Honouring Valérie Courtois
Recipient of Nature Canada’s 2025 Douglas H. Pimlott Award
“It is humbling to receive this award, because I do not work alone. I have the privilege of being part of a growing Indigenous-led movement creating solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to social justice.”
— Valérie Courtois
A Visionary in Indigenous-Led Conservation
Valérie Courtois is a nationally recognized leader in Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship, known for her ability to bridge Indigenous knowledge, western science, and environmental policy to create lasting change for lands, waters, and communities.
As Executive Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI), Courtois has helped advance a powerful movement grounded in Indigenous Nationhood and the sacred responsibility to care for the land. Under her leadership, the ILI has helped secure federal investment to support scores of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and expand the Guardians movement to more than 200 First Nations Guardians programs across the country, reaffirming indigenous-led conservation and stewardship as a cornerstone of Canada’s environmental future.
“The rock stars are on the ground—the Elders sharing their knowledge, the Indigenous Guardians caring for lands, the Nations establishing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. I am lucky enough to have the job of amplifying their leadership.”
— Valérie Courtois
Rooted in Place and Purpose
Valérie is a member of the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh, located on the shore of Peikuakami in the heart of what is now known as Québec, she carries forward a deep sense of connection to place, culture, and responsibility.
She is also a registered professional forester, and worked as a forestry advisor for the Assembly of First Nations of Québec and Labrador, a forestry planner for the Innu Nation, and as a consultant specializing in Indigenous forestry, certification, spatial planning, and caribou recovery. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to restoring balance between people and the natural world.
“Every individual can make a difference if you work in collaboration with others and walk through life embodying the values and teachings of your culture. We all have something to contribute to building a more hopeful and prosperous future. Most often, it starts with love.” — Valérie Courtois
Recognition and Impact
Courtois’s leadership has been recognized both nationally and internationally for its vision, integrity, and impact. She was named to the 2023 TIME100 Climate list of the world’s most influential climate leaders, received the Bright Award for Environmental Sustainability from Stanford University in 2023, and was honoured with the 2024 Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions.
She holds honorary doctorates from both Université Laval and the University of Guelph, recognizing her exceptional contributions to conservation and reconciliation.
Beyond her professional work, Courtois serves on the Board of the Corporation du Mushuau–nipi, a non-profit promoting cultural and professional exchanges on the George River. She lives in Happy Valley–Goose Bay, Labrador, where she continues to champion Indigenous-led solutions to environmental and social challenges.
The Douglas H. Pimlott Award
The Douglas H. Pimlott Award is Nature Canada’s highest honour, presented annually to individuals whose brilliance, dedication, and leadership have been a driving force in conservation in Canada.
Named after the renowned wildlife biologist and environmentalist Douglas H. Pimlott, the award commemorates his legacy as a founder of the modern environmental movement in Canada.
Past recipients include Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson, Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Senator Diane Griffin, Dr. George Archibald, Robert Bateman, Anne Murray, Dr. David Schindler, Cliff Wallis, and Bob Peart.
In 2025, Valérie Courtois joins this distinguished circle of leaders whose dedication to protecting nature continues to inspire generations. Her work stands as a powerful example of how Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and love for the land can guide a more just and sustainable future for all.
About Nature Canada
For 85 years, Nature Canada has been the voice for nature. Working in partnership with communities, governments, and over 1,200 nature organizations across the country, we’ve helped protect nearly 144 million acres of parks and wildlife areas and countless species.
Today, we represent a network of more than 250,000 members and supporters, united by a shared vision of a thriving planet where nature and people flourish together.