Guardians Gathering
Guardians Gathering

We connect and support the critical work of First Nations Guardians

We connect and support the critical work of First Nations Guardians

Our Mission

The First Nations National Guardians Network (NGN) is a national non-profit that aims to support First Nations-led stewardship and sovereignty through First Nations Guardians initiatives. We do this by providing consistent funding, networking, training, and education opportunities that support the profession of Guardians.

The NGN is the first Indigenous-led national stewardship network in the world. It is designed and managed 
by First Nations individuals, and it centers on First Nations knowledge, values, and perspectives.

Our Mission

The First Nations National Guardians Network (NGN) is a national non-profit that aims to support First Nations-led stewardship and sovereignty through First Nations Guardians initiatives. We do this by providing consistent funding, networking, training, and education opportunities that support the profession of Guardians.

The NGN is the first Indigenous-led national stewardship network in the world. It is designed and managed 
by First Nations individuals, and it centers on First Nations knowledge, values, and perspectives.

Our Team

Here at the First Nations Guardian Network we have a dedicated team of professionals, passionate about making a change, amplyfing voices and protecting the future.

Jaimee Gaunce

Jaimee Gaunce

Executive Director
Hailing from Pasqua First Nation in Treaty Four Territory in Saskatchewan, Jaime has built a career out of working with the housing and natural resources sectors to empower Indigenous peoples in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Jaimee’s perspectives on public policy and Indigenous relations are highly sought after. She currently sits on the Justice Committee for her First Nation, The Regina Homelessness Board, and several other committees and boards of directors in the community housing sector.
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Jaimee Gaunce

Jaimee Gaunce

Executive Director
Hailing from Pasqua First Nation in Treaty Four Territory in Saskatchewan, Jaime has built a career out of working with the housing and natural resources sectors to empower Indigenous peoples in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Jaimee’s perspectives on public policy and Indigenous relations are highly sought after. She currently sits on the Justice Committee for her First Nation, The Regina Homelessness Board, and several other committees and boards of directors in the community housing sector.

Our Team

Jack-Shaw

Jack Shaw

Communications & PR Manager
Jack Shaw is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in marketing communications, digital strategy, and fund development. As a former VP of Marketing & Development and an award-winning creative director, Jack has consistently delivered innovative strategies that drive meaningful community impact. His expertise includes forging impactful partnerships and leading initiatives that foster sustainable development and engagement.
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Jack-Shaw

Jack Shaw

Communications & PR Manager
Jack Shaw is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in marketing communications, digital strategy, and fund development. As a former VP of Marketing & Development and an award-winning creative director, Jack has consistently delivered innovative strategies that drive meaningful community impact. His expertise includes forging impactful partnerships and leading initiatives that foster sustainable development and engagement.

Council

Melody Lepine

Director of Government & Industry Relations, Mikisew Cree First Nation
Melody Lepine has been working for her Nation since 2003 and is mandated to lead all consultation matters pertaining to natural resource development within the Mikisew Cree’s Treaty 8 territory. She is very passionate about her stewardship role and notes her significant accomplishments have been the development of their land use plan that supported the creation of the recent Kitaskino Nuwenëné wildland park, a significant conservation area within the Athabasca Oil Sands region. She also oversees the Mikisew community-based environmental monitoring program that continues to monitor the ecological health of the Peace-Athabasca Delta within Wood Buffalo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Melody Lepine

Director of Government & Industry Relations, Mikisew Cree First Nation
Melody Lepine has been working for her Nation since 2003 and is mandated to lead all consultation matters pertaining to natural resource development within the Mikisew Cree’s Treaty 8 territory. She is very passionate about her stewardship role and notes her significant accomplishments have been the development of their land use plan that supported the creation of the recent Kitaskino Nuwenëné wildland park, a significant conservation area within the Athabasca Oil Sands region. She also oversees the Mikisew community-based environmental monitoring program that continues to monitor the ecological health of the Peace-Athabasca Delta within Wood Buffalo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read more

Marjolaine Tshernish

Directrice Générale, Institut Tshakapesh
Marjolaine Tshernish is a member of the Innu community of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, on the North shore of the St. Lawrence River. As Director General for the Tshakapesh Institute, she is responsible for ensuring the mission of the organization, which serves all communities of the Nation Innue, safeguarding and promoting Innu culture and the Innu Language and ensuring the preservation of natural heritage, linguistic development and encouraging artistic expression.

Marjolaine Tshernish

Directrice Générale, Institut Tshakapesh
Marjolaine Tshernish is a member of the Innu community of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, on the North shore of the St. Lawrence River. As Director General for the Tshakapesh Institute, she is responsible for ensuring the mission of the organization, which serves all communities of the Nation Innue, safeguarding and promoting Innu culture and the Innu Language and ensuring the preservation of natural heritage, linguistic development and encouraging artistic expression.
Read more

Gillian Stavely

Director of Culture and Land Stewardship, Dena Kayeh Institute (DKI)
Gillian Staveley is a Kaska Dena citizen whose heritage lies in the Muncho Lake region of Dena Kēyeh in Northern British Columbia. She is passionate about promoting and educating others about the importance of multi-generational Indigenous knowledge. In her work as a director for DKI, a Kaska-run charitable organization, she helps tell the story of Kaska Stewardship within her traditional territory and works to ensure that relationships with her people and the land are done so through UNDRIP’s obligations and commitment.

Gillian Stavely

Director of Culture and Land Stewardship, Dena Kayeh Institute (DKI)
Gillian Staveley is a Kaska Dena citizen whose heritage lies in the Muncho Lake region of Dena Kēyeh in Northern British Columbia. She is passionate about promoting and educating others about the importance of multi-generational Indigenous knowledge. In her work as a director for DKI, a Kaska-run charitable organization, she helps tell the story of Kaska Stewardship within her traditional territory and works to ensure that relationships with her people and the land are done so through UNDRIP’s obligations and commitment.
Read more

Council

Melody Lepine

Director of Government & Industry Relations, Mikisew Cree First Nation
Melody Lepine has been working for her Nation since 2003 and is mandated to lead all consultation matters pertaining to natural resource development within the Mikisew Cree’s Treaty 8 territory. She is very passionate about her stewardship role and notes her significant accomplishments have been the development of their land use plan that supported the creation of the recent Kitaskino Nuwenëné wildland park, a significant conservation area within the Athabasca Oil Sands region. She also oversees the Mikisew community-based environmental monitoring program that continues to monitor the ecological health of the Peace-Athabasca Delta within Wood Buffalo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Melody Lepine

Director of Government & Industry Relations, Mikisew Cree First Nation
Melody Lepine has been working for her Nation since 2003 and is mandated to lead all consultation matters pertaining to natural resource development within the Mikisew Cree’s Treaty 8 territory. She is very passionate about her stewardship role and notes her significant accomplishments have been the development of their land use plan that supported the creation of the recent Kitaskino Nuwenëné wildland park, a significant conservation area within the Athabasca Oil Sands region. She also oversees the Mikisew community-based environmental monitoring program that continues to monitor the ecological health of the Peace-Athabasca Delta within Wood Buffalo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read more

Marjolaine Tshernish

Directrice Générale, Institut Tshakapesh
Marjolaine Tshernish is a member of the Innu community of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, on the North shore of the St. Lawrence River. As Director General for the Tshakapesh Institute, she is responsible for ensuring the mission of the organization, which serves all communities of the Nation Innue, safeguarding and promoting Innu culture and the Innu Language and ensuring the preservation of natural heritage, linguistic development and encouraging artistic expression.

Marjolaine Tshernish

Directrice Générale, Institut Tshakapesh
Marjolaine Tshernish is a member of the Innu community of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, on the North shore of the St. Lawrence River. As Director General for the Tshakapesh Institute, she is responsible for ensuring the mission of the organization, which serves all communities of the Nation Innue, safeguarding and promoting Innu culture and the Innu Language and ensuring the preservation of natural heritage, linguistic development and encouraging artistic expression.
Read more

Gillian Stavely

Director of Culture and Land Stewardship, Dena Kayeh Institute (DKI)
Gillian Staveley is a Kaska Dena citizen whose heritage lies in the Muncho Lake region of Dena Kēyeh in Northern British Columbia. She is passionate about promoting and educating others about the importance of multi-generational Indigenous knowledge. In her work as a director for DKI, a Kaska-run charitable organization, she helps tell the story of Kaska Stewardship within her traditional territory and works to ensure that relationships with her people and the land are done so through UNDRIP’s obligations and commitment.

Gillian Stavely

Director of Culture and Land Stewardship, Dena Kayeh Institute (DKI)
Gillian Staveley is a Kaska Dena citizen whose heritage lies in the Muncho Lake region of Dena Kēyeh in Northern British Columbia. She is passionate about promoting and educating others about the importance of multi-generational Indigenous knowledge. In her work as a director for DKI, a Kaska-run charitable organization, she helps tell the story of Kaska Stewardship within her traditional territory and works to ensure that relationships with her people and the land are done so through UNDRIP’s obligations and commitment.
Read more

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