Guardian & Stewardship

SIGNIFICANCE

Being one with the land, its Guardians & Stewards, is an honour that has been bestowed upon on the Piikani Nation by the Great Spirit and carried since time immemorial.

ESSENTIAL

The Piikani Nation honour the original practices and customs of how to live with, and care for the land. For the Piikani to thrive, the ecosystem and land must thrive as well.

Instructions on living the original life were orally passed down to the Piikani with complete rules, protocol and law. These important components are held and passed on by Knowledge Keepers and the Piikanissini Knowledge System.

Caring for the land, water, air, plants, animals, vegetation (ecosystem) and the four elements (earth, water, fire & air) is essential. The land holds the Piikani identity, the sky holds many of the stories, the plants provide food & medicines, and animals provide power to the Piikani People.

A Piikani biocultural approach is the method of conserving and restoring biodiversity in our ancestral lands, in particular those biological beings of significance to Piikani culture and ceremonies. The implementation of such an approach for Piikani requires drawing from multiple disciplinary roots with a common interest in understanding the relationship between biological, cultural, and linguistic diversity and their inextricable linkages, of which applies to all intergovernmental relationships.

With the intricate and complex knowledge of their territory enshrined in their laws and protocols Piikani Defined Cultural Keystone Species are the lens and measure of the inherent right that require Piikani definition, monitoring and protection.

PROPONENT

Acknowledge that the Piikani inherit the responsibility of guardianship and stewardship of the land, natural resources & ecosystem from Piikani ancestors, who in turn were bestowed with the duty by the Great Spirit.

Respect and care for the land, water, air, plants, animals, vegetation, and eco-system is mandatory for all proponents.

PROTOCOL

Recognition of the value and history of protective measures enacted by Piikani Guardians and Stewards is expected.

Respect for continued land, natural resource, and ecosystem stewardship is a prerequisite to any development within the Piikani territory.

All proposed activities must satisfy Piikani’s Guardianship & Stewardship criteria for responsible development.