilitators Merrell-Ann Phare and Michael Miltenberger.

CIER’s Richard Farthing-Nichol talks about how collaboration is a key aspect of saving Lake Winnipeg for future generations.

A Circular Approach: A virtual conference hosted by the CLI that explores circular economy solutions in Manitoba.