Gary Jacek
Established Member
Does anyone know what parts of Nuchatlitz Provincial Park were ceded back to the First Nation?
All of it?
All of it?
Nuchatlitz
- Thread starter Gary Jacek
- Start date
alexsidles
Established Member
Not quite all of the provincial park is gone, but most of the best parts are. Here is a map that accurately reflects the court's 2024 judgment on Nuchatlaht aboriginal title. (There are other maps online that inaccurately do not include some of the offshore islands, but the map below does accurately include the offshore islands.) Full text of the court's judgment is available here so you can confirm that the map accurately reflects the court's judgment.
The Nuchatlaht aboriginal title lands are in orange. Nuchatlaht Indian reserves are in purple. Private property is shown with diagonal stripes. The lands in white remain public land, including the remnants of the provincial park.
Supposedly, the Nuchatlaht are already punching in a road through the former parklands, likely for logging or other resource-extracting industry. They have also appealed the court's judgment in part, seeking to have the area subject to aboriginal title expanded to include most of Nootka Island and all of the offshore islands minus those lands already in private ownership.
Properly speaking, the court's judgment is not a formal declaration of title, partly because the boundaries in the map above are imprecise and partly, perhaps, because the court expected the Nuchatlaht to appeal in hopes of winning a declaration of aboriginal title throughout the rest of their land claim, which is much larger than what the court's judgment granted. In the meantime, the Province and the Nuchatlaht are supposed to be working on a formal delineation of the aboriginal title lands shown on the map. I suspect the parties will wait to formally delineate the aboriginal title lands shown on the map until they receive the judgment on appeal regarding the larger land claim.
For now, the Nuchatlaht do not appear to be attempting to exclude kayakers from the aboriginal title lands, at least not according to their website, which says, "[w]ilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed on the northwest tip of Nootka Island and the many small island groups within the park. There are some small developed sites accessible by kayaks and smaller boats at Rosa Island. Undeveloped but useable areas are scattered throughout the island groups and on the northwest coast of Nootka Island."
Hopefully this leniency toward visitors reflects a longterm policy of the Nuchatlaht. More ominously, it might merely reflect the fact that the precise boundaries of their aboriginal title have not yet been formally declared. As holders of aboriginal title, the Nuchatlaht are entitled to the exclusive use of their land. They are under no obligation to welcome visitors. Camping on the aboriginal lands is at their sufferance; it is no longer a right of the public.
Alex
The Nuchatlaht aboriginal title lands are in orange. Nuchatlaht Indian reserves are in purple. Private property is shown with diagonal stripes. The lands in white remain public land, including the remnants of the provincial park.
Supposedly, the Nuchatlaht are already punching in a road through the former parklands, likely for logging or other resource-extracting industry. They have also appealed the court's judgment in part, seeking to have the area subject to aboriginal title expanded to include most of Nootka Island and all of the offshore islands minus those lands already in private ownership.
Properly speaking, the court's judgment is not a formal declaration of title, partly because the boundaries in the map above are imprecise and partly, perhaps, because the court expected the Nuchatlaht to appeal in hopes of winning a declaration of aboriginal title throughout the rest of their land claim, which is much larger than what the court's judgment granted. In the meantime, the Province and the Nuchatlaht are supposed to be working on a formal delineation of the aboriginal title lands shown on the map. I suspect the parties will wait to formally delineate the aboriginal title lands shown on the map until they receive the judgment on appeal regarding the larger land claim.
For now, the Nuchatlaht do not appear to be attempting to exclude kayakers from the aboriginal title lands, at least not according to their website, which says, "[w]ilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed on the northwest tip of Nootka Island and the many small island groups within the park. There are some small developed sites accessible by kayaks and smaller boats at Rosa Island. Undeveloped but useable areas are scattered throughout the island groups and on the northwest coast of Nootka Island."
Hopefully this leniency toward visitors reflects a longterm policy of the Nuchatlaht. More ominously, it might merely reflect the fact that the precise boundaries of their aboriginal title have not yet been formally declared. As holders of aboriginal title, the Nuchatlaht are entitled to the exclusive use of their land. They are under no obligation to welcome visitors. Camping on the aboriginal lands is at their sufferance; it is no longer a right of the public.
Alex
SalishSeaNior
Established Member
I was in the Nuchatlitz last summer and am leading anther group on a trip out there again in August. This time, we will be taking the water taxi operated by Shorebird Expeditions out of Tahsis. The lady who owns Shorebird was very friendly and we discussed some of what is going on with the park in early May. She was in fact in negotiations with the Band, who are planning to build more formal and permanent campsites for kayakers on the Band lands. It was my understanding that this would include tenting sites, as well as perhaps composting toilets, etc. Of course, there would be a fee to camp on these sites, but on the other hand, there will be proper sanitary facilities and perhaps a pottable water source. I am speculating, but I expect that the proposed new camp site will be on the north end of Nuchatlitz Island which connects to Island 44 at low tide.
While the map above is not very detailed, it looks to me that both Island 40 and Island 44 are still in the park. These are the two most popular camping sites, and both currently have thunderbox toilets in the forest, if folk know where to find them. I read somewhere recently, that BC Parks is requesting that paddlers carry their sewage waste out with them, as the inside of these islands, where many camp, is almost lagoon like and the below tideline waste is not being adequately flushed during the summer. It appears that Rosa Island, Benson Point and Belmont Point, all heavily used campsites, are all still shown as crown land.
I also read recently that Parks Canada has put out a warning that the wolves in the Broken Group are becoming habituated to humans. This is also the case on Vargas Island and incredibly to me, Campania Island. When I was on Island 44 last summer, two wolves crossed from Nuchatletz Island at low tide, but seemed to be quite wary of me still. I hope it stays that way. This is indicative of the heavy use of these sites and the habituation of what are normally very shy animals to humans.
So, my own view, is that none of the proposed changes are necessarily bad. The Nuchatlitz are a treasure and with the amount of use, particularly with heavy use by commercial trips as well as multiple water taxi services, a little more oversight and improved camping facilities are probably warranted. I will also note that Catalla Island is also a BC Park, 3.5 kms north of Island 40 and that it too is seeing increased use. So still lots of free places to camp, but with continued increased use and arguably even some overuse, some more oversight and even fees, are perhaps not a bad idea.
My two bits worth, Rick
While the map above is not very detailed, it looks to me that both Island 40 and Island 44 are still in the park. These are the two most popular camping sites, and both currently have thunderbox toilets in the forest, if folk know where to find them. I read somewhere recently, that BC Parks is requesting that paddlers carry their sewage waste out with them, as the inside of these islands, where many camp, is almost lagoon like and the below tideline waste is not being adequately flushed during the summer. It appears that Rosa Island, Benson Point and Belmont Point, all heavily used campsites, are all still shown as crown land.
I also read recently that Parks Canada has put out a warning that the wolves in the Broken Group are becoming habituated to humans. This is also the case on Vargas Island and incredibly to me, Campania Island. When I was on Island 44 last summer, two wolves crossed from Nuchatletz Island at low tide, but seemed to be quite wary of me still. I hope it stays that way. This is indicative of the heavy use of these sites and the habituation of what are normally very shy animals to humans.
So, my own view, is that none of the proposed changes are necessarily bad. The Nuchatlitz are a treasure and with the amount of use, particularly with heavy use by commercial trips as well as multiple water taxi services, a little more oversight and improved camping facilities are probably warranted. I will also note that Catalla Island is also a BC Park, 3.5 kms north of Island 40 and that it too is seeing increased use. So still lots of free places to camp, but with continued increased use and arguably even some overuse, some more oversight and even fees, are perhaps not a bad idea.
My two bits worth, Rick
Looksha
Returning Member
I've found it very disappointing how little clear information has been in the media. I read headlines about visitors being asked (by whom?) to stay out of the newly transferred (or re-transferred, if you like) lands ... but it's been difficult to find factual information about what is still park and what isn't.
Nothing on the BC parks site, nothing on the Nuchatlaht band website.
Thanks to @alexsidles for the clearest information yet ... but with due respect I shouldn't have to look to an American for this info!
How's a well-meaning paddler supposed to respect the rules with such confusion?
Nothing on the BC parks site, nothing on the Nuchatlaht band website.
Thanks to @alexsidles for the clearest information yet ... but with due respect I shouldn't have to look to an American for this info!
How's a well-meaning paddler supposed to respect the rules with such confusion?
Wild Realms
New Member
We just spent a week out there and returned on Saturday.
The Southern peninsula (the purple tip and adjacent orange section on the above map, just across from the private properties) currently has daily noise from heavy machinery, chainsaws, and rock blasting while they put in another road to log Nootka.
We saw fresh (lone) wolf tracks on the Northwest corner of Island 40 on the first day, but no signs of it after that. We hung our food.
The Southern peninsula (the purple tip and adjacent orange section on the above map, just across from the private properties) currently has daily noise from heavy machinery, chainsaws, and rock blasting while they put in another road to log Nootka.
We saw fresh (lone) wolf tracks on the Northwest corner of Island 40 on the first day, but no signs of it after that. We hung our food.
SalishSeaNior
Established Member
About the change to Nootka Sound's Nuchatlitz Provincial Park... – Wild Coast Publishing
Another recent article from folk who are in the loop. There is information regarding the road building as reported by Wild Realms. I plan to call Shorebird Expeditions in the next week to see what they have to say. They are in touch with the Nuchatl Band.
Another recent article from folk who are in the loop. There is information regarding the road building as reported by Wild Realms. I plan to call Shorebird Expeditions in the next week to see what they have to say. They are in touch with the Nuchatl Band.