Meet Six Indigenous Leaders Helping Shape the Future of Grizzly Bear Conservation

June 15, 2026

Leadership, Stewardship, and Shared Learning Across the Lands of the Grizzly Bear

As we celebrate National Indigenous History Month, we are honoured to introduce members of the Indigenous Stewardship Advisory Circle, a group of respected Indigenous leaders, Knowledge Holders, conservation practitioners, and changemakers who help guide the Indigenous Roundtable on Grizzly Bear Conservation and the Grizzly Bear Foundation's Indigenous-led conservation efforts. Their collective experience and wisdom help inform our work in ethical space, wildlife stewardship, relationship-building, and the advancement of Indigenous-led approaches to conservation.

The Indigenous Roundtable was created to provide a space for Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and leadership to help shape the future of grizzly bear conservation. Through relationship-building, shared learning, and dialogue, the Roundtable brings together leaders from Nations and communities across western North America to explore how Indigenous stewardship can inform wildlife policy, stewardship practices, coexistence initiatives, and conservation partnerships.

The Advisory Circle helps guide this work, ensuring it remains grounded in Indigenous values, perspectives, responsibilities, and priorities while supporting a shared vision for the future of Indigenous-led wildlife stewardship.

Meet the Indigenous Stewardship Advisory Circle


Miles Richardson of the Haida Nation

Miles Richardson 

Haida Nation

Miles Richardson, O.C., is one of Canada's most respected Indigenous leaders and a lifelong advocate for Indigenous rights, stewardship, and Nation-to-Nation relationships.

A citizen of the Haida Nation, Miles has dedicated his life to advancing Indigenous governance while demonstrating how Indigenous laws, values, and responsibilities can guide the stewardship of lands, waters, and wildlife.

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Miles helped establish the Haida Gwaii Watchmen program, an initiative that has become an internationally recognized model for Indigenous stewardship, cultural protection, and Guardian programs across Canada. In 1984, he became the youngest person elected President of the Council of the Haida Nation, serving for twelve years.

During that time, he led the development of the Constitution of the Haida Nation, helped establish comprehensive land and marine use planning under Haida law, and played a central role in negotiating the landmark Gwaii Haanas Agreement between the Haida Nation and Canada.

For the Grizzly Bear Foundation and the Indigenous Roundtable, Miles brings a lifetime of experience rooted in stewardship, nationhood, and Indigenous leadership.

“If we're going to fix our relationship with grizzly bears, that must be led by Indigenous people." - MILES RICHARDSON
Douglas Neasloss of the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation

Douglas Neasloss

Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation

Douglas Neasloss is the Stewardship Director and an elected Councillor for the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation, where he has spent more than two decades advancing Indigenous-led conservation, wildlife stewardship, and sustainable economic development throughout the Great Bear Rainforest.

A respected leader, conservation advocate, and entrepreneur, Douglas has helped demonstrate how healthy ecosystems and strong communities can thrive together when stewardship remains at the centre of decision-making.

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A longtime advocate for grizzly bear conservation, Douglas played a leading role in efforts to end the trophy hunting of grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest and has helped advance Indigenous Guardian and stewardship programs.

Douglas is also widely recognized for helping build a globally respected ecotourism model that shares the story of the Great Bear Rainforest with visitors from around the world.

“The elders teach us: what we have here is not ours. It doesn't belong to us. We're just holding it for the next generation.” - DOUGLAS NEASLOSS
Laura Grizzlypaws of the St'át'imc Nation

Laura Grizzlypaws

St'át'imc Nation / Xwisten Bear Clan

Laura Grizzlypaws (Stálhalamcen – Grizzly Paws) is a respected St'át'imc educator, cultural leader, language advocate, artist, and internationally recognized performer whose life's work is dedicated to strengthening Indigenous identity, cultural revitalization, and community well-being.

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A member of Xwisten and the Bear Clan, Laura has spent decades sharing the teachings, values, and responsibilities that connect people to culture, language, wildlife, and the land.

Through storytelling, song, dance, and education, Laura has inspired countless people to reconnect with Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing.

As the newly appointed Chair of the Grizzly Bear Foundation Board of Directors, Laura brings a unique and deeply rooted Indigenous perspective to the Foundation's work.

“Grizzly bears are more than a species to protect; they are teachers. They show us what it means to live in balance, to respect seasons of rest and renewal, and to take only what is needed.” - LAURA GRIZZLYPAWS
Mike Willie

Mike Willie

Musgamakw Dzawada'enuxw / Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis

Mike Willie is an Indigenous entrepreneur, cultural leader, storyteller, and steward whose work is deeply rooted in sharing and protecting the lands, waters, wildlife, and cultural traditions of his ancestral territories on the central coast of British Columbia.

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As the founder of Sea Wolf Adventures, Mike has helped create a world-renowned Indigenous tourism experience that invites visitors to learn about wildlife, stewardship, and culture through Indigenous perspectives and lived experience.

Through his leadership, Mike has demonstrated how Indigenous-led tourism can serve as a powerful tool for cultural revitalization, conservation, education, and economic development.

For the Grizzly Bear Foundation and the Indigenous Roundtable, Mike brings a powerful voice grounded in experience, storytelling, and community leadership.

“Coexisting with grizzly bears starts from the respect and relationships that we've had with them for thousands of years." - MIKE WILLIE
Eli Enns of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

Eli Enns

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

Eli Enns is an internationally respected leader in Indigenous-led conservation, Nation-building, and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.

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A member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Eli has dedicated his career to advancing holistic approaches to community and ecosystem well-being grounded in Indigenous laws, governance systems, knowledge, and responsibilities to future generations.

A decade after helping establish the Ha'uukmin Tribal Park, Eli co-chaired the Indigenous Circle of Experts that developed the landmark We Rise Together report.

As Co-Founder and CEO of the IISAAK OLAM Foundation, Eli continues to work alongside Indigenous Nations across Canada to advance Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.

“In the Nuu-chah-nulth understanding of humanity, responsibility is built into what it means to be human—not only to sustain life, but to improve the world for the next generation.” - ELI ENNS
Richard Sparrow of Musqueam First Nation

Richard Sparrow

Musqueam First Nation

Richard Sparrow is a Musqueam Councillor, Haida descendant, and the Director of Indigenous-Led Conservation for the Grizzly Bear Foundation.

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Through his leadership of the Indigenous Roundtable on Grizzly Bear Conservation, Richard has helped create a space where Indigenous leaders, knowledge holders, and stewardship practitioners can come together to share experiences, build relationships, and help shape the future of Indigenous-led conservation.

Working alongside First Nations across British Columbia and beyond, Richard's work focuses on advancing Indigenous-led approaches to wildlife stewardship, coexistence, conservation policy, and Nation-to-Nation relationship building.

Through his work with the Grizzly Bear Foundation, he is helping advance a shared vision for Indigenous-led wildlife stewardship that supports healthy ecosystems, strong communities, and future generations.

“The grizzly is connected to the land, our creation stories, and who we are as Indigenous people.” - RICHARD SPARROW
Looking Ahead

As the Indigenous Roundtable continues to evolve, so too does the opportunity to strengthen Indigenous-led approaches to wildlife stewardship, conservation, and coexistence across British Columbia and beyond. Guided by the wisdom, experience, and leadership of Indigenous Nations, the work ahead is about more than protecting wildlife, it is about strengthening relationships, supporting nationhood, and ensuring that stewardship responsibilities are carried forward for future generations.

The Indigenous Stewardship Advisory Circle helps ground this work in Indigenous values, knowledge systems, and lived experience. Their collective leadership continues to inspire new conversations about how Indigenous stewardship can help shape the future of conservation and the relationship between people, wildlife, and the lands and waters we all depend upon.

As we celebrate National Indigenous History Month, we extend our gratitude to the Elders, Knowledge Holders, Guardians, leaders, and communities who continue to share their teachings and guide this journey. Their leadership reminds us that stewardship is rooted in relationship, responsibility, reciprocity, and respect — and that by walking together, we can create a stronger future for both people and wildlife.



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