Na̲nwak̲olas Council
An alliance of First Nations on BC’s South Central Coast and northern Vancouver Island
Na̲nwak̲olas Council is comprised of six member Nations: Mamalilikulla First Nation; Tlowitsis Nation; Da'naxda'xw Awaetlatla Nation; Wei Wai Kum Nation; We Wai Kai Nation; and K'ómoks Nation.
Na̲nwak̲olas Council member Nations belong to the Kwakwaka’wakw group of Nations and are located on northern Vancouver Island and the neighbouring southern Central Coast region. Na̲nwak̲olas, which means “a place we go to find agreement” in Kwak’wala, advocates for the recognition, protection, and promotion of its member Nations’ Aboriginal rights and interests in land and marine resource planning and management decisions.
Na̲nwak̲olas Council was created in 2007 to provide member Nations with the resources needed to implement their 2006 Land Use Plan Agreement-in-Principle. Since its creation in 2007, Na̲nwak̲olas Council has expanded the areas in which it works with and supports its member Nations.
Currently Na̲nwak̲olas assists its members in regulating commercial activities taking place in their territories through the Na̲nwak̲olas Referrals Office. It also works closely with Nations on community marine planning and regional economic development initiatives.
Na̲nwak̲olas seeks to address community level issues through a regional dialogue and coordination, thereby maximizing the voice with which the member First Nations speak with and achieving the maximum economy of scale given limited resources.
Na̲nwak̲olas Council Projects
In partnership with Coast Funds, Na̲nwak̲olas Council has invested in:
| First Nation | Applicant |
Project |
Description | Links | Type |
Year |
Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na̲nwak̲olas Council | Na̲nwak̲olas Council Society | Regional Ecosystem-based Management and Marine Planning – 2012/13 | to complete sixteen conservancy management plans, complete strategic and detailed landscape level spatial reserve plans, develop marine plans for each member Nation, engage in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) process, and operate the regional referrals office | Conservation Fund | 2012 | $ 272,150 | |
| Na̲nwak̲olas Council | Na̲nwak̲olas Council Society | Regional Economic Development Implementation | to work closely with member First Nations to implement the completed regional economic development strategy by focusing on specific sector opportunities that are priorities for development | Economic Development Fund | 2011 | $ 239,637 | |
| Na̲nwak̲olas Council | Na̲nwak̲olas Council Society | Regional Economic Development Strategy – Priority Sector Analysis | to expand the scope of economic research and analysis focusing on forestry, tourism and energy for a multi-sector regional economic development strategy | Economic Development Fund | 2010 | $ 44,621 | |
| Na̲nwak̲olas Council | Na̲nwak̲olas Council Society | Regional Ecosystem-based Management and Marine Planning – 2010/11 | to develop sixteen conservancy management plans, develop strategic and detailed landscape level spatial reserve plans, initiate draft marine plans for each member Nation, engage in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) process, and operate the regional referrals office | Conservation Fund | 2010 | $ 178,309 | |
| Na̲nwak̲olas Council | Na̲nwak̲olas Council Society | Regional Economic Development Strategy – Planning | to develop a comprehensive multi-sector economic development strategy to increase its member First Nations' economic share of commercial activities in the region | Economic Development Fund | 2009 | $ 140,894 |
| Total Projects | 5 | Total Invested | $ 875,611 |
Total Projects: 5
Total Invested: $ 875,611
Related to Na̲nwak̲olas Council
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.
Explore Indigenous-owned Businesses in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii
Estimated Reading time
14 Mins
Visitors can have life-changing experiences and fully embrace First Nations culture through Indigenous-owned tourism businesses. Tourism can benefit Indigenous communities by creating employment, linking young people to the land, and honouring traditional knowledge and practices. Explore a variety of Indigenous-owned tourism businesses, including luxury resorts and wildlife tours. JUMP TO: North-Coast Skeena | Nisg̱a’a Lands
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
First Nations partner on grizzly bear facial recognition research
Estimated Reading time
4 Mins
The member Nations of Na̲nwak̲olas Council have been enhancing their research capabilities to best manage and steward their territories, which include the diverse habitats of grizzly bears. Part of that work involves investing in and developing a research partnership with the BearID Project, a project that is developing bear facial recognition software.
Na̲nwak̲olas Council Develops Cultural Cedar Strategy
Estimated Reading time
2 Mins
Na̲nwak̲olas Council member Nations have developed a strategy to protect the largest and most culturally significant cedars in their territories. The work of the Council was featured in a recent video and article by Hakai Magazine.
Na̲nwak̲olas Council Organizations and Resources
Online Resources
- Searching the Forest for the Trees
Article and video about Nanwakolas Council's Large Cedar Strategy
- Sustainably Engaging Stakeholders
Nanwakolas Council President, Dallas Smith provides some practical solutions on ocean planning
- BUILDING AND SUSTAINING RELATIONSHIPS
Nanwakolas Council President, Dallas Smith provides some practical solutions on ocean planning
- Flexibility in Ocean Planning
Marine Planning Coordinator for Nanwakolas Council on being creative and flexible in ocean planning