Wei Wai Kum Nation

Campbell River and Loughborough Inlet

The Wei Wai Kum Nation is part of the larger Laich-Kwil-Tach First Nations group and speaks the Lik’wala language.

Totem and mural at Big House. Photo by Campbell River Cultural Mapping
Totem and mural at Big House. Photo courtesy of Campbell River Cultural Mapping
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The Wei Wai Kum Nation’s main community is located in Campbell River on Vancouver Island

Wei Wai Kum Nation

The Wei Wai Kum Nation’s territory reaches from Topaze Harbour and the headwaters of Loughborough Inlet to Tsable River.

The Wei Wai Kum’s vision for their Nation states “Our culture, history and current success in business provides the foundations for our future generations.”

 

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Dancers at the We Wai Kum Big House. Photo courtesy of Laich-Kwil-Tach Treaty Society
Dancers at the Wei Wai Kum Big House. Photo courtesy of Laich-Kwil-Tach Treaty Society

This vision is supported by the Nation’s focus on education and recognition that children are its greatest resource. The Nation is working to ensure that the family and community are grounded in traditional language, culture, literacy, health nutrition, and education.

The Wei Wai Kum Nation is in the process of developing a land code which will allow the Nation to “resume and exercise their own jurisdiction, control, and decision making over their lands and resources.”

Discovery Harbour Marina. Photo courtesy of We Wai Kum Nation
Discovery Harbour Marina. Photo courtesy of Wei Wai Kum Nation

Wei Wai Kum Nation Projects

In partnership with Coast Funds, Wei Wai Kum Nation has invested in:

First Nation Applicant Project Description Links Type Year Funding
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Stewardship Program – 2021/22 Operations To support operations of the Stewardship and Guardian Watchmen Program throughout Wei Wai Kum territories including data collection on plant and animal presence and activity; conducting Environmental DNA (eDNA) water sampling to estimate aquatic biodiversity in the Heydon Creek watershed; inventorying archeological data and cultural resources including Large Cultural Cedar; undertaking ecological restoration projects in the Campbell River and Heydon Bay estuaries; monitoring commercial fish farm activities and habitat quality through benthic and sulphide monitoring; surveying bull kelp; assessing Dungeness crab stocks; cultivating the productivity of ancestral clam gardens; and continued participation in the BearID project Conservation Fund 2021 $ 50,000
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Stewardship Program – 2020/21 Operations To support operations of the Stewardship and Guardian Watchmen Program throughout Wei Wai Kum territories that includes: detailed data collection of human, plant, and wildlife activities and water quality in Heydon Creek and Bay; ecological restoration in the Campbell River and Heydon Bay Estuary to support endangered plant species; monitoring the removal of bull kelp for commercial use; monitoring fish farms within the territory; surveying bull kelp, Dungeness crab, and cultural heritage sites; as well as installing a salmon enumeration fence. Conservation Fund 2020 $ 50,000
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Stewardship Program Start-up To initiate and operate a Stewardship and Guardian Watchman Program throughout Wei Wai Kum territories for seven months, to staff the new program, expanding monitoring research in the Heydon Bay Lake watershed in Loughborough Inlet with a particular focus on salmon enumeration, data collection, and habitat restoration initiatives Conservation Fund 2019 $ 100,000
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Development of Cabin Accommodations on Tyee Spit – Phase 2 To expand the Thunderbird RV Park and Campground through servicing 20 additional RV sites on Tyee Spit Economic Development Fund 2016 $ 141,613
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Development of Cabin Accommodations on Tyee Spit To expand the Thunderbird RV Park and Campground through construction of five cabins on Tyee Spit with views of the Campbell River estuary and Discovery Passage Economic Development Fund 2015 $ 730,000
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Youth/Elders Culture and Language Camp – 2013 To partner with We Wai Kai and Kwiakah 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
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Heydon Bay Salmon Enumeration – 2012 To conduct enumeration of six species of salmon in Heydon Creek, indicating salmon escapement trends for the surrounding area of Loughborough Inlet, and to assess Heydon Lake sockeye spawning areas Conservation Fund 2012 $ 36,511
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Heydon Bay Salmon Enumeration – 2011 To conduct enumeration of six species of salmon in Heydon Creek, indicating salmon escapement trends for the surrounding area of Loughborough Inlet, and to assess Heydon Lake sockeye spawning areas Conservation Fund 2011 $ 24,895
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Heydon Bay Salmon Enumeration – 2010 To conduct enumeration of six species of salmon in Heydon Creek, indicating salmon escapement trends for the surrounding area of Loughborough Inlet, and to stabilize a spawning channel in Heydon Creek Conservation Fund 2010 $ 19,000
Wei Wai Kum Nation Wei Wai Kum First Nation Heydon Bay Salmon Enumeration – 2009 To conduct enumeration of six species of salmon in Heydon Creek, indicating salmon escapement trends for the surrounding area of Loughborough Inlet, and to stabilize a spawning channel in Heydon Creek Conservation Fund 2009 $ 16,409
Total Projects 10 Total Invested $ 1,177,078

Total Projects: 10

Total Invested: $ 1,177,078

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Wei Wai Kum Organizations and Resources

Online Resources

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