Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product haasi^ >sa “Interesting News” Vol. 34 - No. 17 - Aug. 30, 2007 Sales Agreement No. 40047776 Ann Robinson is the winner of the Nuu-chahnulth Economic Development Corporation’s Best Cultural Business Award for First Nations Wildcrafters. She is congratulated by NEDC’s Ida Mills. Story on page 11.
Settlement forms released without Canada’s approval The Indian Residential School Survivors Society has released information of interest to residential school survivors. The society has learned that an unofficial version of the common experience payment application form has been distributed to survivors. This is an unapproved form and filling it in and sending it off to government will not result in survivors receiving their residential school settlement payments. Even though the forms might not indicate it, they are draft forms and cannot be accepted by Service Canada. The forms were distributed without the permission of the official court administrator or the government of
Canada, who are in charge of the settlement process. Any of these unapproved applications received prior to and after Sept. 19 will be returned to senders. To receive payment, residential school survivors must use the official form, which will only be available as of Sept. 19. All survivors who have registered at www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca or by calling 1-866-879-4913 will receive the final and approved application in the mail on or soon after Sept. 19. For more information, call the court administrator toll free at 1-866-8794913. Were you stumped for something to do this summer? Not Ray Sim Jr. (right) who took advantage of the Day Camp program at the Port Alberni Friendship Centre to fill in his days. He celebrated the end of summer at the friendship centre’s annual picnic held at Sproat Lake. Conner Sim joins him for a break after swimming. Story on page 5. Photo by Jack F. Little
VIHA vows to keep Tofino hospital open.................Page 3 Doctor says kick the carbs and cure diabetes...........Page 5 Fire ravages NTC smokehouse..................................Page 10 Organizers hope to raise level of understanding...Page 15 Community and Beyond events................................Page 16 Les Sam’s Thunder Tournament revives fastball...Page 17
Denise Titian
Maureen Touchie (crouching) points out Ucluelet First Nation treaty settlement land on a map before Delaney Clayton, Elder Sullivan Louie and Evelyn Louie board a float plane to tour the area on Aug. 23.
Treaty team takes flight in effort to inform members By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ucluelet–The remaining four Maanulth treaty nations are nearing a vote on their treaties; treaty teams are switching to high gear to get information to membership on the Maanulth Final Agreement, so that people can make an informed decision when it comes time to vote. Part of keeping the membership informed is showing them what portions of their traditional territories they will have control over; their treaty settlement lands. The Ucluelet treaty team did just that on Aug. 23. Hiring a small float plane, Ucluelet First Nation members were invited to take a 45-minute flight that took them from Ucluelet Harbour to Effingham Inlet in Barclay Sound, and back again. Treaty communications worker Maureen Touchie said the tour was an important step in engaging the people. “They wanted to get out and look at their property,” she said. “These tours get people involved. It allows them to see the quality and quantity of land.” Touchie said Ucluelet members have also been invited on boat tours through the waterways of the treaty settlement lands. The flight was originally destined to take the people to the Nahmint, but the
time would not permit the longer flight. Armed with maps, Touchie met with each group of three members before they boarded the small float plane. She outlined for them which lands would become theirs in a post-treaty environment and encouraged them to take pictures. “The morning tours didn’t go as well due to fog,” said Gertrude Touchie, the treaty communication assistant. Many could not see the land, but they seemed to enjoy the rare opportunity to fly. The Touchies describe Effingham Inlet as a beautiful place. There are many houses along the shore and also several oyster farms. Ray Touchie, after having just landed from his tour, admitted he took the flight just for fun. But for him, the trip allowed him to see Ucluelet First Nation’s Indian Reserve #4. Located in Effingham Inlet, the reserve is isolated. It was the first time Ray had ever set eyes on it, and he was pleased. The treaty team is doing its best, on limited resources, to get their membership involved and aware about treaty. “It’s important that people truly understand what’s in the treaty and why,” said Maureen. She said many are concerned about complex issues like taxation and may have a limited understanding of it. Continued on page 6.
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ISSN 0715-4143