Protecting our Coast Mamalilikulla First Nation
Transcript
Chief John Powell (Winidi): Greetings and welcome. I am Winidi (the one that fights for his people). I come from Village Island. My name is John Powell, I'm currently the elected Chief councilor for the Mamalilikulla (Mama-lee-lee-kalla). Gwa̲xdlala and Nala̲xdlala for our Mamalilikulla people is very significant. We are responsible for the land, sea, sky, all the creatures in the land, sea and sky and being able to nourish and protect and feed and house all of the animals that come from those elements.
Heather Brekke: A few years ago, our colleagues identified this particular area as an ecologically and biologically significant area because of the high biodiversity and unique and rare species that are found right here. So the corals and sponges that we see here, we've got glass sponges and many different species of corals and sponges that are really unique and rare cold-water coral species. So as part of this broader work towards conservation, the Mamalilikulla First Nation declared this area, Lull and Hoeya, as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) in November 2021. The area that they've identified from the marine portion of this Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) overlaps entirely with what we've established as a Marine Refuge under the Fisheries Act. So, the two tools work together to provide that protection for this important area.
Chief John Powell (Winidi): Well, there have been a number of dives in this area. That Marine Refuge has now given us the ability to monitor. There's no fishing in the area, so as a result, there's no future damage. And now the dive surveys that we do here a generally just going to monitor what happens.
Andy Puglas Sr.: When I first found out about this Lull and Hoyea, about the IPCA, just to be out there as a Guardian, protecting our territory, it puts chills to me just being there, because my grandfather was from there, and then me telling my grandkids where I'm going, and they think it's real neat.
Chief John Powell (Winidi): The benefits that I see from partnering with DFO on this project is, number one, is building a relationship.
Heather Brekke: Being able to collaborate with the Mamalilikulla First Nation and see such a success has really been a rewarding opportunity within my career and being able to really make a difference in contributing to Canada's conservation goals, but also to the goals of the people that use the water here most frequently.
Chief John Powell (Winidi): Being able to be involved on the land, on the sea and the sky, it's healing. I'm proud to be a part of this. I feel fortunate to sit in a position that I do as the Chief, but I'm proud of this. This makes me feel good. This fills my heart.
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