Awi'nakola: Tree of Life

🎉 Historic win for Nuchatlaht Nation! On April 2, the BC Court of Appeal formally recognized the Nuchatlaht's Title to part of their territory on Nootka Island — the result of generations of legal struggle and stewardship. The relationship between the trees and the Nuchatlaht was a significant part of the ruling. The BC Court of Appeal criticized the narrow approach of the lower court, and said in its ruling: “…we are of the opinion that the evidence of harvesting of cedar in the interior of Nootka Island at the time of the assertion of sovereignty, seen in light of the evidence of the importance of cedar bark and logs in the Nuchatlaht’s culture, constitutes evidence of a strong presence on or over the land claimed.” — BC Court of Appeal. We're honoured to stand alongside Nuchatlaht as they reclaim jurisdiction, heal their lands, and shape their future on Nootka Island. 🌲 We call on Premier Eby and the B.C. government to fully respect this ruling and support Nuchatlaht's self-determination. Read the full blog by following the link in our bio 🔗 #bcpoli #indigenousrights #nuchatlaht #indigenous #nuchatlahtsolidarity

Sharing with the permission of Ma’amtagila. The Ma’amtagila Nation is working to reclaim their homelands after generations of displacement and exclusion from decisions affecting their territory. Their lands are being negotiated without consent, and support is urgently needed to restore jurisdiction, stewardship, and cultural connection. Here's how you can support: 👉 Donate if that is accessible: LINK IN BIO 👉 Learn more at maamtagila.ca 👉 Re-share this post

📢 ACTION ALERT: Logging is scheduled to begin January 6 on Ma’amtagila territory — without consultation or consent. B.C. forestry permits are being used to authorize logging above the Ma’amtagila Nation’s ancient village of Etsekin and across sacred forests in the Great Bear Rainforest region. The Ma’amtagila have never ceded or surrendered their lands, and they are calling for an immediate halt to this logging. Ecojustice stands in solidarity with the Ma’amtagila as they assert their rights and laws and demand that no logging move forward without their Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. Before you rest for the holidays, take one more step for B.C.'s sacred forests. What you can do: 1. Visit the link in bio 2. Sign their petition 3. Share this post

ACTION ALERT with the permission of Ma’amtagila: Email the B.C. government to amplify Ma’amtagila’s demand for Provincial Ministers to meet with them immediately with the intentions of remedying gross violations of Indigenous Law and the Free Prior and Informed Consent regarding imminent logging around their ancient village of Etsekin (I’tsika̱n ~ Matilpi Village) that could begin as early as January 6, 2026 and building solutions that benefit all British Columbians and Kwakwaka’wakw alike: /nologgingwithoutmaamtagilaconsent

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ACTION ALERT with the permission of Ma'amtagila: Email the B.C. government to amplify Ma'amtagila's demand for Provincial Ministers to meet with them immediately with the intentions of remedying gross violations regarding imminent logging around their ancient village of Etsekin (I'tsika̱n ~ Matilpi Village) that could begin as early as January 6, 2026 and building solutions that benefit all residents in B.C. and Kwakwaka'wakw alike ➡️ LINK IN BIO More information from Ma'amtagila: "BC Timber Sales, A&A Trading Ltd and the Tlowitsis Tribe Administration is attempting to log the entire hillside above the Ma'a̱mtagila First Nation's ancient village of Etsekin (I'tsika̱n ~ Matilpi Village) without consultation, consent or even acknowledgement of the Ma'a̱mtagila People. NANWAKOLAS TIMBER Ltd, TimberWest/MOSAIC as well as "La-kwa sa muqw" Forestry and Western Forest Products are also violating Indigenous Law and the Free Prior and Informed Consent of Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw peoples with their continued destruction of critical and sacred forests in the Tsitika, Eve, Adams, Naka and Great Bear Rainforest Watersheds on a regular basis. This is at best, devastating negligence on the part of these parties and at worst malicious disregard for the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of an Indigenous nation. Furthermore, the fact that this old-school, cavalier style of colonial resource extraction is still happening in the so-called Great Bear Rainforest highlights the desperate need for the Provincial Government to put into action commitments on DRIPA and the honouring of their crown-obligations to, at the very least consult with First Nations for whom they are issuing permits to operate within their sovereign territory. Crown entities; relevant Public and Private Logging corporations; The Provincial Government including successive Forests and Indigenous Relations ministers as well as successive Premiers and the BC Treaty Commission have all been made aware of Ma'a̱mtagila demands for recognition and consultation for years..." [Caption continued in the comments]

On the latest podchat, @rande_cook_art discusses the ongoing struggles of what Indigenous leadership looks like within an extractive colonial system that recognizes UNDRIP on paper but fails to implement in real life, and his role in reclaiming rights to ceremony and land as a hereditary chief of the Ma'amtagila First Nation as they embark on a legal battle for official recognition by the federal government. The episode is now live wherever you get your podcasts, from Spotify to Apple, Substack and more, all via the link in my bio - tune in, give it a listen, and get connected 🤙 🎙️Nerdy About Nature Podchat Series 🔗Episode 33 | Progressive rebellion for connection, place and belonging with Rande Cook If you’re enjoying these vids & podcasts and want more of ‘em, you can help support their production by becoming a paid supporter on patreon or substack via the link in my bio 🤙 #canada #bc #erasure #indigenous #firstnations #maamtagila #crown #crownland #stolenland #landback #vancouverisland #ohcanada #secretwar

“….the restoration of values we’ve lost…” One of the most naturally eloquent deep thinkers I know, @rande_cook_art came on the Nerdy About Nature Podchat to talk about his experiences as an Indigenous carver & artist, a hereditary chief of the Ma’amtagila First Nation, a founding member of @_treeoflife , and his work as what I call a ‘progressive rebel’ within the colonial framework of our modern world to build a better future for all of us human and non-human people. The episode is now live wherever you get your podcasts, from Spotify to Apple, Substack and more, all via the link in my bio - tune in, give it a listen, and get connected 🤙 🎙️Nerdy About Nature Podchat Series 🔗Episode 33 | Progressive rebellion for connection, place and belonging with Rande Cook If you’re enjoying these vids & podcasts and want more of ‘em, you can help support their production by becoming a paid supporter on patreon or substack via the link in my bio 🤙 #landback #ecology #indigenous #wisdom #podcast #art

Guided by a Board of Matriarchs and Femmes, the Awi’nakola Foundation works to uphold Indigenous legal orders, strengthen relationships to place, and support pathways that honour sovereignty and intergenerational responsibility. Your support—big or small—means a great deal to us! Gilakas’la. #Givingtuesday

(*MUST RSVP BY EMAIL LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE) Come join Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions Global PAX Collective and friends at #UVIC, Monday December 15th at 8:30am-10:00am! email: [email protected]

We’re hiring: Director of Indigenous Engagement and Programs Employment Type: Full-time (Permanent) 37.5 hrs/week Join a growing, collaborative and diverse team working to restore balance between people and the natural world through an Indigenous governance model led by an all-Indigenous Board of Matriarchs and Femmes. The Awi’nakola Foundation is seeking to fill a new role within our organization. The Director of Indigenous Engagement and Programs will help advance our vision of connection, renewal, and responsibility. This leadership role is an opportunity to build partnerships, develop programs, and contribute to land-and water-based field research initiatives that strengthen Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental integrity. LINK IN BIO!

🚨 BC Timber Sales has gone ROGUE. Instead of acting in the best interest of the public, the agency is deliberately TARGETING the most-at risk ecosystems in the province just to meet their timber quota. This article by the @the.canadianpress highlights Timber Sale License TA1375, which is home to a blue-listed species (Oldgrowth Specklebelly lichen) that -up until recently- BCTS claimed that they would protect. TA1375 would clear cut 84 acres immediately adjacent to the Tsitika Mountain Ecological Reserve. This forest was identified by technical experts as being an “antique forest” - the oldest type of old growth forest that exists. This area was identified for deferral in 2021. But in 2023, BCTS quietly rolled back its promise not to log deferral areas—and is now moving to liquidate one of the oldest remaining forests under their management. WE NEED A PUBLIC OUTCRY to stop the auction of TA1375 Please call BC Timber Sales at: 250-356-1918 Or email them at: [email protected] Ask them to CANCEL the auction of Timber Sale License TA1375 because: 1. It is home to Oldgrowth Specklebelly lichen which is an at risk species that needs old growth for its survival. 2. It was identified for deferral by the government’s own technical advisory panel, BC timber sales promised not to log deferral areas, and they are breaking that promise. 3. Local Kwakwaka’wakw leaders have asked for this area to be protected. Read the Canadian press article here: https://cheknews.ca/lichen-logging-land-rights-complex-forces-play-out-in-fate-of-ancient-b-c-forest-1278926/