Unique Cultural Heritage

First Nations
For at least 10,000 years First Nations people have called the inlets, shorelines and estuaries of Pncima home. Thirty-six per cent of the residents in this region are First Nations and at least 25 First Nations communities are located in Pncima. These communities are rich in culture and embody a wealth of intimate knowledge about the ocean.

The First Nations currently involved in the Pncima planning process include Coastal First Nations – Turning Point Initiative and the North Coast Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society. In December 2008 they assumed a formal co-governance role in Pncima.

The Fishing culture
Almost every square kilometer of Pncima is being fished. Fish provide sustenance, recreation and work for many of the communities in Pncima and has been a way of life since their beginnings. Fishing supports families and communities and makes a significant contribution to the local and provincial economies. The Canadian Constitution (Section 35) protects First Nations access to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes, in recognition of their and ongoing dependence on the sea for dietary and cultural sustenance.