Land Stewardship
Sacred Spaces for Sustainable Life
Mno Aki Land Trust embodies Indigenous-led land stewardship, guided by grandmothers who honor their ancestral role as caretakers of Mama Aki, the Beautiful Good Earth. We cultivate sacred spaces that nurture sustainable ways of life, honoring Indigenous stewardship and regenerating Mama Aki for thriving future generations. The organization holds, sustainably uses, and regenerates land and water ecosystems across Canada, prioritizing conservation for the health of future generations through cultural practices, ceremonies, seed planting, and education. By facilitating land transfers, tax-deductible donations, and reconnection for landless Indigenous peoples, Mno Aki fosters food sovereignty, resilience against historical traumas, and reconciliation with Canada.
CONSERVATION
Our conservation efforts are founded in the belief that humans are part of the land, not separate from it. This unbreakable and sacred connection to land requires that humans have respect for the environment and strive to maintain balance in coexisting with the land and other species that inhabit it.
LAND BASED LEARNING
Learning on and with the land fosters values of respect, reciprocity, humility and responsibility that help learners better understand themselves, their interconnection with living systems and their place in the world. These skills help to cultivate whole humans with strength and resiliency of mind, body, emotions and spirit.
STEWARDSHIP
Relationships with the land are inherently local. We provide the tools, resources and support systems to local groups to steward lands, ecosystems and waterways based on local teachings, knowledge systems and relationships with the land.
CULTURAL REVITALIZATION
Land and water are inextricable from Indigenous cultures; they cannot be separated from Indigenous ways of life, identities, values, spiritual practices, or knowledge systems. We build sacred spaces to support ceremony, language and ways of understanding.
Nurture Nature
Local Culture
We help local Indigenous communities and members access land and steward based on their local values, culture and priorities.
Community Values
We believe in kindness, caring and generosity of spirit. We believe everyone has a role to play and something to contribute to the betterment of the whole.
Relationships
The land offers us a foundation for food systems, shelter, purpose and economy. We all have a place and a role.
Inclusive Benefits
When everyone works together, everyone is a valued member of the community. We believe in meaningful collaboration between all peoples.