NEW VIDEO: Why Land Needs Guardians in the Chesapeake

We are absolutely over the moon to see this fantastic video featuring wonderful leadership of Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division (CIT-ED) sharing why Indigenous Guardians are good medicine for all! 

Recently, the Tribe hosted a community, hands-on workshop with the REED Center for Ecosystem Restoration with funding from Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to develop a new food forest on Tribal lands that can feed all relations--human and non-human alike! The workshop helped connect tribal citizens from not just CIT-ED, but also the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Patawomeck Indian Tribe, and Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe to revitalize Indigenous Knowledge. With hands and hearts, good relations helped support the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Program by demonstrating ways to reduce water pollution flowing to local tributaries while supporting food sovereignty in this rural tribal community located in New Kent County, Virginia.

"I just feel that sense of coming home. I'm very proud to see my children, and now my grandchildren have a different perspective on life. We wanted to teach them...you have a heritage."

--Chief Joanne Howard, Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division Indigenous Guardians programs are growing around the world to support Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and caring for tribal homelands. They have been transformative for Indigenous communities and ecosystems by healing water, wildlife, and communities. We join our friends and neighbors from the Indigenous Leadership Initiative in the goal to support Tribal Nations in creating their own Indigenous Guardians right here in the Chesapeake!

We believe that when Indigenous peoples are on the land and caring for their lands, that lands, waters, and communities are whole and healthy. That's why we are calling for the Chesapeake Bay Program to honor tribal sovereignty and Indigenous Knowledge in the revised Agreement now out for public comment until September 1, 2025.

SIGN THE PETITION!

Join us to insist that it is now the time for the Chesapeake Bay Program to give Tribal Nations a seat at the table and fund a new Indigenous Guardians program to develop jobs and opportunities for tribal citizens to heal and care for their homelands.

Help us create a healthy Bay by signing our petition today and encouraging others to join you.