Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation

Knight Inlet

The Da'naxda'xw Awaetlala First Nation is an amalgamation of the Da'naxda'xw and Awaetlala Tribes of Knight Inlet.

Da'naxda'xw Awaetlala Nation. Photo courtesy of BC Treaty Commission

The Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation’s main community is located in Tsatsisnukwomi Village on Harbledown Island.

Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation

The traditional territory of the Da’naxda’xw and Awaetlala people is comprised of the lands adjacent to Knight Inlet from the mountain tops to the watersheds that empty into Knight Inlet and their head waters, and the Klinaklini River to its source.

The Nation’s main village, Tsatsisnukwomi, is situated on Harbledown Island. The village was uninhabited in recent years but is now being revived.

See Projects

Dzawadi (Knight Inlet) in 1881. Photo by Edward Dossetter, courtesy of Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation

Once more families are living there; we have a replica of the big house that once stood there, and a feeling that our home is once again a place that family, friends and visitors would all grow to love.

Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation Projects

In partnership with Coast Funds, Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation has invested in:

First Nation	Applicant	Project	Description	Links	Type	Year	Funding
Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation	Da'naxda'xw First Nation	Guardian Watchmen Program	To support the Da'naxda'xw Guardian Watchman Program activities, including hiring new Guardians to patrol and monitor the territory.		Conservation Fund	2024	$ 169,890
Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation	Da'naxda'xw First Nation	Construction of Guardian Watchman Cabins in Knight Inlet	To construct three Guardian Watchman cabins at Hunwatti, Sim Creek and Tousum Island in order to improve regional monitoring efforts, research projects, and the safety of Da'naxda'xw/Awaetlala stewardship operations throughout Knight Inlet		Conservation Fund	2018	$ 41,300
Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation	Da'naxda'xw First Nation	Acquisition of Knight Inlet Lodge	To invest in an ownership position of Knight Inlet Lodge—Canada’s premier grizzly bear viewing destination—that will support Da'naxda'xw members by providing employment opportunities and skills training, and introduce a cultural component to the business while continuing Knight Inlet Lodge’s long tradition of funding environmental initiatives and grizzly bear research	Blog Post	Economic Development Fund	2017	$ 856,453
Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation	Da'naxda'xw First Nation	Guardian Watchman Program Start-up	To initiate and operate a Guardian Watchman Program throughout its territories for eight months and to construct three cabins at strategic locations in Knight Inlet		Conservation Fund	2015	$ 92,490
Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation	Da'naxda'xw First Nation	Tsatsisnukwomi Cultural Eco-tourism Development – Phase 2	To invest in capital infrastructure improvements at Tsatsisnukwomi traditional village on Harbledown Island, complete totem pole projects, and launch a tourism marketing initiative		Economic Development Fund	2012	$ 60,000
Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation	Da'naxda'xw First Nation	Tsatsisnukwomi Cultural Eco-tourism Development – Phase 1	To develop a strategic plan for tourism operations and construct a carving shed at Tsatsisnukwomi traditional village on Harbledown Island		Economic Development Fund	2012	$ 22,935
Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation	Da'naxda'xw-Mamalilikulla Territories Fisheries Society	Traditional Clam Garden Rejuvenation (Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Contribution)	To restore traditional aboriginal clam gardens and to assess the feasibility of cultivating the clam gardens for commercial-scale mariculture		Economic Development Fund	2009	$ 143,600