Who We Are
Since 2018, the Resilient Indigenous Leaders Network (RILN) has been a beacon of support for community-based Indigenous leaders across territories, cultivating wellness and resilience. Founded on principles of cultural strength and personal wellness, RILN offers a wealth of resources.
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In a pivotal workshop hosted by MakeWay Foundation and Nature United, remote Indigenous leaders from various regions across British Columbia came together. Identifying the pressing need for a support system, they conceived RILN—an interconnected peer collective operating on the MakeWay Shared Platform.
Why Support RILN?
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Building Relationships
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Learning and Celebrating Successes
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Strengthening Communities
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Prioritizing Personal Resilience
We are actively seeking funder partners committed to supporting the personal and professional well-being of Indigenous leaders. Your support enables them to continue their invaluable work within their communities.
Our Guiding Values
Indigenous-lead stewardship
Wellness
Decolonization and Indigenization
Safety, Trust and Confidentiality
Knowledge and experience sharing
Mutual care and accountability
Our Mission
RILN is a unique peer support network fostering wellness and providing a safe space for Indigenous leaders to share, strategize, and learn. We advance Indigenous authority, governance, cultural resilience, and territorial stewardship.
Our Vision
To create thriving, resilient, and well-supported Indigenous leaders stewarding their territories.
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To know that we have a place to go to for support, a safe place to discuss what challenges we face and step back from the day-to-day stress and have a look from a distance gives a chance to refocus and reset my goals.
CURTIS DICKIE, Q’omxalagelis,
Gathering 2020
Our Background
For millennia, the indigenous people of this land have intentionally and methodically cared for the land and waters of our territories with systems that nurture the entire ecosystem, not just as “resources” but as a living entity in which we are a part of. With the arrival of new colonial governments and systems, which resulted in the loss of culture, language, traditions, and most importantly, people themselves, there are lasting impacts that we are seeing within our communities.
Often, human resources are one of the scarcest resources we see within communities so, those who are able, regularly take on several leadership roles within community. Unfortunately, those who take on leadership roles within indigenous communities also risk becoming the target of lateral violence, which compounded by the lack of self-care, may lead to burnout and diminished mental and physical health. This is heightened by the varying levels of isolation and loneliness when living and working within remote communities; leaders often feel as if they are the only communities with the challenges they are facing.
Indigenous communities are using traditional systems to lead the change in the areas of environmental stewardship, sustainable economic strategies, and balanced governance models. This is being done in many diverse ways including:​
Creating and implementing Indigenous Guardian Programs
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Declaring and managing several levels of consideration (Indigenous protected and conserved area, marine protected areas, land use orders, national marine conservation area reserves, safe wildlife programs, etc.)
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Acknowledging Indigenous laws that support traditional ways of knowing
The reality is that the territories and communities can only be as healthy as the people are. The health and wellbeing of Indigenous leaders contributes directly to the health of the natural environment and the ecosystems they support. If given the tools and time to take care of themselves, they are better equipped to take care of their communities and territories. If we take care of the ecosystem, it will take care of us.
By bringing leaders together and providing them the space and tools to take care of themselves, RILN directly supports stronger leaders within communities. Shared experiences allow them to be more confident in their leadership abilities and a leader who is well within themselves, is better able to support and respect for the wellbeing of others within their communities.
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Coming to these gatherings is an opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges, working to protect our lands and waters and strengthen our culture while dealing with the realities of colonization.
Nuskmata, Nuxalk Nation
Gathering 2019
Primary Activities of the Resilient Indigenous Leaders Network
Gathering
RILN hosts an in-person week-long Gathering annually providing a safe space for Indigenous community leaders to connect. At the Gathering we celebrate successes, discuss challenges, and share culturally informed stewardship practices. The Gathering focuses on a couple of areas of focus- Wellbeing & Networking.
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Wellbeing: through the support of elders, cultural support teams, indigenous counsellors, and practitioners, RILN members navigate the impacts of burnout, stress, and exhaustion brought on by lateral violence, systemic racism, colonial systems, intergenerational trauma, grief, and juggling many different roles for their community and territory.
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Networking: the Gathering allows indigenous leaders from remote communities who may have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise, to connect and collaborate.
Professional & Personal Wellbeing Supports
RILN members have year-round access to various wellbeing services, including:
Indigenous counselling and coaching sessions
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Indigenous dietitian and nutritionist services
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Physical fitness, personal trainer, massage therapy services & Trauma-informed yoga classes
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Mentee and mentorship
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Travel to cultural events, such as potlatches