Guardians Gathering
Guardians Gathering
Guardian Lake Babine

WILLIE BERTACCO

Lake Babine Nation Guardian

My name is Willie Bertacco. I am a proud Lake Babine Nation member, born and raised on our lands.

During COVID, our Nation formed several committees focused on key areas like wildlife, fisheries, governance, and mining. I joined the wildlife committee alongside other LBN members because we shared a common goal: to see our own people out on the Yintah (territory), actively monitoring and working to understand the moose population, a vital resource our members have long depended on.

Over the last 10 to 20 years, we’ve seen a noticeable decline in moose across our territory. As Guardians, our first major project was a grizzly bear DNA study, aimed at understanding whether predator activity — something we’ve observed firsthand, might be linked to the drop in moose numbers.

As a Guardian, I’m proud to serve our people and our territory. We’re committed to collecting our own data, using both science and Indigenous knowledge, to help restore and protect moose populations for future generations.

 

Other Guardians

ANDY PUGLAS

Guardian Manager for Mamalilaculla First Nation, where he leads stewardship efforts across the Nation’s traditional territory. With deep land-based knowledge and a commitment to community-driven conservation, Andy supports the Guardian team in protecting marine and cultural resources, advancing restoration projects like the Clam Garden, and guiding the Nation’s conservation vision for the Nations IPCA.

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Guardian Mamalilikulla

CHIP MOUNTAIN

Senior Guardian for the Mamalilakulla First Nation and captain of the Nation’s Guardian boat, he patrols the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA), safeguards cultural and ecological sites, and works closely with archaeologists to help answer the Nation’s questions about its lands and waters.

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Guardian Okanagan

BRUCE WEAVER

Bruce Weaver is a Field Technician and Guardian with the Okanagan Indian Band, bringing deep knowledge and hands-on experience to a wide range of land-based stewardship work. His role spans wildfire recovery, wildlife monitoring, and ecosystem restoration, supporting the Band’s commitment to protecting and revitalizing their territory

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