In its best effort to be prepared for a Tsunami Emergency, Tseshaht First Nation will be hosting a Tsunami Awareness Day at Tseshaht Market April 12, weather permitting.

At the outdoor event, booths will be set up showing maps of the inundation zone and emergency routes through the reserve if an evacuation of the community is required. In response to a catastrophic tsunami event, haahuupayak school and Tseshaht Market will be evacuation centres if the need arises.

Other emergency partners, including Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, have committed to be part of the awareness day. Port Alberni and ACRD and the adjacent First Nations are gearing up for a major earthquake/tsunami response exercise June 7 to June 10. The exercise will be the first-time deployment of the Provincial Coordination Team, which can be activated to support local authorities in an emergency. It will also mark the first full-scale Heavy Urban Search & Rescue training exercise in partnership with Emergency Management BC.

Tseshaht wants to prepare its members for a worst case scenario, like the tsunami that hit Japan’s shores March 11, 2011, in hopes that such an event never comes to pass, said Chief Councillor Hugh Braker.

After a magnitude-9 earthquake hit Japan, a tsunami was triggered. “The tsunami waves reached run-up heights (how far the wave surges inland above sea level) of up to 128 feet (39 meters) at Miyako city and traveled inland as far as six miles (10 km) in Sendai,” reads an article on livescience.com.

Braker said many people will be surprised where the inundation zone is in a 30-metre tsunami, including up to Tseshaht Community Centre on Highway 4 and to McCoy Lake and even through sections of the Stamp River. He said the last major tsunami event, in 1964, was nothing near that high and it caused significant destruction in the Alberni Valley.

According to a case study of the 1964 tsunami, the narrow Alberni Inlet amplified the size and intensity of the tsunami wave. When it hit the town, it had a height of 2.44 metres. One hour later, a second, larger wave of 3.05 metres hit.

“In total, the tsunami washed away 55 homes and damaged 375 others. It caused $5 million in damage,” reads the study in BC Open Textbooks.

Additionally, Tseshaht Nation has just received its own Tsunami Warning Siren to position close to Hector Road, a place, among others on the reserve, that the Tseshaht Emergency Preparedness Committee had concerns about because the tsunami siren in Alberni can’t be heard there.

This siren has its own unique feature as well. It’s bilingual, sounding instructions in the Nuu-chah-nulth language first and in English second. It may be the only one of its kind, said Braker. The nation has not heard of another Aboriginal-language tsunami alert system on any other reserve. A test of the system will be within the coming weeks.

The Nation is better prepared than many First Nation communities to marshal their membership in the case of emergency and way more prepared than most non-Aboriginal communities, said Braker. Tseshaht has installed radios in every home and emergency kits. They’ve held workshops on what to do in the event of an earthquake—Drop, Cover and Hold On—and what to have in a Go Bag in the event of sudden evacuation.

And the Emergency Preparedness Committee has been activated about three times in the last two-and-a-half years due to flooding. Rising river water events are happening more frequently in recent years, said Braker.

If weather threatens the Tsunami Awareness Day at Tseshaht Market, then it will be held another day within that same week. Watch for announcements from the Nation.

A drying of tears ceremony was held for the family of Tonia Frank at Tin Wis Resort on March 12. This ceremony marks the end of the public grief period of the family.

A dinner was held for those who gathered to witness.

After the dinner, a celebration of life was held for elders Dora Frank and her brother Jasper. Jasper survived a heart attack and Dora is now clear of the cancer she had been battling.  

There was dancing and well wishes and hopes for continued health and healing.

Here are some photos from the event.

Members from nine Nuu-chah-nulth Nations took part in an intensive five-day First Nations Search and Rescue training program through the Canadian Coast Guard.

The course began on March 9 at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria, focusing on communications fundamentals. The “classroom” then moved to the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre at Pat Bay.

On March 10, the venue shifted to the CCC Training School in Bamfield, where the real on-the-water training took place. Here, the students learned advanced SAR techniques and procedures with the Bamfield Motor Lifeboat crew, including electronic navigation and charting, cold-water rescue, search patterns and man-overboard drills.

Aaron Watts of the Tseshaht Beachkeepers Program said while there were few surprises for experienced mariners, the program is designed to build a comprehensive skill set that will help First Nations vessel operators communicate and coordinate with SAR professionals.

“For the most part, a lot of this training has been seen by most of our Nuu-chah-nulth representatives here,” Watts said. “This has been about getting a closer look at each of the training modules, to strengthen our own skills.”

The Oct. 25 sinking of the Leviathan II off Vargas Island and the heroic rescue efforts by Nuu-chah-nulth vessel operators highlighted the need to improve SAR capacity and coordination on the West Coast.

But the new First Nations SAR training program was already under development, according to SAR Program Officer Geoffrey Denman, who delivered the training.

“It actually goes back to February last year, where I delivered a community – or POD – exercise to the Gitga’at in Hartley Bay,” Denman said.

Denman’s CCC colleague Tyler Brand said the first formal First Nations SAR session actually did take place just days after the Leviathan II tragedy.

“It was just by coincidence. We were actually on the road to Bamfield when the incident took place,” Brand said.

“Leviathan II certainly supported the argument to commence this training. First Nations are assisting in SAR all the time, and have been, since… forever.”

Ten years ago, Gitga’at members from Hartley Bay were the first to respond to the sinking of the BC Ferries’ Queen of the North, working alongside Coast Guard units and mariners from the community. Brand said there has been any number of similar instances between Queen of the North in 2006 and Leviathan II in late 2015.

Brand noted that there are numerous Royal Canadian Marine SAR (formerly known as Coast Guard Auxiliary) units based in First Nations communities, making the relationship formal.

“But we are also working with the mariners and band members that are on the water. The idea is to give them some resources and some support,” Brand said. “These guys have been on the water forever.

We’re certainly not teaching them any boat-driving. That’s not the mission. We want to help in the SAR missions that are going on, and to bring them to full awareness of the SAR system – the way the Coast Guard operates, and the Department of Defence, and the Rescue Centre – so they can lock in and communicate with us, and have it all work seamlessly.”

Brand said while the students have a chance to work with all of the latest SAR technology at the school, this is very much a real-world training exercise.

“Our focus is to give them the broad generic skills in areas like search, communication, rescue techniques and cold-water survival,” he said. “We’re trying not to focus too much on the high-tech equipment. We’re trying to customize the course to be applicable to their vessels. It is certainly a high-level course, however. We are not watering down anything.”

Watts said the Beachkeepers’ mandate has evolved quickly since the program was launched three years ago. They operate in the Broken Group of Islands in Pacific Rim National Park.

“In the beginning, it was orientated through Parks. We were working with Parks Canada, as well as our own cultural interpretation and history. We did campground clean-up and such.”

But since those early days, more and more of the Beachkeepers’ effort is directed towards campers and recreational users in the unpredictable waters of the Broken Group.

“More and more often with our guests, they may get stranded, or they may be out for a paddle and a storm comes up.”

The Beachkeepers operate an open 19-foot landing craft that can pull right up on shore to load or unload.

“It’s got all the bells and whistles,” Watts said. “We have radio to keep in touch with Coast Guard and Parks Canada and all the power boaters. We are basically the eyes and ears out there in the Broken Group.”

Students who complete the course receive the Coastal Nations SAR certificate, which is recognized by CCC (not, however, by Transport Canada).

“When we go back to our communities and our fellow employees, we are bringing that knowledge and passing it on,” Watts said. “So when these unfortunate incidents that happen, almost on a yearly basis, we will have a stronger partnership within the Coast Guard and Parks Canada and other entities.”
That includes other First Nations, commercial and charter fishermen and tour operators.

“For the most part, we are like one big family out there,” he said. “Our main focus is keeping our guests safe and happy out in the Broken Group, so we work together on that.”

For those who have not visited the Broken Islands in recent years, Watts said the once-sketchy cellphone coverage has improved greatly. That was once a major concern for those who were not equipped with VHF radio.

“For the most part, you can get a signal in most of the campgrounds out there now,” he said.

With his Coastal Nations SAR certification complete, Watts has been designated the Tseshaht/Beachkeepers contact with CCC, as will each of the other members who have completed the course.

Those include Josh Jones (Pacheedaht), Tina Halvorsen (Uchucklesaht), Keith Cox (Ka:'yu:k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h'), Arlene Andrews (Mowachaht/Muchalaht), Carlos Mack (Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ), Leon Edgar (Ditidaht), Keith Atleo (Ahousaht) and Terry Dorward (Tla-o-qui-aht).

Three weeks after his memorable walk on the red carpet at the 2016 Academy Awards, Duane Howard returned to the quiet and peaceful home of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht peoples near Gold River, B.C.

The actor played the role of Elk Dog in the blockbuster movie The Revenant, which won Oscars for its director, Alejandro G. Iñárritu,and star Leonardo DiCaprio.

Howard delivered a motivational speech to the students of Gold River Secondary School at the Wahmeesh Community Hall located on reserve at Tsaxana. Also in the audience were the grades 6 & 7 students of Ray Watkins Elementary School.

Howard introduced himself to the students by saying that he is from this small town. He told them he was young when he moved to Vancouver and said he really didn’t have anyone to look up to. He admits he took his first drink of alcohol at age 10.

“But I don’t like to focus on that,” he said. Howard gave up drinking in his early twenties and pursued education. At age 23 he took an assessment test that showed that his reading ability was at a Grade 3 level.

“I wasted years by drinking, not educating my mind, so I went back to school,” he said.

Howard said he’d been told many times that he couldn’t do this or he couldn’t do that, but he was determined to succeed.

Howard accomplished in one year what most learners take four years to do; he completed his high school equivalency and graduated.

“You need to change your dialogue,” he told the young people, adding that they need to put in the work in order to succeed at whatever they choose to do.

Howard said they might ask themselves, will I fail that test?

“Don’t worry. There will be another test.”

Will I get that job?

“Well, there’s another job across the street,” he said.

“The great thing about hurt, pain and disappointment is that it’s only temporary,” said Howard. He told the students they must be willing to walk through these challenges and not give up.

Speaking about his success, he said, “Here’s a guy from Gold River, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, who couldn’t read. Now he’s working with big celebrities in Hollywood.”

Howard says the acting industry, though glamorous and well-paying, is difficult and he works hard at it.

“It’s not fun waking at 5 every morning, spending 14 hours on set, then go home to memorize lines at night; I maybe get four to six hours of sleep at night,” he shared, adding that it was hard work, but it is what he wanted.

Starting out as a stuntman, Howard says he must stay in shape and put in his time at the gym, so that he can safely do his own stunts. In one of the battle scenes in The Revenant, Howard’s character Elk Dog was shot off of his horse.

“I had to fall off of that horse 14 times – and I’m 53 years old,” said Howard.

The movie, he explained, was all about survival.

“When I look at life today, that is what it’s really about – survival.”

The students were asked what they dream about. Some said they wanted to be actors, others said teachers. Howard told them they needed discipline in order to succeed.

“It’s hard, but you have to do the work,” he told them.

Howard challenged them to set goals and told them to finish school and go to college. 

“I had four years college and two years university, and this kid off the skids made it,” he added.

Howard’s advice to aspiring actors is to finish school and to take drama or writing classes if they want to become a script writer. He encouraged them to participate in theatre plays and to move to the cities where the opportunities are.

Later that evening Howard was invited to the House of Unity as guest of honour at a community dinner. Tyee Ha’wilth Yathlua (Michael Maquinna) welcomed Howard home, saying he’s been away for a long time.

“This man pursued his interest, he stuck it out through thick and thin, away from home and now he’s had great success with The Revenant,” said Yathlua, adding he asked Howard to come home to deliver positive messages to the people.

Also at the dinner were the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Deb Foxcroft and Vice President Ken Watts.

“You are a true leader, teacher, role model and I just feel so much positive energy; it’s a proud day to be Nuu-chah-nulth,” said Foxcroft to Howard.

Watts said being with Howard reminded him of a quote from Nelson Mandela.

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

“We acknowledge Duane as he basks in celebrity status – he deserves it,” said Yathlua.

Howard talked about the thrill of going to Hollywood’s biggest party – the Oscars. He credited his father, Barney Howard, for being there for the family in the city, always in support of his children. He also acknowledged his mother, Irene, saying he knows both his parents are so important to the Mowachaht/Muchalaht community.

While he said he wasn’t there to tell people what to do, he said it was when he sobered up and did the work that things started to change for him.

Howard is grateful for those that supported his culturally along the way.

“Culture saves lives; some of us may have let it go, but it’s never too late to pick it back up,” he told them.

“Everywhere I go, I think about you, my relatives, because I can never forget where I come from,” he told his people.

A young Hesquiaht woman has been selected by federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau as a Senior Advisor on the newly-created Advisory Council on Economic Growth.

The exciting news was delivered to Carol Anne Hilton via a conference call from the Deputy Minister on March 11.

Hilton said the news came out of the blue. She was on a road trip and about to head into an area that had no cellular service when she decided to check her phone messages. She said her phone was filled with messages—important ones—from Ottawa.

“This is pretty huge and I’m stoked!” Hilton told Ha-Shilth-Sa.

Hilton is the CEO of Transformation, a company that focuses on economic and social development. She has a master’s degree in business management and is in high demand, with speaking engagements around the world on Indigenomics.

The term means understanding and exploring the Indigenous ways of being, the contrasts with modern economics and traditional systems and outlining characteristics of emerging ecological business models.

Hilton believes an advisor to Minister Morneau recommended her for the Advisory Council. And she is proud to say that she is the only Aboriginal person named to the 14-person committee.

“Little ol’ me from Hesquiaht!” she said, adding there are some serious powerhouse names on the committee.

The broad mandate of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth will be to “provide advice on concrete policy actions to help create the long-term conditions for strong and sustained economic growth,” Hilton told Ha-Shilth-Sa.

There are five broad objectives: Increase business innovation and productivity; take advantage of global trade opportunities; raise labor market participation and better align skills and labor market needs; and make growth more environmentally sustainable. The council will meet three times annually, with the first meeting expected in April.

The Ministry of Finance is primarily responsible for preparing the federal budget and the Finance Minister is considered one of the most important positions in the Cabinet. The Council’s advice would be used to inform the budget process.The next federal budget will be released on March 22, so the work ahead is for budget 2017.

Hilton says her appointment, which propels her into this advisory role with the Canadian government, is an opportunity to help create the platform for economic reconciliation between first nations and corporations.

“This is a testament to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promised new approach; it speaks to his intention of understanding Aboriginal issues and acting on that when it comes to the Canadian economy,” said Hilton.

Hilton is a founding director of the BC First Nations Health Society/ Interim BC First Nations Health Authority. She currently serves on the Community Social Planning Council, and chairs the Community Micro Lending Society and serves as a director of the World Fisheries Trust.

A press release to announce the appointments from Minister Morneau on March 18 said the advisory council is made up of “Canadian and international business and academic leaders—all of whom were selected because they are recognized, forward-thinking individuals in their respective fields. Of the 14 members, 8 are women.”

The members of the Advisory Council are: Dominic Barton (chair); Elyse Allan; Katherine Barr; Jennifer Blanke; Kenneth Courtis; Brian Ferguson; Suzanne Fortier; Carol Anne Hilton; Carol Lee; Christopher Ragan; Michael Sabia; Angela Strange; Ilse Treurnicht and Mark Wiseman.

Port Alberni Friendship Centre staff, elders, First Nations, city and provincial officials gathered Thursday morning for the ceremonial groundbreaking for ?iihmisuk taatne?is (Treasure Our Little Ones) Child Care Centre.

The facility, which is designed to accommodate 50 children, will be built between the Friendship Centre on 4th Ave. and the former Bottle Depot, on two of three lots donated by the City of Port Alberni.

“The first time we thought about the daycare was 20 years ago, but at that time, there was no funding available,” Cyndi Stevens, PAFC executive director, told Ha-shilth-sa prior to the ceremony.

About two years ago, the Ministry of Children and Family Development announced that it would increase funding for childcare services.

“We did a needs’ assessment and determined there was a want and a need,” Stevens said. “We applied for funding in March 2015, and we were just approved a couple of months ago.”

MCFD has provided $491,000, which will not cover the entire cost of the centre, “so we are shaking every tree we can to find funding, and the community has been very responsive.”

Stevens said the city donated the property last fall, “and they’ve been able to waive some of the [development] fees, as well.”

Mayor Mike Ruttan said the donation was part of an overall city strategy both to stimulate economic development and to increase support services for families.

“Any initiatives that are going to help make it better for families, we’re going to do that,” Ruttan said.

The Bottle Depot is part of the donation. Ruttan said that property will be made available following the June 7 to June 10 Exercise Coastal Response. A mock earthquake and tsunami will occur during which the city and the province will practice their reponse.

“One of the things that happens in an earthquake/tsunami is buildings collapse,” he explained. “This will be the ‘Collapsed Building.’ There will probably be some ‘victims’ inside.”

Tseshaht Chief Councillor Hugh Braker welcomed guests to Tseshaht and Hupacasath traditional territory to open the ceremonies, and added his congratulations to the Friendship Centre board and staff.

“In our traditional culture, we make it a priority to give children a safe place while their parents are working,” Braker said. “Now we are building a place in the City of Port Alberni where children can be safe while their parents are occupied.”

The opening song was performed by elders Ray and Marie Samuel, but not before Ray quipped to Braker, “Seems like I heard you were going to donate a million dollars.”

He then pointed to the Friendship Centre building.

“Back in the ‘80s, we put a lot of effort into fundraising to build this place. We worked hard for this, for all the people in the Valley, not just natives.”

Ray then introduced the Prayer Song he and Marie wrote, and couldn’t resist another quip.

“We ask the Creator for guidance, to keep us on the right path… and to behave ourselves.”

Ray’s brother Wally, a PAFC board member, recalled the history of the PAFC, beginning in the 1960s.

“A lot of our people came to the city, and they had no place to go to practice their culture,” he said. Now, the great-grandchildren of those Friendship Centre pioneers will be able to receive out-of-school care right on site, Wally said.

He thanked the representatives of the provincial government for putting their faith in Nuu-chah-nulth people.

“They realize we are capable of providing the kind of services that are needed.” He noted that the staff of the new centre will be able to draw on the traditional wisdom and life experience of elders and other supporters to determine (and deliver) the appropriate care for the children.

“We look forward to providing this place of learning and care for our children,” he concluded.

In his address, Ruttan called the project “an example of leadership in our city, how we work together to make good things happen for the people in our city.

“I believe the Friendship Centre has been a model for opportunities for everybody that comes through it – everybody who participates in its programs and its offerings and its shelter. This is the first step in what will become an additional model for those beyond our community.”

Hesquiaht Elder Simon Lucas recalled the very beginnings of what became PAFC.

“It was in the ‘60s, we went to see a gentleman named Mark Mosher, who had a place on Second Avenue. He was the head of the Communist Party. We asked him if we could rent it, and he said, ‘Just use it, whenever you need it.’

“I don’t think Mark really knew what was going to develop within our families. To this day, we meet every Sunday at the Friendship Centre, to do our songs and dances.”

Lucas said the Friendship Centre was an integral part of the restoration of culture and a place of healing for survivors of the residential schools. He thanked a number of early supporters, such as Margaret and George Clutesi of Tseshaht, legal counsel Armour Ford and his wife Helen, who helped create programs, as well as then-Mayor Les Hammer, who was given a Nuu-chah-nulth name by George Clutesi, in thanks.

On a personal basis, Lucas said he learned leadership skills through his involvement with PAFC and serving on the board.

“I was chief of my tribe for 10 years, and I got my training here at the Friendship Centre,” he said.

Following the speeches, Matt Swann and his West Beaufort Construction crew fired up their excavator and scooped out a hole in the centre of the site.

While Ray and Marie Samuel sang, the ceremonial shovel crew, which included Mayor Ruttan, Wally Samuel, Buddy Hamilton and PAFC Youth Board member Charlotte Wishart (assisted by daughter Sophie), proceeded to make the dirt fly, officially launching the construction.

Stevens said the goal is to have the centre open this September. The facility will employ up to nine staff.

The community of Houpsitas, home to the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’, is hoping to build a  skateboard park for the youth to enjoy another outdoor activity.

After the catastrophic whale watching incident in Tofino when the Leviathan II capsized, passenger Dwayne Mazereeuw promised to build a skateboard park for Ahousaht in gratitude for the rescue of he and his wife, and that commitment inspired a citizen of Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nation.

Tracey Gosselin took on a huge task to pursue building a skateboard park for her tiny community, the farthest northern Nuu-chah-nulth Nation at remote Walter’s Cove, Kyuquot Sound on Vancouver Island.

“At a community meeting, resident Janice Smith spoke on behalf of the Kyuquot youth,” said Gosselin, requesting a youth centre.” The skateboard park issue was also brought up at the community’s People’s Assembly.

As Gosselin thought about the youth centre and the skateboard park, she decided to commit to fundraise for the park.  Tracey saw this as an opportunity to do something positive for the children there.

The community is now buzzing with excitement at the idea.

A young man named James suggested that the park have walls and a roof, because of the long wet season on the coast. He suggested looking to Courtenay’s park to get an idea of the cost and the size.

James said he was 17 years old in 2007 when he started skateboarding.  He enjoys it and now is teaching the younger ones some maneuvers.

Ha-Shilth-Sa caught up with James and two other skateboarders who were on their way to the community hall on Walter’s Island to practise their skateboarding skills. James said it would be better if they didn’t have to go “across the bay” all the time to go skateboarding.

Malcolm and Cody, the two young teenagers who were accompanying James, agreed with him, and said skateboarding is “something to do.”  They like this activity and learning new moves. They said they would like one in their community so they wouldn’t have to take a boat across the bay to the hall.

“They both are pretty good skaters,” James said of his young friends.

Another young boy named Adam was anxiously awaiting construction. “When is it going to be made,” he asked. He has a new dirt bike which he uses for fun, but he sure would like to see a skatepark.

“It’s a good idea,” said Houpsitas resident Lana. Today the children have no place to skate in the community and riding on the gravel roads causes damage and it costs a lot to replace skateboard parts.

Wayne Jr suggested it “should be a dirt bike track instead of a skateboard park.” His buddy Eric, however, said the park was “a pretty good idea.” It’s something different to do besides going to the Hall across the bay.

Calvin also is excited about a skateboard park in the community and is looking forward to “use it” because he has a skateboard now.  He too goes to Walters Island to skate.

Tammy said her spouse Trevor would love it! Right now he goes across the bay to Walter’s Island, or takes advantage of his trips to town, to skateboard.  Having a park in the community would be convenient, Tammy said.

“Town” is a 40-minute boat ride to Fair Harbour, and then a few hours’ drive along a logging road to the highway, and then about two hours into Campbell River. People head into the town periodically for shopping and medical appointments or cultural events.

But not everyone in the community is really convinced the park is needed.

One parent said the “kids aren’t really interested anymore.” When she asked her seven-year-old son Blake, he said he just skates to “do an Ollie.”  Another five-year-old, Brien, said he tries to do the Bunny Hop, “but I crash.”

Natalie Jack, a member of the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ legislature, is a mom, grandmother and community member. She has mixed feelings about the park.

Her first concern is safety and the dangers of injury in such an isolated community. The distance to the nearest hospital is only one consideration. The weather conditions can be unkind, she said. 

“Who will ensure it will only be used for skateboarding, and not other uses such as motor bikes, quads,” she wondered.

The Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ government has officially supported the Houpsitas Skateboard Initiative, however, and recently sent out a letter saying as much. It will also provide some of the funding to build and there’s a potential site picked out for this park.

Tracey Gosselin is the primary contact for this project and heads the fund-raising efforts for the community.  She has put a jar for donations in her little store in the community of about 150 people, and so far has raised $2,818. Not bad for a community with many fundraising efforts, like school field trips, elders’ gatherings and local events, competing for limited funds.

Gosselin is now trying to reach beyond Houpsitas’ borders through some websites, including a www.gofundme.com page (search Kyuquot First Nations skate park)  and one on www.youcaring.com . Go to the link Help My Community.

Additional fundraiser efforts include “selling things”, 50/50s and raffles of donations received from such places as Thrifty Foods and Interfor in Campbell River.

And there is always the donation jar, so stop in and see Tracey if you’re ever passing through.

All donations collected are set aside by the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ accounting department.

And the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ administrator says “we thank you for your interest in supporting this important initiative.”

The youth say they are willing to help with this fundraising effort too.

Children, youth and adults gathered at Ty Histanis to celebrate Easter together. Allison Howard, social development worker, organized the event.

 Allison contracted Bounce Arama from Campbell River and the crew set up and operated the slides and bouncey castles. There was bungy jumping and a basketball toss too.

The children lined up for some of the rides, and in all they all had a lot of fun.

“This is just like the fall fair,” said one child.

Parents and grandparents had time to sit and visit family, relatives and friends and watch their children and grandchildren play on the rides.

 The children, starting from age two, went on an Easter egg hunt and you could see the glee on the children’s faces when they found their eggs.

Lunch, snacks, drinks and transportation was provided.

Thanks goes to Thomas and Christina Howard, Chrissy Jackson, Iris Frank, Marie Atleo, Grace George and Gail Hayes for helping with set up, cooking and clean up and for making the day a success.

The day was fun and exciting, and to top it off it was nice and sunny out.

What started out as 42-ft long cedar log has been transformed into a beautiful piece of art.

A 26.5-ft totem now stands tall outside the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. It was raised by the public with the experienced guidance of the pole’s carver Moy Sutherland Jr. on March 24.

It’s a Nuu-chah-nulth pole, now named Qweesh-hicheelth, which means “in the midst of transformation”. 

About 600 people showed up to support carver Moy Sutherland Jr. and the youth who assisted in carving the pole to raise the pole at the entrance way to the friendship centre.

The day started with an opening prayer delivered by the Coast Salish, on whose traditional territory the pole now stands.

Victoria Native Friendship Centre executive director Bruce Parisian provided opening remarks, sharing his thoughts on the youth empowerment project through which the young people assisted Sutherland. He spoke of how his dream of having a Nuu-chah-nulth pole at the centre had finally coming to fruition.

“I thought the day would never come.”

 It took several years to secure funding for the pole. He shared his appreciation for Sutherland and the youth that participated.

As the afternoon pole raising proceeded, more than 200 youth attended from the Gathering our Voices Youth Conferences in Victoria to help the pole into its permanent position.

A long line was formed as instructions were given by Sutherland. It took about nine minutes from start to finish as the pole was raised by ropes and a pulley-system with hundreds of people working in unison.

The Sutherland family blessed the pole with a family song as the pole was slowly raised into place. There was an atmosphere of pride and anticipation.

The festivities carried on inside the centre, with a traditional lunch of muwač (deer) stew and bannock. Each of the six participants that worked with Sutherland over a five-month period received Nuu-chah-nulth names, and each called two witnesses to remember their big day.

They were presented with blankets, gifts and a special cake. The young carvers are Travis Peal , Dawson Peel, Jordan Gallic, Joslyn Williams, Tyssis Fontaine, and Tejas Collison.

One of the carvers, Jordan Gallic, is the grandson of Sutherland's teacher, late Art Thompson. Sutherland was Thompson's apprentice and felt it was important to give back what his teacher taught him.

In concluding the day’s celebrations, the Sutherland family shared more of their family dances and songs.

Wally Samuel (Ahousaht) and his wife Donna presented Sutherland with their family’s song and shared a few words about family connections and how pleased he was of Sutherland’s work.

On March 13, Tla-o-qui-aht members gathered at načiqs (Nachaks), also known as Monks’ Point, to witness and accept the draft Declaration of Reconciliation from the District of Tofino. Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne and representatives of the district were present at the ceremony.

Tofino had purchased the land at Monks’ Point to ensure it was preserved. It becomes a park, for the use and benefit of the greater community. It has, however, been used by Tla-o-qui-aht people since time immemorial, acknowledges the declaration.

To begin the ceremony, a welcome song was sung. Eli Enns, a spokesperson for Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, acknowledged Chris Seitcher, representing his father Ha’wilth Ray Seitcher. Historian Joe Martin was part of the representation from the Tla-o-qui-aht council.

Martin explained the word načiqs, which means “look out over the ocean”, and this is what the Tla-o-qui-aht people used the spot for, to view the comings and goings in their territory. At the entrance of načiqs are middens, proof of Tla-o-qui-aht’s use of the area before contact.

Osborne told the gathering that Harold Monks, who had owned the land, had willed his estate to the The Land Conservancy, hoping to preserve the land for the local community. The Conservancy, however, ran into financial difficulty and planned to sell the land in 2014 to balance its books.

Tofino objected to the sale, and Osborne said it was a tough three years to secure this land for the park. An angel investor, who wants to remain anonymous, donated a million dollars to preserve this land from development.

Osborne wrote a letter of invitation to Tla-o-qui-aht chief and council to establish the park as a place of reconciliation.

“Therefore the District of Tofino and the Tla-a-o-qui-aht First Nations … hereby declare that the Parties:

1.       Will work together to plan the use and management of the park;

2.       Will receive input from members of the community of Tofino and Tla-o-qui-aht regarding uses of the park that promote the joint interests of the communities and the broader purpose of reconciliation;

3.       Will establish a process between the Parties to enable cooperative and joint decision-making over the use and management of the park;

4.       Declare their mutual intent to use and preserve the park in a manner that recognizes the long use and importance of načiqs for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, as well as the present and future importance of the park at Monks’ Point for all community members.

The first step towards this reconciliation will be the signing of the declaration.

Seitcher’s presentation spoke of his time working with elders and learning about culture, the Indian residential schools, the impact it has had on communities, and the need to heal and to regain Tla-o-qui-aht’s voice. He also said the land and sea must be cared for.

Enns said it was important to tell the truth and talk about such historical issues and how First Nations people were treated. Once the truth is known, then people can begin healing and reconciling.

Martin, a carver, spoke about the totem pole and its meaning as it relates to reconciliation. He said at the top of each totem pole are symbols, like a sun or a thunderbird. The thunderbird depicts a level of respect that each must carry, and the bottom of the pole usually has a bear or wolf to represent the upholding of the law.

These are important teachings from the ancestors, parents and grandparents that have been in place for thousands of years, he said.

It was acknowledged that in the past there have been other acts of reconciliation that took place between the two communities, including the support from local Tofino citizens to stop the logging of Meares Island.

The draft declaration is another great gesture to continue reconciling Tla-o-qui-aht and Tofino, a member of the audience said.

A closing song was performed and all guests were invited to have refreshments at Monks’ House, which is located in a beautiful setting on top of a steep hill overlooking the ocean.

There are steps to climb to the top of the hill, a small driveway with limited parking and two look-out areas. It is a peaceful, quiet and serene place where healing ceremonies, retreats, fasting and other cultural activities could be held, if it is agreed upon by both parties.

About 200 young Nuu-chah-nulth people and their chaperones poured into Nanaimo Entertainment Centre for three days of fun and learning.

Sponsored by First Nations Health Authority and coordinated by Tyson Touchie of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Teechuktl Program (Mental Health), the students were invited to learn about culture as a healing tool.

The theme was yaa?akuks suw’a or ‘I love you’ in the language of the Nuu-chah-nulth-aht.

See our photo gallery here: http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/nuu-chah-nulth-youth-gathering-march-29-march-31-nanaimo

The entrance to the old theatre was lined with information tables and a place was set aside for participants to take part in ceremonial brushings.

In the theatre the audience took part in shows and group activities, including a ha-hupa (teaching) session with Nuu-chah-nulth elders.

Eunice Joe of FNHA welcomed everyone the first day and said the gathering was about sharing culture, because the teachings are so important.

“At FNHA we are working to promote health through wellness,” she said, adding, if we can promote these things early on then our future is looking very bright.

“As Indigenous people, we have resilience, our ancestors have survived a lot and that resilience is within you,” she told them.

Juno-nominated singer/songwriter and Sto:lo woman Inez Jasper, delivered a motivational speech followed by a performance of some of her most popular music recordings.

Besides the glamorous life of being a performing artist, Jasper is also a married mother of two and a registered nurse.

Jasper told the young people about her family and growing up on the ‘rez’. Ambitious from an early age, Jasper dreamed of becoming a doctor so she could be rich.

“If you want all the good stuff in life you have to put the work in,” she told the young people.

Jasper recalled going through one of the most difficult times of her life as she moved from her community to the big city of Vancouver so she could go to college. At that time she lost a beloved grandfather. In her time of grief she admits to losing focus and doing things that she shouldn’t have been doing.

“You have to have the ability to recognize and avoid distractions – the alcohol, the drugs, and the person winking at you at the party,” she joked.

Nothing will happen unless you commit and put in the work, she continued. Jasper told the teens that in order to be successful they need to take care of themselves, embrace all of the teachings around them and to love themselves.

Vyna Brown of First Spirit Yoga and Fitness delivered a beginner’s yoga class, telling the audience the benefits of using yoga as an alternative to relieve back pain and to stay well, in general.

Yoga, she said, comes from Indian teachings and the word yoga, means connection. “Our (Nuu-chah-nulth) teachings also involve connection,” said Brown.

Respecting your body, she said, involves taking in good food, getting exercise and taking care of your body. “Yoga, for me, is medicine,” she told them. Brown suffered severe back pain 10 years ago and practising yoga has brought her relief and she no longer requires pain medication.

“No more trips to Emergency,” she added.

The Teechuktl staff performed a cultural play involving the use of culture as a means to demonstrate that when people are going through challenges, they should remember they have family, people and their culture to help them through.

Challenges young people face include bullying, addictions, depression, family conflict, troubles with the law. “We ask the youth to think about these things, but also let them go,” said Joe Tom. “We don’t heal anybody, but we walk with you,” he added.

NTC Vice President Ken Watts talked about his journey with grief, sadness and depression. While in college he faced the sudden loss of his father, followed years later by a serious health issue. “It’s really easy to get pulled to the dark side, but you need to remember that you have friends and family to lean on,” he told the teens. “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone, and remember, it’s really important to come back to your culture,” he told them.

The following day, Mowachaht’s own Hollywood celebrity Duane Howard (Elk Dog in The Revenant) arrived to the gathering to speak to the young people. He described his struggles growing up and what he had to do to overcome that before becoming first a stuntman, then an actor.

“Whoever would have thought a skid row kid would walk the red carpet!” he shouted to a big round of applause.

Howard had many words of advice for the youngsters.

“Finish school, and remember, hard times are only temporary,” he said. Something one of his elders taught him years ago is to be careful about how you walk and talk because you never know who is watching and, right now, there is someone looking up to you.

“Never be ashamed of who you are; be proud, be proud to be Nuu-chah-nulth,” said Howard.

Before Howard could leave, the Teechuktl staff, led by Tyson Touchie, hosted a mock Academy Awards ceremony in which Duane’s name was pulled from the envelope.

Howard played along, beaming as he accepted his award. His mock acceptance speech started out in good fun, but Howard became emotional as he thought of his nieces and nephews.

“I encourage you to change your life,” he said. “From this day forward, set your goals and make your dreams come true, and be kind to one another,” he added.

Resource people attending the gathering included Esther Charlie of the Ku’us Crisis Society who offered information about suicide awareness and prevention. 

Ellie Sampson of Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program had information about education, jobs, and training opportunities as well as resources to help people get access to training and jobs.

Serena Read of the First Nations Health Council said she would help anybody wishing to start a youth council in their own community. Youth councils, she said, help young aboriginal people become leadership material. “Sometimes the adults in your life don’t have the answers. We can help you build a resource for your youth,” she told the teens.

Janice Johnson, Sandra Tate and Eunice Joe represented FNHA and had a table full of freebies and health information for the youth.

Randy Ginger of the NTC Education Department had information about applying for post-secondary programs and the support that his department offers post-secondary students.

Speakers at the gathering offered up wise advice to the young people. Michael McCarthy recalled teachings he received from his late grandmother. He said he wished he had spent more time with her so that he could have learned more.

“We need family; and if you don’t have family, you need to adopt a brother or a sister,” McCarthy advised. He gave all of the young people present the right to call him Gramps.

“If you’re going through struggles and can’t go to an aunt or an uncle, you can come to Gramps,” he offered.

Vice President Watts urged the youth to let their leaders know if they liked the gathering and if they would like to attend another one in 2017. He promised to take their feedback to help find funding for next year’s conference.

Watts also set up a Facebook page for the gathering called Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Gathering. Anyone who has photos of the youth gathering are encouraged to add them to the page. Here’s the link https://www.facebook.com/NCNYouthGathering/?__mref=message_bubble

The Alberni Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations (TFN) that will see the completion of a detailed business plan, preliminary design and construction cost estimate for a recreation facility on the West Coast.

The plan and design will be used by the West Coast Multiplex Society to fundraise capital costs for the facility’s construction. While the availability of operational funding is in place, through the West Coast Multiplex Service Area bylaw adopted by the ACRD Board of Directors in 2012, the business plan will determine the project’s viability. The location of the facility, near the Long Beach Airport, has been confirmed.

As part of the MOU, the ACRD and Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations will pursue a collaborative relationship to discuss economic, cultural and other benefits that the Multiplex might provide the region’s residents, and how Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations could work with the ACRD to develop and deliver programs at the facility.

“This is the first MOU of this nature that the ACRD has signed with a First Nation, and it’s a very important step forward in building a mutually beneficial relationship with Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First

Nations,” said ACRD Chairperson and Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne.

“Tla‐o‐qui‐aht has a strong vision of participating in economic opportunities within their traditional territories,” said TFN Deputy Chief Councillor Elmer Frank. “TFN is strongly committed to improving access to recreational facilities for both their members and the ACRD area.”

Funding in the amount of $100,000 has been secured to support this MOU from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, via the Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations. This complements the $106,916 that the ACRD has contributed to the project’s development since 2008. The ACRD will administer the

MOU funding and, with assistance from TFN and the West Coast Multiplex Society, oversee the development of the business plan and preliminary design.

“The business plan and design are critical pieces of information,” said Ucluelet Mayor Dianne St.

Jacques. “They provide the detailed information needed to fundraise for the building, and to understand the operational costs and overall viability of the facility.”

“We are very excited about the MOU,” said West Coast Multiplex Society Chair Samantha Hackett,

“It is a big breakthrough for the Society and helps us immensely in our planning and fundraising.”

The goal of emergency preparedness in the event of an earthquake/tsunami is to provide each person in your family with enough food, water and medical supplies to survive for 72 hours without outside assistance. In remote communities, like Nuu-chah-nulth communities on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, many suggest you’ll need a full week’s worth of supplies.

You’ll need a First Aid kit, battery-powered (or hand-crank) radio and flashlight, along with spare batteries. You’ll want a whistle, a cellphone with charger, some cash, some safety equipment, and seasonal clothing. You may find yourself outdoors, so you’ll need protection from the elements, including emergency blankets, ponchos, gloves. Candles, fire starter, multi-purpose knife…

Then there’s that supply of food and water. Canned food is a good start (but remember the can-opener). You may choose some dried fruit or granola bars for quick energy, some packaged foods and just-add-hot-water drinks.

And water. The general rule is four litres of water per person per day, more in hot weather.

Here’s the challenge, however: it is recommended that your Emergency Kit be self-contained and easily portable.

That makes weight a critical factor. One litre of water alone weighs one kilogram, so it adds up quickly.

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District has information on how to create your own Emergency Kit on its website (www.acrd.bc.ca/emergency.htm).

Prepared Grab-and-Go bags are available. ACRD has obtained both one- and two-person 72-Hour Grab-and Go bags from a B.C. company, Holistic Emergency Preparedness and Response (www.holisticepr.com).

Both were assembled according to specifications requested by Ehattesaht-Chinehkint, according to Holistic owner Marc D’Aquino.

The one-person kit lists at $198 and fits inside a 25-litre backpack.

Holistic has assembled a compact array of lightweight packaged items, including lightsticks, bug wipes, toilet paper, hand warmers, water purification tablets and three days worth of block rations (3,600 calories each).

The two-person kit comes in a waterproof tote/backpack at a price of $369.

The contents are similar, with a few additions.

To contact Holistic Emergency Preparedness and Response, call 1-604-816-1994 or email at hepr@telus.net.

Cecilia Arnet, 78-year-old Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation member, brings a wealth of practical knowledge, skills and understanding about living, and is very creative and innovative in her art work and gardening.

Throughout her life she has worked at a variety of jobs and has achieved a great deal. Cecilia is a happy, outgoing lady and is respectful, friendly to all people and has a lot to offer.

Cecilia’s parents are late Barney Williams Sr. and Cecilia Williams (nee Chipps) of Opitsaht. Cecilia has six children and many grandchildren.

She began working as a housekeeper at age 16 for families living in Tofino, and continued in that job until age 28. She said the wage was really good back then and the people she worked for really appreciated her work.

 One of the ladies she worked for owned a clothing store called Frankie’s, and Cecilia recalled that the lady was very nice and gentle.  Cecilia also worked as a short order cook at the Schooner Restaurant, and worked one year at the old Tin Wis Hostel.

Cecilia worked as a deck hand for 10 years for her late husband Larry Arnet. The couple traveled by boat to Kyuquot every July to fish till the end of August.  Cecilia’s job as deck hand was to clean and ice the fish.

The fish buyers observed that the fish she iced was always top notch and wasn’t all flimsy or soft.

Cecilia purchased her own boat last year and renamed the boat Maria Christina. Her son Dennis is now operating the boat. Owning and operating her own business is costly, but mentioned that she did this for her son.  She said last year the fishing season was rather poor, and she hopes that this year will be much better.

Working with children at the Tlu Cha Children’s Centre in Esowista and the pre-school in Opitsaht for eight years has been very rewarding for Cecilia. She teaches arts and crafts and prepares and serves each child specially made lunches.

Cecilia is very meticulous and health conscious and takes special care to teach the children about washing their hands and putting their toys away. She gently reminds them about respect. It is important to know what each child can eat, due to some children who may have severe allergies or other health issues, and to be mindful about the family members at home who suffer from allergies as well.  

Cecilia has learned a lot from the little kids and credits them with teaching her how to hug and say “I love you”. All the children call her nanna or gramma.

Cecilia attended the Christie Indian Residential School on Meares Island from age eight to 16, and reached Grade 6. She left the school mainly to look after her grandmother Mary Jackson who became ill. After her grandmother recovered, Cecilia never returned to the residential school.  Back in her day it was normal for native children to leave school at Grade 6, however, many have accomplished a great deal despite that fact.

Cecilia’s other talents include knitting, painting, flower arrangements and gardening.  Cecilia began gardening about six years ago. She learned how to garden by watching shows on television and getting tips from the local plant store in Tofino, and by trial and error.

To start her garden she cleared the yard and built a fence by herself.  She has a beautiful garden of flowers, trees and some fruit plants.

Cecilia does not use pesticides at all, and only uses natural fertilizers, such as kelp, seaweed and starfish for her plants, and she just picked up some cedar shavings to protect the plants from frost and keep the bugs away. She said the starfish compost makes the best fertilizer.

Plants can be fussy about the location that you put them in and she has learned over time where to place them. Some rosebushes do not like direct sunlight and prefer shady areas with a little sunlight.

There are three different types of soil that you use when planting flowers and vegetables. Cecilia is planning on growing vegetables at the community garden this year as she has limited space in her yard, and is planning on building a new fence and adding some boulders around the garden to keep dogs out of her yard.

Gardening is very therapeutic and great exercise for Cecilia. She does a lot of walking, carrying heavy objects, packing sand and cedar shavings, fertilizer and hammering and lots of bending.

She feels stress free, calm, worry-free and totally relaxed.

A committee of community elders of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Nation has sanctioned a citizen for elk hunting without proper authorization under the community’s hunting laws.

Wilson Jack, who pleaded guilty in provincial court in October 2015 to hunting wildlife not within an open season, and who received a sentence of community service for the killing of an elk, has now received a determination on the charge rendered by the treaty nation.

A letter delivered to Jack states four sanctions:

1.      That he be removed from the seat of Ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs) at the legislature indefinitely and is not to represent the nation at any level.

2.      That his harvest card be suspended for a minimum of two years, and that this suspension will be reviewed by the elders after that time.

3.      That Jack host a dinner and publicly apologize to the people of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.

4.      And that his community hours from the provincial court not be served in Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ or the territory of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.

This letter now goes on file with the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ law clerk. It is signed by the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ President Les Doiron.

When charged last year, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council said it was gratified to learn that progress was made in investigating the illegal slaughter of a single Roosevelt Elk in Nuu-chah-nulth territory.

The B.C. Conservation Service brought the charges against Jack at the behest of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.

NTC reminded the public at that time that the investigation into all other illegal Elk kills in the territory remained open. NTC encouraged others who have information about Elk being illegally killed to come forward and call the Report All Poachers and Polluters Tip Line at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).

The 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations committed a reward of $25,000 on Dec. 3, 2013 for information. At the time there were 17 illegal elk kills, and in 2014, six additional elk were taken, including the last known mature bull of its herd.

Nuu-chah-nulth Nations are committed to protecting and conserving the wildlife and fisheries resources in their territories. They are committed to working with BC Conservation officers to apprehend and prosecute the individual or individuals responsible for other illegal and unauthorized Elk kills no matter who they are or what community they come from.

A group of 22 Ahousaht youth, ages 18 to 30, successfully completed training in the BladeRunners program, held on the West Coast of Vancouver Island from March 1 to March 31. A celebration was held for them at the Ahousaht Youth Centre on the last day of their training.

April Charleson, Bladerunners Coordinator with the Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program, and NETP manager Peter Doukakis met with Ahousaht leadership in early February to discuss training possiblilities, Charleson reported to Ha-Shilth-Sa. From that meeting it was planned that training be focused on Marine opportunities and tourism on the coast, “where the jobs are for the Ahousaht community,” said Charleson.

“With the help of the Social Development department and Anne Atleo, we started recruiting participants for the training.”

Training included a combination of WHMIS, Basic Marine First Aid, Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP),  Restricted Operator Course Maritime (ROCM), Marine Emergency Duties (MEDA3), Swiftwater Rescue Technician (with the marine training group only), Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater SUP Skills Course (for the coastal tourism group), Wild Life Awareness, Customer Service Training, World Host, daily life skills, personal and in the working environment, and participants also heard from a couple young Nuu-chah-nulth-aht who have been working in the tourism industry and own their own business or are starting a new business.

The group received 9 certificates to add to their resumes, in addition to 35 hours of life skills essentials, Charleson reported.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council led by Uu-a-thluk (NTC Fisheries) has completed a project with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) to help Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations better protect their traditional knowledge.

For millennia, Indigenous peoples have relied on plants and animals in their environment for products, such as those to produce improved adhesives for construction and medical procedures. Researchers have drawn on this wealth of knowledge to screen for properties that may hold the key to developing new foods and medicines.

Biopiracy occurs when researchers access genetic** and other natural resources and associated traditional knowledge without permission, or without sharing the benefits gained from the use of those resources with those who originally shared them.

“There are companies who access these resources without First Nations’ free, prior and informed consent and proper consultation processes; which disrespects and infringes their rights, their lands and waters,” said Johanna Jimenez-Pardo, a policy analyst with AFN.

“This infringement of rights has a real impact on families, knowledge holders, Elders, and future generations.”

For example, scientists recognized yew wood in the 1960s for its effectiveness against certain types of cancer. In the late 1980s the resource was turned over to a partner company and yew was improperly harvested, contributing to an overall decline in the wood.

Used by Nuu-chah-nulth for millennia for both its medicinal properties and to make paddles, long sharp poles for spearing, and weapons, the yew wood represents a failure on the part of researchers and industry to respect and recognize First Nations rights, knowledge, and their longstanding practice of harvesting sustainably.

Although no federal regulations or policies exist to deal with these situations, the AFN looks to pre-existing protocols within First Nations organizations, and to international multilateral agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol.

Developing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) protocols from current agreements helps to define what elements are needed in an ABS protocol to make a decision about whether to share or not.

“Fisheries management have existing protocols in place, such as those between Nations related to fishing access, so there’s already some understanding of how this is done,” said Luc Bibeau, Mapping Coordinator for Uu-a-thluk.

Last month Bibeau met with members of Nuchatlaht and Kyuquot/Checklesaht First Nations to discuss how, as stewards of the land, they might develop protocols that protect traditional teachings about specific properties of plants and animals.

Questions arose, such as should there be multiple access protocols between one Nation and another Nation, and between Nation and researcher?

Different from the yew wood case, some First Nations and researchers are creating ABS agreements that benefit both parties and also safeguard the resource. For centuries Heiltsuk First Nation has used grey-green clay, known as Kisolite, to treat a range of ailments from ulcerative colitis to skin irritations.

UBC researchers discovered properties contained in the rare clay to treat antibiotic resistant bacteria. A company was founded with the aim to pursue research on the clay’s unique qualities.

As owner to the rights of the clay, the company entered into a working agreement with members of the Heiltsuk First Nation. On their company website it says that employees involved in the extraction of the clay and the processing of the material are from the Heiltsuk community of Bella Bella.

“The use and preservation of traditional knowledge is related to First Nations livelihood, as their culture, survival, and stewardship of their lands and territories depend on it,” said Jimenez-Pardo. She added that discussions among community members and knowledge holders (i.e., families, Tyee Ha’wilth) must happen before deciding how to categorize knowledge and resources into “shareable” and “not-shareable.”

Also, before deals are struck with non-First Nations (or other First Nations), there’s important work within the communities to safeguard the knowledge.

“The best way to protect knowledge is to actively use our medicines—which comprise foods—and teach the younger generations that this is ‘our’ way,” said hismamin nuł (Archie Little),councillor and rep for Nuchatlaht First Nation.

**The term genetic resources as defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) refers to “[…] any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity.”

The long-running proposal to truck millions of tonnes of coal through Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations traditional territories is officially dead in the water.

On April 4, the provincial Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) advised Vancouver-based Compliance Energy Corporation that they had rejected their application for an environmental assessment for the Raven Underground Coal Project, largely based on their failure to conduct meaningful consultation with First Nations.

Keith Hunter, who represented Tseshaht First Nation on the EAO Working Group, said while Compliance officials complained loudly about the assessment process, they consistently failed to do a proper job.

“As far as Tseshaht’s interests were concerned, they did not meet the standard of engagement [required],” he said.

Compliance claimed to have spent $35 million of investor money on the project, of which $10 million was directed towards the assessment process.

Hunter said he had “no idea” how much money Tseshaht spent to monitor the process and to prepare its own responses as the process stumbled along.

In his April 4 letter, EAO Project Assessment Manager Tracy James noted that his office advised Compliance on March 5, 2010 that it would be required to provide detailed information spelled out in the Application Information Requirements. Six years (and three unsuccessful applications) later:

“EAO has determined that the Application does not contain the required information and has decided not to accept the Application for detailed review,” James concluded.

“After the first review process, that was one of the things [EAO] reviewed: adequacy of consultation,” Hunter said. “They didn’t meet that the first time, in May 2013. They had the specific set of directives from the EAO that they would have to correct, and they never did that. The second application they submitted (October 2014) didn’t have anything about First Nations consultation at all.”

That fatally flawed application did not even make it to the screening process, he noted.

“Then, when they submitted the third application, they did not correct any of the inadequacies of consultation from the first application.”

As reported in Ha-shilth-sa in June 2015, Tseshaht First Nation filed a request that the project be terminated after failing to complete the application process within the statutory three-year time frame.

At the time, then-chief operating officer Stephen Ellis downplayed the failure to meet the June 7 deadline, and said the company could simply initiate a new application process, despite a reported working capital deficit of nearly one million dollars.

Then, in an angry letter dated Aug. 25before resigning, Ellis accused EAO of having “built-in biases” that meant Compliance “would never be able to achieve an [Environmental Assessment] certificate.”

Hunter said the company finally called it quits on Feb. 26, after Japanese and Korean investors withdrew from the project.

“Compliance issued a news release that their whole Board of Directors had resigned and that they had stopped public trading of their stock. At that point, we re-submitted [the request for termination], saying that, based on their own press release, they were no longer a going concern,” Hunter said.

When EAO did not receive any response after 30 days, James issued the April 4 termination letter.

Hunter said he has been impressed with how EAO has handled the process.

“As much as Compliance would like to think there was an anti-proponent bias, the EAO was very thorough in what they had to do to reach a decision.”

Updated with remarks from Principal Joe McHale of Maaqtusiis High School: 3.33 p.m. April 13, 2016

It seems to have been a case of being the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Maaqtusiis Elementary and Secondary Schools had planned a lockdown drill for April 13, but in the morning of that day a visitor to the school did not follow the visitors’ protocol, and the school proceeded with an actual lockdown.

“We have a system where visitors must check in and they require appointments, and we had an issue with that today,” said Principal Joe McHale.

McHale said it was just a coincidence that the two events happened on the same morning, which led to some confusion. Added to that, the visitor had some previous trouble that whipped up concern in the community. McHale wants to make it clear though that the person that entered the school made no threats, nor did he carry any weapons.

Parents of children attending the schools were startled to hear that both schools were on lockdown.

Word spread quickly through the community that a troubled community member had entered at least one of the schools.

Posts on social media created confusion with some people saying it was a safety drill while others said there was a real threat.

Over lunch hour parents asked on social media if everything was okay at the school. Others thanked school staff for keeping their children safe by escorting them from the school to waiting rides or to parents.

One parent, who wishes to remain unnamed, told Ha-Shilth-Sa that announcements over the school intercom warned people that the lockdown was real and that only the main door would remain unlocked.

This incident came two weeks after the Port Alberni Friendship Center was placed on lockdown after a distraught, 22-year-old man wielding a knife entered the building. Subsequent reports about the incident say the man was ordered to live with his mother at Ahousaht.

It was the same young man in the Alberni friendship centre incident whose visit to the Ahousaht school triggered the lockdown.

The mother of the young man contacted us saying there was no weapon involved, adding that she had just been in contact with the principal, and McHale has confirmed that to Ahousaht over their VHF channel.

She said after the Port Alberni incident she has worked  to get her son the help he needs through counselling. She said after the lockdown was lifted, he came home, and was feeling hurt by the incident, which stemmed from a misunderstanding of needing to get permission to go into the school. He was helping to take her grandson into the school to go to the bathroom, she said. She nor her son were aware of the visitors' protocol.

Because of the Port Alberni incident, she said, people are fearful of him.

“I'm trying so hard to help and wonder about him and how others will treat him, she told Ha-Shilth-Sa. “We are helping best we can… I know he's sorry.”

Hupacasath member Alana Sayers has received a Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council Grant to answer the question: “What is Indigenous Literature?”

Sayers explained that “Indigenous Literature” is a rapidly expanding field of academic study. But as yet, scholars have no formal ground rules for how to study (and interpret) the body of stories produced by Indigenous peoples around the world through the centuries.

It gets complicated, she warned. Sayers currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Victoria, and she is seeking a Master’s degree in English Literature. Currently, Indigenous Literature still lives within that academic faculty.

“There are a lot of different fields – especially time periods. So you have Medieval Literature, Romantic Era Literature… Indigenous Literature is an emerging field of study. The field is only about 60 years old. So my research is basically asking – and answering – the question, ‘What is Indigenous Literature?’”

The study originated in the Unites States and is variously known as Indigenous Literature, Native American Literature or First Nations Literature, with no clear definition.

“It’s lacking in common terminology, so it can’t successfully be taught and studied without having some of these basic questions answered. That’s what my research is going to do.”

By definition, Indigenous stories are created in the language of Indigenous peoples and, in many cases, have been passed along in oral form. Even the act of transcribing and translating these stories into English can subject them to colonialist attitudes and interpretations, Sayers explained. Racism is alive and well, even within academia, she has discovered.

“I have been called a ‘dumb Indian,’ and told I should go back to the reservation – by professors,” she said.

Sayers said her determined focus on her own Hupacasath heritage and culture has been a driving force since she attended Haahuupayak School as a child. It has also presented a few barriers as she proceeded through the non-aboriginal education system, she explained.

“I finished my last year (Grade 6) at the new school. It was being built while I was there. Most of my time was at the old residential school. Haahuupayak doesn’t go up to Grade 12. Otherwise, I would have remained there.”

At Haahuupayak, Sayers was immersed in Nuu-chah-nulth culture. Traditional songs and dances were as important, if not more important, than the “reading and writing and ‘rithmetic” required by the provincial education system.

“And Linda Watts was still the language and culture teacher at the time. I learned a lot from Linda.”

Sayers said she experienced severe culture shock when she moved on to A.W. Neill middle school.

“I really struggled there, and later, at ADSS (Alberni District Secondary School). I didn’t see any point in learning a lot of the things that I was required to learn. At Haahuupayak, language and culture was equal to everything else, and I really missed that.

“At ADSS, they didn’t have Indigenous-related content. I refused to take History and all those Social Studies classes. I didn’t want to learn their version of what they were trying to teach.”

Sayers said she was lucky in that she still had her grandparents and extended family, and was able to continue to build her language and cultural knowledge base.

When ADSS Grad 2005 arrived, Sayers had not completed her requirements for graduation. Fortunately, her failure to grad with her classmates was only a bump in the road. She completed her General Equivalent Diploma at Malaspina in 2006.

“Once I got to Malaspina, I had the freedom to build that confidence in my own abilities that I hadn’t really received at ADSS.”

Sayers said while she has encountered some form of racism at every academic institution she has attended since Haahuupayak, her goal now is to expose and to counter those lingering vestiges of colonialism through her studies.

After Malaspina, Sayers moved to Kamloops to attend Thompson Rivers University, where she studied English Literature and Theatre for two years, before transferring to UVic.

But in between, she took two years off to work in the provincial Aboriginal Youth Internship program.

“I worked in South America, and then I came back to UVic. I hadn’t really figured out what I wanted to do yet, so I decided to finish my English degree and go from there.”

Along with the SSHRC grant, Sayers has also received two President’s Grants.

“It is to support my research. It’s intended to allow me to do any kind of travelling, and [cover] my living expenses – basically whatever I need to support myself while I complete my Masters thesis, with a focus on Indigenous Literature.”

Sayers said she plans to take a close look at literature in Hawaii and New Zealand for starters.

“I am leaving for Hawaii in a couple of weeks to do a bit of research there. A lot of their literature is written in their Hawaiian language. Right now there is a call, worldwide, for the creation of a Global Indigenous category. I intend to make that part of my research.”

Sayers noted, however, that extending her studies into that global category would wait until she completes her Masters next May and moves on to the doctoral (PhD) level. This fall, she will apply to set up a PhD program for the 2017 academic year.

One of her first priorities now, however, is to look at the Nuu-chah-nulth literature she has learned since childhood.

“I am going to look at our texts that were written in Hupacasath by our elders – some of our stories that they have written down. I want to look at how those stories changed once they were written, because they become ‘commodifiable,’ and therefore subject to things like colonization. So one of the big questions I want to look at is ‘How do we uphold the integrity of our stories, and keep them as pieces of us?’ Because they don’t usually belong to individuals; they often belong to communities or families.”

For centuries, Nuu-chah-nulth stories, songs and art have been subject to a sophisticated system of intellectual-property copyright that pre-dates English Common Law and is now recognized by the courts.

“So there is an intellectual-property portion of my thesis that I am going to have to look at: if there is a sharing of these stories, does it belong in the field of Indigenous Literature?

“Right now, at school, I have an exhibit on called ‘Beyond Eurocentric Notions of Publication. It talks about how, for centuries, Nuu-chah-nulth have been ‘publishing’ in different ways. We tell stories through songs and dances, even through basket weaving. There are animals woven into them that tell different stories. One of the questions I want to answer is whether they belong in English Literature, within the subset of Indigenous Literature.”

Sayers said while her ambitions sound large and sweeping, she has only to look at her mother, Dr. Judith Sayers, for inspiration. A practicing lawyer, Hupacasath chief councillor for 14 years, UVic professor in both law and business, Judith Sayers has become a national figure and a recognized leader in multiple fields.

“She has been both inspiration and cheerleader in my own life,” Alana said. “My grandfather was a mill-worker and my grandmother was a homemaker, so she came from a fairly poor mill family and worked her way up to law school, at a time when it wasn’t fashionable to be an Indian, let alone an Indian woman, while she was making her way through. So, with all the things she has been able to accomplish, she has always told me, all my life, that anything is possible. It used to annoy me, but now I am grateful that she continued to tell me that. She has paved the way for me.”

Sayers said that, along with having her mother nearby, there is a large Nuu-chah-nulth community in Victoria, and she is able to maintain a connection to her culture, because:

“The culture is essential to who I am and to how I have gotten here.”