Kitasoo Xai'xais Stewardship Authority Newsletter - Fall 2022

KITASOO XAI’XAIS STEWARDSHIP AUTHORITY

In this edition of the Kitasoo

Stewardship Authority Newsletter, we are proud to share the momentous achievements that our Nation has made toward indigenous-led conservation. After nearly two decades of building relationships with other Nations and governments, engaging in exhaustive land and marine planning processes, and pushing past boundaries that should never have existed, the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation has set a new standard for government-togovernment

Kitasoo Xai'xais Declares First Indigenous Marine Protected Area

This past National Indigenous Peoples Day witnessed a big step forward for Indigenous-led conservation. On June 22nd, 2022, the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation publicly declared Gitdisdzu Lugyeks, commonly known as Kitasu Bay, a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

The MPA announcement is accompanied by a draft management plan, which combines a science-based and Indigenous-led approach to managing the 33.5 square kilometre region, with a boundary stretching from Wilby Point in the Southwest to Wingate Point in the Northeast. Kitasu Bay is highly significant to the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation - it is a spiritual area that is ecologically and physically unique and has enriched our culture and livelihoods. The area is a host to several land and marine

species, many of which are listed under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA). It is also the home for one of the last abundant Pacific herring spawns - a significant part of our way of life.

Gitdisdzu Lugyeks is the first Marine Protected Area to be declared and managed under Indigenous law rather than Federal law, and serves as a blueprint for a greater network of Indigenous Protected Areas. As part of Canada's commitment to protecting 25 percent

“My community made it clear to me a long time ago that lines on a map don’t protect areas, people do."

— Doug Neasloss, Chief Councillor & Stewardship Director, Kitasoo Xai'xais

GITDISDZU LUGYEKS/KITASU BAY

Photo by Moonfish Media

of Canadian marine waters by 2025, an action plan was developed to create a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Northern Shelf Bioregion from North Vancouver Island to the Alaska border. This action plan is the outcome of over a decade of conversations, consultations, and collaborations between Canada, British Columbia and coastal First Nations, and industries, coastal communities and residents who have been engaged partners throughout the process.

This government-to-government MPA network action plan began in 2004 and hit a roadblock in December 2021 when the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) backed away from its commitment to engage and implement the action plan. Due to time-sensitive conservation concerns, Kitasoo Xai’xais were unable to wait for the implementation of the entire network of MPAs and thus formally announced Kitasu Bay as an Indigenous Marine Protected Area.

This declaration helped pressure DFO to return to discussions, federally recognizing the importance of marine protection and recommitting to establishing a network of MPAs by 2025.

“At the end of the day we’re not going anywhere,” said Chief Doug Neasloss.

“We’re going to continue to be here, we’re going to continue to be Kitasoo Xai’xais, and we’re going to continue to assert our stewardship responsibilities. This declaration is a victory for our Nation, and a pathway into continued discussions on how to proceed with reconciliation and sustainable management. We support and invite other communities to intensify their efforts to protect their traditional Territories.”

Photo by Moonfish Media

“My community made it clear to me a long time ago that lines on a map don’t protect areas, people do."

— Doug Neasloss, Chief Councillor & Stewardship Director, Kitasoo Xai'xais

Photo by Moonfish Media

Kitasoo Xai’xais Guardian Watchmen

Achieve Provincial Authority Status

Formillennia, our people have been original stewards of our Territories. Guardian Watchmen have been unified in continuing the traditions of our ancestors by protecting, monitoring, and restoring coastal territories. This careful and knowledgeable approach to stewardship has led to a historic milestone. As of June 1st, 2022, BC Parks has recognized Kitasoo Xai’xais and Nuxalk Nation Guardian Watchmen as an authority alongside BC Park Rangers.

This seminal event comes in the form of a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU), signed by both the Kitasoo Xai’xais and Nuxalk Nations, and the British Columbia Minister of Environment, and the launch of a Nation/BC Parks pilot project that is grounded in the understanding that Kitasoo Xai’xais and Nuxalk Nation Guardians are the most experienced in stewarding, monitoring and enforcing laws within their territories.

The MOU recognizes that First Nations Guardians assume many of the same responsibilities of BC Park Rangers, and authorizes them

to carry out compliance and enforcement activity within protected areas in their ancestral territories, such as handling violations under the BC Park Act, Ecological Reserve Act, and Wildlife Act. The Guardian Watchmen are completing the same training and certification that BC Parks Rangers undergo but will remain employees of the Nation.

This agreement is a first-of its kind in Canada between a Crown government and First Nations. The initiative seeks a new model for the management of coastal

Photo by Moonfish Media

protection that honours thousands of years of traditional knowledge. The MOU will be in effect for two years to test the pilot and sort out any issues. Based on the project’s success it will be implemented permanently, and can be replicated with other Nations, and other ministries and agencies.

The MOU ultimately unites provincial law with Indigenous law, and is a step forward in Reconciliation. The successes achieved through working with the provincial government on this project can provide First Nations with leverage to create similar relationships with other governments and gain authority for further legislative enforcement,

under the Fisheries Act, for example. In addition, this agreement recognizes the need for collaboration in regard to environmental protection and conservation and incorporates traditional knowledge and Indigenous laws, policies, and customs.

“This new authority allows us to react as soon as possible if needed, not waiting for someone to come up and do it for us,” said Chief Doug Neasloss. “I want to make sure we deliver a solid program. We are the model on how we can conduct compliance and enforcement to protect these special areas. This could be a powerful tool for many Nations. I’m hoping this gets rolled out to every Nation across the province.”

“This could be a powerful tool for many Nations."

— Doug Neasloss, Chief Councillor & Stewardship Director, Kitasoo Xai'xais

Photo by Moonfish Media

Kitasoo Xai'xais Stewardship Strategy Recognized on the World Stage

Kitasoo Xai'xais Chief Doug Neasloss joined world leaders in Lisbon, Portugal, to discuss the future of our oceans at this year's United Nations Ocean Conference. The event occurred less than two months after Kitasu Bay was declared a Marine Protected Area and Kitasoo Xai'xais and Nuxalk Guardian Watchmen were recognized with BC Parks Ranger authority for the first time in history.

Initially inspired by what he heard from international leaders on their commitments towards increasing protected areas across the globe, it soon became clear to Neasloss that many governments had failed to follow through on their promises with action.

Recognizing the opportunity at hand, Neasloss and Wuikinuxv Chief Danielle Shaw hosted an impromptu all-indigenous event with the support of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). Although the event was organized on short notice, it produced a

groundswell of support for Kitasoo Xai'xais' indigenous-led conservation strategy. The presentation by the Nation leaders influenced awareness around the world, inspiring other Indigenous groups and governments to take action for their local ecosystems and strengthen their own commitments to conservation through government-togovernment collaboration and Indigenous-led initiatives.

The Kitasoo Xai'xais stewardship strategy is based on the belief that our people have always had an intimate relationship with our lands and waters, and as such, are best positioned to steward them into the future. The success of the Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay) Marine Protected Area and delegated parks authority to Guardian Watchmen are a testament to this belief and proof that, with Indigenous peoples at the forefront, real and lasting change for the health of our oceans can be achieved.

Photo by Douglass Neasloss

Knowledge is Power : Catch Monitoring Program

Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation's fish and marine resources are being managed in a new era of reconciliation with the Canadian government. Our nation is developing a community-based fishery, which is a new kind of commercial fishery accessible only to Nation members under the Fisheries Resources and Reconciliation Agreement (FRRA). This historic agreement, signed in June 2021, strengthens coastal First Nations communities’ economic access to the marine economy while also providing them with opportunities for political representation and participation in decisionmaking processes.

The new community-based fishery will be comanaged by the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation and Canada. The new co-management structure creates opportunities for First Nations to develop alternative monitoring and reporting methods which can reduce the costs for our fishermen to meet reporting requirements of both governments. To help the Nation meet this responsibility, Kitasoo Xai'xais Stewardship Authority (KXSA) has launched a catch monitoring pilot project that provides the Nation with powerful information to make informed decisions about their fishery.

Photo by Elmer Starr

Elmer Starr, Community-Based

Coordinator, and Laurel Sleigh, KXSA Marine Planner, have been surveying local harvesters about their catch using a survey that was developed in collaboration with food fishers. By interviewing those who have generational knowledge of the territory, we can fill in gaps that wouldn’t be possible with modern science alone. As an example, Starr noted, “One of our young guys mentioned that if a whale is hanging around while he's fishing with his longline, he'll just quit altogether and go find another spot because he knows he's gonna get skunked. That was really good information for us. We learned a lot of things that worked and a lot that didn't. Information like that has made a big difference to us."

In addition to the community surveys, biological data is being collected to further enhance Nation held information to support management measures. Our understanding of

local fish populations has been improved by measuring groundfish and collecting genetic samples from salmon at the docks.

Although the Catch Monitoring Program will be invaluable to the management of the community-based fishery, it can also be applied to other co-management initiatives that the Nation is working on with Canada and can be used to negotiate for more food fishing access in the territory. The Nation has exclusive access to this high-quality information which currently far exceeds what the federal government has access to. As Ernie Mason always said, “Knowledge is power,” and having this data enables the Nation to make informed governance decisions about its fisheries and strengthen its economic position.

Fisheries

Photo by Elmer Starr

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Laxciga (Marvin Island) Community Shelter Update

Written by Rye Green

This Summer we achieved a big push toward making Marvin a more comfortable place to be, for everyone! The foundation and yellow/red cedar timber frame of the community shelter has been completed, with roofing, smoke hole, and benches to be finished next Summer. Construction was a significant challenge that could not have happened without the help of over 30 community members (listed below in gratitude). Rye would like to extend a special acknowledgement to Charlie Mason and Clark Robinson Sr. for their vision and encouragement, as well as an extra-special shout-out to Robbie Duncan and Jamie Mason for their determined efforts and uplifting belly laughs. As Charlie says, “There are those who sit and wait, and there are those who make

Leigh-anne Robinson

Tyson Robinson

change happen.” You know who you are! Giaxsixa to all.

Many structures have been built on Laxciga over the millennia—probably more than we can imagine. As we head deeper into this new century, hopefully, this humble new building will support each and every child in spending happy time with their families and elders, “on the land,” rain or shine. In the weeks before we shut down construction because of his passing, Ernie stood within the structure, looking out towards Disju, and expressed his desire to see a small log drum made at the back of this ‘house.’ While it’s a great sadness that he will never sing at this drum in the flesh, his spirit will live on as we raise our voices and a new generation at Laxciga.

Please come join us for a gathering next Summer to warm up that new ‘house’ when it is finished!

Clark Robinson Sr. Robbie Duncan

Jamie Mason

Kadence Robinson

Connor Wallis

Dean Duncan Brady Sternberg

Evan Lovelace

Kapi Vataiki

Krista Duncan

Deanna Duncan

Rob Duncan

Tony Robinson

Spencer Mason

“Construction Brian”

Paul Hopkins

Jarvis

Tayshaun Robinson

Jayden Robinson

Erin Hopkins

Roberta Duncan Mitch Hopkins

Meddy Robinson

Ivan Robinson

Nick Duncan Carey Reid

Ricky Neasloss

Justin (Roofer)

Rosie Child Ryan Robinson

Kitasoo XaiXais Stewardship Authority

Special thanks to…

Charlie Mason

Photo by Rye Green

Climate Action: Bringing Clean Energy to Every Home in Klemtu

In an effort to make Klemtu a completely net zero greenhouse gas emitting community, air source heat pumps are being installed in every home and most community buildings. Leading this initiative are KXSA’s Climate Action Coordinator Bryn Armstrong and Willy Sterneberg from Apex Heating and Plumbing.

These incredibly energy-efficient heat pumps will ultimately create a safe and warm environment at home with convenient and clean energy. With ninety-six homes in Klemtu, and forty-three already with heat pumps installed, our goal is that each building will have one – including the Firehall, daycare center, community hall, youth centre, and Band Council office.

With the hydroelectric facility being upgraded, heat pumps will be able to support enough electricity for the entire community for the next forty years. We would like to thank First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, Clean BC, and the Greener Homes Grant for making this a possibility.

Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards (SEAS)

The SEAS program has a long history of empowering future leaders to take on the challenges of tomorrow with the knowledge, skill and confidence necessary to succeed.

This summer, we were grateful for the passionate and hard work of SEAS alumni Robbie Duncan who took on the role of lead coordinator while Vern Brown took time with his family and newborn baby.

This summer's programming included a wide variety of hands-on activities, from learning how to identify cultural features in forests with an archeologist to how movies are made from start to finish. Students also had the opportunity to take environmental DNA samples from streams, set sail on a conservation vessel, and receive wilderness awareness training.

Photo by Bryn Armstrong

Photo by Vern Brown

KXSA STAFF

Doug Neasloss Director

Vernon Brown SEAS & Outdoor Coordinator

Starr

Desiree Brown

Evelyn Edgar Culture & Museum Coordinator

Rolene Robinson Administrative Assistant

Lead Research Field Technician

Sierra Hall

Roberta Duncan Julianne Humchitt-Mason Medrick Robinson

Spencer Mason Tim Robinson Youth Coordinator Youth Coordinator Guardian Watchman Guardian Watchman Guardian Watchman

Chantal Pronteau

Krista Brown Skipper Field Technician

Research Data Lead Field Technician

Mercedes Robinson-Neasloss

Ivan Robinson Matthew Danes Benita Duncan Guardian Watchman Guardian Watchman Community Marine Planning Coordinator

Rob Duncan

Evan Loveless Ken Cripps Bryn Armstrong Christina Service

SEAS Skipper Stewardship Advisor Marine Planning & Fisheries Advisor

Climate Action Coordinator Wildlife Biologist & Science Coordinator

Rosie Child

Marlie van Roy

Data & Engagement Coordinator (On Leave) Data & Engagement Coordinator

Laurel Sleigh Marine Planner

Brady Stjerneberg Operations Manager

Santana Edgar Community Marine Use Coordinator (On Leave)

Photo by Moonfish Media