Gathering on the Coast: Reflections from the Indigenous Leaders Retreat in Port Hardy
Earlier this month, the Grizzly Bear Foundation hosted a small gathering of Indigenous leaders and conservation practitioners in Port Hardy to explore the future of Indigenous-led wildlife stewardship in British Columbia. The gathering brought together leaders whose work has shaped conservation, stewardship, Indigenous governance, and protected areas across the province and beyond.
Gathering in Port Hardy
The gathering began on June 6 with an evening dinner in Port Hardy. Joining us were Douglas Neasloss, Eli Enns, Mike Willie, Miles Richardson, Julian Griggs, Nicholas Scapillati, Thomas Child, Kestrel DeMarco, and Richard Sparrow.
The evening provided an opportunity to reconnect, build relationships, and begin discussing the opportunities and challenges facing Indigenous-led conservation today.
Learning on the Land and Water
The following morning, Mike Willie welcomed us onto the water to experience his territory firsthand. Departing from Port McNeill, we travelled through the rich marine and coastal ecosystems that have sustained his people for generations.
Along the shoreline, we observed grizzly bears feeding and moving through the landscape, offering a powerful reminder of the deep relationship between wildlife, culture, and place. One of the highlights of the day was an unforgettable encounter with a humpback whale that approached our vessel, creating a shared moment of awe and reflection.
Throughout our time together, conversations flowed naturally around the dinner table, on the water, and during our walks. These discussions focused on Indigenous leadership, stewardship responsibilities, governance, transparency, and the importance of ensuring conservation efforts remain grounded in Indigenous values, laws, and knowledge systems.
Exploring a Shared Vision
On June 8, we gathered for a full day of facilitated discussions led by Julian Griggs. Building on years of collective experience and relationships, participants explored what a shared vision for Indigenous-led wildlife stewardship could look like in British Columbia.
The discussion drew heavily on lessons from Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, the success of the Indigenous-led conservation movement, and the groundbreaking work reflected in the We Rise Together report.
Eli Enns shared valuable insights from his leadership in developing We Rise Together, highlighting how Indigenous values, governance systems, and cultural responsibilities can provide a foundation for long-term conservation success.
Miles Richardson offered strategic guidance informed by decades of leadership and advocacy, while Douglas Neasloss and Mike Willie shared practical examples of stewardship models that are already creating meaningful change within their territories.
Looking Ahead
One of the key outcomes of the gathering was a shared commitment to explore the development of an Indigenous Wildlife Stewardship Framework for British Columbia.
Participants discussed how such a framework could help articulate Indigenous priorities for wildlife stewardship, support Indigenous-led decision-making, strengthen relationships with governments and conservation organizations, and provide a pathway for future generations to exercise their responsibilities to the land and wildlife.
The gathering reinforced something that many of us have experienced through years of relationship building: wildlife conservation is about much more than protecting a species. It is about culture, identity, responsibility, and our relationship with the natural world.
As we look ahead, we are inspired by the leadership around the table and the opportunity to work together to advance a shared vision for Indigenous-led wildlife stewardship across British Columbia.
We left Port Hardy feeling grateful for the wisdom shared, the relationships strengthened, and the collective commitment to ensuring Indigenous voices continue to guide the future of conservation.
This gathering marked another important step in a much larger journey, one that will continue to be shaped by Indigenous leadership, knowledge, and vision.
Acknowledgement
We would also like to offer a heartfelt acknowledgement to our Chair, Laura Grizzlypaws, whose unwavering support of Indigenous-led conservation and the Indigenous Roundtable process has helped create the space for these important conversations to flourish.
While Laura was unable to join us as she supported her family through a difficult time, her presence was felt throughout our gathering. Many of our discussions reflected values that Laura has consistently championed: respect, relationship-building, Indigenous leadership, and a deep commitment to ensuring that conservation is guided by those who have cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial.
On behalf of everyone who attended, we held Laura and her family in our thoughts throughout the gathering and extend our gratitude for her continued leadership, friendship, and belief in this work. Laura has been instrumental in helping us build a strong foundation for Indigenous-led wildlife stewardship, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
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