David de Wit is a member of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, born into the Laksilyu Clan from the House on Top of Flat Rock. Guided by the teachings of his grandparents, uncles, and aunties, David understands the yintah (ecosystems) as a network of living entities that sustain life and wellness—both culturally and economically. He was given the name Dicin Whul’at by the Hereditary Chiefs, meaning “to hit a tree,” reflecting how a bear marks its territory. This name carries the responsibility to care for the land and community, ensuring that the wealth of the yintah continues to support the health of the people for generations to come. Early in his journey, David was encouraged to navigate academic pathways while remaining grounded in traditional teachings in order to best serve his people. He pursued studies in integrated resource management and earned a degree in biology from the University of Calgary. His professional experience includes wildlife habitat corridor design, sensitive ecosystem preservation, cultural corridor mapping, watershed monitoring, stewardship directive development, and supporting Wet’suwet’en negotiations with government and industry. For 19 years, David served the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs as Natural Resources Manager and Acting Executive Director, helping to advance their vision for the Nation and its territory. In this role, he contributed to the development of data management systems, decision-making processes rooted in Wet’suwet’en law and values, ensuring that major projects were assessed through an Indigenous lens. His work supported approaches where economic participation could align with—and strengthen—cultural and environmental stewardship. David is a strong advocate for collaboration across government, industry, and non-profit sectors, and has been a leader in establishing key initiatives. He is a founding member of: · Wetzinkwa Community Forest Corporation · Morice Watershed Monitoring Trust · Skeena Knowledge Trust · Environmental Stewardship Initiative Skeena Sustainability Assessment Forum · Collaborative Stewardship Framework Governance Working Group As the owner of Flat Rock Vantage, David continues to advance the integration of Indigenous knowledge and Western science in landscape planning, cumulative effects frameworks, and decision-making processes. He is deeply committed to land-based learning and takes great pride in sharing knowledge with young people, helping to empower the next generation of leaders. Meaningful data and informed decisions will empower Indigenous Nations gain economic freedom and self-determination.