British ColumbiaNational Outdoor Leadership School, an American non-profit that operates in B.C., says it may make changes to its controversial application to use provincial Crown land, after it does more consultation with First Nations. Outdoor rec group considering dropping some sites it requested, after hearing of First Nation concernKathryn Marlow · CBC News · Posted: Sep 20, 2025 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 11 hours agoA sea kayaker on the B.C. central coast while on a course with the National Outdoor Leadership School. The American non-profit has applied to renew and expand licences it has to camp on B.C. Crown land during its courses, but has come up against concerns from many in British Columbia — including First Nations. (Lukas Hallberg/National Outdoor Leadership School)National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), an American non-profit that operates in B.C., says it may make changes to its controversial application to use provincial Crown land, after it does more consultation with First Nations. The organization recently applied to renew and expand its licences to occupy Crown land, saying it wants to stop and camp at the sites along the B.C. coast while on a sea-kayaking trip from Washington state to Alaska next summer.But the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is the latest to express concern about the application — and after hearing its concerns, NOLS said it would consult further. The FNLC called on the province to “obtain, free, prior, and informed consent” from First Nations before deciding whether to grant the licences. “There must be an understanding that First Nations consent is required for most, if not all of these areas,” said Hugh Braker, who sits on the FNLC and is a member of the Tsheshaht First Nation on west Vancouver Island. The potential sites are spotted along the west and east coasts of Vancouver Island, and up the central coast. The red dots represent the 77 sites in B.C. that National Outdoor Leadership School has applied to use as campsites on a kayak trip from Washington to Alaska. (CBC)After hearing Braker’s interview on CBC’s On the Island, Rich Majerus of NOLS said that the school is reassessing its application.LISTEN | A spokesperson for NOLS responds to worries about military connections and more, and a First Nations leader on why consultaton is necessary: This is Vancouver IslandThe controversy over a U.S. non-profit’s application to use B.C. landSome islanders are upset that a U.S. non-profit that does adventure tourism wants to renew and expand its access to crown land along the B.C. coast. National Outdoor Leadership School says its sea kayakers will use the land to camp while travelling from Washington to Alaska. But social media posts opposing the application have gone viral in island communities. On this episode we hear from the applicants themselves, and a First Nations leader who has concerns.”I want to apologize for the lack of consultation in advance of submitting our application,” said Majerus who is the organization’s VP of expeditions. “We do want to engage in that process of consultation with First Nations. We have every intention to communicate, to ask for permission.”He said they are considering removing some of the sites on the list, after consultations. Braker thinks the news will come as relief to many. “I think most First Nations on the coast will welcome the opportunity to meet with the company and talk to them about what they want to do,” he said.Group still wants to travel B.C. coast Though it says it may make changes, NOLS has not cancelled its application. While many British Columbians have expressed concern about an American group getting access to Canadian land while Canada-U.S. relations are tense, Majerus said now is a time to build bridges.He said NOLS works to teach people how to collaborate, so now isn’t the time to walk away. “For us to, like, move away from this because of that larger political climate would be antithetical to the way we try to train our students,” said Majerus.In regards to other public worries about the application, Majerus said the group will not build any shelters, won’t block others from using the land and will practise “leave no trace” principles.ABOUT THE AUTHORKathryn Marlow is a reporter for CBC Victoria, and the host/producer of the podcast This is Vancouver Island. She covers stories in greater Victoria, and across the whole Vancouver Island region. You can reach her at kathryn.marlow@cbc.ca.
U.S. adventure group says it may revise controversial application to use B.C. land
