Respectful First Nations Visitation

How can I visit respectfully?

Respectful recreation within First Nations Territories is of the utmost importance. Preserving cultural heritage features can be critical for the continuity of cultural knowledge. Historically, recreation has paid little attention to what respectful recreation looks like around cultural features. The paddling community has an opportunity to shift this narrative by supporting Indigenous management practices, respecting cultural spaces, and fostering meaningful relationships with the lands and waters we travel through.

Video on respectful recreation from the Nanwakolas Council

First Nations tenet of the Marine Trails Code of Conduct

Is it important to contact and seek permission?

Contacting First Nations prior to visiting would be overwhelming to these governments. Instead, find tips below that we suggest to both be respectful and also to enhance your experience. 

There are, however, campsites and other locations where permission and even fees to First Nations are either suggested or required. Respecting these requests and paying required fees help First Nations continue to care for these Territories as they have since time immemorial. 

Each site on our map lists the First Nations Territory (or Territories as overlapping is common) on which the site is located. Below the site information, there is a First Nations Information Box, where each Nation displays their messaging to paddlers, and if applicable how or where to pay fees.

  • Review the BC Marine Trails map, note the First nations listed underneath the site.
  • Read the First Nations box on each site, click on any links to videos or stewardship fees
  • Become familiar with indigenous features such as village sites, petroglyphs, clam gardens, fishing weirs and middens and visit them respectfully. This often means keeping a distance, but sometimes can mean seeking permission and/or paying a fee. Where that’s available, it is provided on the BCMT map for each site
  • When out on our journey, respect and follow any directions from First Nations Guardians
  • Support Indigenous businesses during your travels. Go to Indigenous Tourism BC and use the tools on the website to find businesses in the areas you intend to travel.
  • If there is a local First Nations museum, take time for a thoughtful visit.

Nations with Stewardship Fee Programs

As paddlers and enthusiasts exploring these waters, it is essential to understand and respect the various management directives and plans put forth by Indigenous Nations. From visitor guidelines, stewardship fees and guardian programming, these directives are not only a testament to the Nations’ sovereignty but also an integral part of maintaining the health and vitality of these coastal ecosystems.

Ahousaht

Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island

If you are planning a trip north of Tofino, to Vargas, Flores, surrounding islands, or Hot Springs Cove, visitation is subject to a $15 / day stewardship fee payable to the Ahousaht Stewardship Fund. The Fund supports the Ahousaht Stewardship Guardian Program, combining western science and Ahousaht knowledge to support the preservation, restoration and protection of Ahousaht resources and culture for generations to come. 

Stewardship feesWays to payArea
$15 / DayOnline, click hereSee area map

Tla-o-qui-aht

Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island

ƛayaaḥuɁał– the closest word to “Welcome” in the Tla-o-qui-aht language – extends both an invitation and an expectation. Guests are welcomed here with open arms, but they are expected to yuuts-hap: to carry themselves with dignity, honour, humility, and respect while travelling through the haḥuułi of the ƛaɁuukwiatḥ ḥaw̓iiḥ. We invite you to take the ʔiisaak pledge, carrying these words in your heart as you travel: Learn how to embody them and consider donating to Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks to help fund stewardship within the haḥuułi. Suggested donation is $10/day for trips within Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.

Stewardship feesWays to payArea
Voluntary donationOnline, click hereSee area map

Mamalilikulla

Broughton Archipelago, Vancouver Island

With limited stewardship resources, the Mamalilikulla have found it necessary to develop a voluntary registration system and to require a visitor fee, particularly for our Village Island Reserve, known as Mimkwamlis. These management tools will assist them in improving their stewardship capacity and to better manage areas to avoid damage from over-use. Mamalilikulla Guardians patrol the waters and are stationed at Mimkwamlis and will be happy to assist you. Please visit their website for visitor information and registration details.

Stewardship feesWays to payArea
$20 / DayE-transfer or mailSee area map

Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis

Broughton Archipelago, Vancouver Island

Please register your visit or direct questions to landsmanager@khfn.ca. To make a payment, e-transfer to accounting@khfn.ca – suggested donation amount is $20/person/night. These funds help support our stewardship of the land through the developing Guardian Program.

Stewardship feesWays to payArea
Recommended $20 / nightE-transferSee area map

Huu-ay-aht

Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island

If you are planning a trip to the Deer Group off of Bamfield some sites may lie in Huu-ay-aht Treaty Settlement Land, and are subject to a permit application and stewardship fee for use. Included sites are on Helby and Diana Islands. 

Stewardship feesWays to payArea
$10.50 / NightIn person, click for locationsSee area map

Yuquot (Friendly Cove)

Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island

Yuquot (Friendly Cove), on Nootka Island, is the Traditional Territory of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht Nation and holds deep cultural and historical significance. Respectful visitation is encouraged, and a ​landing and camping fee​ supports site stewardship.

Stewardship feesWays to payArea
$15-20OnlineTown of Yuquot only

Nuchatlaht

Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island

The Nuchatlaht First Nation is proud to welcome visitors to our ancestral territory, a place of deep cultural significance. Stewardship fees help protect the ecological and cultural integrity of the territory and are a requirement for all non-Nuchatlaht visitors.

Stewardship feesWays to payArea
$25 / dayBy cheque, click for detailsSee map

Readings & Resources

2

Join us in Citizen Based Reconciliation on the BC Coast

What it means and how you can participate in establishing respectful relationships.

Read Now
Screenshot 2025-02-14 at 9.21.39 AM

Indigenous Tourism BC Business Directory

Support Indigenous owned businesses during your adventures. 

Visit Now
Nuchatlitz, By Sam Cutcliffe

Respecting Indigenous Management Directives

Emerging trends in outdoor recreation as Indigenous-led management expands.

Read Now
Screenshot 2025-02-14 at 9.07.18 AM

Maya’xala: Respect

The importance of cultural and archaeological sites, and best practice in Nanwakolas member Territories.

Watch Now
Screenshot 2025-02-14 at 9.16.37 AM

Guidance Toolkit for Engagement with Indigenous Communities

Tools for recreation organizations embarking on discussions and relationship building.
Read Now
Screenshot 2025-02-14 at 8.18.54 AM

Visiting the Mamalilikulla Territory

An orientation to respectful visitation within Mamalilikulla Territory.

Read Now
Screenshot 2025-02-14 at 9.19.07 AM

Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Resources

Media kits,ʔiisaak Pledge, annual reports, declaration, and more.
Read Now
photo credit - Mark Byrne, Gecko Paddler

Responsible Paddling in the Chatham and Discovery Archipelago

Directives to protect Chatham and Discovery Islands’ fragile ecosystems.
Read Now
IMG_8064-min

Paddling within the Ahousaht Hahoulthee

Stewardship fees, considerations, and respectful paddling. 

Read Now
Cultural Museum, Bella Bella

Q̓átuw̓alas: Heiltsuk Visitor Information Centre in Bella Bella

Know before you go. 

Read Now
Nootka Sound, by Sam Cutcliffe

Explore Nootka

Helpful information from the Mowachaht Muchalaht
Read Now
This picture was taken within ƛaakašiis—pronounced Tlaa-ka-shiis—located within Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks. There is no concept of the word "wilderness" in the Nuu-chah-nulth language. The closest term, "walyuu", translates to "home". What may appear as untamed or "wild" landscapes to outsiders are, in fact, territories that have been carefully managed and nurtured by Nuu-chah-nulth peoples for millennia.

Article: Why IPCAs Matter

Article on Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas
Read Now

Are there cultural places we can visit? Are there places we must avoid?

It is universally understood that Indian Reserves, also known as IR lands, are off limits. IR lands are private and shown on all layers of our Map. 

There are many other places — such as village sites and other cultural highlights including culturally modified trees, clam gardens, fishing weirs, middens and other features — that can be viewed with respect from the water, and sometimes visited on land with prior arrangement or payment of fees  (Mamalilikulla’s Village Island is a known one, there may be others). Declared and recognized Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas are becoming a way in which Nations can assert desired management directives on lands and waters in their territory. Each one is unique. BCMT supports various approaches that First Nations may take in exercising rights and management within their territories, including IPCAs.

The more you know, the better your experience.

We may think we’re paddling and camping in pure wilderness. However what you see has been curated for hundreds if not thousands of years – beaches, clam gardens, fish weirs, middens.  Learn more by looking up each Nation on the web as most Nations have a website, many with a great deal of information that can enhance your visit. 

Join us in our First Nation Engagement Efforts

We are always looking for opportunities to get our volunteers engaged with projects that support Indigenous led development of their Territories. If you have any questions or project ideas to help improve our work, please contact Peter Englander, penglander@bcmarinetrails.org

Glossary

Aboriginal law refers to an area of law under the Canadian legal framework, which is reflective of Canada’s colonial history as it relates to Indigenous peoples, including the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and the Indian Act.

Aboriginal Title is a legal interest in land held collectively by an Indigenous people. It includes the right to decide how the land will be used and the right to benefit from those uses.

Aboriginal rights are substantive, legal rights related to the practices and traditions that form an integral part of the way of life of an Indigenous people.

Since 2019, BCMT has committed to seek partnership with each of the 74 Coastal First Nations for Free Prior and Informed Consent on anything BCMT shows or does on their Territory. To date we have partnered with over half of nations, with new engagements sought year round with the help of the First Nations Liaison and the First Nations Engagement Committee.

First Nations are 1 of 3 recognized Indigenous Peoples in Canada, along with Inuit and Métis. There are 74 First Nations on the coast of British Columbia, 45 of which are on Vancouver Island alone.

The geographic area identified by a First Nation as the land they and/or their ancestors traditionally occupied and used for which Canada and British Columbia recognizes their Rights and Title.

“The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires States to consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them (article 19).” – Free, Prior and Informed Consent of Indigenous Peoples

First Nations in BC are leading the way in stewarding their Territories through a variety of Guardian and stewardship programs, these programs and staff are continuing the work First Nations have undertaken in their Territories since time immemorial. Guardians are an extension of First Nations self-determination, serving as their Nation’s “boots on the ground” and providing cultural expertise and stewardship, monitoring, public safety, education and knowledge exchange. “Guardians” is an umbrella term used to refer to a variety of programs led by First Nations, including, but not limited to: Liaisons, Watchmen, Rangers, Stewards, Nation Patrol, Territorial Patrol, Field Technicians, and Environmental Monitors.

Guardians are on-the-Territory and on-water stewards who are highly trained. Follow any instructions they may give you and feel free to ask them questions. Some areas are also covered by the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

Lands held by the Government of Canada, for the exclusive use and benefit of a specific First Nation. These lands are legally designated for the community and should be considered private. Access or use of these lands requires permission from the respective First Nation.

The laws and legal systems of Indigenous Nations, which exist separate and apart from the Canadian legal system except to the extent they’ve been incorporated into Canadian law.

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are lands and waters where Indigenous Peoples have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems through Indigenous laws, governance and knowledge systems. IPCAs include a spectrum of conservation mechanisms and models that support Indigenous leadership in conservation. Areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples, such as IPCAs, are only one part of Indigenous-led conservation efforts taking place across Canada.

Aboriginal Rights and Title refer to the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada to their traditional lands. The courts in Canada and British Columbia have recognized these rights, which are based on the long-standing use and occupancy of the land by First Nations.

In British Columbia, there are 74 Coastal First Nations, each with their own Territories along the coast. However, Aboriginal Rights and Title do not necessarily exist on all the land, depending on extent of use and other factors. Aboriginal Title most likely exists in village sites, cultural sites and harvesting areas used by the First Nations for millennia. Many of these sites overlap with where recreationists visit.

Recently, the government of British Columbia has been working with some First Nations to create agreements that acknowledge their Rights and Title, and to develop processes for jointly managing land and resources. It’s important to note that these agreements do not include private lands, which are those registered under the Land Titles Act in BC.

Agreements defining Right and Title in individual First Nations’ Territories may, over time, lead to changes in public land use — by ensuring our recreational community visits First Nations Territories respectfully, we build a stronger voice for advocacy and long term productive engagement.

Treaty rights are established legal rights set out in formal agreements between the Crown and Indigenous peoples and protected by the Canadian Constitution.

First Nations Territory is a self declared area to which a First Nation’s inherent Rights and Title may exist and to which there is inherent management.

Treaty Settlement Lands (TSL) include lands transferred to First Nations as a result of modern treaty efforts and Indian Reserves may be included.  TSLs can be declared “public” or “private”.  Assume that it is private unless there is information to the contrary.  Access or use TSLs only by permission from the First Nation.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was organized by the parties to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The commission was part of a holistic and comprehensive response to the charges of abuse and other ill effects for First Nations children that resulted from the Indian residential school legacy. The Commission was officially established on June 2, 2008, and was completed in December 2015.

UNDRIP received Royal Assent on June 21, 2021 and immediately came into force. This legislation advances the implementation of the Declaration as a key step in renewing the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.The provincial government passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) into law in November 2019.

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