Protocols of engagement support reciprocal, relevant, respectful and educational collaborations between PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ and individuals or organizations outside the W̱SÁNEĆ community.

Our guiding values and practical commitments ensures that the relationships we are forming on the land reflect our values and uphold W̱SÁNEĆ community frameworks. This is a space for volunteers, program participants, community collaborations, and academic partners to prepare themselves for our time together.

Protocols of engagement for volunteers and program participants

Self-awareness & Intentionality

PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ is ultimately accountable to the W̱SÁNEĆ community, their next generations, and to the TEṈEW̱ (land).

Self-reflection for volunteers, participants, and protentional collaborators: It is important to be aware of our intentions when we conduct healing work on the land and interact with Indigenous community members. To ensure we restore the land and form relationships in a positive way, consider how you can arrive in a reciprocal or mutually beneficial manner. We are striving to create an environment that does not support extractive behaviour.

Cultural safety

There are many available resources online to learn more about cultural safety. Please take the time to do the independent work of learning what cultural safety is, and how we can all collectively show up in a culturally safe manner.

Negative comments including culturally insensitive, racist, sexist or homophobic comments are not tolerated.

Transparent communication

Volunteers and participants: Please share your needs to stay healthy and safe during your time on the land with a team member. If you have experienced an unsafe situation, please reach out through email so we can continue to foster a culturally safe environment.

Collaborators, partners and research opportunities: Clearly communicate your needs (professional, health, logistical, etc) with clear expectations, boundaries, timeframes, desires and intentions for collaboration.

Media communications: publications will include acknowledgement of the working relationship of the parties when appropriate. Potential press releases, products or publications (including use of logos) will be shared with PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ with adequate time for review.

Accountability and responsibility

A shared responsibility towards W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, their future generations, and the land is integral to our time together. Working together in community is benefited by being held accountable for our actions and impacts. Both PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ team members and the collaborators, volunteers, and participants that we work alongside are accountable to each other and the land. Calling each other in to uphold agreed upon boundaries, expectations, or protocols ensures accountability and responsibility. 

Shared Ethics

Assure compliance with the ethical protocols of the respective institution(s)/ organization(s). Be clear with us about these ethics and consult PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ about the alignment of your ethics process with our work. We value connections with a firm foundation in reciprocity and respect. Ensure protection of the customary and intellectual property of all partners.

If you are seeking a collaboration or research-based relationship with PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱, please ensure that your organization can fulfill these commitments and has the capacity to commit to a relationship that reflects these values.

Practical Commitments

Volunteers

If possible, please RSVP for volunteer events! If you have RSVP’d and are no longer able to attend, let us know. Restoration sites for public events are chosen by group size.

Individual volunteers may join us with less formal time commitments. If you are interested in volunteering outside of our public volunteer events, please email volunteer@pepakenhautw.com. Please include your availability and experience with restoration.

Educational Leader

PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ offers educational programs for students of all ages and backgrounds. If you are requesting a program with PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱, we ask that you commit time and energy to our restoration projects, depending on the need and goals.

We always allow time to connect program participants to SṈIDȻEȽ, including introductions and instructions. In order to do this in a good way, we request a minimum of 2 hour programs for primary to secondary age groups and a minimum of 4 hour programs for adult groups. Exceptions are made if requested, but a full four hours on the land provides the best experience for participants and contributes the most tangible results for restoration. Learn more about our program rates here.

Post-secondary instructors and program leaders are invited to consider a consistent connection with PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱, which could include a regular schedule of one or more restoration programs per term. Please contact us to discuss partnership opportunities that enrich education and support community based restoration work.

Collaborations

Contributing to site work activities is integral to our collaborations. We believe that the best research and learning opportunities happen directly on the land, contributing to ecological restoration. Joining us on the land will provide a deeper understanding of our work. Students, researchers, project coordinators, or other collaborative proposals will be invited onto the land for discussion!

Academic or community collaborations and partnerships involve agreements such as memorandums of understanding, outlines for appropriate engagement, and/or contractual engagement agreements as needed and appropriate.

Organization Collaborations & Partnerships

We are intentional and selective about our collaborations, seeking to form relationships with organizations that strive to fulfill similar goals. PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ collaborates and partners with groups that also value reciprocity, and aligns with our core objectives of healing the land, fostering cultural resurgence, and supporting the next generation of land stewards.

Undergraduate/graduate students, professors, instructors, researchers, and community organizations can propose collaborations on:

a) our native plant nursery and garden at the Tribal School,

b) ecosystem restoration work in culturally significant places such as SṈIDȻEȽ (Tod Inlet),

c) the development of educational and employment programs aimed at supporting the next generation of land stewards.