Lands & Resources
The Department of Lands and Resources (DLR) works to protect and manage the Uchucklesaht Tribe’s natural resources in alignment with our values, laws, and Treaty rights. The lands and resources of our territory are an inheritance from our ancestors, and our responsibility is to steward them with respect and care, taking only what we need and passing down to our children everything necessary for a prosperous and healthy future.
What we do
Under the leadership of the Director of Lands and Resources, the DLR works to steward the environment through a balance of western science and traditional knowledge, while following the sacred principles of ʔiisaak (Respect), ʔuuʔałuk (Taking Care Of), and Hišuk is c̕awak (Everything is Connected).
The DLR is responsible for the stewardship of the terrestrial and marine environments, to allow for current and future traditional uses for cultural, medicinal, food and economic purposes. An example of this work includes marine and terrestrial species monitoring programs for Salmon and Elk, climate monitoring, or marine bird surveys.
The DLR administers and implements land use planning and regulation on behalf of the government and citizens, including the development of land use plans, assisting with land ownership processes, implementing and enforcing land related acts, regulations, and bylaws, issuing permits, and other responsibilities. Treaty lands infrastructure such as roads, residential services and buildings also fall under the responsibility of the DLR.
Director of Lands & Resources
Ryan Anaka | [email protected]
Fisheries
The Uchucklesaht domestic fishery is managed by the Department of Lands and Resources, collectively with the four other Maa-nulth Nations. The five Maa-nulth Nations work together to develop an annual fishing plan, describing harvest locations and management measures, communication and enforcement requirements, and catch reporting to be followed by the Nations.
The DLR supports Uchucklesaht Citizens in practicing their Treaty rights to access fish and other marine species for domestic food harvest and oversees a communal catch, processing and distribution program.
To support long-term sustainable fishing opportunities the DLR works with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and private consultants to complete fish population and habitat assessment projects and implement fish and fish habitat enhancement activities.
“It is important that we as Indigenous peoples remember the past, fully aware that we are taking the knowledge of our ancestors with us. With that in mind, the Uchucklesaht people believe in tying the traditions of land use in the past to growth and change in the future. We will never forget that we borrow the lands from our children. Their future is safe in our hands.”
Community Planning
“Through the Official Community Plan process, we will achieve certainty for our people through the establishment of land designations to promote clean water, land, oceans, and ocean bottoms. As we have established self-determination through self-governance, we wish to protect the positive benefits we now possess.” Community Vision Statement, Uchucklesaht Tribe Government Official Community Plan
Official Community Plan (OCP)
The provisions of our Official Community Plan apply to lands and surface water within the Uchucklesaht Tribe Government Treaty Settlement Lands and provide direction for land use, public and private investment, and guidance to elected and officials for the evaluation of proposals, referrals and legal amendments that remain consistent with the community values of our Citizens.
Marine Stewardship
Rooted in Indigenous stewardship values and guided by both traditional knowledge and western science, our Environmental Stewardship and Monitoring Program is committed to the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of the marine and terrestrial environment within our ḥaḥuułi. The program is grounded in the gathering of baseline data to understand current ecosystem conditions, while drawing on historical and cultural knowledge to reflect how these systems have changed over time.
Regular marine monitoring includes clam bed health and population assessments, marine bird and mammal surveys, and water quality tracking. We operate tide and weather stations and use drone technology to support marine habitat mapping and decision-making. Looking forward, we are planning to extend our efforts to include eelgrass and kelp bed assessments, estuary mapping, and the monitoring of other vital ecosystem functions.
Our marine work also supports climate change monitoring and adaptation–tracking the impacts of shifting ocean conditions on marine life and habitat health and guiding community-driven responses to ensure our Nation’s marine resources are respected, resilient, and thriving for generations to come.
Terrestrial wildlife monitoring
Our terrestrial monitoring program follows the guiding Nuu-chah-nulth principle hišuk ma c̕awak (everything is connected). We take a holistic approach and monitor the entire terrestrial ecosystem. The Lands and Resources department utilizes a variety of methods to monitor the terrestrial environment, including a game camera network, climate and groundwater stations, and Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) that monitor avian SARA-listed species.
The data collected from our terrestrial monitoring program is utilized to inform management decisions, protect species of cultural and ecological importance, and monitor for ecological changes in the environment. Most importantly, we want to ensure that the ḥaḥuułi is healthy and can support sustainable use for generations to come.
Lands & Resources Forms
This is where you will find official Uchucklesaht Tribe forms related to land use and transfer, moorage, harvesting, building, financial administration, and compliance.
Land forms
Harvesting forms
Moorage forms
Financial administration forms
Uchucklesaht Citizen Preparedness Planning & Resources
Citizen preparedness planning & resources forms