Ecological Restoration and Cultural Reconnection
Indigenous-driven and Community-Based
150+ years of urbanization and industrial colonialism has left us with major impacts on the land, water, air and natural world we depend on. Existing approaches to restoration often fall far short of what’s needed to re-establish cultural and ecological function. We need to get much better at cleaning up after ourselves.
Indigenous-driven ecological restoration is a structured and community-based approach to maximize the role of Indigenous communities in planning, implementing, monitoring, and adaptively managing ecological restoration as quickly and meaningfully as possible after disturbance. We know that when it comes to communities, ecological restoration and cultural reconnection go hand-in-hand. The success of one depends on the success of the other.
From tools for Indigenizing backyards, to empowering communities to take the lead in planning and implementing restoration projects on their own territories, we provide technical support and connections between Indigenous communities who want to take a leading role in restoring and healing the ecological and cultural relationships between people, lands and waters.
What We Do
Indigenous-driven and community-based approaches to reclamation, restoration, and reconnection, including for mining, roads, linear development, forestry, reservoirs, and other land and water disturbances.
- Community-based end land use Goals and Plans; including restoration targets/standards for success (culture and ecosystem baselines).
- Planning and capacity development for restoration monitoring including tracking success in reconnection.
- Restoration design to maximize community involvement in implementation.
- Planning and logistics to support seed collection, storage, propagation and nurseries including partnerships with Indigenous-owned native plant greenhouses, nurseries, bulk seed suppliers and other Indigenous-owned businesses.
- Design and development of habitat and conservation offsetting plans to address time-lag between disturbance and restoration.
- Soil health management and rehabilitation
- Integration of fire and restoring connections and stewardship of landscapes.
Mission
The mission of Reciprocity Restoration is to support Indigenous nations and communities to lead restoration and reclamation activities on their lands and waters, and to support Indigenous reconnection and long-term stewardship.
About Us
We are a group of knowledge holders, qualified professionals, and restoration practitioners passionate about the importance of communities in restoration of lands and waters. We are majority Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led. Our work supports communities to take the lead in restoration and reclamation on their lands and waters. We prioritize the involvement of local Indigenous businesses and development of community capacity for future work. Ecological and Cultural restoration and reconnection go hand-in-hand.
Sammy Kent, BSc, AAg (Cultural Ecologist and Lead Restoration Agrologist), is a restoration professional and Indigenous entrepreneur with almost 10 years of experience working directly on native plant and community-based restoration projects. Sammy has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities on knowledge and use studies, environmental assessments, ecological and cultural use mapping, and community-driven projects supporting Indigenous knowledge, sensitive ecosystems, and restoration. Sammy is a member in good standing with the BC Institute of Agrology, a Certified Permaculture Designer, Organic Horticulture Specialist, and Arborist Technician.
Robert “Stubby” Williams, is a respected Ktunaxa knowledge holder and heritage specialist from the community of Ɂaqam near Cranbrook, BC. Robert has been a leader in Indigenous-led restoration for more than 20 years. He helped found Tipi Mountain Ethnocultural Services and Native Plant Nursery and has deep expertise in the application of Indigenous knowledge to ecological restoration. Robert brings decades of experience in community engagement, native plant propagation, nursery operations, and restoration and reclamation planning.
Craig Candler, PhD (Cultural Anthropologist, Founder & CEO of Reciprocity Research Inc.) is a social scientist and community-based researcher with more than 25 years of experience working with Indigenous communities to support inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, including use and occupancy mapping in environmental assessments, mitigation design, reclamation and restoration plans, and other regulatory processes. Based in Victoria, BC, Craig works with communities to produce strong, respected, and respectful research at the applied intersection of ecological, medical, and legal anthropology.
Carolyn Whittaker, MSc (Natural Resource Management), is an ecologist and biodiversity specialist. Carolyn brings more than 20 years of experience working with ecosystems and natural resource management in British Columbia, and beyond, including ungulate and large carnivore interactions and wildlife management planning, vegetation surveys and baseline assessments, and working with Indigenous knowledge holders to identify, map, and plan for the health of culturally important plants and animals and their habitats.
Contact Us
Reciprocity Restoration Inc. is an independent, Indigenous-owned and led business. As a sister business to Reciprocity Research Inc., we work alongside and in close partnership with Indigenous communities. If you have any questions or would like to connect please reach out.
Additional information will soon be available at reciprocityrestoration.ca
Mailing Address:
2031 Store St
Victoria BC V8T 5L9
E: sammy@reciprocityconnects.ca
P: 250-857-0579
