IPCAs are grounded in place, led by Indigenous Nations, governments, and communities who hold deep responsibilities and relationships to their traditional territories and homelands. IPCA Innovation Centres serve as powerful regional hubs—connecting multiple IPCAs, strengthening networks, and providing the tools and support needed for Indigenous-led conservation to thrive.

IPCA Innovation Centres are intended to be grassroots initiatives, meaning that their structures, governance, and outcomes will be based on the needs of the Indigenous communities that they are serving. This also means that the Centres need to be able to adapt and evolve alongside the changing needs of the communities in their region.

Guided by each community’s or region’s priorities, the centres may host programs in language and cultural revitalization, Indigenous economics and stewardship in action, eco-cultural tourism, Indigenous technologies and artisanship, and guardian training, among others.

IPCA Innovation Centres bring together the best of Indigenous knowledge and modern science to mobilize partnerships with Indigenous Nations, Crown entities, academia, private industry, not-for-profit groups, and philanthropy to support Nations with IPCA aspirations. In essence, the centres mobilize partnerships to conduct the "Boots on the Ground" work of IPCA development.

The first IPCA Innovation Centre to be established is the Pacific IPCA Innovation Centre, located in Nuu-chah-nulth and Coast Salish territories on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Additional IPCA Innovation Centres are emerging in central, northern, and eastern parts of the country.

To learn more about IPCA Innovation Centres, click on the button below or visit: www.ipcainnovation.ca