A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by a major (above Magnitude 7.5) earthquake, usually at sea.

Shock waves from the quake radiate in all directions along the seabed, and they can travel thousands of kilometres at the speed of a jet airliner.

When those shock waves hit shallow water, a massive wall of water begins to pile up.

For those on shore, the first hint of an impending tsunami is often a sudden lowering of the ocean level as water is drawn up into the approaching wave. The largest tsunami on record reached a height of 33 metres.

On March 27, 1964, a 9.0 earthquake struck Anchorage, Alaska, causing massive damage on shore.

Four hours later, the resulting tsunami hit the West Coast of Vancouver Island, sending three major pulses of water up Alberni Inlet, causing extensive flood damage all the way to Port Alberni.

The second wave reached a height of 3.05 metres, and a high-water mark of 19 metres has since been used to designate safe areas in the city.

For Vancouver Island, the major threat is a rupture along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. This long fault line extends from Vancouver Island to Northern California and separates two tectonic plates: the Juan de Fuca and North American Plates.

The last major quake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone struck on the evening of Jan. 26, 1700, and the resulting tsunami struck almost immediately, wiping out entire villages, according to oral histories.

Since the 1964 tsunami, the City of Port Alberni has developed a local Tsunami Warning System, with public address speakers located in strategic areas.

The system is operated by the Port Alberni Fire Department and is triggered by a signal from the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre.

The purpose of the system is to warn citizens in low-lying areas to move to higher ground when an earthquake has been detected.

But officials warn that in the event of a “felt” earthquake, especially the dreaded Big One on the Cascadia Subduction Zone, don’t wait for the siren: when the ground stops shaking, pick up your grab-and-go bag and head for higher ground.

North Island College Campbell River Campus hosted an open house April 14 to celebrate their most recent graduates of the Metal Jewellery Design course.

According to Continuing Education Coordinator Julia Peters, the eight-month metal jewelry design course is in its fifth year and is gaining in popularity.

The 32-week program is designed to give students the technical skills to create jewellery as an expression of art or as a source of income.

Students learn a variety of metal jewellery making skills, including engraving, which is popular in northwest coast aboriginal jewellery art.

They also learn other techniques in jewellery making from experienced instructors, including soldering and stone setting. Finally, they learn professional business practises skills that will help build their foundation as self-employed jewellery artists.

Ernie Smith has spent much of his adult life serving either as elected chief or as a councillor at Ehattesaht First Nation. He also helped build his nation’s forestry company and serves as its president.

“I am looking to retire,” he told Ha-Shilth-Sa. “My wife Darlene and I are looking to start a business – a shop to sell native art work in Campbell River,” he continued.

Smith said he’s been an artist all his life, carving, painting, making drums, but he’s never really done anything with it and he’s never made jewellery.

In 2015, the Smith family went to a rock show where they came upon an information booth that described a jewellery-making course offered at North Island College. I saw that and got interested,” he said.

Smith had his works on display at the back of NIC’s Metal Jewellery studio during the open house. Some of his items were for sale, but some were specially made for family members.

A large silver bracelet, for example, featured a eagle’s head with a yellow diamond inlaid in the eye. The letters ‘D’ and ‘S’ are engraved on the bracelet, a special gift for his wife, Darlene.

Victoria Wells attended the open house. She was delighted when her cousin Ernie gave her an engraved serpent ring with an amethyst stone set in the design.

Eight other students had their works on display, showcasing a variety of preferences and vision in jewellery making.

The most valuable thing Smith said he learned had to do with the variety of skills he picked up in metal jewellery-making.

“I learned engraving, soldering, molding, stone setting, gemology and I made my first gold piece,” he said.

He hopes to take these broadened skills to make his jewellery unique, by adding gems, shells and other materials. “I want to try to be creative and offer something different,” he added.

“I really love this course and I recommend it to any and all of our people who are artists,” Smith said. “I am almost 50 years old and I’m sure there are lots of young students out there struggling; this is a very good course,” he said.

The next Metal Jewellery Design program is scheduled to start in September 2016 and may already be full with 14 registered students. Peters says there may even be waiting lists for this course in the coming months.

Children from Wickaninnish Elementary that participated in the inaugural High Ground Hike April 15 came home from school better equipped to survive an earthquake thanks to a free emergency kit from Emergency Management BC as part of the events to mark Tsunami Preparedness Week.

The Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness laced-up and ran alongside roughly 80 Tofino school children from all seven grades of the local elementary. The 1 km route from Tonquin Beach follows the Tofino tsunami evacuation route to one of the district’s high ground assembly areas.

The hike is focussed on shining a spotlight on the actions needed by coastal British Columbians who face the rare, but real tsunami threat in the province. A tsunami caused by a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake could hit the B.C. coast in as little as 15 minutes.

The fun run concluded with a preparedness fair at the community hall that was attended by agencies like BC Ambulance Services, the Westcoast Inland Search & Rescue, Tofino Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Social Services, RCMP and Island Health, as well as Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

A tlaakt'uuthla (memorial gathering) April 16 was held to celebrate the life of late James Dick of Tseshaht and mark the end of the family’s grieving period.

Robert Watts was the speaker for the family and emcee of the gathering, which was held at Maht Mahs gym and hosted by late James’ wife Gina Dick.

The first business was to introduce the witwaak (security), and because James loved to cook, instead of blankets or cedar sashes, the men wore aprons in his honor. While the team wore blue aprons to identify them to the guests, which filled the gym, the head of security, Wes Price, wore one that was covered in fish graphics.

The floor was cleansed by the family with eagle down. Robert Watts then helped the family with ta'ilthma, a token for families who had suffered their own losses and to acknowledge their grief and support them ‘like a cane’ in their mourning.

Tim Sutherland stood with the host to provide a prayer chant to heal the heart.

The family connections extended as far as Kyuquot and to cousins who arrived from their Tsartlip home.

The host then acknowledged and presented gifts to many people who came to the family’s side to help them on the day. The host said she wanted to stand them up for the important job they did for her and for the family.

James’ brother Sid Dick called up the children of late James. He had made them paddles “for you to move on in your life, be strong in your life.”

There was also a paddle for Ron Dick Jr., who also did important work for the family. He too was instructed to move on in his life and to be strong.

Martin Watts was presented with a paddle made by Sid which had a chims (bear) painted on it, saying he was like a brother.

James’ older brother Alfred said Sid had been grieving and hurting so much, so he decided to make the paddles so they could all paddle forward together.

Reg Sam stood to speak on behalf of the family. He said they were ready to let go of James who will paddle and go where he is going. They understood it was time to move forward. The family extended their gratitude to their guests that were present to witness the business of the family and for those “that wrapped a blanket around them to keep them warm.”

In the Sam family’s presentation to the host, Reg said they supported the “good work going on today.” He said they were connected to the Dick family and stand behind them 100 per cent in what they were doing and to gently push them forward a bit. They presented some tana (money) to help them with hosting their guests.

Frazer Smith rose with the family from Tsartlip in support of the Dick family. Pat Nicolaye spoke for the Kyuquot family saying she had happy memories of James.

James’ family heard that he was friendly, outgoing and easy-going and was accepted all the way up to Kyuquot.

A family dinner was held on April 16 at the Port Alberni Friendship Centre to honor late Maxine Sam and to dry the family's tears after their year-long public mourning.  

A feast was put together by Maxine’s children and family members. Sister Alice Sam opened the dinner with a short message to those gathered.

“Kleco, kleco for coming to stand with us in this hardest year,” she said, adding that it is time for the family to move on.

Late Maxine’s daughters stood beside Alice and others chosen by the family and held framed photographs of late Maxine. Alice said her sister was very cultural and she thanked the people gathered for their kind support in their grieving time.

With drummers following with a song for hearts to heal, the ladies walked around the outside of the gathering with the photographs.

Other business included the wrapping of a representative of the Charlie and Keitlah families as a ta'ilthma, supporting the families who had recently lost loved ones of their own.

Then the dinner was served, and family joined friends in a commemoration as they move into the future together.

Hundreds of people arrived at Ahousaht’s Thunderbird Hall April 16 at the invitation of Edward ‘Squeak’ Campbell to share in a feast, and in song and dance, and to unite in a show of support for Campbell and his family.

In 2015 Campbell fell ill and was diagnosed with cancer that was already near end-stage. The married father of two diligently attended his medical appointments, never hearing any positive news on his diagnosis. He chronicled his appointments with specialists on his social media account.

He left his job as a janitor during Christmas holidays, too weak to continue.

His stark reality was that he was often in dreadful pain and losing too much weight. But his requests for prayers were mostly for his wife and daughters. And he celebrated the little joys like the time he gained a couple of pounds.

While he was told by medical professionals that there was nothing left to do but wait, Campbell does his best to maintain a positive attitude. He will post cheerful good mornings, sprinkled with quotes attesting to his faith in the Creator.

Friends and family have been supportive to Squeak and his family in every way.

Life began changing for the Campbell family right around Christmas. Too weak to return to work, the family had no income and there was a large hydro bill to pay. They began selling off their possessions in an effort to pay the bill.

But close family members pledged support and his co-worker, Bonnie Hayes, organized a benefit dinner to help the family out.

The family’s holiday season went as well as could be expected with Campbell making regular trips from Ahousaht to specialists in Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Victoria.

“About two months ago I got called back to Victoria where my doctor told me I had six to nine months to live,” Campbell shared. “I wasn't shocked; I accept my fate with grace and will use the time to prepare daughters, grandchildren and family,” he added.

Campbell says he is thankful for each day he has with his family. “God is with me and to this day I am not afraid,” he said. “I talk to my girls and wife about helping other people after dad’s gone – be caring, loving, forgiving and always help,” he added.

And so, Squeak thought about all the good things people have done for his family and he wanted to find a way to thank them.

“I was laying in bed about a month ago. I was wondering what to do, so I called my sister Darl and Alec and uncle Angus; word went to family it all fell into place,” Campbell said, adding that his heart was feeling a need to do this.

“So much has been done for my family; food donations brought to my home and they helped us out to pay my hydro and I couldn't just sit back. I wanted to thank the community,” he said.

The dinner invitation drew hundreds of people to the Thunderbird Hall. Most family members wore specially-made t-shirts with the logo Nobody Fights Alone – Squeak Campbell.

Following dinner, Squeak made some special presentations, the most special one to his wife, Columba.

“I married Columba 16 years ago in Esperanza and I was unable to buy her a ring so I saved up and bought her a gold wedding ring,” said Campbell. After placing the ring on his wife’s finger, the couple waltzed to the song “When a man loves a woman”, the song they danced to at their wedding.

“Since being diagnosed with cancer, life's become a dream and the reality is each day is a blessing; I tell my children to be loving, forgiving and be angry only for a moment from life's pressures,” he shared.

In fact, his daughter Sheila (who changed her name following the death of her grandmother Ina in 2015, in keeping with cultural beliefs) left school so that she could stay by her father’s side.

“She’s been at every appointment with me and her mother, she’s been a big support,” said Squeak, adding he gave her a gold necklace. Sheila said she would cherish the necklace, always.

The couple’s older daughter Megan has stayed near with her three children, with the fourth due very soon.

A comfortable recliner was brought in for Squeak to relax at the dinner. He would sit and record presentations with his iPad or he would shake hands with people that came to greet him. Sometimes he needed to nap but told people to go right on with the singing and dancing.

Friends and family took turns sharing funny stories about Squeak. At one point Squeak jokingly tried to stop his nephew from telling a story by shouting out, your time is up!

The Swan family brought up another nickname Squeak earned as a child, right after he became a movie star, they said, ‘Good Exercise’.

Campbell made a brief appearance in the 1973 movie “I Heard The Owl Call My Name” filmed in Ahousaht. His single line in the movie was ‘good exercise’.

Speaking on behalf of the Swan family, Luke Swan told his relative that they love him and that he is an inspiration.

“What you put on Facebook, it puts things in perspective and we see you put your faith in God,” Luke said to Campbell.

Alec Dick, standing with his Campbell family, said to his brother-in-law, “Thank you on behalf of our family. It is good to be able to smile and laugh even in tough times.”

Alec went on to recall when his grandson Joseph George Jr. was born and needed a father figure. “You stepped up to be a father figure for him because that’s the kind of gentleman you are,” he said to Campbell, who was smiling ear-to-ear for Joseph and the infant son he was holding in his arms.

Curtis Dick read his uncle a poignant letter written by his sister, who couldn’t attend the dinner. In it she shared that it was too difficult for her to accept what is happening to her uncle. She thanked him for helping her care for her son and for the love they have for each other.

“Uncle’s been nothing but straight forward with us; it’s hard but it helps when you know the straight truth, so we can prepare,” said Curtis. “This is not our choice and we leave it in God’s hands,” he continued.

Special presentations were made to dear family friends and co-workers. Bonnie Hayes, co-worker to Squeak, spearheaded much of the fundraising efforts for the family. She was given a gift and thanked for her thoughtfulness.

Through his work Squeak made a good friend, Rob Chapman. Chapman and another special friend, Greg Louie from Powell River, traveled to Ahousaht that day to share a meal with the Campbell family.

“My friend Rob from Planet Clean is a good friend; Greg Louie from Powell River, who I met in Kakawis Family Treatment in 2000 – these are the people I thank for their friendship, help and support along with the Ahousaht Community,” he said.

The celebration ended with a powerful healing song. Squeak’s chair was moved to the centre of the room and he was surrounded by his loved ones as Ahousaht drummers sang for him and his family.

Thinking back on the celebration, Campbell had this to say, “It made me feel blessed, thankful, that people I never met came for the dinner. I am so thankful for family and friends who, today, still support us.

He went on to say that he didn’t think he could have gotten through some of those difficult times without them.

Late last year someone started ‘The Squeak Challenge’ where people wishing to lift Campbell’s spirits jumped into frigid water and recorded their feat on social media.

“To see friends from years back right from Victoria to the States doing The Squeak Challenge and now they’re coming home for the dinner from places like Campbell River, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Ehattesaht and Tofino; people all over made me want to stand them up and thank them, and serve them a dinner.”

Campbell reminds people to be kind.

“In a world where it’s so easy to be hateful and hurtful, you should love people for who they are and support one another,” he said.

Of the $45 million for infrastructure projects currently on the books for Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, to be completed over the next seven years through the Capital Programs department of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, 40 per cent is to improve water and waste water-related systems, said Doug Neff, director of Capital Programs.

Neff’s full-time role is a rare (maybe even unique) position for First Nations across Canada. He is responsible for portfolio and project management of community infrastructure projects within the Nuu-chah-nulth region.

Some First Nation organizations have technical advisors, but none (that we know of) have a staff position that looks after capital management and technical pieces. Essentially, said Neff, the role is to identify all the community infrastructure needs, and ensure all the strategic planning is in place to develop and manage all the capital and community assets in each of the Nuu-chah-nulth communities that access his services. Those assets include housing, roads, water and waste water and communications connectivity.

On the water and waste-water file, the Capital Programs department (made up of Neff alone), is extremely busy.

Nuchatlaht, a remote community in the northern region of Vancouver Island, is at the beginning stages of a new project, with a feasibility study completed in the last fiscal year to identify a community-based waste-water disposal facility.

Currently, the homes in Nuchatlaht have individual septic fields, which have started to fail. This community is located right over top of its aquifer, and that situation has constrained Nuchatlaht’s ability to grow.

“We don’t want to get into a situation where we contaminate their drinking water,” Neff said. “So, we are locating a site, a ground disposal field, off-reserve for disposal of their waste-water.”

The project entails installation of all new community-based gravity-drained collection pipes that will go to one pumping station which will pump all the effluent to a force main off site and to a large septic field located on provincial Crown land. The community will be securing tenure for the site of a clear-cut located away from the community’s aquifer.

The project anticipates an additional 10 homes over the next five years, and a total of 20 homes over the next 20 years. Planning for such waste-water projects works with a 20-year design horizon, because that’s about the life-span of the systems involved, said Neff.

The design application for this project will be submitted to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in May, and construction is targeted for the 2017/18 fiscal year at a cost of $1 million.

There are 11 homes in the community now, six of which are 32 years old, with the remainder built in the 1980’s and 90’s. Of these newer houses, the septic fields are failing well before they should.

Remoteness is part of the problem. Nuchatlaht is more than 200 kilometres away from the nearest small city—Campbell River—with a stretch of that travel on a logging road. Service of these fields may not be getting attention as often as they should. The remoteness factor adds cost to any project, sometimes as much as 30 per cent to some communities accessible by air or water only, Neff said.

“You have to work hard to find folks that are willing to work that remote. And when you find them, often there’s a surcharge attached to them.”

One benefit of the project is that the Nation won’t have to deal with the maintenance of individual septic fields anymore. There is presently no operation or maintenance dollars for individual septic fields, but there is for a larger community system, Neff said.

At the completion of the project there will be two people in the community trained for their small waste water operators’ certificates through Indigenous Affairs. They will trouble shoot and do daily tasks at the site.

In Ehattesaht, slightly closer to Campbell River up that same logging road, they have a waste water project that will partner with adjacent Zeballos.

Currently the 22 homes on reserve are equipped with gravity drained pipes. There is a pump station and a force main.

“So they have all the infrastructure that Nuchatlaht is getting,” said Neff. “What Ehattesaht doesn’t have is a disposal field.”

Currently Ehattes has a municipal-type service agreement with Zeballos where the Nation pays the village every quarter to pump sewage out to its septic field, but the growth of Ehattesaht has now exceeded the capacity of the septic field in Zeballos.

So rather than scrap that agreement and build some sort of septic facility in Ehattes, INAC will provide funds to increase the size of Zeballos’ field. Currently there are 102 people in Ehattes, and the field will accommodate a 20-year growth to 326 people, plus the village population.

The feasibility study was done in the 2015/16 fiscal year, with the design phase in the current fiscal year, and construction set for 2017/18. A $1 million price tag is attached. Zeballos is lead on the project, with the public procurement through Zeballos’ municipal process.

Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, near Gold River, has a one-well water system in place. In 2014, on Thanksgiving weekend, their one pump failed and the community went without water for about eight days. So the project there is a water upgrade.

The design work was completed in 2015/16, and construction will happen this fiscal year. The project will install a second well “that will provide 100 per cent redundancy”, it will provide a new pump house and treatment facility (UV and chlorine), and increase the size of the community reservoir. The project is estimated to cost $1.5 million.

Water projects are designed for a 40 to 50 year time horizon. Currently there are 300 people living on reserve, with 61 residential units, and an estimated additional 367 members moving home in the next five to 10 years.

Hesquiaht, for the community at Hot Springs Cove, is preparing for an infrastructure replacement project at a cost of $2.2 million— water/sewer replacements of all the in-ground facilities and some of the waste water facilities.

“The distribution for the water and the collection of the water is all the stuff that’s in the ground… distributing it to all the houses and collecting all the waste water from the houses is all the original stuff constructed in 1972, so it’s aged, it’s dated,” said Neff.

This original in-ground system has failed in a number of ways. The installation wasn’t as up to par as it probably should have been, Neff said, and because of the design of the community, up on a rock bluff, and with 16 feet of rain in a year, the water tends to shed off and it’s torn away at some of the sands and materials in which the utilities have been embedded.

Some of the waste water lines have cracked, there’s been spills that need to be fixed, some of the valves in the road are cracked because it’s not a paved road there.

“When the water comes down the road, it tears all the rock and aggregate away from [the valves] and they are left standing up on the road, and then when a vehicle drives over… and it cracks the valve, now you have a water leak,” Neff explained.

“Water leaks are never a good thing. Not because you are wasting water, but because now your water pipe is open and you now have the opportunity to have contaminants in the water.”

While the rock blasting component of the project adds to the expense, the remoteness factor is a cost issue, because everything will be barged in. Hot Springs is about a 45-minute water-taxi ride away from Tofino.

While the population is not particularly large at Hot Springs Cove, there is a little bit of a growth factor built into the plan. And the project is asset replacement-driven because of the 44-year age of the system.

“At the end of the day, we have a problematic sewer system and we have a problematic water system. We need to replace them now…. Because there is always going to be people there… so, at the very minimum you need to ensure that you’ve got clean water and you’re safely managing the waste water.”

The design for this project is completed and the construction application will be heading off to INAC this fiscal year, possibly in May.

Ahousaht First Nation is going into the design phase of a waste water treatment plant project in this fiscal year, to meet new government regulations on effluent treatment. Located about a 30-minute water taxi ride from Tofino, this is the largest Nation of the 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations.

The project is anticipated to be complete by 2019. The cost will be close to $10 million. They are designing for a potential on-reserve population of 1,200. This will be a big facility, a lot of work and more complicated than the other projects, Neff said.

Still on the west coast, the Lost Shoe Creek water project, near the highway junction for Tofino and Ucluelet, is nearing completion. At a cost of $6.8 million, the project will bring clean drinking water to the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation’s reserves of Esowista and Ty Histanis, and supply water to Parks Canada’s conservation office, all the campgrounds and the day use facilities (Long Beach and Incinerator Rock).

Fifty per cent of the funding is coming from INAC through Tla-o-qui-aht and the other funding comes through Parks Canada.

Neff said government is leading this project, and he has minimal oversight, except to be there to protect the First Nation’s interests, to ensure there is no cost escalation or schedule creep. He expects the water will flow by June.

Before the project there was a single well at Lost Shoe Creek that supplied the Pacific Rim National Park. Parks Canada trucked the water to their day-use facilities. The project drilled two additional wells, and installed a pump house and a treatment facility.

The water will flow from an in-ground aquifer with a large water supply which is possibly re-charged by nearby Kennedy Lake, but surely by the extraordinary amount of rain to the region, which Mother Nature filters through in-ground sand, so UV and chlorine is all that’s necessary for treatment.

Ty Histanis and Esowista has a municipal-type service agreement with the District of Tofino to deal with waste water.

At the south end of Nuu-chah-nulth territories is Ditidaht, which is working on a water system extension and upgrade, currently in the design phase. They are looking to make improvements to wells and well heads and want to extend the system for additional homes. They are anticipating construction in 2017/18 or 2019. It has a cost estimate of $1 million.

Soon to be completed and off the books within days is the new water and waste water upgrades, with a brand new water treatment facility, at Hitacu for the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Nation.

Looking to the future there is a possible system for Hupacasath’s Kleekoot reserve. The idea is to pull water from Port Alberni. This will require involvement from neighboring Tseshaht, and that consultation has begun.

Dozens of Nuu-chah-nulth families took part in in the Urban Healing Gathering held at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church April 21.

Sponsored by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Teechuktl Program, the gathering provided an opportunity for Nuu-chah-nulth-aht in the Nanaimo area to share a meal, hear updates from NTC and have some cultural fun.

The doors opened at 2 p.m. and people were invited to have some snacks and mingle. Tables were set up for children to color, or for people to learn how to weave cedar bark from Ditidaht elder Geraldine Tom. There was also a table set up for people needing Indian Status Cards or for information about Non-Insured Health Benefits.

Elder Cliff Atleo Sr. said an opening prayer, thanking the Creator for the day, for life and for the opportunity for the people to get together.

Snuneymuxw Chief John Wesley welcomed the people to his territory. He praised Nuu-chah-nulth people for the work they are doing to keep the culture and language alive.

“In most territories, we are losing these things,” he pointed out.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of those recently lost in Nuu-chah-nulth communities. The Nuu-chah-nulth Song was sung before each of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council staff introduced themselves.

The goal of the Nuu-chah-nulth Urban Healing Gatherings is to get the people together in one place to hear what the tribal council is doing on behalf of the people and also to share the culture.

NTC President Deb Foxcroft said it was an opportunity for everyone to share a meal and to have a few laughs.

Joe Tom, senior Quu?asa wellness worker, reminded the people that their naniiqsu (grandparents) were also survivors.

“They survived all that was done to them to destroy their culture,” he said. And the proof shows in the people here, today, still practising their culture.

He went on to say that his department at the NTC, the Teechuktl and Quu?asa program, provide assistance for those healing from residential school trauma and its legacy.

“We walk with you (on your healing journey); that’s what we do,” he said.

Lisa Watts, wellness worker for the southern region, told the people that she and her staff work with residential school survivors, helping them access the resources they need to get through the Indian residential school compensation process and providing updated information on day school litigation.

The NTC staff then served up a spaghetti/lasagna dinner.

Outreach wellness worker Justin Dorward delighted the children with a story his late grandmother told him about a little Raven who loved to help but didn’t listen very well.

Staff from the NTC Teechuktl Department have been on the road all week, hosting gatherings in urban centers on Vancouver Island. It is part of what they do to support the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations achieve their full spiritual, mental, emotional and physical potential.

The urban gatherings held by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Teechuuktl Program (mental health) made their way to Victoria on April 22. The gatherings provide an opportunity for the tribal council to connect with urban Nuu-chah-nulth-aht, to provide cultural activities and treat people through brushings.

It’s also a time people look forward to for updating their status cards, with Rosie Marsden from the membership department setting up and dealing with long lines of people. In fact, many different NTC departments set up booths at the events, just to get the word out about their services.

Geradline Tom helps people learn to cedar weave, there are activities for the children and an update from the tribal council on what’s been happening on large files.

Related:  http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2016-04-22/quuasa-urban-healing-gathering-%E2%80%93-nanaimo

Sunday, April 24 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Nuu-chah-nulth Fishing Rights court case, what is now commonly called Ahousaht et al.

The original trial started on April 24, 2006, and concluded on Nov. 3, 2009, with the trial decision recognizing the Aboriginal rights of five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations (Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Tla-o-qui-aht) to fish and sell into the commercial market.

The trial decision was upheld through subsequent appeals, culminating in the final decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in January 2014 confirming the trial decision.

The court orders provided two-and-a-half years for the federal government to negotiate with the five Nations and implement a new fisheries regime which recognizes the Aboriginal rights of the five Nations. 

The former federal government under Stephen Harper failed to provide Fisheries and Oceans Canada negotiators with a mandate to negotiate a fair settlement, forcing the five Nations to return to BC Supreme Court to seek a settlement based on their fishing plans to implement their Aboriginal rights.

After six months, the new Liberal government has not indicated any change in direction, and continues to oppose the Aboriginal rights of the five Nations through costly litigation rather than settlement through fair negotiations.

On April 21, Courtenay- Alberni Member of Parliament Gord Johns issued a media release about a letter he had sent to Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Canada Jody Wilson-Raybould, which asked her to work with Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo and Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennet to bring about a resolution to the accommodation of fishing rights of the five Nations.

Johns wrote “the treatment of this case by the previous government was consistent with an overarching strategy to obfuscate legal rulings that did not fit within their political objectives.”

He said the mandate letter provided to Wilson-Raybould prioritized a review of Canada’s litigation strategy which should include early decisions to “end appeals or positions that are not consistent with our commitments, the Charter or our values,” according to the mandate letter.

Johns calls for the “immediate and overdue resolution to the accommodation of the fishing rights for the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.”

See letter below.

“Some days I feel so helpless and frustrated to watch my family member go through pain, knowing there is not a single thing I can do to help,” said a member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation about the suffering.

Tla-o-qui-aht has had a lot of losses recently, and some individuals and families are dealing with terminal illnesses at this time as well. So Naomi Seitcher, the Nation’s Human Services manager, traveled by boat to Opitsaht, a reserve across the water from Tofino, to set up the hall for a departmental staff debriefing session.

Seitcher invited a team from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Quu?usa staff. Maureen Knighton, Ruby Ambrose, Quu?usa support workers, and clinical counsellor Jasmine Toor provided support, direction, cultural teachings and brushings. 

Staff members had the opportunity to share their stories, and how the losses they have suffered affected them.

When there is a loss, it affects many people and the community, and especially occurs when there is a close working relationship or friendship with those who are grieving.

People can carry sadness, grief, sorrow, hurt and anger when there is a death in the community. The frontline workers work hard at holding up the communities, and when there are multiple deaths in any given month or year the staff feel the impacts.

Some staff members are dealing with losses both historic, and current; the grief of losing a child in most cases. When a person keeps all the emotions in, they can become ill, which can lead to burn out or stress leave.

Debriefing allows the opportunity to share and go through healing and to know that it is the time to support one another and to realize no one is alone. It is important to debrief so that staff can be fully present and be better able to do their jobs.

The group discussed the many ways to cope with loss. Many in the group practised self-care activities, like crocheting, walking, listening to music, dancing, biking, spending time with family members or friends, drumming, attending cultural activities, oosimch (ritual bathing for prayer), jogging and exercising to cope.

In the center of the table were heart-shaped messages to remind the participants of important Nuu-chah-nulth teachings passed down from generation to generation and which can be applied to life.

To complete the session, Knighton and Ambrose, provided a cultural cleansing ceremony. Knighton told the group that Trevor Little had given the Quu?usaProgram staff permission to use his song. Singing the song in the background, while doing the cleansing, was soothing and comforting for the participants.

Each human services staff member was presented with a blanket by the managers for the work that they do in the community. Wrapping a person in a blanket is symbolic of providing warmth, protection and comfort for those who are grieving or struggling with personal issues.

Dora Frank, caterer, and her assistant, Darlene Charlie, provided a delicious lunch for the staff and visitors.

The work and dedication of the staff was acknowledged by the managers, and they felt that the staff deserved the afternoon off and were encouraged to do self-care, to go be with family or have time alone.

Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation, the Village of Gold River and the Village of Tahsis have signed a shared vision statement which solidifies their commitment to work together to enhance the well-being of each community and the region. The statement was signed on March 17.

A press release states that it was an historic step forward to unite the three communities by enabling collaboration through shared values, respect and a newly-established working relationship.

This new relationship will strengthen the communities’ ability to pursue business and economic development strategies for the betterment of their members, citizens and local businesses.

The Vision Statement talks, in part of “ongoing effective communications, relationship-building and strategic positioning.”

“We are progressive communities that share a desire to responsibly manage our natural resources in a manner that will stimulate new business opportunities and develop a diversified economy whilst always respecting each other.”

Chief Mike Maquinna of the Mowachaht Muchalaht Council of Chiefs said “This is a defining moment in the long history of the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation. This Vision Statement reflects the truth of the respectful, trusting and mutually-beneficial relationships with our valued Tahsis and Gold River neighbors.”

Mayor Brad Unger of Gold River said “Revitalizing our local and regional economy in a sustainable way requires working closely with the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation and the Village of Tahsis. We know that open and meaningful relationships are fundamental to our economic growth.”

Tahsis Mayor Jude Schooner said the three communities were stronger together, than apart. “We have put into our daily lives the relationship and reconciliation that is often talked about, but not always delivered. We have done it here.”

The communities will now work on a co-operation agreement to implement key aspects of the Vision Statement, which is a product of a series of community to community meetings with funding from the government of British Columbia.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission says Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has four weeks from today, April 26, to provide a comprehensive report on how it will provide immediate relief to child and family services on reserve.

In a decision Jan. 26, the CHRT had ordered INAC to cease its discriminatory practices and reform the First Nations Child and Family Services Program. Now it says the department is not moving fast enough to implement the CHRT order, so the CHRT has issued new orders.

Three months after the decision, CHRT said there is “still uncertainty amongst the parties … as to how the Federal government’s response to the Decision addresses the findings regarding the shortcomings of Directive 20-1, which is underfunded and creates incentives to remove children from their homes and communities.

In 2008, when the human rights complaint was launched, the vast majority of First Nations Child and Family Services agencies in the country functioned under Directive 20-1. The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Usma agency still does.

The CHRT also instructs Canada to fix the shortcomings in the Enhanced Prevention Focused Approach (EPFA), which it finds is inconsistent with current child welfare legislation and practices. Once provided to an agency, EPFA funding remains stagnant without adjustment for inflation, cost of living or for evolving service standards, reads today’s order from the CHRT panel.

Usma Nuu-chah-nulth had been left out of the EPFA funding since it was announced in 2007, as have all First Nations agencies in British Columbia. In this year’s federal budget it was announced that B.C. on-reserve agencies will finally see some prevention dollars to be used to keep children out of care in the first place.

The CHRT did commend the federal government on the funding identified in its budget over five years, including the $16.2 million for prevention funding in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon, saying it was encouraged by Canada’s efforts.

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Debra Foxcroft, however, has mixed feelings.

“Although, this is very good news and we appreciate the Federal government’s acknowledgement that Child and Family Services funding is inequitable, I wonder why it had to take this long for them to recognize this in the first place. Over the past several years there has been report after report identifying this issue, with recommendations to address these problems.”

“First Nations Service agencies in B.C. have been in crisis for a very, very long time. I want a commitment from government that this treatment of our children, the unjust treatment of our most vulnerable, children and youth, never happens again,” she told Ha-Shilth-Sa.

Because of the lapse of time between the Decision and this current call for immediate relief, the CHRT panel now says it will “supervise the implementation of its orders by way of regular detailed reports created by INAC.”

The reports will provide information on “budget allocations for each agency providing child protection services and timelines, the data used to calculate the amounts received in the last fiscal year, 2015/2016, and a detailed calculation of any adjustments made as a result of immediate action taken to address the Decision.

After INAC submits its report, and discussions with the complainants are held, the CHRT panel said it may issue a further ruling.

Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, along with the Assembly of First Nations, led the charge in bringing the federal government before the human rights tribunal. The complaint was that child and family services programs on reserve were systemically underfunded, and that Canada took a narrow view on their implementation of Jordan’s Principle.

The CHRT has also now ruled that Canada must “immediately implement” Jordan’s Principle in all “jurisdictional disputes, including between federal government departments,” and not only for children with multiple disabilities, but involving all First Nations children.

The intent of Jordan’s Principle is that the government organization first contacted for services to the child, should pay for the services to the child, with jurisdictional issues sorted out after the child receives the services, not before.

CHRT expects a report from INAC on implementation of Jordan’s Principle within two weeks.

“As of today, our children and families wait for the proper supports and cultural services they deserve and need on the ground right now,” said Foxcroft. “I am happy to hear we will be expecting some remedies to the immediate, short-term and long-term issues we’re facing. It is about time the voices for our children and families are finally being heard.”

“While the circumstances that led to the findings in the Decision are very disconcerting, the opportunity to address those findings through positive change is now present,” wrote Sophie Marchildon, the panel chairperson. “This is the season for change. The time is now.”

Foxcroft is heartened that, in the spirit of reconciliation, the government will finally put action to its words.

“I also believe strongly that the Ministry of Child and Family Development under the Provincial Government needs to follow and implement a reform and reconciliation process, since there is more than 50 per cent of our Aboriginal children in their care.”

Huge waves came crashing against the shore as the five- and six-year-old boys from Wickaninnish Elementary School took turns learning how to surf.

The boys were determined to learn. They jumped up and ran into the ocean followed by surf instructors, enthusiastic and excited to catch a wave.

Parents and friends lined the shore, happily watching the little tykes, who took turns riding the incoming waves.

Anthony Curley, 6, told his mom Dee-Dee Curley that he wanted a new surf board because he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Dee-Dee was thrilled and said “this is pretty neat that my son gets this chance to learn how to surf.” 

The girls were just as keen, said teacher Brady Clarke. Every class from Kindergarten to Grade 6 had their chance, and it was provided soley on donations from the Gordon Family and Pacific Surf School. The funding received finances a three-year surf lessons program.

Some children donned wet suits to go knee-deep in the water and then run back to shore on the cool cloudy day.

After the kids finished surfing, they huddled around the fire to warm up after being in the cold ocean water.

Pre-school teacher Shelley Renard organized the surf lessons for the kindergarten class this year. Surf lessons began in April and will continue until June. Shelley said that more and more teachers are taking an interest in having their class take part in the surf lessons.

She also said “we are getting out there and utilizing our resources”, referring to the ocean.  They teach the kids about rip tides and currents. If you get caught in a rip tide it could take you out into the ocean. A lower tide can work against the surfer, so it’s important to know these things.  

Plus the children learned to overcome any fear they might have to water, and stewardship—keeping the ocean clean.

Surfing lessons for Wickaninnish Elementary School students began in the 1980s.

Parents volunteered their time to help get the kids ready by putting on the wet suits before, and help remove all the gear after the surf lessons. They were also tasked with keeping watch on the children as they swam and played in the water.

The Pacific Surf School and Live to Surf Rentals provide the wet suits, boards and lessons throughout the three-month stint.

After the surf lessons the children, volunteers and parents enjoyed a hot dog roast before returning to the school.

The Province and Emergency Management BC are planning an earthquake and tsunami response exercise for June 7 to 10 in Port Alberni called Exercise Coastal Response.

To make this exercise as real as possible for the teams involved, we’re asking for the public’s help! This is a great opportunity to be up close and personal with international urban search and rescue and emergency social services teams.

We are looking for people to volunteer in two categories:

·         Medical patients: You will work with first responders and Heavy Urban Search and

Rescue (HUSAR). You will be treated to a medical makeover with movie-quality makeup artists and given a patient care script to follow during the course of your treatment.

·         Emergency social service (ESS) clients: You will work with ESS teams located at reception and housing centres and represent those in need of shelter, food and water. At the end of your volunteer service you will receive a letter of recognition for your role in the exercise.

We are not only looking for people, but material as well. Our volunteer co-ordination team would like to hear about anything that can enhance the realism of the exercise including: boats, trucks or even junk that can help with Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) training.

For further clarification on what we are specifically looking for in terms of material and volunteer support, please call 250 720-2709 or email portalberni2016@gmail.com to connect with the volunteer co-ordinators. We look forward to working with you to help prepare our province for a disaster and make Exercise Coastal Response 2016 a success!

 “A plan is only as good as the paper it’s written on unless you exercise it, test it and improve it,” said Naomi Yamamoto, minister of State for Emergency Preparedness. “During this exercise in Port Alberni, the province will work closely with our First Nations and local authority partners to show how B.C. will support a coastal community in the event of an earthquake and tsunami. The Province has taken significant strides to progress our earthquake preparedness, and it’s safe to say we now lead the nation.”

Hosted in Port Alberni, Exercise Coastal Response is based on a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hitting off the shore of southwestern B.C. as a result of a rupture of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Emergency Management B.C. Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

A man of huge importance to modern Nuu-chah-nulth history has died.

Nelson Keitlah was one of the original leaders of the West Coast District Council, which became the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC).

Keitlah was often referred to respectfully as ‘The General’ for his ability to lead the 14

Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations in negotiations with the Federal and Provincial governments.

As Central Region Co-chair of the NTC, Keitlah participated in, and led Nuu-chah-nulth Treaty negotiations for a decade, and was instrumental in the formation of the Central Region Board for cooperative resource management on the west coast.

He represented the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations through the ‘War in the woods’ protests in Clayoquot Sound, and stood against MacMillan Bloedel when they proposed to log Meares Island.

“He was a true leader in every sense of the word,” said former BC Premier Glen Clark. “Meares Island was one of the first big victories for First Nations land rights, and one of the key break-through moments for First Nations in Canada,” he said. “It was epic.”

Keitlah, who was from a Chiefly family, was appointed by the Ahousaht Ha’wiih (Chiefs) to sit on their first band council as mandated by the Government on Canada in the 1950’s, according to former NTC President and Ahousaht Chief Negotiator Cliff Atleo Sr.

“He was so much more than just a leader,” said Atleo, who worked closely with Keitlah for 35 years. “He was a keeper of our histories, knew the intricate details of our culture, and was one of the last great speakers of our language,” he said.

Keitlah, along with George Watts (Tseshaht), and many others fought for the establishment of the NTC.

Current NTC Vice-President Ken Watts, and son of the late George Watts, called Nelson “the cultural foundation of the organization”.

“Nelson can be remembered by often leading our National Anthem, the Nuu-chah-nulth Song, which was shared with the NTC through Ahousaht's Tyee Ha'wilth,” said Watts. “He was a diplomat and a feared negotiator, and was the language and cultural pillar of this organization,” he said.

“He was a strong, compassionate leader, and a loving and supportive family man,” said NTC President Deb Foxcroft. “His wisdom and knowledge about Nuu-chah-nulth history and modern NTC politics will be greatly missed.”

Keitlah passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning at the age of 82.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Keitlah family shortly.

Friendship Centres in British Columbia and across Canada are now facing a dire crisis. The ongoing delay and uncertainty of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) funding from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is now causing financial hardship for all of our member centres.

Without Community Capacity Support (CCS) program funding, as previously approved by the Crown, Friendship Centres in B.C. will be forced to end critical services for Indigenous families and many may need to close their doors completely in the next two months.

Despite the Federal budget stating explicitly that UAS would be renewed in its current form, department officials are now unilaterally and without consultation, changing key elements of the national program after two years of successful delivery by Friendship Centres.

It is our opinion that INAC officials are changing the trajectory of UAS and not honoring the spirit and intent of our historic partnership with the Federal government.

In B.C., Friendship Centres are the largest network of social service organizations supporting the critical needs of urban Indigenous people and they hold key partnerships in every community.

In February 2014, the former Conservative Government of Canada made a decision to eliminate the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program (AFCP), core capacity funding that Friendship Centres received for over 40 years.

In its place, a new Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) was created with two new programs called Urban Partnerships (UP) and Community Capacity Support (CCS); both with a narrow focus on ‘increased participation in the economy’ for Aboriginal people.

The National Association of Friendship Centres was identified as the key delivery partner of this strategy and was involved with helping design the criteria given its long community experience with the socio-economic needs of urban Aboriginal communities.

In November of 2016 we experienced a series of paternalistic decisions by officials of INAC. Staff began to undermine the stability of Friendship Centres and other organizations across Canada who were delivering UP projects.

Department officials started double administering approved UP projects, claiming ineligibility and withholding key funding releases for those projects. Over several months the NAFC struggled to negotiate a resolution until the Federal Minister intervened directly.

Funding was immediately released for projects that were now stressed as a result of the delays. We are now in a similar situation where INAC has unilaterally implemented new criteria and guidelines for UAS in this current fiscal year. They are attempting to remove all specific elements in the criteria and guidelines that speak to Friendship Centre strengths and are eliminating key ‘capacity’ requirements to effectively deliver the Federal mandate.

The national funding agreement between the NAFC and the Crown for the period 2014-2019 specifically speaks that CCS will “deliver over $23 million annual in CCS core-like funding to Friendship Centres and other Aboriginal organizations as guided by Regional Strategic Plans in order to support a stable base from which to provide programs and services and attract additional investments, that increase the urban Aboriginal participation in the economy.”

It is our belief that INAC is breaching the agreed upon terms and conditions and these proposed changes will have immediate negative impacts on our agencies’ capacity to deliver essential services.

Friendship Centres are a place of refuge for Indigenous women, men and children who do not live in their traditional communities and who are vulnerable when transitioning to larger urban areas where employment opportunities exist.

If Friendship Centres are forced to close their doors or significantly downsize, the necessary community supports for those individuals and families will be severely undermined. This is contrary to the commitments the Federal Liberal Government has made to honour and support true reconciliation and to help create better futures for all our people.

With 25 member agencies in B.C. and over 1,000 employees across the Province, B.C. Friendship Centres provide essential programs and supports to over 7,000 points of service per day in areas such as health, education, ending violence, homelessness, employment, and services for youth and elders.

With our many community partners, our centres are a critical resource for youth in crisis and at risk of suicide.

B.C. Friendship Centres are calling on the Government of Canada to work with the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) to immediately stop the paternalistic approach of this federal bureaucracy.

We ask that the Department immediately reverse its course and continue its commitments to the original criteria and guidelines, as was created in a trusted partnership. We need the existing national funding agreement, which supports the long relationship of Friendship Centres with the Government of Canada, to be honoured.

Upon arrival to the village of Ahousaht, the first thing you hear and see are the many species of birds there. And what better way to welcome home a great leader, late Nelson Keitlah, who passed away on Sunday, than to hear the soothing sounds of the ravens, eagles, crows, wrens and robins singing for him.

Nelson Keitlah’s funeral was held at his home on May 4. Officiating the service was Rick Lindholm. After the opening prayer, Cliff Atleo Sr. read the eulogy.

Nelson was born and raised in Ahousaht. His parents were late Agnes and Alfred Keitlah.

Agnes’ mother was from Tseshaht. His grandmother was late Katie Joe of Tsesaht. Nelson always acknowledged his family ties to Tseshaht. 

Nelson is survived by his children Nelson Jr., Cindy, Agnes, Rowena, Janet, and Margaret, his sisters Betty, Geraldine and Delores, numerous grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by daughter Nadine.

Today you will only hear a bit of who Nelson was, said Atleo. Nelson was well-known across British Columbia, Canada and the United States. Nelson was an executive member of the Native Brotherhood of B.C. and West Coast District Council. He was Central Region Chairman and Co-Chair of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

Nelson achieved a lot for Nuu-chah-nulth, Atleo said,  but more importantly Nelson was an advocate for his people. He was a great example of what a leader is. Nelson was incredibly eloquent in speaking his language and English.  Nelson knew how to get people together.

Chief Councillor Greg Louie acknowledged the many achievements of Nelson and how hard he worked to improve the standard of life for his people. He said Nelson was very articulate in the Ahousaht language, his culture and singing. Ahousahts should be really, really proud of Nelson, said Louie. Nelson was well-regarded and played an important role in British Columbia recent history.

NTC President Deb Foxcroft remembered Nelson as a very loving and supportive man. He was always interested in how you were doing, she said. This is a great loss, said Foxcroft. Nelson was instrumental in forcing the government to close Indian Residential School, she reminded the people gathered. He fought for Nuu-chah-nulth fishing rights and was strong in the history of his people.

NTC Vice President Ken Watts acknowledged the work of Keitlah and spoke about the sacrifices leaders make by being away from their families. He thanked Nelson’s family for sharing him with the Nuu-chah-nulth. Ken said Nelson helped build the Tribal Council.

Bob Chamberlin of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs also traveled to Ahousaht to pay his respects.

A meal of qwakmis, elk stew, fish soup, spaghetti and fish sandwiches were served before mourners left the community for their boats back to Tofino to drive home to wherever they live.

All fisheries—regardless of where they are located or what they are fishing for—have objectives. They can be as simple as when and where fishers can fish, or more complex, and include objectives to meet other community values besides just catching fish.

The T’aaq-wiihak fisheries have a number of socio-economic objectives designed to reflect Nuu-chah-nulth values and priorities. In order to determine if the design and management of the T’aaq-wiihak fisheries are meeting their objectives, the fisheries have to be tracked and evaluated against their objectives.

The T’aaq-wiihak fisheries have just completed their first year of social and economic tracking to evaluate the progress of the fisheries.

Uu-a-thluk staff collected data throughout the 2015 T’aaq-wiihak fishing season from fishers and communities. Information was collected through landing data, fishing logbooks, surveys (distributed at the dock, via Facebook, and during fisher meetings), and via communications with fishers, buyers, technical staff, managers, and contractors.

A user-friendly report was designed to communicate findings to T’aaq-wiihak fishers, managers, negotiators and Ha’wiih. The information collected is helping the fishery to measure whether what they’re doing is meeting the communities’ objectives for the fishery.

“You need to monitor fisheries to see if the management measures being used are meeting the objectives for the fishery,” said Danielle Francis, T’aaq-wiihak fisheries technician.

Examples of indicator data that was collected during the fishing season includes Nuu-chah-nulth community participation, quantity of fish caught, fishing costs (e.g., fuel, repairs), how fishing knowledge is being passed down, and if Nuu-chah-nulth rights-based fisheries are receiving priority over commercial and recreational sectors. 

T’aaq-wiihak negotiators and Uu-a-thluk staff are optimistic that this data will evaluate if the management measures being used are meeting the objectives of sustainable fisheries while generating revenue for the fishers and the communities.

The Ha’wiih and T’aaq-wiihak negotiators acknowledge that the T’aaq-wiihak fisheries to date do not reflect the full fishing interests of the Nations as outlined in the T’aaq-wiihak Fisheries Management Plans.

“There are still significant differences between the fisheries being authorized by DFO and the fishing plans of the Nations that reflect their preferred means,” said Don Hall, Uu-a-thluk Program Manager.

The Nations reluctantly accepted DFO’s proposed salmon “demonstration” fisheries for a fourth year in 2015 in order to create a limited opportunity for their fishers, and with the hope that small improvements, including the ability to pilot some T’aaq-wiihak management approaches in the fishery, would be forthcoming from DFO.

Following the direction of the Ha’wiih and Nations, Uu-a-thluk and T’aaq-wiihak staff will continue to gather data from fishers and other sources while also revising the T’aaq-wiihak fisheries indicators as needed to integrate lessons learned from the first year of data collection.

Uu-a-thluk and First Nations staff will use the indicators to review progress of the T’aaq-wiihak fisheries and consider how increased fisheries access and management in Indigenous communities can contribute to sustainable livelihoods and healthy communities for Nuu-chah-nulth.

In the long term the tracking tools will indicate where adjustments are needed and whether the fishery is heading in a direction that increases Nuu-chah-nulth participation in the fisheries while also increasing access to aquatic resources.

“The indicators tracking program is the start of a long-term monitoring project to provide consistent and measurable information about how well the fishery is reflecting the Nuu-chah-nulth vision, values, and priorities,” said Dr. Hall.

Brief history of the T’aaq-wiihak fisheries

In 2009, a BC Supreme Court decision ruled that five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations (Tla-o-qui-aht, Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht and Mowachaht/Muchalaht) have Aboriginal rights to harvest and sell any species of fish (except geoduck) found within the court defined Fishing Area in to the commercial market.

The five Nations collectively adopted the name of the T’aaq-wiihak for their right-based fisheries. T’aaq-wiihak means fishing with permission of the Ha’wiih(hereditary Chiefs). Canada has failed over the past six years to negotiate a new fishing regime that accommodates these Aboriginal rights.

Doreen Skibo, a Tla-o-qui-aht member living in Terrace, B.C., was worried sick about her son Tyler Tom, brother Ritchie Tom, sister-In-law Christy Tom and cousin Ricky Tom, who live in Fort McMurray, Alta. where a devastating forest fire caused the evacuation of more than 80,000 people.

Tyler Tom is 23 years old. He left B.C. to live in Fort McMurray to find work there due to shortage of jobs here at home.

On May 2, Tyler and Ricky Tom were not given much notice to evacuate their home in Timberlea. They did not have time to pack any clothes or other needed items, and had no money to buy gas or food.

Once they left home it took them 10 hours to drive to Anzac, a trip that normally takes four hours, but due to the high volume of traffic with vehicles exiting Fort MacMurray it took much longer.

Leaving their home was a terrifying experience, Skibo told Ha-Shilth-Sa. Sparks were flying everywhere and evacuees felt lucky that no vehicles caught on fire during their escape.

Tyler kept in constant contact with his mother while making the trip out of Fort MacMurray, which was a huge relief for Doreen, just knowing they made it out safely.

Cousins of Tyler, Ritchie and Ricky pooled together money to send to help them buy gas and food.  They were exhausted last night, not having slept for 41 hours. Tyler and Ritchie drove in separate cars to Anzac, and then decided to travel to Edmonton to stay with Christy’s family there. At this time it is uncertain if and when they can return home.

Ritchie, Christy, Tyler and Ricky took yesterday to themselves. They received a pass to go to West Edmonton Mall to have some fun to relief the stress of their ordeal.

Ha-Shilth-Sa hopes to speak with them today, and will update our readers on everyone’s condition.