MEET THE BALANCE CO-LAB TEAM SUPPORTING THE FIVE NATIONS SALMON LAWS & PROTOCOLS PROJECT
We’re excited to continue introducing the team working on the Restoring the Five Nations Laws: Nuu-chah-nulth Salmon Laws & Protocols Project.
This four-year initiative is a collaboration between Ha’oom Fisheries Society, the Ahousaht, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations (the five Nations), and the Balance Co-Lab. Together, we aim to document, revitalize, and affirm traditional Nuu-chah-nulth salmon laws and governance practices for the five Nations, and develop a consultation protocol for the government to use when making fisheries decisions that reflects each Nation’s governance and rights.
Working Hand in Hand: Ha’oom & Balance Co-Lab
To carry out this work, Ha’oom is partnering closely with the Balance Co-Lab — a powerhouse team of 24 university-based researchers across 5 universities and 13 research units. The purpose of the Balance Co-Lab is to advance Indigenous self-determination, community capacity and well-being. Their work brings community- and university-based partners together to co-create decision-support and cumulative impact assessment systems aligned with Indigenous knowledge and values.
Their team is grounded in principles of self-determination, deep listening, and relationship-building, and they will work alongside Ha’oom and the five Nations to ensure the project remains guided by community direction and grounded in Nuu-chah-nulth values.
We’re pleased to introduce today two members of the Balance Co-Lab team who will be closely involved in this project:
Tara Mahoney — Project Lead for Supporting the Five Nations Salmon Laws & Protocols Project for Balance Co-Lab
Tara will be leading the Balance Co-Lab’s work on this project, coordinating closely with Ha’oom and the five Nations to support project planning, research, community interviews, and legal development.
Tara Mahoney is a researcher based on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC. She has extensive experience in designing community research programs and leading research projects that bridge academic and community-based knowledge. With over 15 years of experience in community organizing and a PhD in Communication from Simon Fraser University, Tara has published widely on community-engaged research and public engagement with climate issues.
Lorenzo Magzul — Community Engagement Support, Balance Co-Lab
Lorenzo will support community engagement throughout the project, helping with interviews, gatherings, and coordination to ensure strong and meaningful participation.
Lorenzo, a Kaqchikel Mayan from Guatemala, now lives and works on the traditional territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Peoples. With an academic background spanning Economics, Environmental Studies, and Integrated Studies of Land and Food Systems, he brings a wealth of experience in collaborating with Indigenous communities in Canada and Guatemala. His work focuses on advancing community development, strengthening food sovereignty, and fostering climate adaptation strategies that are both culturally informed and locally driven.
We’re excited about the collaborative work ahead and look forward to continuing to build community participation across the five Nations as we carry this project forward.
If you have questions or would like to connect with the project team, please feel free to reach out to us at charlene@haoom.ca. And if you would like to learn more about the Balance Co-Lab and their approach to supporting Indigenous-led governance, visit their website here: https://balancecolab.com.
Klecko Klecko!
Ha’oom Fisheries Society