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Talking Stick – Winter 2021

The winter 2021 edition of Talking Stick features the Nawalakw Healing Society and Culture Project, the renewable energy projects of Dzawadaʼenuxw First Nation and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation, and introduces Trevor Loke as our new Director, Partnership Development.

Updates from Coast Funds

Welcome to the winter 2021 edition of Talking Stick, a magazine showcasing the stewardship and sustainable development initiatives led by First Nations throughout the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii. Download the print issue: Winter 2021.

This issue features the Nawalakw Healing Society and Culture Project, a hopeful vision of Chief Maxwiyalidizi K’odi Nelson being constructed at Hada River in Musga’makw Dzawadaʼenuxw territory. Nawalakw will offer cultural immersion and wellness programing supported through a world class ecotourism operation. It will be the first place on earth where Kwak̓wala is once again spoken immersively.

We are also pleased to provide an update on the Renewable Energy for Remote Communities program announced just over one year ago. In the summer of 2020, Coast Funds, Dzawadaʼenuxw First Nation, Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation, and the Province of British Columbia announced over $25 million in new First Nations’ investments to transition coastal communities away from dependence on fossil fuel powered electricity.

Last fall we welcomed Trevor Loke to the Coast Funds team in our new role of Director, Partnership Development. Trevor brings a passion for development and will strengthen our partnerships with First Nations as they continue building resilient economies and stewardship authorities.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all coastal communities. Our thoughts are with our friends and families throughout the coast who are navigating the ongoing effects and challenges of the pandemic.

Coast Funds’ staff continue to work closely with First Nations to ensure we are supporting their projects with flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness.

We are honoured to present the stories First Nations are sharing in Talking Stick. If you’d like us to publish your story, please reach out to talkingstick@coastfunds.ca.

Darcy Dobell
Communications Committee Chair

Brodie Guy
Chief Executive Officer

Stories from the Great Bear Rainforest

Nawalakw Healing Society and Culture Project: Embarking on a Journey of Cultural and Language Revitalization

At Hada River estuary, in Musga’makw Dzawadaʼenuxw territory, Chief Maxwiyalidizi K’odi Nelson is bringing an ambitious, hopeful vision to life. Nawalakw will offer cultural immersion and wellness programing supported through a world-class ecotourism operation. Read about Nawalakw. 

At the Kwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Haxwa’mis big house in G̱waʼyasda̱ms village, Chief Maxwiyalidizi Kodi Nelson gathered First Nations leaders, partners, and allies together in 2019 to uplift the vision of the Nawalakw Project . Photo by Brodie Guy.

Dzawada’enuxw and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations Advance Renewable Energy

Last summer Dzawadaʼenuxw and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations invested a total $25 million into the Padakus Creek Hydropower Facility Development and the Klemtu Hydropower Facility Modernization and Expansion Project. The projects will help transition their communities from dependence on fossil fuel-powered electricity to sustainable, locally-powered renewable energy systems, eliminating over 175,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Read about Dzawadaʼenuxw First Nation’s and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation’s renewable energy projects. 

Kitasoo/Xai’xais Chief Councillor Roxanne Robinson and Councillor Isaiah Robinson at the Klemtu Hydropower Facility. Photo courtesy
Chief Councillor Roxanne Robinson.

Download the Print Edition