Wilps ‘Wii K’aax Territorial Stewardship Initiative
Grant Amount: $400,000
The Wilps ‘Wii K’aax Territorial Stewardship Initiative, directed by its Chiefs (Simgigyet), Matriarchs (Sigidim Hana’k), and citizens, seeks to protect and manage their Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, covering 214,193 hectares within the Sustut, Babine, and Upper Skeena watersheds. Their primary objectives are to restore ecosystem health through current status and conditions analysis, water quality assessments, biodiversity restoration, forest management and BC Rail grade remediation; promote socio-cultural wellbeing through reconnecting citizens with their lands (lax’yip), traditional practices and cultural heritage; and foster sustainable economic development by creating business opportunities that align with our laws (Ayookw), values and environmental stewardship such as sustainable Indigenous agriculture and silviculture, village site services and cultural infrastructure.