Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht First Nations have announced with the Province of BC the proposed conversion of approximately 77,000 hectares of Tree Farm License 54 (TFL 54) into conservancies in the Clayoquot Sound. This will mean the permanent protection of old growth forests and critical ecosystems in these areas.
Conservancies are lands set aside under the Park Act for:
- The protection and maintenance of their biological diversity and natural environments
- The preservation and maintenance of social, ceremonial and cultural uses of First Nations
- The protection and maintenance of their recreational values
- Development or use of natural resources in a manner consistent with the purposes of the above
These proposed conservancies align with:
- The Tla-o-qui-aht Tiičmis (pronounced ‘teach-miss” and meaning life source, biodiversity and the environment) areas identified in the Tla-o-qui-aht / ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Land Use Vision as Tribal Parks
- The ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Wiklakʷiiḥ (wick-lakwee-ah) Cultural and Natural Areas identified in the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ “Iisaakstał Land Use Vision.” Iisaakstał is pronounced “ee-sock-stalth” and means to respect one another; inclusive of lands, waters, animals, and people.
The Province of BC has a survey open until April 10, 2024 to hear feedback from the public on the proposed conservancies.
Tourism Tofino congratulates both Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Ahousaht First Nation on this monumental step forward that asserts Indigenous rights of self-determination over their territories with the proposed Indigenous-led conservancies. It is critical that these sensitive areas are protected by the First Peoples of this region for generations to come.
