7 minute read
Cascadia Seawood/Tsawout First Nations
True reconciliation in action ON BC’S COAST
Along the pristine coastline of British Columbia, the ocean is inspiring opportunities to address food security, climate action and Indigenous reconciliation. Together, BC First Nations are partnering with Cascadia Seaweed to produce jobs and economic diversification for coastal communities.
Advertisement
Since the Industrial Revolution, the sea has absorbed more than 25 per cent of emitted carbon–the largest carbon sink on the planet. The ocean presents an untapped, abundant resource for climate action to benefit people and the planet.
The ocean’s superpower? Seaweed. Its resumé is extensive: it can form biodegradable packaging, feed cows, and reduce their methane emissions; regenerate marine ecosystems, create biofuel, and absorb carbon.
Ocean cultivated seaweed uses nutrients from the sea, and requires no freshwater, fertilizers, pesticides, or arable land to grow. It presents an opportunity to create thousands of new green jobs along Canada’s coasts and directly supports the development of Canada’s growing Blue Economy. Seaweed cultivation is the definition of regenerative aquaculture.
Seaweed is also a superfood. For thousands of years, coastal Indigenous communities have used seaweed as a nutritious food source: a complete protein packed with vitamins and minerals. By 2050, the World Bank Group estimates the global seaweed industry will generate USD$28 billion per year and supply close to 10 per cent of the world’s food stores.
In short, seaweed improves the ocean environment in which it grows; the more it is cultivated, the more our economy prospers, while the healthier the ocean and our climate become.
The Tsawout First Nation, located on the Saanich Peninsula on Southern Vancouver Island, recognize the economic, environmental, and social opportunities of seaweed cultivation. 170 years after signing the Douglas Treaty, the nation is exercising their
ABOVE: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) Barges and boats from the James Island farm installation. Rob Napoli and Tom Campbell inspecting lines in Barkley Sound. Matt Obee, VP of Operations, tasting freshly harvested seaweed.
Indigenous rights to their land and waters. In a historical alliance, the Tsawout issued Cascadia Seaweed a license to cultivate seaweed within their territorial waters and on their behalf–a new wave of benefits for the coastal community and climate.
“Tsawout First Nation has a profound and sacred relationship with the land and sea,” says Chief Harvey Underwood. “As Saltwater People, we have an obligation to care for and respect the land for each other and for future generations.”
First Nations, like the Tsawout, can help make this possible by enacting their rights to self-govern, defined by the Douglas Treaty, the Canadian Constitution, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
“We need to prepare for the future and manage our own traditional lands, air and sea,” explains Chrissy Chen, Fisheries Manager at Tsawout First Nation. “As First Nations stewards, we need to pass on the rich ecological knowledge of our ancestors to ensure that economic activities taking place in our marine environment are safe and sustainable.”
“We are Indigenous People,” Chen continues. “We are here to conserve and protect the environment while we produce food and create opportunity for our people.”
The partnership is creating jobs while advancing reconciliation. Cascadia Seaweed, founded in 2019, is already North America’s largest ocean seaweed cultivator, with seven farms installed in five different territories. Cascadia urges other industries to walk alongside First Nations through partnerships that “Our Nation partners have utilized one of their biggest assets–the titles they hold to the land,” explains Bill Collins, Chairman of Cascadia. “[This] opportunity for a prosperous future, in harmony with nature, is realized by people sitting down together and creating innovative solutions to promote outcomes that put people and planet first,” he says. “First Nations governments and their industrial partner, in this case Cascadia, have walked together to provide the model. This should inspire other governments and industrial partners to follow suit.”
These partnerships not only mend relations between peoples but with the earth. Today, Cascadia Seaweed joins Tsawout Nation as stewards of the coast and climate.
“This,” says Collins, “Is true reconciliation in action.” g
SERVICING FINE ART www.cascadiaseaweed.com
Specializing in Fine Art framing, installation, crating SERVICING and Conservation services. FINE ART
Specializing in Fine Art framing, installation, crating and Conservation services.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!
160 Elm Street, Ottawa Ontario, Canada K1R 6N5 t: 613.232.7146 www.patrickgordonframing.ca
Barre Fit Warriors–fitness that’s empowering and fun
Getting into a fitness routine isn’t easy, especially if lifting weights and treadmill running isn’t your idea of empowering transformation.
What if the movement of dance, the empowerment of self-defence, and the grace of yoga replaced the dumbbells and treadmills?
That’s where workouts like Barre and Piloxing come in offered by Barre Fit Warriors, one of Ottawa’s newest fitness services. The real-time, online classes let you bypass the travel time while receiving personalized training and corrections from your instructor–maximizing your workout from home.
Nicole Grant, owner and master trainer at Barre Fit Warriors, has been a professional dancer for over 25 years. She received a bachelor’s degree in dance/ pedagogy from Ryerson University, and she is certified in Yoga, American Barre technique, and Piloxing.
Nicole created Barre Fit Warriors out of the desire to make fitness accessible to everyone from the comfort of their homes. She strives to bring a new perspective to fitness that focuses on achieving an equally healthy mind, body, and soul.
“It was so important for me to create a community and Barre Fit Warriors is that community,” says Nicole on what inspired her to open Barre Fit Warriors. “It gives an accessible fitness community, a place where you get stronger and are supported while you keep moving.”
The most fulfilling part of teaching for Nicole is helping her clients reach moments of perseverance and helping them push through. “It’s my passion…,” she says, “helping my clients realize how strong they are and working with them to find what being fit means to them by focusing on a holistic approach.”
What separates Barre and Piloxing from other workouts? Barre is a lowimpact, hybrid workout class that combines strength training, dance, pilates, and yoga–it improves core strength and posture while giving the body a lean, toned look. Piloxing takes it to the next level. The best of boxing, pilates, and dance, Piloxing is a high-energy interval workout that burns maximum calories, increases stamina, improves cardiovascular health, and works your coordination–it’s empowering fun!
Do you have to love dance to do Barre?
“Not at all. Barre is for everyone, at every level!” says Nicole. “It’s an excellent start for those who have never worked out before and want to begin a fitness journey, anyone in recuperation from an injury, as well as professional athletes. Barre is kind to the body and can do wonders; it’s all inclusive.” “I found Barre many years back when I was recovering from an injury,” recounts Nicole. “It helped me gain strength and facilitate movement again. There is a discipline in Barre that connects the body and mind to allow one to surpass physical expectations.”
Barre Fit Warriors offers dynamic Barre, Piloxing and Yoga classes ranging from 45 minutes to 60 minutes long, available through drop-in classes, credits, or monthly membership plans. Each online session guides you through a new, dynamic routine to keep you on your toes and away from that dreaded fitness plateau.
“My clients are at the core of what I do,” says Nicole. “My attention to detail ensures each person gets what they need out of their class.”
There’s something for everyone at all fitness levels, with no pre-set mould to achieving your goals. Barre Fit Warriors makes fitness accessible and changes fitness perspectives to inclusion and holistic wellness.
“Being proud of where you start is just as important as the journey. Achieving a healthy mind, body and soul begins with being kind to ourselves and appreciating what our body lets us do. You are worth the time and the investment, you’re worth the effort.” g
