Reflections on the Indigenous Roundtable and a Journey North
A letter from Grizzly Bear Foundation's Director of Indigenous-Led Conservation, Richard Sparrow.
Featured in Issue Eleven of The Knowledge Keeper newsletter. Subscribe here.
Dear Grizzly Champions,
Over the past few months, I’ve had time to reflect on one of the most meaningful moments in my work—the gathering of over 40 First Nations at our most recent Indigenous Roundtable on Grizzly Bear Conservation and Bear-Viewing Ecotourism (the Roundtable), held on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) territory. It was the largest Roundtable we have hosted to date, and a milestone for Indigenous-led wildlife policy in British Columbia.
Over two powerful days, more than 100 participants, including First Nations leaders, Elders, youth, stewards, knowledge holders, and allies, came together to share their voices, experiences, and visions for the future of grizzly bear stewardship. As someone deeply rooted in both community and conservation, I felt profoundly grateful and humbled by the trust, time, and wisdom that each Nation and individual brought to the table.
This work is a privilege. I have the honour of walking alongside people who care deeply not just about wildlife, but about the lands, waters, and responsibilities that have sustained our cultures for generations. The conversations we shared were thoughtful, courageous, and grounded in a deep sense of purpose.
A Milestone in Wildlife Policy
This year’s gathering held special significance: it coincided with the Province of British Columbia’s consultation on the Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework and Commercial Bear Viewing Strategy—a pivotal opportunity to develop a world-leading model for grizzly bear stewardship that centres Indigenous knowledge, values, and leadership.
Through a formal agreement with the Province, the Grizzly Bear Foundation supported consultation through the Roundtable process—a trusted and respected forum for First Nations to gather, share knowledge, and collaborate in a culturally safe and respectful space. It was a proud moment to witness the Province recognize the Roundtable as a complementary and necessary step in meaningful consultation.
That recognition strengthens our collective ability to influence policy, amplify Indigenous leadership in wildlife stewardship, and shape a future that respects Indigenous rights—as laid out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)—and the responsibilities that come with caring for the grizzly bears who roam the lands and waters that have always supported our communities.
The Spirit of the Roundtable
The Roundtable was a success not just in participation, but in spirit—in the power of bringing people together around shared priorities and a core value: our relationship with the grizzly bear. Grounded in ceremony and supported by creative tools like visual facilitation and QR code feedback, we held space for big conversations and bold ideas.
Each session was designed to amplify Indigenous voices and build momentum toward a more respectful, inclusive, and Nation-led approach to wildlife governance. Through keynote presentations and breakout group discussions, delegates dove into questions of defining stewardship, reflecting on the grizzly bear as a cultural keystone species, and decolonizing the wildlife consultation process.
The gathering also welcomed California Tribal delegates, who shared heartfelt stories of their work to reintroduce the California condor, drawing moving parallels to their grizzly bear recovery efforts and Indigenous-led conservation across borders.
From the cultural teachings of the grizzly bear to the shared hopes of bringing relatives like the condor and grizzly home, we saw clearly that Indigenous voices must lead conservation.
A Journey North: from California to B.C.'s Central Coast
The morning after the Roundtable, our journey continued north. Alongside members of the Yurok Tribe, the California Grizzly Bear Alliance, and academic partners, we boarded a small plane bound for Port Hardy—the gateway to the rugged coastlines of northern Vancouver Island and the Great Bear Rainforest.
Our first stop was with Mike Willie, a proud member of the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis Nation and owner-operator of Sea Wolf Adventures. From the moment we stepped aboard his vessel, we were immersed in the living culture of the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples. The stories shared, the laughter, and the generosity of spirit made us feel immediately at home. As we travelled through the misty inlets of Knight Inlet, we were surrounded by towering ancient trees and steep mountainsides that seemed to breathe with life. We watched in quiet awe as a mother grizzly and her cub dug for clams and mussels along the shore, a moment that reminded us how deeply connected these bears are to the lands and waters that sustain them.
From Port Hardy, our journey carried us further north to Klemtu, home to the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation and the world-renowned Spirit Bear Lodge. The lodge exceeded every expectation, a powerful example of Indigenous stewardship, excellence, and hospitality. Guided by their incredible team, we explored their vast traditional territory by boat and on foot, where we were welcomed not only by grizzlies, but also by killer whales and humpback whales breaching just offshore.
With both Sea Wolf Adventures and Spirit Bear Lodge, we were reminded of how fortunate we were to be welcomed into these territories. Each host carried an immense depth of knowledge, not only of wildlife, but of place, and of the stories and responsibilities passed down through generations. Their teachings illuminated the intricate relationship between people, bears, and the land, a relationship that has endured since time immemorial.
We were honoured to walk the ancient grizzly stomp trails under the guidance of Douglas Neasloss, whose leadership and generosity grounded our experience. Surrounded by old-growth forests, petroglyphs, and traditional sites that mark the enduring presence of his people, we were humbled by the beauty of these lands and the strength of the stewardship that has protected them for millennia.
Bridging Lands and Stories
For our California delegation, this journey was about more than observation; it was about reconnection. Many had never seen a grizzly bear in their lifetime, as California’s last wild grizzly disappeared more than a century ago. To stand in the presence of these relatives, on Indigenous lands where they are still honoured and protected, was both humbling and transformative.
Through ceremony, stories, and time on the land, the delegation witnessed what it truly means to live with grizzlies, not apart from them. These shared moments built deep connections rooted in respect, humility, and shared purpose. Together, we reflected on the grizzly as more than a symbol of the land, but as a relative, a teacher, and a reminder of the responsibilities we hold as caretakers.
For the Grizzly Bear Foundation, it is a profound honour to walk alongside the California Grizzly Bear Alliance, the Yurok Tribe, and our partners from across the Pacific Coast in this journey of learning and renewal. This collaboration has strengthened bonds between Indigenous Nations of British Columbia and California, a relationship built on the hope of restoring balance, revitalizing cultural knowledge, and supporting the California Tribes’ vision of bringing the grizzly home.
Carrying Forward Our Work Together
Our continued work together will focus on cultural exchange, shared learning, and amplifying Indigenous leadership in wildlife stewardship. We will continue to explore opportunities to support our collective priorities, guided by Indigenous laws, values, and worldviews that have sustained these relationships for millennia.
As we move forward, this collaboration reminds us that conservation is not only about protecting species; it is about protecting relationships between people and place, between knowledge and responsibility, and between Nations working together for the land’s healing.
Until next time, thank you for walking this path with us, for believing in Indigenous leadership, for honouring the voices of the land, and for keeping the stories of our animal relatives alive.
Haw’aa
hay čxʷ q̓ə
Richard Sparrow
Director of Indigenous-Led Conservation
Grizzly Bear Foundation
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