Our Story
Upholding an unbroken lineage of Tla-o-qui-aht care for land and community.
Globally, Indigenous Peoples steward many of the world’s remaining biodiversity hotspots.
Indigenous ecosystems have been shaped over millennia through cultural practices in reciprocity with our non-human relations. We defend our traditional territories against extractive colonial interests which do not appreciate the intrinsic value of our lands.
The Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians are guided by the wisdom of our ancestors and the principles of traditional governance, recognizing that we are not separate from nature but an integral part of it. Our mission is rooted in the ancient relationship we hold with the land, water, air, and all living beings. This sacred bond has taught us that nature will provide for our needs, but not our greed.
History of Land Protection
The Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks are located in Clayoquot Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, BC. Tla-o-qui-aht Chief Councilor Moses Martin declared the first Tribal Park in 1984 to prevent clear-cut logging of the ancient rainforests of Meares Island. Tla-o-qui-aht activists successfully combined legal action, peaceful blockades, and Indigenous governance to defend the rainforests of Meares Island, setting important precedents for conservation and Indigenous rights in Canada.
Since 1984, Tla-o-qui-aht leadership have expanded the Tribal Parks designations to encompass all of the traditional territory, integrating Indigenous laws and practices to manage and restore the land. The Tribal Parks are governed by a 500-year stewardship plan, emphasizing ecological restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and community development. These parks are a testament to Tla-o-qui-aht's ongoing commitment to protecting the land and waters for future generations, ensuring that their cultural and ecological heritage remains intact.
Indigenous Land Care: Tribal Park Guardians
Guardians and caretakers have existed here for many generations, upholding Indigenous laws and responsibilities within what are now known as the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.
The contemporary Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians Program was established in 2008. The Guardians work independently and in partnership with other organizations to protect intact areas of cultural and ecological significance, and to restore areas which have been degraded by misuse.
Guardians are involved in vital projects such as river restoration, salmon habitat revitalization, dune-grass habitat remediation, visitor and area-user education, environmental monitoring, beach and back-road cleanups, marine debris removal, invasive species control, and trail maintenance.
Tribal Parks Allies
The Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Allies certification program was launched to build ethical relationships between the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and businesses who operate within the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks. Allies commit to respecting protocols established by Tla-o-qui-aht leadership, including collecting an Ecosystem Stewardship Contribution from their clients. In return, certified Allies earn the right to display the Tribal Parks Allies logo and publicize their commitment to environmental and cultural preservation.
Participating businesses acknowledge Tla-o-qui-aht rights and title, educate themselves and their clients about Tla-o-qui-aht history and politics, and actively support stewardship and regional services. The contributions collected through this program fund critical activities such as environmental monitoring, ecological restoration, and the employment of Tribal Parks Guardians, who play a vital role in maintaining the health and integrity of the parks.
The Tribal Parks Allies program is a first-of-its-kind model of cooperation between Indigenous communities and business owners, ensuring that economic activities within Tla-o-qui-aht territory are aligned with the values of environmental stewardship, cultural respect, and sustainable development.
Our commitment to ecological stewardship
Our impact is evident through the numerous projects and partnerships Tla-o-qui-aht Guardians and citizens undertake, from restoring degraded river systems to caring for intergenerational clam gardens. Each project is a testament to our commitment to protecting and nurturing the land.
Planted for river restoration with Reddfish Restoration
Co2 sequestered in Tribal Parks
Indigenous protected areas in Clayoquot Sound
