Coastal Vulnerability Studies

West Coast, B.C

The Coastal Vulnerability Studies is a multi-year project initiated by the Skidegate Band Council, Indigenous Services Canada, and the First Nation Adapt Program. The Norda Stelo team used hydrodynamic modeling to identify the hazards posed to public safety, critical infrastructure, and cultural assets from flooding due to sea-level rise, storm surges, and earthquake-induced tsunamis in coastal British Columbia First Nations communities. Actionable information from the studies’ findings informs the efforts of climate-adaptive leaders in First Nations communities. Presentations of the studies’ findings at community workshops spur adaptive project planning, allowing communities to proactively manage, plan for, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Acknowledged as an empowering initiative, the studies tackled the complex challenge of addressing climate change impacts across 60 remote Indigenous communities. By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific analysis, the project provided culturally relevant, evidence-based tools for action. Its scale, thoughtful engagement, and support for Indigenous agency made it a standout example of collaborative resilience planning.