September 15, 2025
5 WAYS TO DECOLONIZE YOUR VISIT TO NAČIKS (TOFINO)
When you visit Načiks (Tofino) on the west coast of Vancouver Island you are entering Unceded Tla-o-qui-aht haaḥuułi (traditional territory) and Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks – the first of its kind across Canada. Since the declaration of Wanacas Hithuu?is (Meares Island) on April 21, 1984, four more parks have been recognized: in 2007, Ha’uukmin (Kennedy Lake), in 2013, both Esowista and Tranquil Tribal Park, and in 2024, marking a new milestone in marine stewardship, the deep ocean-based ḥačxwiqaq Tribal Park. Visiting respectfully makes your experience more meaningful and keeps your impacts on these ancestral lands and waters and the community positive.
Inspired by David A. Robertson’s 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing, here are 5 ways to shift your perspective:
TAKE THE ʔIISAAK PLEDGE
- Observe cultural protocols by taking the ʔiisaak (ii-saak) Pledge. This pledge includes four key principles: ʔiisaaksinḥiʔin (ii-saak-sin-hi-in) — Be respectful of natural law; taaquqḥłiʔin (taa-quuqh-thi-in) — Acknowledge Indigenous rights and title throughout the territory and conduct yourself as a guest; łaayiksinḥiʔin (thlaa-yak-siin-hi-in) — Be generous and helpful to build community; Qʷaasiinḥapin (Qwaa-siin-hap-in) — Leave healthy habitats undisturbed for future generations.
Take the ʔiisaak Pledge online Here.
SUPPORT TLA-O-QUI-AHT TRIBAL PARKS AND ALLIED BUSINESSES
- Contribute directly to Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks’ stewardship of the haaḥuułi which has been practiced by Tla-o-qui-aht since time immemorial and by upholding the protocols laid out in the ʔiisaak (ii-saak) Pledge. Enhance your experience in Načiks by patronizing Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Allies when you visit, enjoy delicious food, SUP and Surf, relax and unwind. All these businesses share aligned values which honour Indigenous sovereignty and help protect Clayoquot Sound’s vibrant biodiversity by contributing a 1% fee towards this continuity of stewardship.
Support Tribal Parks Here.
CHOOSE INDIGENOUS-LED EXPERIENCES
- Choose Indigenous-led experiences to enhance your west coast visit from eco-friendly travel via Canada’s first Indigenous-owned EBike company to eco-marine adventures to Mux̣šiƛa Hot Springs (formerly Maquinna Park) at Nism̓aakqin and custom cultural tours to Meares Island and the heart of Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks. Visit Indigenous-owned galleries House of Himwitsa and Roy Henry Vickers Gallery in Tofino and Cedar House Gallery in Ucluelet. Enjoy fresh seafood and innovative food products from regenerative aquatic resources while learning more about traditional knowledge and history of local peoples through Nuu-chah-nulth language and story at Naas Foods.
Choose meaningful experiences Here.
PARTICIPATE IN REGENERATIVE COMMUNITY EVENTS
- September celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere (September 20), marking a quarter century of collaborative conservation and sustainable development. Hosted by Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) and ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations), this free regional event features cultural sharing through storytelling, food, art, dance, and activities for all ages.
Learn more about community events Here.
LEARN TLA-O-QUI-AHT LANGUAGE AND SUPPORT REVITALIZATION
- Start by learning local place names on the Klahowya! Story map and practice them on your early morning beach meander. Follow Tin̓uwis (MacKenzie Beach) in front of Tin Wis Resort across the high tide trail to Ḥiłwinʔis (Hilth-win-is aka Middle Beach) then via Tonquin Trail to ƛaakašiis (Tlaa-ka-shiis aka Tonquin Beach Park). Tla-o-qui-aht language on this trail’s interpretive signage reminds you that this is wałyuu (home).
Discover more place names throughout Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Here.
Download the Indigenous Tourism BC app to find accommodation, Indigenous-led adventure, heritage sites and community events locally and across the province, and listen to words and phrases, songs and stories.