Commitment to Inclusion

We welcome everyone in 

At Birds Canada, we believe that Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility are foundational to everything we do to uncover, unite, and act for bird conservation.  

To truly protect birds and their habitats, we must ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences feel welcome, valued, and able to participate. We are committed to reducing barriers and creating safe, inclusive spaces that empower everyone’s curiosity and connection to birds.

Our Commitment to Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation 

Birds Canada respects the inherent and Treaty rights of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, including rights to unceded lands. We recognize that our engagement with Indigenous peoples must be fundamentally different than with non-Indigenous groups, because they are rights-holders, and our role is to listen, learn about, help to uphold, and support those rights. 

Birds Canada expresses sincere gratitude to all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, whose territories we live and work on. We firmly believe, and have been shaken by, the history, impacts, and ongoing challenges of colonization. We are deeply grateful for the willingness and generosity of Indigenous communities who welcome us to learn, share, and work with them toward truth, reconciliation, and creating a positive future.  

We recognize that Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship – grounded in holistic, self-determined land-use practices – are essential to achieving our vision of thriving birds. Supporting land, food, and data sovereignty, language revitalization, and Indigenous knowledge systems are key to advancing this work and beginning to decolonize conservation. 

We approach our work with respect for both Indigenous and western scientific knowledge systems – and are committed to working collaboratively based on respect, reciprocity, and free, prior, and informed consent to gather, document and share knowledge.  

  As part of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, we will: 

• Support and uplift Indigenous rights, voices, knowledge, and expertise throughout our work, including the long-term protection and stewardship of important places for birds 
• Pursue Truth and Reconciliation and take meaningful steps to decolonize our work

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility 

Birds Canada is committed to advancing bird conservation through inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible approaches that reflect the diversity and input of the communities who care for nature. These approaches strengthen our impact, value, expertise, and resilience as an organization, helping us navigate change more effectively, consider a wider range of perspectives and expertise, and make better, more inclusive decisions.  

Through ongoing learning, reflection, and action, we are committed to building a more inclusive and representative future for bird conservation in Canada and beyond. 

As part of our commitment to build a more inclusive and representative Birds Canada, we will: 

• Increase diversity and inclusion in our workforce 
• Strengthen organizational awareness and integration of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility principles 
• Improve our understanding of how existing or new programs and policies at Birds Canada address and advance Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, and make progress to reduce or remove barriers. 

Truth, reconciliation, and Indigenous engagement, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility priorities are intentionally and thoughtfully woven throughout all the pillars of our Strategic Plan to hold ourselves accountable for meaningful change. This commitment grounds and guides our annual work planning, policies, and processes, ensuring that our mission is pursued in ways that reduce barriers to engagement and centre underrepresented voices and ways of knowing. 

At Birds Canada, we welcome everyone in.