The Coastal Voices team just returned from an amazing trip to the community of Kyuquot – home to the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Chek’tles7et’h’ First Nation.
We were invited there to co-host a community workshop – Adapting to Sea Otters and Changing Access to Shellfish and Fish – and talk to the community members about their experiences living alongside sea otters, which were re-introduced into the territory in 1969. Travelling with us were Heredity Chiefs from other First Nations in B.C. who have not yet experienced sea otters returning to their territory. They joined this Coastal Voices ‘road trip’ to learn from the Kyuquot community about the impacts that otters have had in the area and what actions facilitate people’s ability to co-existence with sea otters.
From left to right: Tony Hanson (KCFN Fisheries Manager), Anne Salomon (SFU Professor), Jenn Burt (SFU researcher), Evelyn Pinkerton (SFU Professor), Git Kinjuaas Ron Wilson (Haida Laana AwGa, Hereditary Chief), Laurie Wood (team organizer), Wii-tsts-koom Anne Mack (Toquaht Ha with, Hereditary Chief), Skill-Hillans Allan Davidson (Haida Laana AwGa, Hereditary Chief), Ilja Herb (our film maker)
We had a chance to get out on the water and see some otters! This was the first time that the Haida and Toquaht Chiefs have seen a real otter. It was a beautiful day and a breathtaking seascape!
After being inspired by the local seascape, our team got to work planning the workshop with local stewardship managers. After lots of discussion, the evening of our workshop finally arrived. We had a great turn out (~40-50 people), lots of delicious food, and really good dialogue. We appreciated greatly the discussion and stories that the Kyuquot people were willing to share. We wrote notes on flip chart, recorded ideas on our laptops, conducted a survey, watched several video clips (including the coastal voices short film) and gave away some exciting door prizes!
After the workshop was over we stayed a few more days to continue talking and interviewing local people. Jenn stayed on beyond this and enjoyed some great experiences with wonderful people in the community sharing food, sharing stories, and doing lots of surveys! Overall, the team is deeply grateful for everything and looks forward to reporting back to the community as progress on the project continues. Kleco kleco Thank you!
