1. Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in Canada
Canada has had long and unfortunate past with First Nation Peoples due to suppression and assimilation practices that took place across the country and reconciliation for these actions will take immense time and understanding to reach a point of trust. This is done by working towards establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015). An aspect of such reconciliation is the realization and recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems, legal traditions, and customary and cultural practices as equally valid and binding versus other frameworks (Canada, 2018). The Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) composed a report, ‘We Rise Together: Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in the spirit and practice of reconciliation’, as an opportunity to express that Indigenous Peoples have something to offer regarding biodiversity conservation, protection and promotion. As part of this report, Indigenous Conserved and Protected Areas (IPCAs), were illustrated as vision for the future where Indigenous Peoples decide what conservation and protection means to them and the lands and waters and where Indigenous governments have the primary role in leading and implementing Indigenous laws, governance and knowledge systems in their territories. These areas may be Tribal Parks, Indigenous Cultural Landscapes, Indigenous Protected Areas, and Indigenous conserved areas (Canada, 2018). IPCAs vary greatly in terms of governance and management objectives depending on values and practices of whom managed by, however they generally share three essential elements: IPCAs are Indigenous lead; they represent a long-term commitment to conservation; and they elevate Indigenous rights and responsibilities (Canada, 2018).
2. Huu-ay-aht First Nation
Canada is home to hundreds of First Nations, and millions of First Nations People. Vancouver Island itself is home to 50 First Nations including the Huu-ay-aht Nation of the Maa-Nulth First Nations, located in the Barkley Sound region near Bamfield, on the west coast of Vancouver Island (“Vancouver Island Map”, 2018; “Who We Are”, n.d.). Huu-ay-aht citizens number close to 750 and reside around the village of Anacla, the Nation’s principle community close to Bamfield, as well as in Port Alberni and the Vancouver area (“Huu-ay-aht First Nations”, n.d.; “Who We Are”, n.d.). As of April 1st, 2011, the five Maa-nulth First Nations’ treaty came into effect and the Huu-ay-aht Nation now operates under a “made in Huu-ay-aht” Constitution, which supports the laws and policies of the Huu-ay-aht government (“Who We Are”, n.d.). As a result, Huu-ay-aht First Nations is self-governing and has full ownership and jurisdiction over more than 8,200 hectares of land within their territories. Through this, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Council and Hereditary Chiefs have been engaging in responsible and sustainable economic development in order work towards establishing a healthy, prosperous and self-sustaining community (“Who We Are”, n.d.). As such was the unique ecotourism opportunity offered at Kiix̣in (pronounced “kee-hin”), the ancient capital of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Thomas, 2018).
3. Kiix̣in as an IPCA
The Huu-ay-aht First Nations territories encompasses a rich diversity of landscapes between Bamfield and Port Alberni including mountains, forests, rivers, islands, bays and beaches from which Huu-ay-aht ancestors have acquired sustenance from the abundance of nature’s offshore, tidal and land resources since the beginning of time (“Our History and Kiixin”, n.d.). Stories say that the first man and woman appeared in the Huu-ay-aht domain where they “came down” from the heavens, and carvings of these ancestors were placed at Kiix̣in, the ancient capital Huu-ay-aht and are now welcoming guests into the main entrance of the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria (“Our History and Kiixin”, n.d.). Kiix̣in (Figure 1), located on the southeast shore of Barkley Sound, was an ideal location for occupation due to the plentiful resources and beaches to land canoes, and deference using the high rocky headlands for commanding and views of the surroundings (“Kiix?in Village and Fortress National Historic Site of Canada”, n.d.). Though Kiix̣in has been unoccupied since the 1880’s it remains sacred site for present-day Huu-ay-aht Nation, offering understanding of continuous occupation for 5,000 years, and in 1999 was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (“Kiix̣in Tours”, n.d.; “Our History and Kiixin”, n.d.; “Kiix?in Village and Fortress National Historic Site of Canada”, n.d.). This is due to the four distinct archaeological sites and rich accompanied history: the main village of Kiix̣in, which is the only known site on the southern coast of British Columbia that is still home to undisturbed, standing remains of traditional longhouses of a First Nations’ village (Figure 2); the fortress site; a small midden; and a midden with remains of three houses (“Kiix̣in Tours”, n.d.; “Our History and Kiixin”, n.d.; “Kiix?in Village and Fortress National Historic Site of Canada”, n.d.). Now, through efforts by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Council and self-governance, Kiix̣in offers a unique ecotourism opportunity for people from around the world.
3.1 Kiix̣in as an Ecotourism Opportunity management challenges, governance
As of summer 2017 local members of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations offer daily guided tours of Kiix̣in throughout the months of May to September. These tours offer people from around the world a unique opportunity to hike the trail to Kiix̣in while learning about the history, knowledge and culture of the Huu-ay-aht peoples, as well as a way to revitalize the quiet town of Bamfield (“Kiix̣in Tours”, n.d.; Givetash, 2018). Guides share knowledge of beliefs and traditions of Huu-ay-aht people and a story of betrayal and the resilience of their warriors, whom reclaimed their land from a neighbouring nation (Figure 3). Trevor Cootes, a member of the Huu-ay-aht’s executive council says, “For guests coming into our territory … they’re almost witnessing what we’re doing in regards to truth and reconciliation. Truth and reconciliation has to do more with ourselves and how we put our own culture back into our day-to-day lives.” (Givetash, 2018). Additionally, Cootes considers the act of storytelling in Huu-ay-aht as a way of building a life-long connection to Huu-ay-aht and the land (Givetash, 2018). By increasing tourism to the territory, the nation hopes to create jobs and increase the return of Huu-ay-aht Peoples who have scattered around Vancouver Island (Thomas, 2018). This aligns with the goals set out by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Council and Hereditary Chiefs of engaging in responsible and sustainable economic development to rebuild from the effects of colonialism (“Who We Are”, n.d.; Thomas, 2018).