The age-old new model for protecting this planet | Douglas Neasloss | TEDxVictoria

Returning to the roots of pre-colonization and uplifting ancient ways of knowing is more important now than ever. Douglas Neasloss shows us how an age-old model is the innovative answer we need to protect our planet’s future. Douglas Neasloss is the elected chief councillor of the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation in Klemtu, BC. Under his leadership, the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation played a key role in establishing Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest. Through the work of their stewardship office and community-owned eco-tourism operation, Klemtu transformed a 90% unemployment rate into a highly successful conservation-based economy. In 2017, Klemtu worked with provincial and federal governments and other Nations to establish province-wide hunting bans for grizzly bears, and recently announced a black bear hunting ban with the Gitga’at Nation in their respective territories to protect the rare DNA of the spirit bear. The Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation has protected 50% of its landmass in conservancies, and the 2022 declaration of the Gitdisdzu Lugyeks marine protected area marked the beginning of an ambitious plan to protect 3500km² of ocean in coming years. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx