18 Sep Engaging youth and Nuu-chah-nulth communities
For the past twelve years, Uu-a-thluk has partnered with the University of Victoria’s Science Venture and Nuu-chah-nulth communities to offer fun and engaging ways to connect Nuu-chah-nulth children and youth to science-based marine activities and Nuu-chah-nulth knowledge. This summer the camps have reached over 135 children and youth in six different Nuu-chah-nulth communities. After meeting with, and hearing the needs and priorities from the Ha’wiih (hereditary Chiefs) and leadership, a significant focus of this year’s camps has been activities and teachings about environmental and marine science, with seafood harvesting in Nuu-chah-nulth territories as one of the year’s highlights.
The many activities this year included instruction on fishing with rods and traps, bullkelp harvesting and uses, boat trips into the territories, a visit to an archeological dig, salmon dissections, and role-playing to learn about traditional Nuu-chah-nulth roles such as Ha’wiih (hereditary Chiefs), tsa-tsa-thluk (river keepers), and muschim (community members). The T’aaq-wiihak fishery was also a focus as campers learned about conservation practices such as fishing openings, quota, and gear restrictions.
The science camps continue to be an important part of Uu-a-thluk’s Capacity Building program as they help connect Nuu-chah-nulth’s younger generations to their territories, resources, teachings, and of course, science. Initially, Uu-a-thluk developed the successful science camp program to generate more Nuu-chah-nulth fisheries biologists by sparking interest and passion in marine and environmental science at a young age. Today, our goal has expanded to introducing young people to the range of career opportunities possible in aquatic resources
Jared Dick, Uu-at-hluk Central Region Biologist leads fish dissection with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation camp participants