Why We Protect These Places
We protect ocean places because they are part of who we are. These waters hold our stories, our food systems, and the teachings that guide how we live with the ocean. Protection is an expression of Nuu-chah-nulth law and responsibility: caring for places so they can continue to care for our communities, now and for future generations.
- Culture and identity: places carry names, stories, and teachings.
- Food and wellbeing: protecting habitats that support harvesting and healthy communities.
- Healthy ecosystems: looking after species, habitats, and the connections between them.
- Indigenous governance: upholding our authority and responsibilities as stewards.
These values shape how we approach marine protection: by putting relationships to place first, learning from knowledge holders, and building processes that reflect Nuu-chah-nulth governance. The Tang.ɢwan – ḥaćxʇiqak – Tsig̱is (THT) case study shares one example of how this work can unfold over time.
“While MPAs are not First Nation creations, we can use them as an opportunity to protect what is important to us and can also work with DFO for co‑governance.”
