"YCC is partnering with the Kwakwaka'wakw Revitalization Project, an Indigenous-led organization working to further the food security and land rights of Kwakwaka'wakw' People. One of their projects is conducting the rebuilding and reoccupation of a village on Ma'amtagila territories. (Ma'amtagila are a tribe of the Kwakwaka'wakw) The village is on what's known as Northern Vancouver Island, at the mouth of the Eve river estuary on the Johnstone Straight. 70 years ago, Ma'amtagila People were removed from the village through coercive colonial policies. The site has since been reoccupied, with new infrastructure built. For the last year and a half, the village has been lived in year-round, with large gatherings in the summer, and has become an important place for Indigenous resurgence work, well-being, and education for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from across BC.
Current projects at the village include:
increasing infrastructure, including building a big house
organizing and running several youth camps throughout the summer of 2023 with a focus on food security, infrastructure enhancement, traditional land management practices, and off-grid technologies training
working towards establishing an eco-tourism/cultural-tourism venture at the village in order to assist in establishing economic self-determination at the village, as well as to further public education about Indigenous Sovereignty
YCC is grateful to be involved with this project, and is supporting the Kwakwaka'wakw Revitalization Project with admin, fundraising, and logistics coordination, and takes direction from Ma'amtagila Matriarchal leadership."
– Dakota Smith
Daily life in the village in preparation for the summer youth camps focussing on Indigenous food security. Below are some updates from Leo at Hiladi.