On March 5, the Wasanay Mnising Land Back Initiative, The Circle on Philanthropy, and Social Innovation Canada hosted From Commitment to Action: Advancing Land Back and Rematriation. This online convening offered space for shared dialogue and reflection on how funders, allies, and impact leaders can meaningfully and pragmatically support Indigenous-led Land Back efforts.
Over the course of three hours, participants shared stories of Land Back efforts that are strengthening communities across Turtle Island. Indigenous leaders, settlers, and folks working across institutional and on-the-ground settings enriched this conversation with both honesty and possibility — openly reflecting on the challenges, joys, opportunities, and ongoing questions this work presents. Here, we wish to share insights and resources from this conversation to continue to inspire action around Land Back.
Moving from intention to responsibility
In dialogue and panel discussion with Nikeeta Tabobondung (Wasanay Mnising Land Back Initiative), Chris Googoo (Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation), Chiyi Tam (Toronto Chinatown Land Trust), Kris Archie (The Circle on Philanthropy), and Sarah Bradley (Land Justice Futures), one theme continued to surface: that relationality is the foundation of Land Back. This goes beyond transaction towards a recovery of accountability to the land, to its traditional stewards, and to all who share life on it.
That accountability, panelists underscored, includes using our skills, resources, and influence to support the practical components of Land Back. Rather than placing additional burden on Indigenous communities, allies can contribute technical services, funding, organizational capacity, and other forms of support required to bring opportunities to fruition.
“It wasn't necessarily that we were looking to build relationships with individuals or foundations. It was to build a relationship with the land itself. And from then on, that will create a foundation to build relationships between ourselves as human beings.”
Panelists also discussed the importance of philanthropic organizations showing up as people rather than institutions, taking the time to learn Indigenous histories and visions, and engaging through cultural protocols and land-based experiences. Rather than imposing timelines or agendas, they encouraged funders to align with community-led processes and understand that Land Back is ultimately about restoring relationships — not just between people, but with the land itself. This includes being transparent and reciprocal in partnerships, offering flexible and unrestricted funding, and providing evolving support over time — from operational support to long-term capital.
“When we begin with the relationship to the land, the land has so much to teach us about how to be in good relationship to each other as human beings in this time and place.”
At the same time, panelists encouraged allies to not let gaps or questions prevent first steps. Strong relationships are cultivated over time, and time-bound pieces of work may need to move quicker. Successful Land Back initiatives can happen quickly and in a good way. While trust and shared understanding are essential foundations, funders can build the internal readiness and flexibility to move resources and decision-making at speed, especially in moments when landholders are ready to transition land.
Land Back holds insights for systems change everywhere
Land Back represents a fundamental reorientation towards the systems that affect us, many of which are shaped by colonialism. It models the relationality that is at the core of systems change: inviting actors holding different puzzle pieces to learn, share, coordinate, and problem solve together.
Both Land Back and broader systems change efforts begin with the simple recognition that our current systems are not immutable — they are inherited, often from colonial frameworks, and they can be changed. Different, more just, community-centered, and Indigenous-led ways of relating to land and to one another are both possible and already in practice.
“The land itself doesn't care about the property system. Our relationship to land and our relationships with each other have existed for millennia and will continue to exist outside of this strange structure we've created.”
“We're pitted against each other in these weird structures and systems, you know. And the resistance to that is these moments, is love, and new understanding.”
This shared recognition was the seed for the Wasanay Mnising Land Back Initiative, an effort currently underway to return Wasan Island Retreat Center to Indigenous stewardship. This initiative began with a willingness to imagine how land, governance, and resources can be organized differently. Now fully mobilized with local First Nations champions and a growing network of collaborators, the project is ready to move into the next phase with the launch of a fundraising campaign, a plan for summer programming on the island, and a long-term vision for healing, wellness, prosperity, and intergenerational connection.
Practical resources for advancing Land Back
The reflections shared through this convening are not endpoints, but invitations. Whether you joined the conversation or are engaging with it here, we hope they support you in deepening relationships, building knowledge, and identifying tangible ways your organization can contribute. Below are practical resources shared during the convening to support that work.
“This work is happening, it's not a fad, it's deeply important, it's critical for all of our survival, it's possible, it's beautiful. And so we really need people out there doing the organizing within their communities.”
Initiatives Shared:
- Treaty Land Sharing Network – Connecting farmers and landholders with Indigenous land users.
- LodgePole Arts Alliance – LodgePole Arts Alliance (LPAA) is leading a transformative initiative to create Canada’s first publicly accessible, Indigenous-owned, operated, programmed, and animated land-based arts studio complex
- Reciprocity Trusts – Wealth redistribution through settler rent/property payments.
- Respect, Care, Share: A platform focusing on Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship.
- Sustainable Economies Law Center: Resources and legal tools that support sustainable, permanent community energy and land.
- Center for Ethical Land Transition – Decommodifying, rematriating, and increasing accessibility to land
- Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts: Email shared: info@communityland.ca
- First Light (Land Return Initiative)- A Collective of non-native land-oriented organizations working to center and expand Wabanaki land access, stewardship, and relationship.
- XAXE TENEW sacred land society – The Rematriate Stewardship Project Land Back to house Saltwater Salish women to protect their right to learn language, care for the land, heal through culture and being on the land.
- All Our Relations Land Trust – Supporting and restoring diverse ecosystems and safeguarding the life of the land.
- Sogorea Te’ Land Trust – Urban Indigenous women-led land trust that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people.
- Artspace – Current and future work around ‘Gallery Back’
Panellist Organizations:
- Wasanay Mnising Land Back Initiative
- The Circle on Philanthropy
- Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation & Ulnooweg Education Centre.
- Land Justice Futures
- Toronto Chinatown Land Trust
Articles and Examples of Land Back Initiatives Shared:
- FSPA Returns Arbor Vitae Property
- Thesis – “And by Community Wealth Building, Do You Mean Land Back? Points of Relation Between Land Back and Community Wealth Building”
- Red River Métis Reclaim Ste-Madeleine
- Definity Foundation & Definity Financial support for Indigenous land stewardship at Ulnooweg Education Centre
- Sacred Grounds Guide: A Right Relations Guidebook on Native Burials and Cultural Items
Songs Shared:
- Land Back by The Halluci Nation
- Wasted by William Prince
- Pomawsuwinuwok Wanakiyawolotuwok / ᐯᒪᐧᓱᐧᐃᓄᐧᐁᒃᐧᐊᓇᑭᔭᐧᐁᓓᑐᐧᐁᒃ / People are rising by Jeremy Dutcher
- Hear our Prayers by Joel Wood
- Talk to Giants by Caley Watts
- Kingummungaaq by Joshua Haulli
- Matriarch by LOV
- Also shared: Nadya Kwandibens – #Indigenous Playlist on Spotify
Reflection and Dialogue Questions
You can find all the reflection and dialogue questions in this deck.
