Indigenous Tourism & Local Partners
Your time with us includes everyday interactions with the people and community who call this home. We introduce you to aspects of the local Indigenous culture - past and present - and we collaborate to support local community aspirations, cultural protocols, and ecological stewardship.
Since 1972, West Coast Expeditions has operated almost exclusively in the territory of the Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations, specifically on Tlehoh (Spring) Island and in the areas of Kyuquot Sound and Checleset Bay, including the Mission Group of Islands, Rugged Point, the Bunsby Islands, the Acous Peninsula, and the M
quqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula.
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This area is home to the welcoming Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations' people (anglicized as Kyuquot / Checleset and pronounced "kie-you-kit" - "check-le-set"). West Coast Expeditions is part of the Kyuquot area and community, and since May 2022 is owned by the Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations through their TiiÄma Hospitality LP.
As former owners, and now managers supporting this ownership transition, Bev Michel (a Ka:'yu:'k't'h' woman) and David Pinel and Caroline Fisher (honoured to have been adopted into the Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che:k:tles7et'h' Nations) share - and appreciate - truly close bonds with our friends and family in the nearby community.
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Your WCE experience relies on many partners and relationships that we greatly value and enjoy, including:
- Active as marketing stakeholders with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, and the Indigenous Tourism Association of BC, furthering the discussions, planning, training, and product development for excellence in Indigenous tourism experiences in British Columbia and Canada.
- Longstanding site use agreements with the Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations, and summer student employment opportunities.
- Weekly traditional Indigenous salmon dinners as part of our 5 and 6 day base camp kayaking packages, prepared and hosted by the Jules family since 1992!
- Expedition visits with long-time friend, expert weaver and Checleset elder, Lucy Paivio and husband Lennard Paivio who has also helped with some of our camp infrastructure.
- Regular water taxi services from Leo Jack (Voyager Water Taxi), Tony Hansen (Siiqaa Water Taxi), Archie and Virginia Vincent (Storm Chaser), and other certified local operators with insured vessels.
- Contract labour assistance from local youth helping with camp improvements and trail maintenance – helping us to maintain these for all locals to enjoy, and visitor/guest use.
- Access to pieces by local Indigenous artists, including carvers, painters, and weavers such as Lucy Paivio, Jesse Gillette, and others as available.
- Regular visits with our guests for a coffee or pie at Java the Hutt at the Kyuquot Inn.
- custom itinerary transportation of guests, kayaks & freight aboard the MV Uchuck III (Nootka Sound Service).
- custom itinerary transportation by float plane with Air Nootka, based in Gold River.
- Parking, moorage, and fuel purchases from Fair Harbour Campground and Marina, which is owned and managed by the Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations.
- Purchase of camp supplies, as needed, from the Kyuquot Market general store in the nearby village. (For example we've often bought eggs, milk, misc fruit/veg, butter, etc. in a pinch!)
- Cooperative relationships with all local businesses, including the Kyuquot Inn, Murphy's Sport Fishing, Kyuquot Beach House, Sea Otter Lodge, Rugged Point Lodge, Walters Cove Resort, and many others.
- Support of the Warriors and Kyuquot Rediscovery Programs for youth since 1999, and support of local fundraising efforts by individuals or groups (for graduation ceremonies, student travel, community celebrations, etc.)
- Active participants and contributors to community and industry input for the Kyuquot Sound Coastal Plan and other local and regional planning processes.
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