A new campground in the Broughton Archipelago off northern Vancouver Island is expected to help jumpstart the economy of a local First Nation.

The KwikwasutB次元官网网址檌nuxw HaxwaB次元官网网址檓is First Nation government has initiated a B次元官网网址楥ome Back HomeB次元官网网址� plan that will provide the necessary housing, education, health, transportation and other basic amenities that will allow for the return of their people to their homelands.

The cornerstone of this plan is the creation of a tourism economy that will replace the once vibrant forestry and fisheries industries that employed many of their people.

The First Nation received $50,000 in funding for the new new camping facilities at Buddy Bay, near the Gilford Island village of GwaB次元官网网址檡asB次元官网网址檇ums, from the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET)B次元官网网址檚 Capital and Innovation Program.

The projectB次元官网网址檚 total budget is $324,971, and construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2022.

B次元官网网址淥ur Nation is one of the few First Nations who are still fortunate enough to live in their traditional village site, which we have occupied for thousands of years,B次元官网网址� said KwikwasutB次元官网网址檌nuxw HaxwaB次元官网网址檓is First Nation Chief Rick Johnson. B次元官网网址淕waB次元官网网址檡asB次元官网网址檇ums Village remains a strong draw for many of our members who live off reserve and who wish to return home.B次元官网网址�

The Come Back Home plan has other initiatives that respond to public interest in Indigenous cultural and ecotourism experiences. These include the restoration of the GwaB次元官网网址檡asB次元官网网址檇ums Bighouse in 2014, the acquisition of the Echo Bay Marina and Lodge in 2020, and the completion of an interpretive ecotourism trail in Echo Bay in 2022. All of the initiatives were led by the KwikwasutB次元官网网址檌nuxw HaxwaB次元官网网址檓is First Nation.

B次元官网网址淕ilford Island is the largest island in the world-renowned Broughton Archipelago, and the Village of GwaB次元官网网址檡asB次元官网网址檇ums is well positioned to become increasingly involved in the areaB次元官网网址檚 growing tourism market,B次元官网网址� said Chief Johnson. B次元官网网址淥ur new permanent campground at Buddy Bay will be a 10 minute walk from GwaB次元官网网址檡asB次元官网网址檇ums and will support business investment and attraction related to ecotourism including kayak rentals, marine wildlife sightseeing guide outfits.B次元官网网址�

The Buddy Bay Campground will offer accommodation to visitors to the area arriving through group kayak tours, self-organized tours, and other marine excursions.

Amenities will include tent pads and a covered meeting area, outdoor shower and outhouse, potable water, safety and cultural interpretive signage, and trail improvements to existing trails to facilitate easy access to the village.

Future offerings may include traditional experiences such as meals, marine tours, and cultural excursions led by KwikwasutB次元官网网址檌nuxw HaxwaB次元官网网址檓is First Nation community members.

B次元官网网址淔irst Nations have and continue to steward these special places which visitors come to experience. Too often in the past, kayakers and ecotourism companies have used the beautiful territories of First Nations without contributing back towards their stewardship,B次元官网网址� said ICET chair Aaron Stone. B次元官网网址淏y introducing a new tourism experience to the Broughtons, this project will attract visitors to beautiful GwaB次元官网网址檡asB次元官网网址檇ums where they can experience KwikwasutB次元官网网址檌nuxw HaxwaB次元官网网址檓is culture and community in a respectful way.B次元官网网址�

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marc.kitteringham@campbellrivermirror.com
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