COVID-19 cases are on the rise throughout B.C.

Tourists are continuing to pour into the Tofino area at a significantly higher clip than expected.

And the resident Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation is concerned enough that it is ready to close access to the Tribal Parks program in its territory unless more West Coast businesses step up with the resources needed to manage the the threat those combined factors pose.

香蕉视频直播淚f a sustainable solution cannot be achieved by engaging widespread participation in the Tribal Park Allies certification standard, then it will not be possible for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to continue welcoming guests into our Tribal Parks,香蕉视频直播� reads a statement released by the TFN, whose traditional territories include Tofino, Clayoquot Sound, and areas within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

香蕉视频直播淭he safety of our community members cannot continue to be compromised by a tourism economy which does not contribute to crucial community services香蕉视频直播�Our Nation opened our Tribal Parks to support an economic recovery for our Tribal Parks Allies and for local residents dependent on the tourism economy,香蕉视频直播� the statement reads.

The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation ended a COVID-19-related territory in June while the neighbouring Ahousaht and Hesquiaht nations decided to remain closed. TFN Tribal Administrator Saya Masso told the VI Free Daily that the volume of tourists hammering the West Coast since has taken the region by surprise. Closing Tribal Parks has been discussed, but is not the desired outcome.

The Tribal Park Allies program asked for a voluntary one per cent 香蕉视频直播榰ser fee香蕉视频直播� that participating businesses ask from customers. The money goes towards mitigating the social and environmental impacts of tourism.

香蕉视频直播淲e expect that tourists that are coming here to see a beautiful area would be willing to pay an extra penny on their dollar,香蕉视频直播� Masso said, reiterating that the money does not come from the business operator, but is a voluntary one percent 香蕉视频直播榰ser fee香蕉视频直播� paid for by customers.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e not trying to hurt the bottom line of businesses香蕉视频直播�We香蕉视频直播檙e trying to collaborate with the tourists that value coming to a clean and well-serviced area.香蕉视频直播�

The program is currently helping to fund patrols by Tribal Park Guardians as well as checkpoints set up to prevent COVID-19 from spreading into vulnerable First Nation communities.

Masso said stronger participation in the program could lead to additional funding for resources like sewage treatment and healthcare services.

So far, roughly 37 businesses have signed up for the program, but a call out by the Nation in July did not yield the buy-in that was hoped for.

香蕉视频直播淲e know it香蕉视频直播檚 busy, but there is a disappointment香蕉视频直播�It does beg the question, would more businesses have signed on if we had remained closed?香蕉视频直播� Masso said.

香蕉视频直播淎ll the leaders regionally talk about building back better and talk about building back to overcome crises such as these and having a more resilient health care system et cetera and this should have been part of reopening香蕉视频直播�It shouldn香蕉视频直播檛 have just been words, it should have been action. We香蕉视频直播檇 been closed for four months when we should have been eyes open to how to build back better and we see this tool as one of the tools needed to build back better.香蕉视频直播�

Masso added that the disrespect being shown by some visitors to the region is 香蕉视频直播渟addening and disappointing香蕉视频直播� and he noted the impacts of those irresponsible behaviours underline the need for more robust stewardship and guardianship.

香蕉视频直播淚t just highlights that we香蕉视频直播檙e under-resourced香蕉视频直播�We need a regular presence for education and outreach in our backroads and on our beaches,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淎s Canadians, you would hope that if you found a quiet place in the forest, you would leave it as you found it and that香蕉视频直播檚 not the case. We香蕉视频直播檙e finding propane tanks and tarps and abandoned lawn chairs and tents that are broken after a weekend and left amongst all the litter and cans and bottles and garbage, it香蕉视频直播檚 just a tremendous amount of refuse.香蕉视频直播�

Masso said participants in the program would help contribute to a 香蕉视频直播渉ealthy and beautiful Clayoquot Sound,香蕉视频直播� by empowering Tribal Park Guardians with more resources.

香蕉视频直播淲e open our homeland to the millions of tourists a year and to do that we need these tools to be able to continue to be open safely,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e think that businesses would understand that and that we香蕉视频直播檙e symbiotically linked.香蕉视频直播�

For more news from Vancouver Island and beyond delivered daily into your inbox, please

andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Like us on and follow us on