Wanačas Hiłḥuuʔis (Meares Island), Big Tree Trail
About Tofino Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks
The Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks encompass the largest remaining, intact ancient rainforests on Vancouver Island.
This content was written in collaboration with Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.
Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks are in the haḥuułi of the Tla-o-qui-aht ḥaw̓iiḥ and continue to be protected by ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) laws, rights, and title. They encompass dune, bog, alpine, eelgrass meadow, and estuary ecosystems and include the village sites of Opitsaht, Esowista, TyHistanis and the municipality of Tofino. There are four declared Tribal Parks in Tla-o-qui-aht territory that are protected by ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) laws, rights, and title: Wanačas Hiłḥuuʔis (Meares Island), Tranquil Tribal Park, Ha`uukmin (Kennedy Lake Watershed) and Esowista Tribal Park.
Indigenous governance of the territory involves ecological stewardship roles and responsibilities for the longevity of this beautiful place. The reciprocal nature of caring for and being provided for by the lands and waters was disrupted by colonialist and capitalist actions in recent decades. Tla-o-qui-aht Nation have continued to reassert their rights and title to be able to carry forward the responsibility of caring for the land. The first Tribal Park, Wanačas Hiłḥuuʔis (aka Meares Island and its waterways) was declared on April 21, 1984.
It takes energy, funding and partnerships to steward these lands. The Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Allies is a group of not-for-profit organizations and businesses in Tofino that support the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks efforts towards reconciliation, resilience and abundance with financial contributions and a signed protocol agreement.
All connected
Here, environmental sustainability is understood not as a form of management, but as the practice of ʔiisaak: observing, appreciating, and acting accordingly. The goal of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks is to ensure that humans live in accordance with Natural Law. One of the ʔiisaak teachings is Hišukiš čawaak - everything is one, including visitors to these territories.
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Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park Allies
People have always been a part of the ecosystem. The Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park Allies are comprised of businesses and organizations that help share the story of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and support the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians (and other regional services) with a 1% Ecosystem Service Fee. These contributions are re-invested in the people and the ecology that comprise the life of this place.
About the Allies
