Reflections on Truth and Reconciliation from Nuxalk Territory
By Richard Sparrow, Director of Indigenous-led Conservation, Grizzly Bear Foundation
Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I am reflecting on the resilience of our Elders and those who came before us. I feel deeply honoured to carry forward the strength, knowledge, and vision they have shared with us, and to build upon that foundation in the work we do today and for the generations that follow.
As part of that reflection, I’ve been thinking about our recent time with the Nuxalk People in Bella Coola, BC.
This past month, the Grizzly Bear Foundation had the honour of supporting the community in grizzly bear safety, coexistence, and Indigenous-led stewardship. Alongside Elders, Guardians, community leaders, and families, we listened to stories, teachings, and honest conversations about coexistence. It reminded me that the most meaningful learning happens when we take the time to listen.
Community members gathered at Nuxalk Hall for a community-led evening of Nuxalk knowledge and storytelling, local grizzly bear research, practical coexistence tools, and community conversation, held in collaboration with Nuxalk Stewardship, the Grizzly Bear Foundation, and the Raincoast Applied Conservation Science Lab.
Throughout our time in Nuxalk territory, I was deeply inspired by the Nuxalk Nation’s strength, resilience, and pride, and by the genuine sense of community rooted in their land and culture. And surrounded by such a breathtaking landscape, it was impossible not to appreciate the deep connection between the people, the land, and the grizzly bear.
It’s been almost a year since a grizzly bear attack rocked the community and reverberated around the world. No similar incident has been recorded in the millennia of oral history held by the Nuxalk. Despite the shock and trauma they have experienced, we have witnessed a Nation coming together with openness, pride, and a deep commitment to caring for one another, their lands, and the grizzly bear.
Together with the Raincoast Applied Conservation Science Lab and Margo Supplies, we supported Nuxalk leadership to highlight the innovative science and stewardship planning they are undertaking. This collaboration engaged community members in bear safety by hosting a bear safety workshop and handing out over 100 cans of bear spray. We also showcased coexistence techniques and offered electric fencing training, demonstrations, and cost-share program.
Grizzly Bear Foundation, Nuxalk Nation Stewardship, and Margo Supplies working together to support community coexistence through electric fencing and bear spray training in Nuxalk territory, September 2026.
From engaging conversations to experiencing local Indigenous-led tourism and learning on the land, we left feeling grateful, inspired, and committed to continuing this work through respectful relationships built on trust, reciprocity, and Indigenous leadership.
I am grateful for the relationships we strengthened, inspired by the warmth of our welcome, and deeply appreciative of the knowledge and lived experiences that continue to shape the future of wildlife stewardship in Bella Coola.
This experience also reinforced something I have come to believe strongly through our work at the Grizzly Bear Foundation. Our role is not to arrive with the answers, but to build trusted relationships and create space for Indigenous communities to lead the conversations about stewardship within their own territories.
Every community has its own knowledge, values, and experiences, and those voices must continue to guide our work. As we move forward, I am more convinced than ever that genuine conservation and coexistence depend on Indigenous leadership, humility, and active listening, with Indigenous communities as long-term partners.
As the Director of Indigenous-led Conservation at the Grizzly Bear Foundation, I recognize that reconciliation is not just an annual observance but a daily commitment. For me, it means approaching my work with humility, listening before speaking, and building genuine relationships. I support Indigenous Nations as they take the lead in discussions about stewardship within their own territories.
It means recognizing the value of both Indigenous knowledge and Western science, and embracing Ethical Space and a Two-Eyed Seeing approach that strengthens our shared understanding of wildlife conservation and coexistence. Most importantly, it means continuing to learn, listen, and walk alongside communities with respect, knowing the strongest and most lasting solutions come from the people who have cared for these lands since time immemorial.
The Grizzly Bear Foundation remains committed to strengthening our relationships with First Nations and communities wherever we have the privilege to work. We measure our success through ongoing feedback from partners like the Nuxalk and tangible conservation outcomes.
The experiences, conversations, and lessons shared with us in Bella Coola will continue to guide our approach as we build respectful partnerships, support Indigenous-led stewardship, and advance a shared vision for grizzly bear conservation and coexistence.
We are grateful for the trust placed in us by the Nuxalk and look forward to continuing this journey together.
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