Local Stewardship Initiatives Featured on the Travel Beyond Podcast

The Travel Beyond podcast features tourism destinations leading the way in stewardship and sustainability initiatives. Season 9 features Tofino, the ongoing stewardship of Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht First Nations and the amazing work of local organizations.

Episode 1 -This beautiful place was fought for: Welcome to Načiks (Tofino) with Moses Martin and Brad Parsell

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Tofino’s 17-day closure due to wildfires, its impact, and the community’s response.
• Advice from Tourism Tofino for other destinations facing climate risks.
• The War of the Woods and the 1980s Indigenous-led protest movement that prevented the logging of Meares Island, a vital ecosystem and a key factor in visitation to Tofino.
• The opportunities present in Indigenous tourism.
• Tla-o-qui-aht culture, language, and stewardship efforts sustained over millennia.

Stewardship solutions from Ahousaht First Nation – Načiks (Tofino) E2, with Hasheukumiss (Richard George) and ?ikaatius (Tyson Atleo)

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How the Ahousaht First Nation is regaining its ability to control its destiny in tourism through economic development projects and a social enterprise.
• How the Ahousaht Stewardship Fund is helping to restore habitats by collecting a voluntary percentage of tourism revenue.
• How tourism experiences are allowing the Ahousaht First Nation to share its culture.
• Two pieces of wisdom Hasheukumiss and ?ikaatius learned from previous generations.
• Advice for other communities looking to improve tourism’s positive impacts.

Tribal Parks Allies: Forming a coalition to steward the environment – Načiks (Tofino) E3, with Saya Masso

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How a landmark court decision led to the creation of Tribal Parks in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.
• Why coalition building is such a powerful lever for change that other places can adopt.
• Why the Tribal Park Allies program is vital to the continued stewardship of the environment surrounding Tofino, British Columbia.
• How Tribal Park Allies is changing the norms for both businesses and visitors in Tofino by encouraging ethical travel.
• About the positive impacts that reliable funding is having on restoration and First Nations culture.

The wilderness myth: Tribal Parks Guardians and the language of respect – Načiks (Tofino) E4, with Gisele Martin and Joe Martin

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How the Tribal Parks near Tofino are a crucial part of mitigating the harms that tourism can cause, and why the program needs support from all local businesses.
• What expectations the Tribal Parks Guardians and Allies have of visitors, expressed through the ʔiisaak Pledge.
• What it means to “commit to the place like our ancestors did.”
• Why many Indigenous languages have no word for “wilderness,” and how studying language can unlock new ways of thinking about travel.
• About what it might mean to “re-indigenize” Tofino.

The allyship journey: How tourism businesses are collaborating toward a better future – Načiks (Tofino) E5, with Julian Hockin-Grant

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Julian’s business began with the creation of Tribal Park Allies, in collaboration with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.
• Why he’s hoping to replicate that project’s model with other First Nations communities.
• Why tourism disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities in negative ways.
• How the funding Tribal Park Allies brings in can compound as it keeps Tla-o-qui-aht culture and restoration projects going.
• Some surprising commonalities between Tofino and Bhutan.

Teaching visitors the value of restoration – Načiks (Tofino) E6: Part 1, with Emily Fulton

Teaching visitors the value of restoration – Načiks (Tofino) E6: Part 2, with Michelle Hall

In these episodes, you’ll learn:

• • About long-term restoration projects in Načiks (Tofino), including salmon habitat restoration and the creation of Clayoquot Biosphere Centre in collaboration with local First Nations members.
  • How campaigns by Surfrider Foundation Canada involve locals and travellers in beach clean-up, and how businesses were invited to participate.
  • How circular economy projects are reducing waste in Tofino.
  • Advice for organizations looking to engage visitors through education.
  • Advice for travellers looking to make a positive impact when they visit.