Westcoast IPCA Support Program
Supporting Indigenous conservation leadership along the west coast of BC
In November 2023, WISP hosted the Estuary to Old Growth Gathering in partnership with T’Sou-ke Nation. The purpose of the Gathering was to bring First Nations along the west coast of BC together to discuss our shared responsibilities and opportunities to work together for future generations.
The report is available here:
As a branch of the Pacific IPCA Innovation Centre, WISP aims to galvanize a thriving Indigenous-led regional economy that generates social, ecological, and economic value through culturally-informed approaches to stewardship and development. WISP fosters opportunities for collaboration, strategic visioning, and alliances among First Nations interested in working together for future generations.
WISP is a collaborative, hishuk-ish tsawalk (everything is one, everything is interconnected) framework where CICICA, the IISAAK OLAM Foundation, and T’Sou-ke First Nation come together to amplify the impact of parallel, interconnected projects.
WISP is currently working on three interconnected projects that offer opportunities to advance First Nations cultural, ecosystem stewardship, and economic priorities:
1. The BigCoast Forest Climate Initiative
This long-term initiative is a commitment by Mosaic Forestry Management to voluntarily defer logging 40,000ha of old growth forest on the east coast of Vancouver Island and on Haida Gwaii. WISP is partnering with Mosaic to support all interested First Nations whose territories encompass the BigCoast area to develop an IPCA Strategy that can include: alternative economic development, sustainable housing solutions (IPCA EcoVillages), second growth/buffer area protection, and baseline research/species inventorying.
Sustainable Livelihoods Program
IPCA EcoVillages
Ecosystem Monitoring and Research
2. Westcoast IPCA Ambassador Program
The Westcoast IPCA Ambassador Program is designed for Indigenous peoples ages 18-35 who are members of First Nations along the west coast of BC. This program is about informing participants about the challenges and opportunities of conservation initiatives happening within their territories and providing them with the tools and resources to advocate for change.
Capacity Development
Knowledge Mobilization
Youth Training
The 2023 Westcoast IPCA Ambassador Program is pictured below. Please email Abby Sparling, wisp@ipcainnovation.ca, if you are a First Nations member on Vancouver Island (between the ages 18-35) interested in future programming opportunities.
3. The Indigenous-led West Coast Stewardship Corridor
Mission: to connect interested First Nations and communities who wish to participate along Vancouver Island, improving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, fostering collaboration between First Nations, and creating a corridor of cultural and ecological connectivity based on our shared responsibilities and ancestral teachings.
Cultural Corridors
Ecosystem Restoration
Shared Responsibilities
