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Stepping Lightly on the Land

The Koeye River Lodge is operated and managed by the QQS Projects Society - www.qqsprojects.org

QQS is a registered charitable society made up of Heiltsuk people. The Society was established to support Heiltsuk Youth, Culture and Environment. QQS is actively supported by our hereditary leadership, our Hemas, whose very existence is tied to the sustainable use of land and resources.

Heiltsuk youth at QQS Society camp QQS' goal is to help create a generation of Heiltsuk leaders who are committed to the sustainable management and use of our lands and resources. QQS believes the best way to achieve this goal is to reconnect Heiltsuk youth with their natural environment.

Each summer the QQS Projects Society organises a series of science and culture camps that take place in the Koeye Estuary. The camps bring together Heiltsuk youth and western and traditional scientists to study and learn together in a rich cultural context.

As future stewards of Heiltsuk territory, it is important that Heiltsuk youth have the traditional knowledge that has sustained their people and the area's rich biodiversity for centuries, in addition to gaining an understanding of the principles of conservation biology, which will provide a framework for modern land use planning and protection of their territory.

Over the past four years, the Koeye River Science and Culture camps have served to strengthen the commitment of the Heiltsuk to this important area and to ensure the conservation and cultural values of the Koeye valley are protected.

"By encouraging our youth to re-embrace their culture and their traditional lands, we hope to open their eyes and hearts to their responsibility to care for it and preserve it for generations to come. We are dedicated to helping our youth see themselves and their environment in a new way".
Elroy White, Camp Director (2001)

Pictographs -central coast of British Columbia In operating the Koeye Lodge as a wilderness and eco-tourism destination, the QQS Projects Society's modus operandi is "responsible travel that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of the local economy". All proceeds from the operation of the Koeye Lodge are used to support the maintenance and operation of the Koeye facility. Remaining surplus is directed towards QQS' cultural, educational and conservation programs.

For more information, check out the QQS Projects Society Website at www.qqsprojects.org.