Frank Brown

Frank Brown is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation from Bella Bella. He is a husband, father of four and grandfather of four. His Hereditary Chiefs–Yím̓ ás name is λáλíya̓ sila meaning “preparing for the largest potlatch.” 

He serves on Heiltsuk Joint Leadership, is an adjunct professor of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University and of Recreation and Tourism Management at Vancouver Island University. He is also an Indigenous Climate Fellow and senior advisor to the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions hosted by University of Victoria. 

Brown was the founding director of the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department and director of Land and Marine Stewardship for the Coastal First Nations–Great Bear Initiative. He co-created and implemented an Indigenous Ecotourism training program with the Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Vancouver Island University, and North Island College. He also supported the development of a stewardship technician Guardians training program with Coastal First Nations–Great Bear Initiative and Vancouver Island University. 

Currently he is co-creating an Indigenous Guardians exhibit and feature length documentary that also shares the story of Indigenous climate Guardians. He owns and operates YuWala Marine Charters and is a herring roe fisher.

A leader in the Pacific Coastwide ocean-going Indigenous canoe resurgence, Brown served as initiator and senior events planner for the Tribal Canoe Journeys to Bella Bella for Qatuwas “people gathering together” in 1993 and 2014. He is also executive producer and co-curator of the Sacred Journey and bakvla travelling exhibits.

He received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Vancouver Island University in 2019.