Coastal Guardians and other stewardship staff from CFN member Nations came together in early May for the 2026 Coastal Stewardship Network Annual Gathering.
Jointly hosted by the Wuikinuxv and Heiltsuk Nations, and CFN’s Coastal Stewardship Network, the event featured three full days of activities—including plenty of outdoor activities plus community updates from each Guardian team that highlighted accomplishments and lessons learned from the past season and priorities for the next.
For the first time in six years, the Guardian gathering was held at the Hakai Institute on Calvert Island—a stunning location on the Central Coast with a diverse coastal setting and state-of-the-art scientific facilities.
Since 2008, the Coastal Stewardship Network has facilitated these annual gatherings, which feature a unique mix of cultural activities and practical field training. In addition to bringing Guardians together to make new connections and renew old ones, the gatherings also involve participation from community Elders, who share their knowledge with all participants.
“These annual gatherings are very important to the Guardians,” says Nicole Robinson, Coastal Guardian Coordinator for the Coastal Stewardship Network, and a previous Gitga’at Guardian as well. “They’re a chance to connect with others, and share stories and lessons learned with other Guardians. Most of all, it’s a great reminder that they’re all part of a much bigger family and working toward the same goals.”
Day 1: Welcome and Introductions
After light introductions upon arrival on Monday, all attendees were treated to a welcome the next day from Susan Brown, an Elder with roots in both the Wuikinuxv and Heiltsuk Nations, and Conrad Brown, a Hereditary Chief with the Heiltsuk Nation. Susan and her daughter, Chelsea Walkus, also provided an engaging session to kick off the first full day of the gathering, including some historical and cultural background about the area.
The group then enjoyed some time outdoors, including a guided hike to a nearby wetland where they learned about Hellebore—a hardy plant that is highly regarded by coastal Nations for its powerful medicinal qualities. Although the Guardians did not harvest any Hellebore, due to insufficient abundance, they learned about its historical and cultural importance, as well as how to identify, harvest and process the plant safely. (Hellebore has a high degree of toxicity, so there are strict protocols on how it should be handled during and after harvesting.)
In the evening after dinner, the full group gathered in the lounge to receive t-shirts to commemorate the gathering—a custom artwork created by Charlie Brown, a Heiltsuk Nation artist. The circular design features a front-facing view of an orca breaching. When flipped, the design doubles as an image of a sea-monster.
Day 2: Trip to Kitit Village, Rivers Inlet (Wuikinuxv Territory)
The next day, the full group travelled to Kitit Village at the Head of Rivers Inlet in Wuikinuxv Territory. About a two-hour trip each way, the boat rides provided a great opportunity to catch up with each other while enjoying the coastal views along the way.
The first stop for the Guardians was a visit to the beautiful House of Nuùw̓aqawa, the Wuikinuxv Big House. After being introduced to cultural protocols and the poles that represent the four brothers and families of Wuikinuxv, the group was welcomed by songs and dancing from Elders and young dancers alike. Afterward, the Guardians joined all dancers and other attendees for a wonderful lunch.
The group then visited a nearby carving shed, which had beautiful paddles and other works on display, including a pole in progress, and headed up to Owikeno Lake before returning to their boats for the trip back to Hakai.
Day 3: Guardian Presentations and Closing Circle
On the final day, representatives from each Guardian team presented updates for the group, which provided a chance for all Guardians to learn from each other. The presentations left plenty of time for questions and further discussion, highlighting each team’s priorities, accomplishments and lessons learned.
After the morning presentations and lunch, most participants spent the afternoon hiking along the incredible trails that surround the Hakai facility, including to North Beach and other beaches further on.
Before dinner, the Guardians had some time to gather together around the fire for a closing circle. They expressed their thoughts and reflections on the gathering—why it’s so important to get together, and to stay grounded and connected—and shared some ideas for making the next gathering just as memorable.
Acknowledgements
We are truly grateful to members of the Wuikinuxv and Heiltsuk Nations for the extensive help in hosting, planning activities and everything else! CSN also thanks the National Guardian Network and Environment Climate Change Canada for their generous financial support, and the Tula Foundation for its in-kind support in providing Hakai Institute facilities and meals.
