T'Souke First Nation: the Epitome of Stewards of the Land

T'Souke First Nation exemplifies what it means to be stewards of the land. In collaboration with organizations such as the Coastal Restoration Society, work continues on projects such as the monitoring of green crab populations, marine shore clean-up, emergency response, and monitoring of wild salmon populations. The Coastal Restoration Society supports environmental remediation projects in alliance with First Nations and government agencies, as well as community members and businesses in the marine industry like Vancouver Island Lodge.

Chief Gordon Planes, T'Sou'ke First Nation

The monitoring and controlling of the European green crab population is a challenging one, given that they are a thriving, invasive species which poses a danger to native eelgrass beds, juvenile clam beds, and wild salmon rearing habitat.

"Invasive European Green Crab are being found up and down the West Coast in larger numbers than ever. These crabs outcompete native species and destroy sensitive and ecologically important habitat.

Coastal Restoration Society, in partnership with BCSRIF (British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, and T'Sou-ke First Nations have launch a project to study industrial trapping as a way to mitigate the impacts of European Green Crab on the West Coast of Canada. "

As well, the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative is aimed at the removal of anthropogenic debris from shoreline environments and removal of derelict vessels from near and inshore marine environments.

"In partnership with the T’Sou-ke First Nation, the beaches around Sooke got a deep clean this summer thanks to the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative, which funded the T’Sou-ke Shoreline Beach Clean Up. A team built of T’Sou-ke Nation members, local businesses, and community members retrieved a staggering 10 tons of debris, with the majority headed to the The Ocean Legacy Foundation recycling facility in Vancouver."

Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council raises our hands to Chief Gordon Planes as he continues to inspire others and show that T'Souke First Nation is the embodiment of Indigenous Land Guardians. Hay čxʷ q̓ə.

Compost Workshop at Malahat Community Garden

The Community Food Network organized and funded a compost workshop at the Malahat Community Garden on Friday, September 23, 2022. It was taught by Kayla Siefried from the Compost Education Center and was a hands-on demo of making outdoor compost and general tips and tricks and uses for compost. The gardeners received kudos from Kayla for having a very pollinator friendly garden.

Attending was Sandy Joe (lead gardener), Shane Sylvester (seasonal gardener) and Darren James (assistant gardener).

Please reach out to seannaj@nautsamawt.com if you would like to host a compost workshop in your community or if you'd like the notes from this workshop.

Progress Continues on the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Bid

Tsleil-Waututh Nation, along with Lilwat, Musqueam, and Squamish First Nations, continue to collaborate on the feasibility assessment process for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This is precedent-setting approach stems from the commitment to reconciliation to have territorial and cultural protocols respected and for local Indigenous Nations and communities involved in the planning process.

Since the signing of the MOU in December 2021, the Collaboration Agreement for the feasibility assessment was signed, and most recently the 2030 Games Hosting Concept has been revealed, which shows venues involving the cities of Vancouver, Richmond, Whistler, as well as Sun Peaks Resort Municipality near Kamloops.

These events will boost tourism and create lots of jobs. For example, construction is needed for additional ramps, a new stadium, and new courses, to start.

Over the next several months, the concept will be reviewed, public engagement will take place, and the bid will formally launch by spring 2023.

Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council raises our hands to Tsleil-Waututh Nation, as well as Lilwat, Musqueam, and Squamish First Nations, for their role in this important work to ensure Indigenous representation and voices have a seat at the table for other world-class events and inspire Indigenous communities all over the world.

Check out Tsleil-Waututh Nation's announcement on their Facebook Page.