Haida Gwaii has a new type of resource officer to protect land and water while bringing Haida values into daily enforcement operations.
Mark Grinder is the first person hired as a fish, wildlife, and land guardian with the Haida Gwaii Integrated Natural Resource Compliance and Enforcement Unit.
Grinder will assist with investigations into forestry violations along with the duties of an auxilliary Conservation Officer while working toward full status. The 41-year-old will also be assisting Parks Canada wardens with partols in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.
The Council of the Haida Nation has been involved in each step of creating and hiring for the position and provides joint funding along with the Province and Parks Canada.
Grinder is a member of the Skidegate band who previously worked as a fisheries guardian with the Haida Nation.
Council stewardship director Colin Richardson says having a Haida representative integrated with the COS is another step toward reconciliation.
