W̱SÁNEĆ Marine and Land Use Plan

Shauna will be out and about in the community in the coming months (April 2022 – June 2022, may go longer), going door to door to ask for input on the new Marine Use Plan. If you have anything you would like to share or any concerns, please let us know!

What is this about?

The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council’s mandate is to promote respect for W̱ SÁNEĆ culture, traditional practices, language, and the interests of the W̱ SÁNEĆ First Nations. We work to enhance recognition of, and respect for, W̱ SÁNEĆ Douglas Treaty rights and W̱ SÁNEĆ Aboriginal rights and title (https://wsanec.com///). The W̱ SÁNEĆ Leadership Council is working to establish a Marine and Land Use Plan for the W̱ SÁNEC territory, which will help guide future decision making for the marine environment and the W̱ SÁNEĆ way of life. It will help identify appropriate strategies to assert and affirm W̱ SÁNEĆ authority and presence throughout the territory. The plan is community-based, community-driven and will reflect who we are as W̱ SÁNEĆ people with cultural teachings and W̱ SÁNEĆ law embedded. Therefore, we need your input regarding issues that directly impact your life and your family’s lives for the future generations.

Who are we?

“My name is Shauna Johnson, my family ties with Tsawout are with the Pelkey family. My late mother is Roberta Pelkey, and my grandparents are Rita and late Keith Willis. On my father’s side, my dad is Terry Johnson from Metlakatla Alaska, and my grandparents are the late Georgia and Henry Johnson.” Leading the engagement is Shauna Johnson, WLC Marine Use Planner who has a degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in Indigenous community planning.