Our Story & Mission

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“Help guard the gifts of the Gitga’at Nation and the Great Bear Rainforest – by empowering, challenging and educating people to protect the environment and quality of life for future generations.”

Our Story

For hundreds of years the Gitga’at First Nation has always respected and appreciated the gifts the creator had provided them; each other, the wildlife, the land and the ocean. The Gitga’at are bound by their laws and customs to ensure the protection and stewardship of the lands, waters and resources in their territory for future generations. For the first time in Gitga’at First Nation history, there is a critical need to guard those gifts – for a variety of reasons. The word Liiłga K’yilama derives from the Sm’algyax language meaning, “Guarding/Protecting the Gifts.” Guarding the Gifts strives to strengthen the continuity of the Gitga’at Nation community and Great Bear Rainforest.

Vision

Creating solutions through partnerships toward the development of a sustainable Gitga’at community.

Mission

“Help guard the gifts of the Gitga’at Nation and the Great Bear Rainforest – by empowering, challenging and educating people to protect the environment and quality of life for future generations.”

We advance our mission through:

• Sustainable community development in traditional Gitga’at First Nation territory
• Promoting environmental stewardship and conservation of the Great Bear Rainforest
• Engagement of Gitga’at First Nation citizenship
• Advancement of the Gitga’at First Nation arts, culture, heritage and science

Values

• Conserving the health of Canada’s Northern coastline, oceans, and land
• Respect for Gitga’at First Nation history, principles and rights
• Building Gitga’at First Nations’ capacity for conservation and educational development projects
• Decision-making that is responsive, supportive and enabling

Guarding the Gifts is a charitable organization located in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 2010 by members of the Gitga’at First Nation and King Pacific Lodge (a resort operating in Gitga’at territory), Guarding the Gifts has established itself as a world class model for community empowerment and environmental conservation. Guarding the Gifts is a tax-exempt organization under 501(c)(3) through Tides Canada and is funded entirely by grants and contributions from foundations and individuals.