With spring on the doorstep and covid restrictions easing, PRIMED had the opportunity to travel to Yuquot with project partners Barkley Project Group, Environmental Dynamics Inc., and Traditions Consulting. The trip began on the evening of March 17th with a project presentation to members of the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation at the House of Unity in Gold River. The following day the team took the hour boat ride across Nootka Sound to Yuquot where they were welcomed ashore by Chief Jerry Jack.
Some of the site visit crew pictured at the Gold River docks.
From there the team took advantage of the fair weather (despite a more pessimistic forecast) to walk around Yuquot and nearby beaches to get a firsthand look at potential transmission line routes and to gain a better understanding of place. With strong winds and waves, the energy that could potentially be utilized was on full display.
View of nearby beaches with Maquinna Point around the headland in the distance.
Upon returning to the Yuquot church, the team was given a presentation by Jack Johnson and Sheila Savey on the history of Yuquot and the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation. The detailed presentation covered everything from time immemorial structures of governance and resource management to first contact with Europeans and the devastating impacts of colonialism.
Church interior and team meeting.
The team then informally presented the project to those in attendance, including elder Ray Williams and his family, one of the only year-round residents at Yuquot. The team had the privilege to hear about Yuquot and the lands and waters surrounding it from Ray along with his desires for the project. His insight along with his vision for how the project can be done right, including acknowledging the potential for mistakes and the need to learn from and correct them, was an inspiring and sagacious view towards a first of its kind energy project in Canada. Such a view has the potential to not only provide direct benefit and learning experiences for the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation and the team, but also for other Nations and the marine renewable energy community in Canada and globally. As the wind picked up and the rain began, the team said their goodbyes and made the journey back to Gold River.
This trip marked an important step towards the realization of the project and provided an opportunity for the team to become immersed in the heritage of Yuquot, meet in person for the first time, and to witness the area firsthand. PRIMED looks forward to continuing to advance the feasibility study and to travel to Yuquot again!