Pauquachin First Nation Marine Department Services
The PFNMD operates as a hub for environmental restoration, cultural preservation, and community engagement. Through its work, the department addresses critical environmental challenges such as habitat degradation, water pollution, and the impacts of climate change, while fostering a deep connection to traditional practices. By emphasizing co-governance models and community-led stewardship, the department empowers Pauquachin members to take active roles in protecting their territory and resources.
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From shellfish restoration projects and ecological monitoring to hosting workshops and engaging youth in climate-health initiatives, the Marine Department exemplifies Pauquachin’s commitment to holistic stewardship. Its efforts not only benefit the Pauquachin community but also contribute to broader regional ecological health, setting a standard for Indigenous-led environmental management.
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Marine Department Operations
Operating and maintaining scientific equipment and vessels to ensure effective monitoring and stewardship across Pauquachin territory.
Adaptive Management
Developing strategies to adapt to climate change impacts, including cumulative effects analysis and climate-resilient infrastructure projects.
Culture Revitalization
Our coasts and beaches are irreplaceable...
let’s save them together.
PFNMD has successfully advocated and supported wider marine initiatives, as well as benefits all neighbouring communities, with our advocacy for policy changes, including contributions to the Coastal Marine Strategy, and initiation of transformative projects such as the restoration of shellfish habitats and the development of adaptive food systems provincially and nationally, as well as locally centering our communities' food access, health, youth stewardship, and language revitalization programs. These achievements highlight the community’s capacity to deliver impactful programs internally and externally, through re-awakening and implementation of cultural practices.
Our Vision
Our vision is to achieve equitable programming that ensures the long-term sustainability of stewardship programs, fosters cultural resilience, and addresses the environmental health challenges facing our region.
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Our Mission
Pauquachin First Nations' Marine Departments' Missions revolves around four major pillars of action.
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We aim to see increased autonomy in management of marine resources throughout traditional Pauquachin Territories, including commercial fisheries, recreational harvesting, marine project consultations and coordination, and community well-being assisted by marine department projects.
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We aim to restore traditional marine foods and increase harvesting practices to levels guaranteed by Douglas Treaty rights, focusing on the right “to carry on fisheries as formally”, as a main priority directly related to central community needs.
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We aim to see long-term, sustainable, and ethical creations of marine projects that directly benefit Pauquachin First Nation members, culturally, environmentally, and economically.
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We aim to protect the islands, sea, and species traditionally stewarded by Pauquachin First Nation, as well as cultural sites, practices, and communities, through direct actions in the marine environment in Pauquachin First Nation traditional territories.
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