

T'Souke First Nation: the Epitome of Stewards of the Land
T'Souke First Nation exemplifies what it means to be stewards of the land. In collaboration with organizations such as the Coastal...
T'Souke First Nation: the Epitome of Stewards of the Land
Learn about the exciting initiatives, events, programs and opportunities happening at Naut'sa mawt and within our 10 member Nation communities.
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T'Souke First Nation exemplifies what it means to be stewards of the land. In collaboration with organizations such as the Coastal Restoration Society, work continues on projects such as the monitoring of green crab populations, marine shore clean-up, emergency response, and monitoring of wild salmon populations. The Coastal Restoration Society supports environmental remediation projects in alliance with First Nations and government agencies, as well as community members and businesses in the marine industry like Vancouver Island Lodge.
Chief Gordon Planes, T'Sou'ke First Nation
The monitoring and controlling of the European green crab population is a challenging one, given that they are a thriving, invasive species which poses a danger to native eelgrass beds, juvenile clam beds, and wild salmon rearing habitat.
"Invasive European Green Crab are being found up and down the West Coast in larger numbers than ever. These crabs outcompete native species and destroy sensitive and ecologically important habitat.
Coastal Restoration Society, in partnership with BCSRIF (British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, and T'Sou-ke First Nations have launch a project to study industrial trapping as a way to mitigate the impacts of European Green Crab on the West Coast of Canada. "
As well, the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative is aimed at the removal of anthropogenic debris from shoreline environments and removal of derelict vessels from near and inshore marine environments.
"In partnership with the T’Sou-ke First Nation, the beaches around Sooke got a deep clean this summer thanks to the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative, which funded the T’Sou-ke Shoreline Beach Clean Up. A team built of T’Sou-ke Nation members, local businesses, and community members retrieved a staggering 10 tons of debris, with the majority headed to the The Ocean Legacy Foundation recycling facility in Vancouver."
Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council raises our hands to Chief Gordon Planes as he continues to inspire others and show that T'Souke First Nation is the embodiment of Indigenous Land Guardians. Hay čxʷ q̓ə.
The Community Food Network organized and funded a compost workshop at the Malahat Community Garden on Friday, September 23, 2022. It was taught by Kayla Siefried from the Compost Education Center and was a hands-on demo of making outdoor compost and general tips and tricks and uses for compost. The gardeners received kudos from Kayla for having a very pollinator friendly garden.
Attending was Sandy Joe (lead gardener), Shane Sylvester (seasonal gardener) and Darren James (assistant gardener).
Please reach out to seannaj@nautsamawt.com if you would like to host a compost workshop in your community or if you'd like the notes from this workshop.
Naut'sa Mawt Events Management, on behalf of the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group, is pleased to bring you this inaugural, in-person event!
IZWTAG offers training and resources to First Nations to implement zero waste systems within their communities. This one-day gathering is an opportunity to learn how to get started in zero waste, best practices, funding opportunities, have a chance to network, and also see how other First Nations in BC started and ran their recycling programs.
Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Time: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (PST)
Where: Westin Wall Centre
3099 Corvette Way
Richmond, BC
Who should attend:
Anyone involved in waste management, recycling, and composting in your Nation.
Band Managers
Public Works Managers
Operations & Maintenance Managers
Recycling Champions
Waste & Recycling Collectors
Transfer Station/Eco-Depot Operators & Supervisors
Lands and Resources Managers
Environmental Technicians
Housing Managers
This is a great opportunity for networking and building partnerships between First Nation communities and Product Stewards. Hotel accommodation is available on a limited basis; if required, please indicate on your registration form and submit ASAP.
For any registration or general event questions, please contact events2@nautsamawt.com.
Download the Agenda and Breakout Room Descriptions here: