In 1964 the Canadian government moved the ‘Nakwaxda’xw people from their tribal home at Ba’as (Blunden Harbour) on the mainland side of Queen Charlotte Strait to a reserve near Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island. Now they want to return to their traditional lands and waters that sustained them physically, spiritually and culturally since time immemorial.

The ‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation have filmed a video called Blunden Ba’as with director Cameron Dennison and Living Oceans about their application for Indigenous Community Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCA) status which is a key part of the ‘Nakwaxda’xw’s return. ICCAs are internationally recognized tribal parks that enrich indigenous communities’ ties to their culture and traditional territory while simultaneously protecting the ecosystem.

Living Oceans gratefully acknowledges the support of the Waitt Foundation in the production of Blunden Ba’as.

From StrongHeart Productions.