Alberta’s Eastern Slopes and headwaters lack permanent protection. Indigenous Nations have conservation visions, but there are no clear pathways for realizing their stewardship visions and protecting lands outside of reserves. Building upon a model developed by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) in other geographies, they will undertake a two-pronged approach to bolster Indigenous-led conservation. First, they will work to create conditions needed for a strong conservation policy that maintains existing protections and expands them to other critical lands and waters, including via Indigenous-led protected areas. Second, Y2Y will support Indigenous Nations, when invited, to advance projects that strengthen the foundation of stewardship and conservation towards conservation goals.