“They say that Xpey’ (Cedar) has only 60 years until extinction.

We need to have a conversation.”  ~ Tousilum Ron George

A common understanding amongst western scientists is that our beloved Xpey’ (Western redcedar) is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This follows more than a century of logging and other land uses. Xpey’ is a cultural and spiritual keystone species that is inseparable from the life of First Nations communities up and down Vancouver Island and beyond. It has been since time immemorial. It will take all of us working together to protect existing Xpey’ stands and restore the ecological conditions for Xpey’ to survive so that 500 years from now, generations will continue to know and love this beloved tree.

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We will come together – harvesters, weavers and carvers, western scientists, landholders, and land managers - to listen to each other about what we are observing on the land and to develop a shared Xpey’ vision and plan for what we will do today for generations 500 years from now. 

The event begins with arrival at 3:00pm on February 28th, followed by dinner and welcome at 5:00pm; until closing and adjournment March 2nd at 4:00pm