We're happy to share our latest newsletter — Celebrating Successes filled with highlights from the last year and incredible experiences we get to have on this Nawalakw journey with our elders, staff, participants, and communities. Enjoy
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Nawalakw Youth Documentary
Last week we celebrated our youth! We had students from Carleton University join us in presenting the documentary they created in collaboration with our Nawalakw youth to the community. Jessica Mountain, Giselle Alfred, Brennan Sawyer, and Lucy Whonnock worked...
Expect the Unexpected
“Expect the unexpected. Hope for the best, and plan for the worst.” My dad said these words to me often, amongst many other weird dad-isms forever burned in my memory. And as I grow older, I’ll sheepishly admit that maybe there was a lot of wisdom in those words....
Soap for Hope
“Keep your chin up and your nose clean, kid.” - Manhattan Melodrama (1934) According to a recent media report, in 2019 a B.C. non-profit donated a million hygiene products to people in need. In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they hit a million in a...
Gearing up with Gratitude
We have been so blessed by the loving people and generous companies that have come alongside us to support our vision and our work revitalizing the Kwak'wala language and culture. Through language and cultural programming, Nawalakw is committed to being a place of...
Reflections on 2020 The Highs, the Lows and Everything in Between
Without question 2020 will go down in the history books as a year unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. And yet, as I reflect back on the past 12 months, I am incredibly proud of our team and my heart is filled with love and gratitude. We accomplished a lot, hired...
Rockpiles, Stockpiles, and Beautiful Beginnings: Construction Update
Earthworks and building foundation work at Hada is now complete and framing is well underway for Phase One - the Nawalakw Culture Camp - with a scheduled opening targeted for spring 2021. When complete, the camp will accommodate up to 24 students and their teachers,...
Green Thumbs and Good Vibes Garden Box Project update from Tanis Dawson, Garden Box Project Manager
The garden box project was started as a food security initiative for the elders in response to COVID-19, which had an impact on the delivery of food and supplies to our area. I first started off as a volunteer with 4 others, and three weeks later I was hired to manage...
la’amtlan’s yakantala san’s yakandas. We are all going to speak our language.
Imagine children playing on a beach, speaking Kwak’wala fluently, effortlessly. Office workers, grocery store clerks and restaurant employees - people going about their business - and a bilingual elementary school with regular instruction delivered primarily in...
Good Work!
With the heartfelt commitment of everyone on our incredible team, we‘re turning the Nawalakw vision into reality. We take great pride in the local employment we provide to Indigenous youth and community members. Working with Nawalakw has provided some members of our...
Project Milestones
APRIL 2019 Feasiblility, Business Plan Complete SEPT 2019 PHASE 1 Funding Secured JUNE 2020 Site Construction Begins: Docks Outbuildings, Solar, Water APRIL 2021 PHASE 1 Construction, Program Development, Staff Training Complete MAY 2021 Cultural Programming Begins,...
Awards, Accolades and Other Achievements
While accolades are nice, we are most excited by the opportunity to share our vision and the journey of this project to serve as a learning opportunity for others. We believe this social enterprise model can be replicated by others, so we are happy to share our story...
Nawalakw Origin
Nawalakw (translated as ‘Supernatural’) is a social venture located in the heart of Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis Territory (more commonly known as the Great Bear Rainforest) in British Columbia. It offers us the ability to choose the road of sustainable economic...
Gilakas’la – Gifts
Gilakas’la During this festive season when people often exchange gifts, we are so grateful for the gifts we have received from our many friends, collaborators, allies and supporters. We are deeply grateful for the local and global partners we have met on this journey...
Getting to Know Krista Johnson Executive Assistant and Communications Coordinator
Q: What is your role with the Project?KJ: I work alongside K’odi. I am an administrative assistant. Right now I work with him and the Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation (KHFN) to make sure we stay connected. Having a connection with Nawalakw and KHFN is very...
Not Your Ordinary Day Camp: At the Hada
“First, we needed to imagine what our school groups experience could look like.” says Matt. “We’ve been discussing every detail, from the moment they arrive by water taxi on Monday morning right through to the time they leave on Friday. This minute-by-minute...