National Indigenous Peoples Day

 

Today we celebrate Indigenous People who’ve been stewards of this land since time immemorial.

Across BC, indigenous communities are playing an increasingly central role in the protection and stewardship of natural areas, including the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas, tribal parks, and conservancies.

Below are some highlights of places to visit in BC where First Nations communities have taken the lead in setting aside some of the most magnificent old-growth forests. Explore these amazing wild places and reflect on the hard work that went into protecting their special beauty.

1. 1. Wah-nuh-jus—Hilthoois (Meares Island) Tribal Park: There are four declared tribal parks in Tla-o-qui-aht territory, including the Wah-nuh-jus—Hilthoois (Meares Island) Tribal Park in Tofino. To explore this unique tribal park with its gargantuan old-growth trees, support the T’ashii Paddle School which offers tours to the island in a 25-foot, traditional-style, hand-carved dugout canoe. 
   2. Chun T’oh Whudujut (Ancient Forest) Provincial Park: Established in 2016 within the traditional territory of the Lhedli T’enneh and 120 kilometres east of Prince George, this Provincial Park preserves one of the greatest examples of the unique inland temperate rainforest in BC. Almost three kilometres of boardwalk, including a section that is wheelchair accessible, takes you past 1000-year-old western redcedars and a cascading waterfall.
   3. Great Bear Rainforest: Located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest and owned by the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation, the Spirit Bear Lodge is the perfect place to experience the world’s largest tract of old-growth temperate rainforest. The Kitasoo/Xai’xais run eco-tours to find grizzlies, wolves, and even the elusive spirit bear in the vast protected conservancies that they have partnered with the government to create. In fact, the partnership with indigenous nations has been the reason why 85% of old-growth forest in the Great Bear Rainforest is permanently protected, creating a higher standard for ecosystem protection.
   4. Yaaguun Gandlaay Heritage Site/Conservancy: Once home to the legendary Golden Spruce, this site has been protected by the Haida Nation to preserve its unique ecological and cultural values. Though the famous Golden Spruce was tragically cut down, the Golden Spruce trail winds through some of the most incredible old-growth Sitka spruce forests left in BC.

Send a message to the BC government telling them you want to see support for more Indigenous-led protected area initiatives in BC!