User:Jcichoke/Clayoquot protests

Add in section about ecology to the lead, as well as mention role of logging for indigenous people.

History of Indigenous Peoples in the Region
The Clayoquot Sound is believed to have been continuously populated by First Nations peoples for over 5,000 years according to carbon dating of discarded clamshells. Currently, the Clayoquot Sound is inhabited by three First Nations: the Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, and the Tla-o-qui-aht. These three tribes are part of the Central Region of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, and they share many common ancestral themes such as reliance on cedar, salmon, and whales. For Nuu-chah-nulth people, cedar serves as a vital source of heat and light, as well as being a key material in the production of "woven mats, clothing, utensils, longhouses, paddles and canoes." In addition, Cedar trees play a significant spiritual role in the life of the Nuu-chah-nulth.

Ecology of the Clayoquot Sound
The Clayoquot biosphere includes a diverse array of ecosystems such as temperate coastal rainforests and rocky coastal shores. About 85% of the land in the region is considered temperate rainforest. The Clayoquot rainforests are predominantly made up of Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Amabilis Fir, Western Yellow Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Pine, Douglas Fir, Yew and Red Alder. In addition, the region is home to over 300 vertebrae species such as black bears, cougars, minks, and grey wolves.

Aftermath
(Already added to the page)- On April 20, 2014 Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation commemorated 30 years since the beginning of the Clayoquot Protests in an event at Tofino Community Hall. The event saw members of the Tribal community engage in traditional song and dance while also celebrating the successful attempts at opposing logging on Meares Island Tribal Park.

Since the establishment of Meares Island Tribal Park in 2014, the use of Tribal Parks to maintain Indigenous sovereignty has increased in Canada. In advocating for the expansion of Tribal Parks on formerly-held indigenous land, Indigenous Canadians seek to return to traditional methods of conservation and resource management. At Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks, "First Nations staff harvest only the bark of trees for uses including housing, firewood, and medicinal purposes and swim in the rivers to count fish, ensuring the health of the population."

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/stephen+hume+clayoquot+protest+years+transformed+face+environmentalism/8770812/story.html

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun1999/1999-06-17-03.html