The Great Bear Initiative was created with the conviction that if a conservation-based economy is to succeed, our active and meaningful participation is essential. We believe that the people who best know, use, and protect biodiversity are the First Nations people who live in these magnificent forests and waters.

Our experience has taught us that strong and thriving Coastal First Nations cultures, with recognition of our Aboriginal Title and Rights to our lands, is the key to a conservation-based economy in our Traditional Territories.

Our challenge is to develop a new conservation-based economy on BC’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii recognizing the inextricable link between economic and ecological sustainability.

Our strategic approach to development includes:

• sustainable ecosystem-based management of marine and land resources;
• increased local control and management of forestry and fisheries operations;
• coordinated development through regional strategic planning in forestry, fisheries and tourism with an emphasis on value added initiatives;
• partnerships and cooperative arrangements with governments, industry, ENGOs and other stakeholder groups; and
• building capacity.