We Wai Kai Nation
Quadra Island
The territory of the We Wai Kai Nation spans the north east of Vancouver Island, reaching west to include Upper Campbell Lake and south to Comox Lake.
The We Wai Kai Nation’s main communities are located on Quadra Island and Quinsam on BC’s South Central Coast. The territory of the We Wai Kai encompasses the north east of Vancouver Island and adjacent BC Coast.
We Wai Kai Nation
The We Wai Kai territory also includes Quadra Island and Maurelle Island.
The We Wai Kai Nation has two main communities, one located at Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island and one located at Quinsam, within the city limits of Campbell River.
See Projects
Historically the We Wai Kai Nation relied heavily on the fishing industry. With the decline of this industry, the Nation focused its attention on economic development.
The We Wai Kai Nation has established its own land code, allowing the Nation to operate independently of ministerial guarantees.
This autonomy has helped speed up business-to-business protocol and supports the We Wai Kai Nation in its economic endeavours.
We Wai Kai Nation Projects
In partnership with Coast Funds, We Wai Kai Nation has invested in:
| First Nation | Applicant |
Project |
Description | Links | Type |
Year |
Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| We Wai Kai Nation | We Wai Kai Nation | Guardian Watchmen Program 2023/24 Operations | To support the second year of the Guardian Watchmen program’s operations, with a focus on territorial monitoring, archaeological monitoring, Guardian training, and watershed restoration. | Conservation Fund | 2023 | $ 15,000 | |
| We Wai Kai Nation | We Wai Kai Nation | Guardian Watchmen Start-up – Planning and Development | To support the design and development of the We Wai Kai Guardian Watchmen, including the hiring of a Guardian Manager | Conservation Fund | 2022 | $ 15,000 | |
| We Wai Kai Nation | We Wai Kai Nation | Geoduck Tenure Acquisition and Shellfish Aquaculture Development | To create a plan for investment in scallop, seaweed and geoduck aquaculture, to acquire geoduck tenures that support future investments and commercial partnerships for We Wai Kai, and to trial oyster and abalone shellfish aquaculture in We Wai Kai territory | Economic Development Fund | 2019 | $ 10,109 | |
| We Wai Kai Nation | We Wai Kai Nation | Youth/Elders Culture and Language Camp – 2013 | To partner with Kwiakah and We Wai Kum Nations for a one week language and culture camp for youth that is led by two elders, an archaeologist/anthropologist, and a cultural mentor | Conservation Fund | 2013 | $ 8,650 | |
| We Wai Kai Nation | We Wai Kai Seafood Corporation | Commercialization of a Pilot-Scale Scallop Farm in Sutil Channel | To finalize tenures for several aquaculture sites, invest in commercial scallop farming infrastructure, purchase scallop seed, and to achieve commercially viable production levels | Economic Development Fund | 2009 | $ 244,285 |
| Total Projects | 5 | Total Invested | $ 293,044 |
Total Projects: 5
Total Invested: $ 293,044
Related to We Wai Kai Nation
Ha-ma-yas Stewardship Network Supports Guardians, Collaboration
Through Ha-ma-yas, Na̲nwak̲olas member First Nations are pooling resources and increasing their access to training, fundraising, procurement, and data storage, and technical expertise.
Three Nations Gather to Celebrate Na̱max̱sa̱la’s First Journey
Estimated Reading time
2 Mins
On July 17, over 150 people gathered on the beach at Cape Mudge, on Quadra Island, to welcome paddlers bearing Na̱max̱sa̱la – a xwax’wa̱na canoe carved in the traditional way – on its 83-kilometre journey through the Johnstone Strait, which divides Vancouver Island from mainland British Columbia. Earlier that morning, Wei Wai Kum, We Wai
Na̲nwak̲olas Council Celebrates Guardian Graduates
Estimated Reading time
6 Mins
Spirits were high at the Kwanwatsi Big House as family members, community leaders, and partners filled rows of seats to celebrate and recognize graduates of the 2020/2021 Na̲nwak̲olas and Vancouver Island University (VIU) Stewardship Technician Training Program (STTP). About 100 people attended the June 12 ceremony to recognize graduates’ achievements and share words of encouragement
We Wai Kai Organizations and Resources
Online Resources
- We Wai Kai Nation
Sasamans Society - Voices of Our Children
- Tsa-Kwa-Luten, The Oceanfront Resort at Cape Mudge
Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge Quadra Island Accommodations Resort and Conference Center Facility Vancouver Island BC
- We Wai Kai Nation AANDC Success Story
Affinity Productions Group