This article highlights how the Heiltsuk Nation of British Columbia combines ancestral principles and modern science to protect salmon, bears, and ecosystems in their territory. Guided by Ǧvi̓ḷás, their traditional laws of respect, reciprocity, and stewardship, the Heiltsuk use practices like fish weirs and DNA analysis to monitor wildlife and manage resources sustainably. By braiding Indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches, they ensure the health of their environment for future generations.

Image: Members of the Heiltsuk First Nation assembling a fish weir on the Koeye River in June 2024. (Image credit: Olivia Leigh Nowak, courtesy of Wild Salmon Centre).