by Erin Linn McMullan

“And you always give back to the land, give back to the ocean, to the river, to the environment. So that it will always be plentiful. It’ll always be there.”

—kaamatḥ Levi Martin

In Belonging in Indigenous Lands: Resurgence, Reciprocity, and Environmental Stewardship in the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks (2026).

The Pacific Ocean is integral to nuučaanuł Peoples, who continue to live in reciprocity with these lands and waters on the west coast of Vancouver Island since time immemorial. With the addition of ḥačx^wiqaq (Deep Ocean) Tribal Park in Clayoquot Sound in 2024, ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Tribal Parks affirms sovereignty across their entire haḥuułii. Belonging in Indigenous Lands emphasizes the importance of “destination stewardship” which acknowledges those millennia of Indigenous stewardship.[1]

When you stay at oceanfront Tin Wis Resort, an Original Original and Authentic Indigenous, you are connecting with that deep relationship with the Pacific. A relationship empowered by the growing collection of č̓iin̓uł facing the ocean, the 200-year-old cedar dugout canoe onsite, Indigenous sedges shoring up the dunes. Acknowledged by the restored name tinwis Beach, indicating calm waters for landing a canoe or, historically, a whale.

As you stand on tinwis, you instinctively breathe in rhythm with the waves, deeper as you inhale the salt air, slower as you become aware of everything around you. c̓ixʷatin (eagle) calling out as it hunts; a flash as suuḥaa (salmon) leaps above the whitecaps; blue-green tuḥmapt (spruce) needles lifting with the ocean breeze.

Ocean Stewardship

Catherine Bruhwiler, Canada’s first professional female surfer, who grew up here and operates Allied Tofino Paddle Surf beachfront at the resort, emphasizes that ocean stewardship is her favourite topic.

“For me being in the ocean helps me realize that I am part of a greater larger living earth. The ocean is part of me, and I am part of it. As I care for the Ocean I care for myself, my children, my grandchildren, and all the generations to come. The flipside is that I take care of myself and I helped take care of the Earth in the ocean and future generations as well. It definitely goes both ways.” 

As Catherine points out, it’s so easy to catch those salmon jumping right off tinwis late summer to early fall from a SUP or saltwater kayak. Be sure to grab your saltwater fishing license first in town or online.

SUP Yoga

“SUP Yoga is such a beautiful way to connect to the ocean,” says Dede Monette, whose Allied Tofino Yoga offers yoga on the water as well as the beach. “Unlike a practice confined by four walls, every movement is shaped by the rhythms of the ebb and flow of the ocean, the wind and the ecosystem.

“Each posture becomes a reflection of the landscape around us,” she explains, “while the ocean itself teaches balance, presence, and surrender, reminding us of our connection to the natural world.”

Beachfront Nordic spa and Pacific saltwater lounge

“We are very specific about promoting safe ocean play while utilizing the benefits of nature immersion and steam-infused therapy,” says Jordan Hanthorn, whose Allied Tuff City Saunas is within barefoot steps of “the world’s largest saltwater lounge” no matter the tide.

“As the Indigenous demonstrated long ago, there is a measurable advantage to sea water immersion, and the results are jaw dropping and irrefutable: 

Electron Transfer: Seawater is rich in dissolved salts (sodium, magnesium, calcium) making it roughly 25 times more conductive than freshwater. Submersion allows your entire body to absorb free electrons from the Earth, which act as natural antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation.

The Quantum Biofield: Emerging paradigms suggest that living systems utilize nonclassical quantum phenomena—such as long-range interactions—to maintain vitality and energy balance.

“This is an energetic reset mechanism coupled with ancient sweat practices kept to a primitive level all by design—there is a reason the Pacific Ocean is our cold plunge!

Multi-day immersive kayaking experience

If you’re looking for a more immersive adventure on the water this summer, Sam Cutcliffe, Communications Manager at Allied Paddle West Kayaking points to several five-day tour options within Clayoquot Sound and the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii: to Vargas or Flores Island where you can hike on the Wildside Trail and to the geothermal pools and waterfalls oceanside at Mux̣šiƛa Hot Springs Cove within Nism̓aakqin Marine Park. These multi-day trips combine paddling with more opportunities to spot wildlife, camping on remote beaches with mouth-watering food.  

As Sam underscores, their guides undertake training with Indigenous knowledge keepers “to ensure all our visitors get that holistic experience of actually understanding the place they’re visiting”. Trips support the Ahousaht Stewardship and Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks fees, depending on their destination. “We’re definitely big supporters in both of those ways.”

Bioluminescent night kayaking

If you’re planning to visit later this summer in August or in September, Paddle West Kayaking offers beginner and family-friendly nighttime bioluminescent tours within the harbour. It’s an otherworldly experience to leave the docks and the lights onshore with only your headlamp and the stars for illumination. Every paddle stroke and the entire wake bursts with light as tiny dinoflagellates synthesize luciferin, glowing bluish-green across dark waters. 

Show your appreciation for the ocean

We invite you to show your appreciation for the ocean by joining events hosted by Allied Surfrider Pacific Rim. This July, you can clean beaches on Washed Up Wednesdays, register for a remote clean up in Clayoquot Sound or help with sand dune restoration within the Indigenous co-managed Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Check their calendar Here.

“Surfrider Pacific Rim is part of a large activist network with a mission to protect the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for the enjoyment of all people,” points out Chair April Robson. “Being a Tribal Parks Ally is a natural part of that stewardship – supporting Indigenous-led conservation helps to protect these coastlines while building relationships with those who have cared for these ecosystems since time immemorial.

“Being a Tribal Parks Ally acknowledges that conservation and reconciliation go hand-in-hand.” 

Support nuučaanuł youth reclaiming surfing

mułaa (pronounced mu-thla) Rising Tide Surf Team is reconnecting nuučaanuł youth with the Indigenous sport of surfing and with surf terminology and maps of surf breaks in their languages. 

“What makes mułaa so unique is how much of the program’s decision making is genuinely youth-driven and youth-led,” says Brooke Rollins, Outreach Coordinator for mułaa. “This is what I believe contributes to our high attendance rates and long-term retention of participants. At the end of the day, the kids just want to play in the water together, and the program brings so much light into their lives and their community.”

Support mułaa by purchasing their merchandise at Tsawaak Visitor Centre and by visiting the team’s website Here.

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Order your copy of Belonging with Indigenous Lands: Resurgence, Reciprocity, and Environmental Stewardship in the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Here.

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[1] Brad Parsell, former Executive Director, Tourism Tofino, p. 267.