Who We Are - Our Mission, Vision and Values
Our Mission
Building on the fascinating geologic foundation of over 500 million years, with world renowned Niagara Falls as its beacon, the Niagara Geopark takes its cues from what Indigenous peoples have been doing here for thousands of years; meeting, trading, sharing stories, harvesting food and establishing strong family and cultural ties.
The Niagara Geopark is a non-regulatory, non-profit entity that benefits all Niagara residents, educational institutions and business operators by fostering hyper-local tourism, developed in such a manner and at such a scale, that it remains viable indefinitely while safeguarding the Earth's life support systems on which the welfare of current and future generations depend.
Our Vision
The Niagara Geopark fosters a strong collective pride in Niagara's geoheritage, in all its diverse manifestations - Indigenous, cultural, environmental, industrial and agricultural - amongst all residents and warmly welcomed visitors.
Sustainability Statement
"Working towards Sustainable Tourism in Niagara, developed in such a manner and at such a scale, that it remains viable indefinitely while safeguarding the Earth's life support systems on which the welfare of the current and future generations depend."
Celebrating Indigenous Culture and Heritage
We honour the foundation of Indigenous knowledge as fundamental to the goals and aspirations of the Geopark, and that this partnership will provide the basis for community empowerment and sustainable economic development.
We nurture long-term relationships with Indigenous communities that are respectful, mutually beneficial, and offer growth and unity through the guiding principles of the UNESCO Sustainability Goals and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- To tread lightly on the earth, to protect its medicines, and honour the knowledge and wisdom of the elders.
- To understand and respect our part in Nature.
- To protect, promote and recognize the rights of Indigenous ancestry, and honour reconciliation, equity, and unity.
- To promote and grow sustainable, mutually beneficial, economic development.
- To build interactive educational programs for all ages and demographics.
- To respect the protection and control of intellectual property rights of traditional knowledge.
- To recognize that respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment
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