Official Community Plan

B

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The K'ómoks Marine Use Plan identifies fundamental values and teachings that are continuously passed on and practiced in order to maintain a strong connection to KFN homelands and culture. A number of these values and teachings are included here and are relevant context to the OCP, a land use and stewardship document.

Honouring the Creator as the source of all gifts within the KFN homelands. Celebrating the return of species such as salmon, and allowing the first migration returning to pass without harvest. Protocol as a foundational cultural tool to manage resources throughout KFN territories. Protocol includes acknowledging which Nation's territory one is in, asking permission to utilize resources, and sharing in benefits. Respect for homeland by refraining from violating the abundance and diversity of life within KFN territory. Providing an offering to the Creator and a strong connection to homeland are the basis of respect. Balance is the healthy functioning of the natural cycles, seasonal changes, and natural flow of life. Too much harvesting or protection of a species or habitat can disrupt the balance. KFN elders are concerned this balance has been broken and needs to be re-established.

Working together to accomplish large tasks which also provides a benefit of teaching and passing on ancient knowledge. During marine harvesting cycles, the elders say, "We gather together to gather" in order to learn by doing. Sharing the bounty of resources from KFN territory through customs such as the potlatch which is not about how much can be accumulated but how much can be given away. Today, resources from KFN territory are not being shared with the Nation which is not how it is supposed to be. Stewardship incorporates all these values and teachings into the practical management of the resources in KFN territory. An image of proper stewardship is the fish weirs that KFN ancestors utilized in the Estuary to catch salmon.

Values and Teachings text adapted from K'ómoks Marine Use Plan (page 10), with permissions.

PART B Managing Growth