A Canadian First Nations hereditary chief has spoken out about how Indigenous-owned and operated wildlife tours are helping Indigenous people lay claim to their traditional territory.
Mike Willie, who lives in the remote Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, uses his wildlife travel business as a vehicle to share the stories of the lands that he and his ancestors have looked after, and that have looked after them, for more than 14,000 years.
“We also use the tourism industry to train and employ our people, and get our people out into the nooks and crannies of our traditional territory by boat,” says Mike, a member of the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw, in the latest episode of the Wild Lives podcast.
“So when guests come from around the world, we’re showing them who we are and where we come from, and we’re very, very proud of that,” he continues. “But also it is getting us out and occupying our traditional territory.
“Getting out and using the land is key. When it comes to our rights, if you don’t use it, you could lose it. And so there’s a few of us that have realised that we could use the tourism industry to exercise our rights. And who better to show people our lands and waters than us?”
You can hear the full conversation with Mike in the latest episode of Wild Lives – listen below or search for Wild Lives wherever you get your podcasts.
Top image: view of Glendale Cove, on the south side of Knight Inlet in British Columbia. Credit: Paul McGuinness
