Come for five minutes or an hour.

On Tuesday, October 27, from 2 to 6 PM, Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and Tourism Tofino open the doors on the ḥaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ ḥaw̓iiḥ for the Tribal Parks Symposium, a drop-in open house, and you are invited.

Maybe you run an Allied business. Maybe you have been meaning to become one. Maybe you live here, work here, or are visiting, and want to understand this place a little more deeply. There is room for all of you.

There is no program to sit through. Drop in on your work break or settle in for the afternoon. Spend your time with whatever draws you in.

This gathering marks the next chapter of the partnership between Tribal Parks and Tourism Tofino. At its heart is the ʔiisaak Pledge, which is becoming the shared foundation for how visitors, residents, businesses, and partners understand their relationship with this place. Every station in the room connects back to it.

How the day works

The Symposium is a gathering of open tables and conversations, not a lineup of speakers. Walk in, take a look around, and follow your curiosity.

Ask a Guardian about their work on the land. Watch a new short film about this place. Get a first look at the new tools coming for Allies and their guests. Leave when you are ready, and come back if your day allows.

Five minutes of real conversation is enough to leave with something. Two hours is enough to leave with a new relationship.

What you will find

• Welcome with Julian Hockin-Grant, Tribal Parks Allies Liaison. Julian will greet you, show you around, and connect you with the people and stations that match what you are curious about.

• See what your support has made possible with Eve Neral. Walk through the past year on the land: the milestones, the accomplishments, and what the Responsible Visitor Fee collected by Allies has helped make happen.

• New ways to share this place with your guests with Rachel Leghissa, Marketing Manager for Tribal Parks. Watch a new short film made to help visitors understand where they are. See the new ʔiisaak Pledge website, where guests can make their commitment before they even arrive, and the emails that stay with them long after they go home. Preview a toolkit of ready-to-use materials for Allies to share with guests. Then Pledge to Practice yourself.

• Your participation, all in one place with Julian Hockin-Grant. See a new online space where Allies can manage their participation and find everything they need in one spot.

• Responsible travel in your guests' pockets with Jody Kirk. Try a new mobile experience that helps visitors learn how to be here respectfully and opens new ways for Allies to take part.

• Meet the Guardians with Saya Masso. Hear from the Tla-o-qui-aht Guardians about their role in caring for this place.

• Imperial Metals Project with one of the Tla-o-qui-aht Guardians. Learn about the current monitoring and stewardship work related to the project.

• Questions, Comments and Feedback with Emily Elston Macnab and Samantha Hackett of Tourism Tofino. Share your questions, ideas, feedback, or concerns, and tell us what you would like to see at future Ally gatherings.

Allies or not, you belong here

If you are already an Ally, this is a chance to meet the people behind the program, see what your contribution makes possible on the land, and swap ideas with the more than 160 businesses who share this commitment.

If you are not an Ally yet, come ask your questions. There is no sign-up waiting at the door, just good conversation and an open invitation.

If you simply call this place home, or are passing through, come see how it is cared for. You have come to one of the most cared-for places on Earth. This is a chance to meet the people who care for it.

The details

See you there

Bring a friend, a coworker, your whole team, or just yourself. However long you stay, we are glad you came.

A warm thank you to Picnic, a Tribal Parks Ally, for the refreshments that will keep the conversations going all afternoon.