Rethinking wilderness in the ancient gardens of Tla-o-qui-aht, Ahousaht First Nations

It was only in the last 200 hundred years of colonial history that the word took root here. Martin offers an example. 

"Years ago, Parks Canada was asking a group of Tla-o-qui-aht elders to translate signage, and one of the words they needed translated was the word wilderness. 

So, this word wilderness was deliberated upon for three days. And when they came back, they said, 'the closest translation we have to this concept of wilderness is wałyuu (walth-yuu) and that means home. 

'This is our home.'"

"[Look up] the definition of wilderness: usually what comes up is it's a desolate wasteland or a wild place where humans might visit but do not live in," says Martin. "They don't take care of it, they don't garden, and they don't farm there."  

Stay with Tsawaak RV Resort & Campground to unlearn and relearn a new approach on life. 

Book a cabin this fall and move into a new you, starting with the words you choose. 

"Words that we use and the language we speak matters. Words shape our perspective of the world," explains Martin. "Those words then shape who we are as we travel through the world and how we move through the world."

ZenSeekers and Tsawaak RV Resort & Campground challenge you to consider:

Are the words and the ways you move through the world informed by colonial heritage? 

How do you learn otherwise, or even gain the perspective to realize a new approach with more connection to the earth? 

A stay at Tla-o-qui-aht-owned Tsawaak Resort has answers, and offers an experience connecting you to the healing powers of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation ancient gardens.

Travelling to Tla-o-qiu-aht requires any responsible traveller to familiarize themselves with the Tla-o-qui-aht's ʔiisaak Pledge, which you can find here. 

The guiding principle within ʔiisaak is recognition of this special place—not a wilderness, but a cherished gardens and homelands—that allows any visitor to truly connect with their surroundings, putting their arms around the biggest trees and walking away with a new charge in their soul, a natural uplift. 

An ʔiisaak inspired itinerary 

Here are four ways to access Tla-o-qui-aht's wałyuu, in a respectful manner, from your basecamp at Tsawaak Resort.

Hike the Big Tree Trail

For full respect of these Tla-o-qui-aht homelands never touched by a colonial hand, book in with Sir Landon James Charters for water taxi service to Meares Island and a Big Tree Trail experience. Go self-guided or ask about private guided Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardian Tours (allow three or four hours in total—2km trail, part boardwalk & part hiking trail).

Rent an e-bike from Tbird Ebikes and ride the Pacific Rim trail

Meet your ebike on site at Tsawaak, then travel the new pathway between Tla-o-qui-aht/Tofino and Ucluelet.  Be ready for a big bike of 80km round trip, but ebikes make it a comfortable adventure for anyone with an intermediate fitness level or more (a shorter Long Beach to Tsawaak is a beauty ride as well and under half the time).

Book ahead with your stay and simply use an ebike to get around. They rent regular bikes too.

Stroll the beach trail 

Wanna walk? Hit the beach trail within Tsawaak next to the Visitor Centre and when you touch sand, go left for an impressive view (as seen in the banner image of this story). 

Or, for a longer walk, trek right and keep right to the end of the beach. Go across the little outflow and up onto Tonquin Trail, taking in the trail signage further educating on Tla-o-qui-aht's Waluu. 

Cabin it for the full effect, booking your own mini-Longhouse.

Rainy day adventure

Flip the narrative on a rainy day and turn it into an adventure like no other. 

Ahousaht First Nation, the neighboring nation to Tla-o-qui-aht, sharing Clayoquot Sound, will introduce you to Ahous Adventures Hot Springs Cove Tour. One word; breathtaking, on so many sensory levels. 

Boardwalk through old growth, soak in the springs as the rain pelts your face, with a guide so passionate about his role in welcoming you to his wałyuu.  

(Your stay at Tsawaak scores you a bonus card with $20 off your tour, and off your e-bike rental too!)

Experience the land around Tla-o-qui-aht and learn the stories of Tla-o-qui-aht stewardship to these lands for over 10,000 years, and you'll find it easy to agree with Martin when she says: 

"According to those definitions of wilderness online, there's no wilderness here. It doesn't exist because we've always lived here and we've always taken care of it, and we continue to take care of it." 

When you Go

Martin and Tla-o-qui-aht people ask you to "please uphold ʔiisaak, our traditional teachings, which speak to having respect for the world around us, having respect for the cycles of the planets, but also nature, natural law, practicing being observant, appreciating, and acting accordingly." 

As a respectful traveler, Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks makes it easy for you, just follow these ʔiisaak how-tos.

Oct 17-19, 2024 will be a magical time to experience Tla-o-qui-aht homelands. Join the Nation as it celebrates two major milestones: the 30th anniversary of Tin Wis Resort and the grand opening of Tsawaak RV Resort’s brand-new Visitor Centre, including the announcement of its official new name. 

To mark the occasion, the Nation is welcoming guests to book with the promo code CELEBRATE30 for stays during October 19-20, 2024, to receive 30% off bookings at either Tin Wis Resort or Tsawaak RV Resort.

Tswaaak RV Resort & Campground is connected in with other Indigenous-owned campgrounds, attractions and First Nation destinations you should know about. #Indigenouscoastbc brings together a series of communities along BC's West Coast, offering up an itinerary that allows any traveler to experience their way into a new self and being. 

To delve deeper in to the concept of rethinking wilderness, dive into this feature about ethical travel, on the Tin Wis Resort website.