Many Haisla elders still living in the territory grew up in Kemano, and some spent the youth living off of the land in the Kitlope. The name Kitlope is a Tsimshian word meaning 'People of the Rocks', describing the region's majestic rock cliffs and jagged mountain peaks. The area is the easternmost part of British Columbia's coastal temperate rainforest. The Greater Kitlope Ecosystem is the only large area within their territory which remains in pristine condition and the Haisla are extremely concerned about the future of the Kitlope Valley, and insist on having control over everything that takes place there. Respect for the region is seen by the continued tradition of requiring anyone entering the Kitlope to wash their face in the glacial waters to purify themselves and allow the area to become acquainted with the newcomer.
Haisla people see the interconnectedness of everything.
Interrelationships between the land, fresh water, and marine environments are all part of the cyclical nature of life. Thus the need to maintain a healthy environment is obvious to the Haisla for their cultural, spiritual and economic-well being.