Wuikinuxv Nation

Rivers Inlet

The Wuikinuxv Nation’s territory covers 7,200 hectares and is characterized by significant lake networks, deep temperate forested valleys, and the glacial peaks of the Pacific Coast Range Mountains.

Wuikinuxv territory. Photo by Wuikinuxv Nation
Wuikinuxv territory. Photo courtesy of Wuikinuxv Nation
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The Wuikinuxv Nation’s main community is located in Rivers Inlet on BC’s Central Coast

Wuikinuxv Nation

The Wuikinuxv Nation’s territory extends from Koeye River to Cranston Point to the head of Wuikinuxv Lake.

The Wuikinuxv people believe their lands and resources are as important as the air they breathe.

Their ancestors taught them that the land is their responsibility, a belief that remains instilled in their culture today.

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Totem in Wuikinuxv Territory. Photo courtesy of Wuikinuxv Nation.
Totem in Wuikinuxv Territory. Photo courtesy of Wuikinuxv Nation

The Wuikinuxv have witnessed the effects of overharvesting and global warming first hand, including the impacts of collapsed fish stocks on their territory and community.

To help protect and restore their territory, the Wuikinuxv have established a community-based Wuikinuxv Guardian Watchmen program.

These watchmen “monitor and protect important cultural and ecological resources that are critical to the health and well-being of the Wuikinuxv people.”

Wuikinuxv Coastal Guardian Watchmen and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation completing non-invasive bear hair sampling station in Wuikinuxv territory. Photo courtesy of Applied Conservation Science Lab
Wuikinuxv Coastal Guardian Watchmen and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation completing non-invasive bear hair sampling station in Wuikinuxv territory. Photo courtesy of Applied Conservation Science Lab

Wuikinuxv Nation Projects

In partnership with Coast Funds, Wuikinuxv Nation has invested in:

First Nation Applicant Project Description Links Type Year Funding
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Marine Towing and Tugboat Services Start-up To invest in rebuilding the Wuikinuxv owned 28-foot tugboat, Trans Fir 80, and to start-up tugboat services in Rivers Inlet creating a new business and employment and training opportunities for Wuikinuxv members. Economic Development Fund 2023 $ 226,913
Wuikinuxv Nation Eagles' Nest Store (Operated as Eagle's Nest Bed & Breakfast) Expansion of Eagle’s Nest Bed & Breakfast To invest in the expansion of a Wuikinuxv hospitality business increasing the capacity from three to ten rooms with the acquisition and renovation of two new modular trailers providing additional accommodation as well as expanding the fishing charter operations offered to visitors of Wuikinuxv (Rivers Inlet) Economic Development Fund 2020 $ 224,357
Wuikinuxv Nation H'aiagal'ath Grizzly Bear Tours Inc. Wuikinuxv Bear Viewing Start-up To invest in the infrastructure and business start-up of a new Grizzly bear viewing operation based in the Gelbala (Kilbella Estuary Conservancy) in the Wuikinuxv territory; the business will provide employment and training opportunities to Wuikinuxv community members and contribute to building a tourism-based economy while conserving and protecting Grizzly bears Economic Development Fund 2020 $ 240,000
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Economic Development Corporation Waanukv Silver Sockeye Economic Opportunity Fishery Business Start-up To invest in the start-up Waanukv Silver LP, under the management of Wuikinuxv Economic Development Corporation, to establish a community-based fishery with two economic opportunity fishing licenses for four families in Rivers Inlet, targeting up to 15% of the sockeye salmon return on the Waanukv River, and supporting the community-based fishery as a broker and processor supporting the families that will lease-to-own their vessels Economic Development Fund 2019 $ 438,320
Wuikinuxv Nation Hamatsa Reforestation Ltd. Silviculture Business Start-up To acquire equipment and begin operations for a new silviculture business based in Rivers Inlet; the business will provide employment and training opportunities to members of the Wuikinuxv community while helping to sustainably manage forests in Wuikinuxv territory. Economic Development Fund 2018 $ 150,000
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Commercial Fishing Vessel Upgrades To invest in replacing aging critical infrastructure for the Western Bounty, a 62-foot aluminum commercial fishing vessel that currently supports 12 seasonal jobs and will foster growth of the community-owned commercial fishery Economic Development Fund 2017 $ 167,850
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Rivers Inlet Ground and Freight Transportation Investment To acquire two 12-passenger vehicles to provide freight service and safe passenger transportation to and from the airstrip and water landing location for community members, visitors, and local businesses in Rivers Inlet Economic Development Fund 2017 $ 25,000
Wuikinuxv Nation Louisa and Budgets Shop Rivers Inlet Grocery and Bakery Expansion To invest in modern energy-efficient equipment, remodel the facility, and provide working capital for the continued operations of Rivers Inlet's sole grocery store and bakery under new ownership Economic Development Fund 2016 $ 65,686
Wuikinuxv Nation West Sea Otter Water Taxi Rivers Inlet Water Taxi Start-up To acquire a Transport Canada certified small freight and passenger vessel and to commence operations of a new marine transportation company servicing the Wui'kinuxv community and businesses in Rivers Inlet Economic Development Fund 2015 $ 150,000
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Stewardship Office – 2015/16 Operations To support operations of the stewardship office, undertake scientific projects, integrate traditional knowledge in stewardship activities, and provide conservation-related training for the 2015/16 fiscal year Conservation Fund 2015 $ 486,172
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Timber Supply Analysis and Strategic Planning To undertake a timber supply analysis of its Territory and the Wui’kinuxv Forestry Area, enabling the Nation to develop and adopt a strategic plan for forestry economic development Economic Development Fund 2014 $ 29,150
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Stewardship Office – 2013/14 Operations To support operations of the stewardship office including resource development referrals, research partnerships that focus on grizzly bear, black bear, sockeye, chum, chinook, rockfish and crab species, climate change research in partnership with the Hakai Beach Institute and SFU, and regional monitoring Conservation Fund 2013 $ 172,650
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Fisheries-Related Financial Management Training To build the financial management capacity of the Nation's stewardship and fisheries programs by holding a financial management workshop for thirteen Wui'kinuxv members including staff, management, trustees, and community leaders in Port Hardy Conservation Fund 2013 $ 8,000
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Establish a Strategic Economic Development Plan To develop the Nation's long-term vision for economic development and make specific recommendations for the governance and priorities of Wui'kinuxv Economic Development Corporation Economic Development Fund 2012 $ 80,864
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Stewardship Office – 2012/13 Start-up To expand the guardian watchman program to an integrated resource stewardship program including conservation research projects, such as Chinook salmon enumeration on the Kilbella River, with partners including Hakai Beach Institute, SFU, UVic, UNBC and UBC Conservation Fund 2012 $ 287,725
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Guardian Watchmen Program Start-up To establish and commence operations of the program including hiring and training three guardian watchmen, developing a Wui'kinuxv monitoring schedule to guide patrols and field research or monitoring activities, and to develop an integrated resource stewardship plan by engaging the community in Rivers Inlet Conservation Fund 2009 $ 95,173
Wuikinuxv Nation Wuikinuxv Nation Collaborative Due Diligence for an Area-Based Forestry Tenure To collaborate with three other Nations to jointly conduct negotiations with the Province of BC for a large area-based forestry tenure and to undertake comprehensive due diligence for the acquisition of a major tree farm license supply block Economic Development Fund 2009 $ 105,000
Total Projects 17 Total Invested $ 2,952,860

Total Projects: 17

Total Invested: $ 2,952,860

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Wuikinuxv Organizations and Resources

Online Resources

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