Position Summary

Reporting to the Guardians Manager, the ʔAkisq̓nuk Guardians are to watch over, nurture and bring healing to the lands, waters and cultural places that are the foundation of Ktunaxa life. By carrying out this sacred responsibility, Guardians advance cultural revitalization, environmental stewardship, self-determination, and community well-being.

Guardians are the boots on-the-ground responsible to uphold ʔaknumuȼtiⱡiⱡ (Ktunaxa law) and a positive relationship with ʔa·kxam̓is q̓api qapsin (all living things), in addition to the assertion and protection of ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation (AFN) Rights and Title throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa. The AFN Guardian team maintains a presence throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa; safeguards cultural knowledge, cultural conservation values and heritage sites; walks alongside Elders and members to offer community support; collects and compiles environmental, resource and land use data; observes, records and reports possible violations of AFN stewardship policies and provincial and federal regulations; and empowers children and youth (Guardians in training). Recognizing the central importance of Ktunaxa knowledge to sound natural and cultural resource management, AFN Guardians also hold a prominent role in implementing land-based cultural revitalization initiatives.

The work of the AFN Guardians supports all AFN Lands & Resources Department programs. While watching over the land, this position participates in terrestrial, aquatics, forestry and archaeological fieldwork within ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa. The position requires a willingness to undertake physical work at times, hike through forests, in wetlands, over rough and at times steep terrain.



The position conducts logistical planning for fieldwork which includes consideration of general safety precautions and the ability to make updates to plans working in the field. Work in the field includes, but not limited to observing, collecting, and accurately recording forest, wildlife, vegetation, habitat, and archaeology data using field notebooks or a tablet. The desire to learn from Elders and record customary laws and governance approaches to develop capacity within the Nation is a must.

As a whole, the AFN Guardians are responsible for a wide range of duties. It is expected that each AFN Guardian will have various expertise, areas of interest and competencies in several, but not necessarily all, of the duties and areas of responsibility.

ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation (ʔAFN) is a member Community of the Ktunaxa Nation. ʔAFN exists for the Community. Externally, we are here to serve the Community, and internally, we are our own Community, comprised of different departments unified by our Vision, Mission, and Values. As a team, through our own roles and departments, the ʔAFN Organization works together to achieve our strategic plan “Our Thinking” and continue to progress and move our community forward.

Major Position Responsibilities

Guardians are stewards who keep Ktunaxa knowledge alive. They observe, record and report on the health of ecosystems and cultural sites,



and share their knowledge or concerns with communities, visitors, stakeholders and partners.

Maintain a presence throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa on behalf of ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation

- q̓api qapsin kin ʔitkin hin ʔisti Ktunaxa (Everything you do, you do for Ktunaxa). This central teaching guides the Guardians’ purpose; to serve the Ktunaxa people, lands, and future generations.

- Establish relationships with Elders, Knowledge Holders and members to support community and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
- Conduct patrols throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa monitor and report land use activities and possible violations of AFN land laws as well as federal/provincial regulations.
- Care for cultural sites, such as removing litter and making offerings.
- Educate children and youth to foster interest and awareness in land and water stewardship.
- Respond to community reports concerning illegal or suspicious environmental activities in AFN territory (i.e., wildlife concerns, illegal dumping, fishing out of season, etc.).
- Respond professionally to observed violations in an appropriate manner by approaching resource users and documenting and reporting relevant information.
- Create presence through public awareness, visitor engagement, and microlearning opportunities while interacting with resource users, including recreational and commercial hunters, fishers, trappers, and plant harvesters to raise awareness of the need to protect AFN land.

Monitor cultural and environmental values through stewardship and knowledge integration

- Draw on land-based knowledge and cultural conservation values to monitor indicators of ʔa·kxam̓is q̓api qapsin (

📌 ʔAkisq̓nuk Guardians (Canada)
🏢 Akisqnuk First Nation
📍 Canada