The Valhalla Foundation for Ecology (VFE) is a conservation land trust and registered charity operating in British Columbia, Canada. With a mission to preserve wild places for wild things, VFE is dedicated to protecting ecosystems, restoring habitats, and fostering meaningful relationships between people and the land.
As stewards of several nature sanctuaries in BC, VFE plays a vital role in preserving the province’s natural heritage. Key sites under their care include the Snk’mip Marsh Sanctuary in the Kootenay region and the Jaŝ Chinook Salmon Nature Sanctuary in the Chilcotin region. In collaboration with conservation partners, VFE also acquired the Valhalla Mile, a mile-long lakeshore property on Slocan Lake, and donated it to BC Parks, ensuring its incorporation into the Valhalla Provincial Park. Additionally, the foundation holds conservation covenants and has successfully protected several other ecologically significant properties.
VFE’s commitment to ecological stewardship extends beyond land conservation. Their efforts intertwine ecological restoration with cultural reconciliation, creating a holistic approach to environmental care. This philosophy is exemplified in their latest project, the documentary Snk̛míp Dig Deeper.
Filmed over six years in the Sinixt tmxʷúlaʔxʷ (traditional territory), the documentary chronicles the restoration of the Snk̛míp Marsh, a wetland with deep historical and cultural significance as an ancient Indigenous village. Co-produced with the Autonomous Sinixt, led by Matriarch Marilyn James, the film captures the intricate process of revitalizing the marsh while exploring the broader implications of colonial history and Indigenous rights.
“This film isn’t just about wetland restoration,” says co-director Marilyn James. “It’s about restoring right relationships, with the land and between all peoples.” Her insight underscores the film’s central message: that ecological restoration and cultural reconciliation must go hand in hand to truly honor the land and its history.
Snk̛míp Dig Deeper challenges audiences to rethink narratives around land ownership and Canada’s colonial past, urging a deeper understanding of Indigenous stewardship and the importance of ecological justice. By weaving together the stories of the marsh’s ecological revitalization and its cultural significance, the film highlights how respecting Indigenous knowledge can lead to transformative environmental care.
The Valhalla Foundation for Ecology’s collaborative approach reflects its broader mission to work with conservation partners, Indigenous communities, and local stakeholders to protect BC’s natural spaces. Through land acquisitions, stewardship, and educational initiatives, VFE aims to inspire action and ensure that future generations can enjoy the wild places and biodiversity of British Columbia.
With a legacy that includes creating nature sanctuaries, protecting critical habitats, and advocating for ecological and cultural harmony, the Valhalla Foundation for Ecology invites others to join in their efforts. Together, through partnership and stewardship, a sustainable and just future for people and the planet is possible.