First Nation celebrates Canadian marine protection

In a move described as 'a century in the making’, Canada has added federal protection to an Indigenous-declared marine refuge off Vancouver Island.
The Mamalilikulla are an indigenous nation on northern Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia. They were forcefully removed from their territory more than a century ago, and have been fighting ever since to reclaim stewardship of their lands and waters.
In 2021, under Indigenous law, the Mamalilikulla First Nation declared protections for a 10,416 hectare tract of land and sea. Nearly two years later, this move was backed by the Canadian government - officially recognising the marine portion of the Mamalilikulla protected area, known as the Gwaxdlala-Nalaxdlala marine refuge.
On the day of the announcement in February 2023, Fisheries & Oceans Canada minister Joyce Murray promised the Mamalilikulla that refuge will be protected for “the long term.”
"As we celebrated in the pouring rain it was said that it had been over 100 years since the Mamalilikulla people danced, sang our songs and drummed on that land."
Mamalilikulla Chief Councillor Winidi John Powell said the announcement would bring happiness to his ancestors.
“As we celebrated in the pouring rain it was said that it had been over 100 years since the Mamalilikulla people danced, sang our songs and drummed on that land,” he said. “I think that the rain there was the tears of our ancestors; I think they would all be happy to see what we’re doing here today.”
Among the distinctive features of the Gwaxdlala-Nalaxdlala marine refuge are gorgonian corals, which are soft, colourful corals that look like dense underwater shrubs or delicate fans. Alongside eelgrass beds and kelp forests, the corals offer refuge for fish and other marine species.
Under the Fisheries Act, no fishing will be allowed in the marine refuge. The new protection aims to increase the quality and abundance of marine life both inside and outside of the marine refuge.
According to the federal government, marine refuges can be counted towards Canada’s international target to conserve 30% of lands and waters by 2030. To date, Canada has protected around 14% of its marine areas.