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,...
news/updates

Welcome to Nawalakw News!
Explore the latest news, plus loads of archives. Search by date and category in the sidebar to the left.
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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...
Meet the Apprentices
Petr Javier Jr. is a student at UBC. He was already developing online games in Kwak’wala when a chance encounter with K’odi while walking on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver revealed their shared passion for language and culture. A few years later and following...
Get to know: Jonah Johnson
In each edition of the Nawalakw News, we will introduce you to a member of our team. This edition features Jonah Johnson, who joined the team in April 2020 to help with the garden box project. What is your role with the project? J.J. Building the garden boxes so all...
Traditional Food Harvesting
Nawalakw contracted local fishermen and Seawolf Adventures to harvest, package and deliver prawns to the Dzawada’enuxw, Kwikwasut’inuxw and Gwawa’enux First Nations families. Thanks to everyone involved in this project!
Garden Box Project
Warmer weather means green thumbs get busy. With the COVID-19 restrictions, Nawalakw pivoted to help the community stay healthy, positive and uplifted during these unsettling times. Since April, a crew including Stephen Alfred, Jonah Johnson, Keith Dawson, Dallas...
Weekly Deliveries of Grocery and Good Vibes
Nawalakw has contracted the services of SeaWolf Adventures to make weekly deliveries of groceries and other supplies to our Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw, ‘Namgis, and Whe-la-la-u tribes. The flow of goods and services has been interrupted by COVID-19, but this effort...
Gila’kasla
Thank you to our incredible community of friends and supporters, who have committed their time, talent, and funds to the Nawalakw Culture Project. The Hereditary Chiefs of the Musgamakw Current and former Elected Chief and Council of the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis...