Leech, Zoe2025-11-072025-11-072025https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22901UVic Sustainability Scholars Program Final ReportInvited by the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation, this project sought to uplift cultural and spiritual indicators into a tool that could be used when interfacing with crown government agencies on proposed marine activities. Through a decolonial literature review, hands on learning in Klemtu, and a Nation-led, relational research process, the work resulted in a draft “Kitasoo Xai’xais Cultural Compass”. The compass provides a decision-support guide that integrates the stewardship guiding principles, biocultural mapping, and photo-voice storytelling to inform co-management. Key insights include the critical role of Indigenous values in marine protected area systems, the need for intergenerational knowledge transfer through hands on learning, and the effectiveness of aligning Indigenous-led conservation practices with western science for holistic marine management. Deliverables include a decolonial literature review on uplifting Indigenous cultural and spiritual values into marine planning, mapped cultural values for Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay), and a draft rationale guide for future engagement and refinement by the community. By centering these values, the Kitasoo Xai’xais Cultural Compass also serves as a foundation for tracking shifting climatic changes and cultural perceptions as conditions adapt over time.enKitasoo Xai’xaismarine protected areascultural compassclimate change trackingstewardshipbiocultural mappingco-managementSustainability Scholars ProgramReportSchool of Environmental Studies