By Tribal Parks Allies
On November 21st, we celebrated the first anniversary of the Tribal Parks Allies Certification Standard. For 35 years, Clayoquot Sound has inspired the world as a case study of successful environmental stewardship and an example of what can be achieved when First Nations and non-Indigenous Allies stand together to protect the lands and waters we all depend on. Over the years, the role of Allies has shifted.
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, we relied on our Allies to spread the word about our struggles and blockade loggers and RCMP when they tried to force their way into our Sacred Garden. Today, we ask our Allies to contribute 1% of every dollar earned within the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks to help us steward our Tribal Parks, service our communities, and restore our language. In 2019, we raised $105,794 with the support of 27 Tribal Parks Allies. These funds put three new Guardians on the ground last summer and we developed essential infrastructure.
When European explorers and traders first visited our shores, they found a densely populated, ecologically abundant, and culturally vibrant society thriving along this coast. Today, our vision is to restore the abundance which is our birthright: an ecosystem as rich as the memories of our grandmothers, and a culture as rich as the dreams of our grandsons.
Learn more about Tribal Parks Allies @ www.tribalparksalliance.com, or follow them on Facebook (@tribalparksallies)
