The geographic area of the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound corresponds
almost exactly with the traditional territory of the Coast Salish People,
referred to as “SQELATSES”. The word SQELATSES translates
in Coast Salish Halkomelem and Sencoten as “Home”- a watershed
characterized by an abundance and diversity of life within the ecosystem.
The Coast Salish exercised stewardship over the land and resources of
this unique and sensitive ecosystem for many thousands of years or since
“time immemorial”.
Today the GBAP Partners fund the Coast Salish Sea Initiative; a mechanism
used to facilitate meaningful engagement of Coast Salish in the Georgia
Basin Action Plan.
Meaningful engagement of Coast Salish has taken place through:
- projects funded in Coast Salish territory
- input as a partner on the Joint Management Committee
- participation on Planning and Implementation Teams
- interaction with the First Nation Liaison in Environment Canada’s
coordination office .
Working with the Coast Salish has resulted in positive change
- Together we have undertaken water quality assessments, reopened
Baynes Sound to shellfish harvesting and are working towards having
a comprehensive management plan for the Nanaimo River Estuary.
- We have trained First Nations members as samplers, data collectors,
and maintenance for Squirrel Cove pump out station.
- We have improved the way the scientific and First nation community
work together through important Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
conferences.
- Cross Cultural Training has been provided to Emergency Awareness
and Enforcement officers resulting in a better understand of how to
work together with First Nations and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
- Discussions around the National Marine Conservation Area and Southern
Gulf Islands are taking place through a shared initiative designed
and funded in partnership with Parks Canada.
- Sensitive Ecosystem Mapping on the Sunshine Coast is being undertaken
with Coast Salish partnering in overseeing the mapping projects. These
mappings are used in land use and waterfront development.
Key Links
Traditional Ecological Knowledge K Stream (english only).
