PortAlberni, BC - With a forest fire still smoldering on the slope above, Highway 4 will be closed for another week and a half, according to an update from the provincial government on June 13.
PortAlberni, BC – It’s been five years since six-year-old Dontay Lucas was found unresponsive in his home in a townhouse on the south side of Port Alberni and now his mother and her husband, who have been in custody since May 2022, are appearing in a Port Alberni courtroom as the preliminary hearing begins.
In Canada, a preliminary inquiry is a judicial hearing that is used in serious criminal cases to determine whether the evidence assembled by the Crown against an accused person is sufficient to proceed with a trial.
Rykel Charleson and Mitchell Frank are facing first-degree murder charges in the death of Dontay Lucas.
It was on March 13, 2018, at about 9:30 a.m. when first responders were called to a residence on the south side of Port Alberni. The RCMP said they responded to a report of a child in medical distress at a residence. The boy was transported to hospital but did not survive his injuries.
Initial reports said the boy was injured after a fall down the stairs inside the townhouse.
Police and the BC Coroner’s Service began an investigation.
“The child’s death is being treated as suspicious and the investigation is ongoing,” stated the PortAlberni RCMP in a news release on March 28, 2018.
On May 7, 2022, the RCMP issued a statement, saying two people had been arrested the day before and are both charged with first-degree murder in the death of six-year-old Don-Tay Patrick Lucas. They declined to reveal what the cause of death was.
In their statement, the PortAlberni RCMP said they arrested the local 29-year-old man and 28-year-old woman for the murder of the six-year-old.
“On May 7, 2022, Ms. Rykel Frank (Nee Charleson) and Mitchell Frank were charged with the first-degree murder of Dontay Lucas. The investigation continues,” stated the RCMP.
Rykel was Dontay’s mother, and Mitchell Frank is her husband, not related to Dontay.
The preliminary hearing began June 12, 2023 at the PortAlberni Courthouse. Patrick Lucas, Dontay’s biological father, was there with family and friends supporting him. They carried placards demanding justice for Dontay and stood together as Patrick led a drumming circle more than an hour before the courtroom opened.
“My emotions have been all over the place,” said Patrick Lucas, with his mother and sister standing close by his side. “I couldn’t sleep last night.”
Cultural support people were on hand to lend their strength to the loved ones of Dontay Lucas, as they heard difficult testimony. The judge ordered a publication ban that remains in place for the duration
of the hearing, expected to take about five days.
In May 2022, when the arrests were made, Sgt. Clayton Wiebe of the Port Alberni General Investigative Services, described the investigation as complex, noting there was a lot of evidence to process.
“The volume of material was enormous, and it takes time to put it together,” Weibe stated.
He went on to say that they waited for reports from various agencies, including the BC Coroner and forensic sciences services. He mentioned cell phone records were part of the investigation.
Wiebe explained that some information, including the cause of death, couldn’t be released and would come out in the trial.
“In order to explain that properly, I would have to get into the evidence, which I’m not prepared to do right now,” he said.
Other children who were in the home at the time of Dontay’s death were immediately removed and placed in care, according to Wiebe.
According to the Criminal Code of Canada, murder is first degree if the offence was “planned and deliberate.”Aperson’s death can also fall under this classification if the murder occurs while someone is attempting sexual assault or kidnapping and forcible confinement.
The preliminary hearing continues at the PortAlberni Courthouse from June 12 to June 16, 2023.
In a midday press conference delivered by Rob Flemming, B.C.’s minster of Transportation and Infrastructure, a tentative reopening date for the weekend of June 24 was announced, allowing firefighting crews to further dampen the Cameron Bluffs wildfire while the hazards of a compromised mountainside over the critical highway corridor are assessed.
First discovered on June 3, the wildfire by Cameron Lake has burned 254 hectares, forcing the closure of Highway 4 after three days of growth. But some rain over the weekend of June 10 and the continued efforts of as much as 76 ground personnel at one time plus four helicopters has caused the fire to remain within containment lines, being downgraded from “out of control” to “being held” by the B.C. Wildfire Service on June 13.
Now the focus is shifting to ensure the future safety of the highway.
“They need to make sure that the cliff face is stable, and that the highway and the people who use it are protected,” said Flemming.
When the highway does open, the ministry plans to introduce single-lane alternating traffic with a metal fence held by cranes along the sections where falling debris is most likely.
“We do expect some significant delays,” said Janelle Staite, deputy regional director for the Ministry of Transportation, during the press conference. “This still needs to be essential traffic only.”
The Ministry of Transportation expects the single-lane-alternating scenario will continue until mid-July, when the normal opposing double-lane traffic is planned to resume. Until then, only essential travel is advised.
The Cameron Bluffs fire has spread along a kilometre and a half of the highway, causing nearly two-dozen trees to fall on the road, some of these old growth stands measuring up to a metre in diameter, said Staite.
Continued on page 3.
PortAlberni, BC – It was less than 24 hours since Highway 4 closed on June 6 when motorists reported that a Tofinobased service station was rationing fuel purchases to 30 liters per customer.
Aspokesperson for Tofino Consumer Co-op Gas Bar confirmed that the limit was implemented until they could get a fuel delivery. But nobody knew when that would be since the fuel truck was stranded on the other side of the fire zone at Cameron Lake east of PortAlberni.
“Especially what we went through overnight, we went through 2,000 liters in less than 24 hours,” said the employee on June 7.
Further up the road at the Tofino Gas ‘n’ Go, it was business as usual, for the time being. The employee there said he hadn’t heard of any rationing of fuel - yet.
Concern grew during the first week of the Cameron Bluffs forest fire that grocery store shelves in PortAlberni would go bare as people worried when transport trucks could make it past the fire zone. While the shelves at Tyler’s No Frills looked good midday on Wednesday, June 7, the parking lot was busy. When asked if panic buying had started, the cashier said yes. She said that no specific items were being bought out but said that people were loading up on what they needed.
Fuel stations around PortAlberni were busy. There was a waiting line at the Circle K fuel pumps. InAhousaht, people out on patient travel stranded beyond PortAlberni were being urged to contact the band administration office for assistance.
When Highway 4 was closed a detour route was established on logging roads that lead to Lake Cowichan. However, there are restrictions due to the industrial nature of the road and drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid travel in the area unless essential. The detour extends travel by four hours and includes difficult driving conditions.
On the morning of June 8, PortAlberni Mayor Sharie Minions took to social media to reassure the people that supply chains to the city are not broken.
“Regular supplies will arrive in our community as normal, today, filling grocery store shelves and tanks at the gas station,” she wrote. She went on to say that there are alternative methods of getting supplies into the city that can be activated, if necessary.
At least one gas station in Tofino limited fuel sales, as supplies into PortAlberni and Vancouver Island’s west coast communities are disrupted by the Cameron Bluffs wildfire.Afour-hour detour to the east side of the island has been established. Pictured is a lineup of cars on the east side of PortAlberni.
The best way to avoid low supply, she said, is to avoid panic buying, or buying more than you normally would. Minions says the city is asking people to buy only what they need.
“Let’s keep that PortAlberni ‘take care of each other’attitude in mind at the grocery store and gas station today. We will get through this, as we always do,” said Minions.
stations or washroom facilities on the detour route,” states the ministry update.
They go on to say that regular passenger vehicles, such as cars, vans and commercial vehicles weighing less than 14,500 kilograms, can travel through the detour corridor. No over-height or over-weight vehicles will be permitted.
“It is strongly encouraged to wait to travel if possible,” they urge.
For those taking the detour, the province urges preparation and patience.
“Drivers should fuel up, bring extra supplies, food and water to be prepared for the high temperatures at this time of year, and note that conditions can change quickly. Drivers are encouraged to plan trips during daylight hours and to drive with caution,” advised the ministry.
There are signs and traffic-control personnel directing drivers through the detour. Government staff and maintenance contractors regularly patrol the detour to assist motorists if required.
The ministry states there will be information checkpoints for travellers at Youbou Road near Lake Cowichan and on Highway 4 atAspeden Road near Port Alberni.
Until Highway 4 is reopened later this month, trucks with essential supplies will rely on the detour route.
“The detour will route traffic from Port Alberni through to Lake Cowichan via Bamfield using forest-service and privately owned industrial roads. The gravel detour route has narrow sections, sharp curves, single-lane bridges and challenging terrain. There is no cell service, gas
Amap of the detour route will be available through an Emergency Travel Information button on the DriveBC homepage to help travellers make an informed decision about using the passage. Drivers are reminded to use caution and respect the direction of traffic-control personnel in the area.
For up-to-date information about driving conditions, visit: https://www.DriveBC.ca
Continued from page 1. Even on the morning of June 13 rocks the size of coffee mugs were still seen falling on the highway, she said. The most hazardous area is aroundAngel Rock, a large rock face at a curved section of the highway along Cameron Lake.
“In and around that area is where we see the bulk of materials continuing to come down now,” said Staite. “The slope itself remains intact, however the debris on top of the slope has been loosened as a result of the wildfire, and that is the piece we are concerned about from a technical perspective.”
Staite explained that due to the rocky
nature of the slope landslide is not a foremost concern, but the risk of falling debris will require more attention over the coming weeks.Assessors with the B.C. Wildfire Service have progressed over halfway up the steep slope affected by the blaze, tagging danger trees that need to be removed to ensure safety on the highway.
“It is very challenging topography they are working in, and a very significant concern for debris coming down onto Highway 4,” she said. “We do acknowledge that there is an upcoming weather system coming in later this week on Thursday, we do anticipate seeing some rain there that may slow the efforts of both the assessment as well as the falling of the trees that are needed.”
Aerial images of the area affected by the fire show a mix of red and green trees. While the red stands have been completely burned, many of the green trees could also be more affected than they appear, explained Staite.
“The green ones haven’t necessarily candled all the way up to the top, but we have heard from B.C. Wildfire Service that those trees are burning - actually in some cases from the inside at the root levels,” she said.
Despite the falling debris, Highway 4 remains intact along Cameron Lake, although some concrete barriers have been dislodged as the forest fire has progressed. Currently the Ministry of Transportation awaits clearance from the Wildfire Service for contractors to under-
take a more detailed analysis of damage to the road.
In the meantime, PortAlberni and Vancouver Island’s west coast communities will continue to rely on a detour route for essential supplies, which runs on logging roads from PortAlberni, past Nitinaht Lake, to Lake Cowichan. Using a combination of privately owned industrial roads and forestry service routes, the detour was established after the closure of Highway 4 to ensure the passage of essential supplies and travel.
“There have been some improvements on the current alternate route, which is why it was selected, that make it the most drivable, desirable alternate that we could open,” said Flemming.
Since June 6, 550-1,000 trips have been made each day on the detour, 20 per cent of which are commercial vehicles moving supplies like fuel and food. This compares to the 15,000 trips that normally occurred each day from PortAlberni to Parksville on Highway 4 in the summer.
Pilot vehicle-guided convoys are now being coordinated for the movement of essential commercial supplies, two of which leave each day from Lake Cowichan, while another two leave from PortAlberni. With 13 single-lane bridges on the detour, other vehicles are asked to allow these approaching convoys to pass to ensure the timely transport of essential goods.
“What it helps with is to warn motorists of those vehicles approaching,” said Staite
Alberni mayor urges residents to remain calm, as wildfire forces disruption in supplyDenise Titian photo
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PortAlberni, BC -As thousands west of Cameron Lake eagerly await when Highway 4 will reopen, the B.C. Wildfire Service is being “cautiously optimistic” about its efforts to contain the Cameron Bluffs wildfire after a weekend of some rain.
Since it was discovered on June 3, the forest fire burning next to Cameron Lake has grew to 254 hectares, according to an update issued by the B.C. Wildfire Service.Although this is more that the 208-hectare estimate issued on Friday, June 9, the Wildfire Service now has a clearer idea of the fire’s size due to a decrease in smoke.
Adrop in temperatures on June 9 and 10 with some rain helped the situation, although a change in wind patterns could still reignite existing hot spots.
“Over the weekend there was a decrease in fire behaviour, however there is a ridge building which will result in an increase in temperature and lowering the relative humidity along with gusts of winds,” stated the Wildfire Service in its June 13 update.
On that day Cameron Bluffs was downgraded from “out of control”, to “being held”, thanks in part to the recent rain.
“At this stage, the wildfire is not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under prevailing conditions,” stated an update from the Wildfire Service on June 14.
“It temporarily slowed everything down, but you still have all of your hot spots, and that’s what the crews are working on right now,” said Noelle Kekula, an information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre. “If those winds pick up, late night with some of those hot spots, we could be back to square one.”
Highway 4 is the main land route in and out of PortAlberni and Vancouver Island communities to its west. But since Tuesday, June 6 this critical passage has been closed, as the Cameron Bluffs fire burns along the side of the road. In some cases the fire is burning on both sides of the highway next to Cameron Lake, while crews deal with steep, mountain side terrain with “unstable rock slopes above Highway 4”, according to the Wildfire
Service.
The most recent map of the fire’s spread shows it stretching for over a kilometer along the highway, extending nearly a third the length of Cameron Lake.
“Due to the fire, some tree roots have been compromised and are falling onto Highway 4,” stated the update from the agency.
Currently 76 firefighters are attacking the blaze, with the support of four helicopters dropping water into inaccessible areas, as well as 10 pieces the heavy equipment that are being used to establish containment lines along the perimeter to prevent the forest fire from growing.
Kekula describes the tactic of building a containment line around the fire, where exposed soil is free of fuel for the fire to burn.
“We are trying to build a doughnut around the fire, so it’s big enough around it that, if the wind does pick up and the
fire decides it wants to reactivate itself from those hot spots, then it just burns into the donut,” she said.
Much of the forest fire is in a provincial park, within a few kilometers of the massive old growth trees in Cathedral Grove that visitors flock to each year. Some old growth trees near the highway are being cut when this is necessary to control the fire and protect the highway.
“We’re not going to just cut trees because we can,” said Kekula. “We’re cutting trees that are burning or threatening the highway.”
Now firefighters are hoping for rain in the days ahead to further mitigate the situation. Currently a drop in temperature and a decent chance of rain is forecasted for the weekend.
“We are cautiously optimistic,” said Kekula. “If the rain comes like the forecast is saying, it puts us in a better spot.”
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PortAlberni, BC – As the wildfire raged on at Cameron Bluffs and Highway 4 remains closed for the foreseeable future, travelers became stranded as the emergency detour closed for several hours on Friday, June 9.
Earlier in the week a container truck utilizing the emergency detour rolled over. The emergency detour was scheduled to be closed for eight hours on June 9 as crews worked to pull the truck out of Francis Lake.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Cowichan Lake detour is the safest public route and it is ensuring commercial goods are being delivered and supply chains are not impacted.
The 150-kilometer route winds over narrow, dusty logging roads, allowing the public a safe road between PortAlberni and Duncan, B.C.
The ministry reminds the public that this is an emergency detour route and not a highway. While it has challenging travel conditions, it offers the most reliable connection to keep goods and people moving through the area until Highway 4 is opened again.
At a press conference on June 13, Rob Flemming, minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, mentioned the benefits on ongoing upgrades to Bamfield Main, which is part of the detour route.
“There have been some improvements on the current alternate route, which is why it was selected, that make it the most drivable, desirable alternate that we could open,” said Flemming.
But there is another route out of Port Alberni that is just over 24 kilometers long. The Horne Lake Connecter route is a logging road that would connect Port Alberni to Highway 19, near Qualicum. People are asking why this road has not been open to the public.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, there are several reasons.
“The Horne Lake Connector is on private land owned by Mosaic and is a less safe route for general vehicle traffic,” they stated.
They went on to say that this road is not appropriate for general traffic because it is a narrow, winding road with grades
For years PortAlberni locals have pondered the Horne Lake Connector as an alternate route to the east side of Vancouver Island. Currently owned by a forestry company, the route runs to Qualicum.
steeper than the designated detour route.
“Due to conditions along those routes, it was deemed that the current detour was the most reliable, safest and bestsuited for highway traffic for people who require essential travel in this area,” the ministry stated.
Mosaic, the forestry company that owns the road, is allowing some travel through this area for people related to emergency response efforts, including ministry responders, BC Forest Services and emergency management crews. It is not open to the public.
The ministry told Ha-Shilth-Sa that they are not considering opening an additional detour at this time.
The Cowichan Lake detour is allowing commercial trucks to get through, so supplies such as food and fuel are making it to communities that are counting on them.
All vehicles, including commercial vehicles, must drive with caution as the detour route is an industrial gravel road with industrial conditions.
While only essential travel is recommended at this time, this detour opens a critical link to continue the movement of goods and people needing access to the region.
June 21, 2023
By Konnar Oliver Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor
Tofino, BC - The federal and provincial governments have announced a wave of funding to communities across British Columbia to provide upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities, and Tofino is among those.
The District of Tofino will be getting $7.5 million of the $48.6 million being given out by the federal government, which will be going towards Phase 2 of the Secondary Wastewater Treatment and System Upgrade project announced back in 2019.
“Tofitians care deeply about the natural environment and have worked for years to develop a modern, reliable wastewater treatment system to improve water quality in Clayoquot Sound, support Indigenous practices and local economies, and protect human health,” said Josie Osborne, MLAfor Mid Island-Pacific Rim in a release regarding the announcement. Osborne was Tofino’s mayor when the project first received approval.
The project, which got underway late last year, is set to build an entirely new wastewater treatment plant to replace the four pump stations that were in place.
The reasoning behind it? Tofino is the last municipality left on Vancouver Island to pump raw sewage into the Pacific Ocean. Following a federal mandate that all municipalities treat their sewage by 2020, the project was put into place. It was then delayed for an extended period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a funding shortage after bids for construction came in short.
Osborne says she is thrilled to see the project coming to fruition.
“This project – the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Tofino – was possible because of the vision, collaboration and partnership between the District of Tofino, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, the Province of BC, and Canada. I offer my gratitude and congratulations to everyone involved in this long-awaited achievement.”
By treating the sewage and improving water quality, the marine environment around Tofino and in the Clayoquot Sound will be greatly protected.
“I am proud to be working with all
“Tofitians care deeply about the natural environment and have worked for years to develop a modern, reliable wastewater treatment system to improve water quality in Clayoquot Sound, support Indigenous practices and local economies”
~ Josie Osborne, MLA Mid Island-Pacific Rim
levels of government to support joint infrastructure projects to ensure British Columbians have access to quality drinking water and reliable wastewater systems, while also protecting our rivers, lakes, and oceans. These seven new projects will improve services for B.C. communities and will protect critical infrastructure for years to come,” says Anne Kang, minister of MunicipalAffairs for British Columbia.
The District of Tofino was initially given approximately $40 million in grants from the provincial and federal governments for the treatment plant back in 2020.
SD70 Pacific Rim
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June 21, 2023
They quickly learned, however, that the $55 million they had first estimated for the cost was far too low. The project’s current cost sits at around $78 million. Tofino is one of seven municipalities receiving funding from the governments, alongside the Village of Tahsis and the
District of Central Saanich, putting nearly half on Vancouver Island. The other four are the Village of McBride, the Town of Golden, the City of Kamloops, and the City of New Westminster. Tofino is receiving the most funding out of all municipalities in this wave.
“Investments in modernizing wastewater infrastructure improves the health and prosperity of our communities and protects our local environment. Our government is proud to invest more than $26.5 million in these wastewater upgrades projects across British Columbia,” says Harjit Sajjan, the minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada. “We will continue to collaborate with our partners to deliver more projects like these that improve wastewater management, increase treatment reliability, and support sustainable community development.”
Funding for all projects is contingent on fulfilling consultations with Indigenous groups in their respective locales.
Tofino’s wastewater treatment plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2024.
Valley Vision Optometry
4009 Redford Street
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 3R9
P (250) 724-0933
www.valleyvisionoptometry.ca
The Port Authority is proud of our shared community, history and bright future together! We join in the celebration of Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Port Renfrew, BC - The Fairy Creek watershed, a highly contested area of old growth that saw nearly 1,200 arrests in southern Vancouver Island in 2021, is being protected from logging for another year and a half.
The deferral announcement came from the B.C. Ministry of Forests in early June, days before the existing ban on harvesting old growth trees was set to expire.
In place until Feb. 1, 2025, the extended deferral encompasses 1,183.9 hectares of Crown forest land near Port Renfrew that is entirely located within the territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation.
The nearby Central Walbran will also be protected from old growth harvesting until March 1, 2024, following a temporary ban on the logging practice that was imposed by the provincial government for the area in September 2020.
Protesters began setting up blockades around Fairy Creek in earlyAugust of that year, halting the building of logging roads into what is considered one of the few areas on Vancouver Island that remains untouched by industrial forestry. Fairy Creek soon became an ignition point for a growing resistance to old-growth logging, drawing thousands of people from across Western Canada to man a complex system of blockades designed to halt forestry in the region.
The Rainforest Flying Squad emerged as the collective behind this activity, opposed to the operations of Teal Cedar Products and its contractors. Teal Cedar holds tenure over Tree Farm Licence 46, a section of Crown land northeast of Port Renfrew.
By the spring of 2021 the B.C. Supreme Court issued an injunction against protestors interfering with forestry operations in the area.As encampments continued to grow, the RCMP moved into Fairy Creek and its surrounding forests in May to enforce the injunction, bringing a wave of arrests.
Amid the conflict, three of Vancouver Island’s southern Nuu-chah-nulth nations stepped into the equation with the Hišuk ma c̕awak Declaration, an assertion of authority over the territory delivered according to the First Nations’sacred
principles of “ʔiisaak” (utmost respect), “ʔuuʔałuk” (taking care of) and “hišuk ma c̕awak” (everything is connected).
These include the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations.
At the June 4 signing of the declaration Pacheedaht Chief Councillor Jeff Jones explained its importance.
“From now on our nations will decide what is best for our lands, our waters and our resources for the sustainment and well-being of present and future generations of the three nations,” he said. “For too many years First Nations have not had jurisdiction over their traditional territory. We must have adequate resources to meet the needs of our citizens, members, for employment, housing, education, health, social and other needs.”
Shortly after issuing the declaration, the three nations also gave notice to the province to defer all old growth logging in the Fairy Creek and Central Walbran areas for two years. On the next day former premier John Horgan and the provincial government agreed to this, allowing the
First Nations time to formulate management plans for the resources at stake in their respective territories.
“While this essential work is being carried out, we expect everyone to allow forestry operations approved by our nations and the government of British Columbia in other parts of our territories to continue without interruption,” the nations said in a statement. “Please respect that our citizens have a constitutionally protected right to benefit economically from our lands, waters, and resources.”
At the time the Rainforest Flying Squad called the Fairy Creek deferral a “small victory,” but stressed the need to protect other old growth trees in the surrounding areas. Encampments continued, as did arrests – despite a call from the Pacheedaht in late June 2021 for protesters to leave its territory as wildfire risk escalated during a month of record-breaking highs.
Not all First Nations agree with the deferrals
Since November of 2021 the province has designated over 2 million hectares of old growth forest for temporary protection. This has been contingent on consultations with First Nations who call this forest home, but not all Indigenous communities have gone along with what the province has proposed.
One month after the provincial government identified 2.6 million hectares for deferral, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations
responded that it would agree to this in its territory - except for four per cent of the proposed area for protection. Of the 14,754 hectares set aside by the province, 645 was already tied to forestry plans that the Huu-ay-aht were relying on.
“These deferrals would have an impact on small portions of many different harvest areas in a variety of ways, including making entire harvest areas uneconomic or inaccessible or making the deferred portion subject to forest health concerns such as windthrow,” read a statement from the Huu-ay-aht.
Like the Huu-ay-aht, the Pacheedaht have looked to forestry in recent years as an employment opportunity for its members. The First Nation built a sawmill in Port Renfrew that is capable of manufacturing 60-foot beams, and has an agreement with Teal Cedar to purchase logs for processing at the mill.
In September of last year the Pacheedaht signed a memorandum of understanding with the forestry company, an agreement that aims to balance economic development opportunities with the need to steward old growth. The MOU includes forestry training and employment for Pacheedaht members.
Beyond the province’s temporary deferral over the next 20 months, 80 per cent of the Fairy Creek watershed is protected, according to the Pacheedaht’s Integrated Forestry Management Plan that was developed over the last two years.
Yuquot, BC - What appear to be human skeletal remains have been recently uncovered at Yuquot, but it remains to be seen how old the bones are and who they belonged to.
Sanford Williams grew up in Yuquot, the ancestral home of Mowachaht/ Muchalaht First Nation, and returns to the ancient village site on the southern edge of Nootka Island each summer to engage in his practice as a carver. On Thursday, June 1 he was digging into the side of a hill with his brother Darrell, who lives in Yuquot year-round, to build a back deck for his carving shed, when a discovery halted their operation.
“I was digging into the hill there and we came upon some bones,” said Sanford, who found the fragments about three feet into the earth. “We found quite a few that were with the jawbone.”
The bones have not been analyzed by an archaeologist, but photos sent to Ha-Shilth-Sa show what appears to be a piece of a jawbone with molars still intact, pieces of spine vertebrae, hip, ribs and leg or arm bones. The Ha-ShilthSa is not publishing these photos out of respect for any cultural sensitivities that may affect the deceased in an ancestral Nuu-chah-nulth site.
The Williams brothers had encountered other bones that appeared to be animal nearby on the hill, but stopped digging when what looked like human skeletal remains emerged “because they believe in their culture,” according to the family. Sanford isn’t aware of any human burials ever taking place on the hill.
“They were quite large bones,” remarked Sanford. “The jawbone, it’s got some burn marks there, like it’s been burned, like there was a fire on top of it or something.”
The family notified the Mowachaht/ Muchalaht First Nation and the RCMP, which have since met to discuss the discovery.
“We have been in contact with local au-
Sanford Williams stands at his carving shed in Yuquot, where he recently discovered what appears to be human remains while digging with his brother Darrell. thorities regarding protocols that may apply,” said Tyee Ha’wilth Mike Maquinna in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “Our elders will be discussing the concerns that may rise at this time.”
Roger Dunlop, the First Nation’s manager of Lands and Natural Resources, visited the site on Saturday, June 3. He believes they are two sets of old, partially-charred bones from a midden, or a historic refuse heap. Dunlop said the matter is being referred to the First Nation’s elders to determine what to do next.
For countless generations Yuquot was the summer home of the Mowachaht, and was once the capital for all 17 tribes of the Nootka Sound region, according to the YuquotAgenda Paper that was published over 20 years ago to advocate
for national commemoration of the site.
Rich in archaeological signs of ancient habitation, studies conducted over the past half century have revealed evidence of 4,300 years of uninterrupted settlement at Yuquot.
Another two sets of bones were discovered by the ancient village site in 2017 and 2018 at the Nootka Lightstation. Before major upgrades were undertaken to the Canadian Coast Guard facility, an archaeological assessment was required, which found the remains of a woman aged 35-44 and an adolescent.Aquilla Archaeology radiocarbon dated the remains to be 1,000 years old.
Those bones were found in a garden by the lighthouse, leading archaeologist Colleen Parsley to determine that they were probably deposited there decades ago by a past lighthouse keeper who was moving soil from the Mowachaht village site to the facility’s garden.
During the winter that followed the discovery of the second set of remains, the bones were placed in cedar boxes and reinterned at an undisclosed site on Nootka Island by Mowachaht/Muchalaht elders according to the First Nation’s protocol. The recently discovered jawbone piece appears similar to what is documented in the Yuquot Project, a multiple-volume archaeological study of the village site that was conducted from excavations in 1966. That dig uncovered the remails of nine people, which were found between six inches and three feet underground. The study determined that the remains belonged to multiple populations, due to signs of the deliberate alteration of the skull that was practiced in the past by various tribes on the Pacific coast.
“It should be remembered that the differences in head form do not represent
differences in physical type, but, rather, differences in cultural practice,” wrote Jerome Cybulski, who authored this portion of the Yuquot Project.
Parsley isn’t surprised that bones are still being uncovered at Yuquot.
“It is totally predictable, and there will be thousands and thousands of people buried in that archaeological site,” she said.
In the centuries leading up contact with Europeans Nuu-chah-nulth people were known to intern their dead above the ground, often in cedar boxes in caves or trees. But Parsley said that this wasn’t always the case.
“Before 1,800 to 1,200 years ago - in that range - in-ground internment was more typical and could be expressed in a variety of different ways,” she said.
“Sometimes people were buried in boxes within an excavated pit internment grave, other times there would be rock cairns built over top of the graves. Sometimes people were placed in a shallowly excavated setting with rocks placed over top.”
As the centuries pass, feet of earth could build up over even the shallow graves, explains Parsley. These wide variations over thousands of years indicate that coastal peoples were constantly evolving as groups migrated and mixed.
“It’s not a static culture,” said Parsley. “People are moving in, people are moving out, the environment is changing, all kinds of things. It’s ever evolving.”
“There’s a lot more to mortuary practices than what people realize when it comes to northwest coast people, and that’s including Nuu-chah-nulth,” she added. “Most northwest coast people followed pretty similar burial traditions and funerary practices.”
June 12 a six-month canoe project began for the group, with the goal of building a vessel for their community
By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Nitinaht Lake, BC - Just behind Ditidaht Community School sits a 36-foot western red cedar log that, in just six months, will be carved into a canoe by the Ditidaht Warriors.
As lead for the canoe carving project
Tom Patterson of the Ditidaht First Nation will be guiding the way for seven to ten young Ditidaht members.
Youth participating in the project are excited as they anticipated it’s start.
Ditidaht member Randall Tate, who is a Grade 12 student, has been a warrior for just over two years. For Tate this will be the first time participating in a canoe carving project.
“[We’re] going to be able to see it next Paddle days,” he said, when reflecting on what he is most excited about.
He looks forward to learning the techniques used to carve the canoe.
“It’s a pretty good opportunity for us… to be getting the experience to carve a canoe,” said Jimmy Joseph, of Ditidaht, a Grade 10 student.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” added Levi Sutherland, Ditidaht Warriors coordinator. “I don’t know the last time a canoe was built around here.”
The youth are fearless in their approach to learning and engaging with the activities through the Ditidaht Warrior program, said Sutherland.
The program teaches youth leadership, traditional knowledge and practices, and wilderness survival skills through activities connected to land and culture, such as archery, fishing, and harvesting.
Tom Patterson, Levi Sutherland, and some of the Ditidaht Warriors at Ditidaht Community School with the Western Red Cedar log to be carved into a canoe for their community.
Sutherland is excited to see the youth “getting their hands in there and learning something new each day.” They’ll likely be meeting every day for the six-month period, he added.
“The whole log belongs to the school and the kids,” said Patterson, who has been a carver since 1977.
The Western Red Cedar was donated by Cawak ʔqin Forestry and facilitated by Ts’aa7ukw Forestry of the Ditidaht Economic Development Corporation,
said Tina Joseph, language and culture coordinator at the Ditidaht Community School in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. She added that through the Sharing TraditionalArtsAcross Generations grant, the First Peoples’Cultural Council provided funding for the project.
Once finished, the canoe will be about 20 feet long, explained Patterson. He predicts the Western Red Cedar is roughly 600 years old.
“We’re going to utilize as much wood as
we can,” he said.
He explained that the excess wood will be used to make seats.
On Monday, June 12, the Ditidaht Warriors planned to gather to bless the log and then officially begin their work carving the Western Red Cedar into a canoe for their community.
“The canoe will be for our community to use and hopefully one day it could be used in canoe journeys as well,” shared Sutherland.
For two days community school and guests gathered at Nitinaht Lake for races, performances and shared meals
By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative ReporterNitinaht Lake, BC - For two sunny days, community members and guests gathered at Nitinaht lake to celebrate Paddle Days on June 7 and 8.
Each day began at Gus Bay, where Ditidaht Community School and guests partook in 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m canoe races.
Students and teachers battled for first, second, and third place while laughter, chanting, and cheering filled the North-East corner of the Lake.
Following the first morning of races were performances, shared meals and activities such as screen printing, axe throwing and archery, among others.
“[It] was really humbling to see so many guests here because we haven’t been able to have events where we’ve been able to welcome other people for a long time,” said School Principal Emily Maclennane.
In the lead up to the event, students trav-
eled to deliver traditional invitations in Ditidaht dialect to Nanoose Bay Elementary and Port Renfrew Elementary School to attend the event, she said.
PeterAmos of Squamish Nation, with roots in Hesquiaht, is an education assistant at the community school and coach for the Nitinaht Lake Paddle Club.
“I love the interaction that happens on the water when kids are competing,” said Amos. “You see them in a different light, [and] you see them in a different element on the water, and interacting with each other, making friends.”
Nitinaht Lake Paddle Club meets twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, to practice. Currently there are 12 registered members between the ages of 10 to 18, with one student, Karen McGregor, going to the NorthAmerican Indigenous Games (NAIG) for canoe/kayak.
McGregor is a member of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation and a Grade 8 student at the Ditidaht Community School. She had fun
at the two-day event and said that canoeing and basketball were her favorite activities.
“They’re my favorite things to do,” she said. When asked what she was most proud of, she said “working together with different people.”
For Levi Wilson of Gitga’at is a humanities teacher and coach with the Nitinaht Lake Paddle Club. He’s most proud to see the kids take leadership roles, get in the back of the canoe to steer, and take care of others.
“[I’m] just really proud and honored to be able to work with our students and so happy to see them out there doing what they love to do and welcoming our guests in a respectful way,” added Maclennane.
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Nanaimo, BC – For some Indigenous athletes competing in the NorthAmerican Indigenous Games (NAIG) is the highlight of their athletic careers.
And some athletes are fortunate enough to participate in the multi-sport games more than once.
One of those athletes is Mazzari Tate, a Ditidaht First Nation member. He represented British Columbia in both canoeing and kayaking events at the 2017 NAIG, held primarily in the Ontario capital of Toronto.
Tate, a Grade 12 student at Nanaimo District Secondary School, is now gearing up for his second NAIG appearance. He’ll take part in both canoeing and kayaking races at this year’s NAIG, scheduled for July 15-23 in Nova Scotia.
Fourteen other sports will also be contested at the games, which will primarily be held at venues throughout Halifax. Millbrook First Nation and the city of Dartmouth will serve as additional venue hosts.
Tate, a 17-year-old who will begin kinesiology classes this September at Vancouver Island University, is hoping to have some impressive results at this year’s NAIG.
He believes already having some games experience could prove to be beneficial.
“Hopefully it’s going to help as I’ll know what I should expect,” he said.
Tate was just 11 years old at the 2017 Games and he competed in Under 14 races. He’ll be in the Under 19 grouping this time around.
Tate believes he took part in six races at his games’debut. He thinks he registered Top 6 finishes in his kayaking events and Top 8 results in canoeing races.
Tate was named to the B.C. squad for this year’s NAIG following his performances at the team tryouts held inApril of 2022 on Nanaimo’s Long Lake.
Though he’ll be racing in both kayaking and canoeing events in Nova Scotia, Tate is not sure quite yet which events he’ll do.
“They’re talking about having some doubles events too,” he said. “I like individual events. But doubles are fun also.”
Tate, who has a slight preference for kayaking, said the 1,500-metre race is perhaps his favourite.
Tate was introduced to both sports when he was just six years old.
“Our nation put in some money for canoes and kayaks,” he said. “And they
made a club.”
Tate has been a club regular ever since.
“I really like the racing and being with people I know,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for quite some time now.”
Tate is hoping to continue his kayaking and canoeing careers while he is at university. Vancouver Island University does not have varsity teams in either discipline, but the school’s outdoor recreation program does offer some activities that include kayaking.
“I’ll probably look into it,” Tate said of his post-secondary athletic pursuits.
As for the upcoming NAIG, Tate is hoping his schedule will includes some breaks which will allow him to also catch some action in some other sports being contested at the games.
In 2017 he was able to watch some soccer and volleyball matches when he wasn’t competing himself.
As for this year, there are some other sports that he would ideally prefer to attend.
“Seeing basketball would be cool,” he said. “And archery would be cool to see.”
Other sports being contested this year are athletics (track and field), badminton, baseball, beach volleyball, golf, box lacrosse, rifle shooting, softball, swimming and wrestling.
About 5,000 athletes from across Canada and the United States are expected to take part in the Games.
All of the athletes will be representing their province, territory, state or regional area.
This marks the 10th time the NAIG will be held. The inaugural Games were staged in 1990 in Edmonton.
The original plan was to have the NAIG alternate between Canadian andAmerican host cities. But the Games have only been held in the U.S. twice, in Blaine, Minnesota in 1995 and in the Colorado city of Denver in 2006.
Milwaukee was supposed to host the 2011 NAIG. But those games were cancelled when the host society withdrew its involvement a year earlier.
As for the upcoming games, Nova Scotia officials have been waiting for quite some time to welcome athletes from across NorthAmerica.
The games were originally scheduled for 2020. But they were postponed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was postponed again, in 2021, this time indefinitely, since organizers were unsure when it would be safe to put on the games, following the lifting of health and travel restrictions that had
Ditidaht First Nation member Mazzari Tate is preparing for his second appearance at the NorthAmerican Indigenous Games. been put in place. To prepare for the upcoming games, Tate gets out onto the water whenever he can. Plus, he is doing some land training
every day, usually consisting of upper body work, either at home or at a local gym.
Campbell River, BC – Karleigh LucasJohnson has been given another opportunity to pick up some additional hardware from a prestigious Indigenous multi-sport games.
Lucas-Johnson, a member of Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, has been named to the British Columbia girls’ under 19 volleyball squad that will participate in next month’s NorthAmerican Indigenous Games (NAIG).
The games, which are expected to feature about 5,000 athletes from across Canada and the United States, will be held July 15-23, primarily in the Nova Scotia capital of Halifax.
Competition venues will also be in the Millbrook First Nation and the city of Dartmouth.
Besides volleyball, 15 other sports will also be contested at the games.
For Lucas-Johnson, a 17-year-old who is finishing up her Grade 11 studies at Carihi Secondary School in Campbell River, this will mark the second time she’s participated at the NAIG. She was a member of the B.C. club that placed second in the girls’under-16 category at the 2017 NAIG, held primarily in Toronto.
For Lucas-Johnson, predicting how her team will fare this time around is difficult since she has no idea about the quality of play of any of the other entrants.
“If we do place, that would be a good experience,” she said.
Lucas-Johnson was one of 12 players named to the B.C. under-19 side following a pair of tryouts earlier this year.
About two dozen team hopefuls attended in the initial tryout.And then about 40 individuals were at the second tryouts.
Lucas-Johnson, a 5-foot-5 outside hitter, thought she fared well at both sessions. But she wasn’t sure if she would be named to the NAIG-bound squad.
“There were a lot more girls (at the second tryout) that weren’t at the first one,” she said. “They were super tall. Some of them were like 5-foot-11.”
Rob Behrouzian, who will serve as the B.C. girls’under-19 head coach at NAIG, obviously was impressed with LucasJohnson’s efforts and selected her to his club.
“She is a talented volleyball player who possesses a unique combination of technical proficiency, strategic thinking and natural athleticism,” Behrouzian said in a letter for Lucas-Johnson, who
is seeking sponsorship funds for her trip to Halifax. “She has exhibited a strong understanding of the game, displaying excellent court presence, anticipation and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.”
Behrouzian added Lucas-Johnson is more concerned about team goals than her individual aspirations.
“Karleigh is a team player, putting the team’s goals ahead of her own and inspiring her teammates to strive for excel-
lence,” he said.
Lucas-Johnson was introduced to volleyball while attending a local camp when she was in Grade 5.
The following year she started playing for her middle school.
Lucas-Johnson had also taken dance classes for about a year.And she played rugby and was a track and field participant when she was younger.
But she opted to stop all of her other extra-curricular activities to concentrate on volleyball.
“From Grade 6 on that’s the only thing I focused on,” she said.
Lucas-Johnson suited up for the Carihi Tyees senior girls’team this past season. That squad placed second at its Vancouver Island championships.
Lucas-Johnson, who has one more year of high school studies remaining, is hoping to continue playing volleyball at the post-secondary level.
“I think I’m going to stay close to home and play,” she said.
Lucas-Johnson is hoping to attend the University of Victoria. If she is indeed accepted into the university, she is not quite sure which program she would enroll in.
“I’m still figuring that out,” she said. “I’m thinking of becoming a lawyer.”
As for the upcoming NAIG, LucasJohnson and her teammates are expected
to converge in Vancouver on June 24-25 and have some practice sessions together.
“And then I’m pretty sure we get another practice day when we arrive in Halifax,” she said.
Though her team will have its own hectic schedule in Halifax, Lucas-Johnson is hoping to have opportunities to catch some of the other sports as well.
“If we have the extra time I hope to go and support the other B.C. teams,” she said.
Lucas-Johnson also offered her thoughts on how she’ll prepare for her own event, even though she is uncertain of the competition.
“I just try to go in with a positive mindset and watch them in warmups and see where the majority of their hits go,” she said.
This will mark the 10th time the NAIG have been held. The games were first staged in 1990 in Edmonton. The original plan was to have the games alternate between Canadian andAmerican locations.
But the event has only been hosted by U.S. cities twice, in Blaine, Minnesota in 1995 and in Denver, Colorado in 2006. Games’officials now only consider Canadian locations when selecting future hosts.
For many generations Indigenous women and two-spirited people have been the victims of violence in disproportionate numbers across Canada. This fact prompted the federal government to launch a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in December 2018.
The inquiry panel traveled the country taking statements from more than 2,000 people. But their mandate covered more than missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, expanding to encompass sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, bullying and harassment, suicide, and self-harm.
“This violence is interconnected, and can have equally devastating effects,” states the MMIWG website.
The final report, issued in 2019, reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
The report contained 231 recommendations, calling for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country. In the four years since, Canada has completed two of the 231 calls to action and less than half have been started, according to a CBC report card on MMIWG Inquiry’s calls for justice.
On June 9, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that funding to the tune of $2.6 million will be allocated to 10 Indigenous women’s organizations and 2SLGBTQI+ groups that are working to end the national crisis.
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, announced that the ten selected Indigenous women’s organizations have a unique knowledge and expertise on how to best protect and empower Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
Marc Miller, minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, stated that this funding is part of the $36.3 million over five years provided in Budget 2021 to a program supporting attention to the national issue,
which includes $8.6 million ongoing to ensure that Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations can rely on funding to continue their critical work.
But the NDP Critic for Women and Gender Equality Leah Gazan says the Liberal government is failing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people with their lack of progress on the Calls for Justice.
“It’s completely unacceptable that four years after the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, this Liberal government has only completed two of the 231 Calls for Justice, and more than half haven’t even been started,” she stated. “Families and survivors cannot wait any longer for action to end the violence. While this government fails to act, Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people continue to go missing or be murdered.”
One of the Calls for Justice that the federal government has accomplished is the recommendation that “all governments create specific and long-term funding” to
support initiatives to end the violence.
Part of this is the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, which was launched in June 2021.
“The Government of Canada has come together to create a plan for departments to support systemic change to address the crisis,” stated the federal government when the pathway was launched.
The federal government says it has invested over $2.2 billion in Budget 2021, with more contributions in 2022 and 2023. In addition, the Canada states it has invested in more housing, shelters and transportation to ensure immediate safety of those needing to escape violence.
Meanwhile, the Province of British Columbia has committed more than $10.8 million to support Indigenous organizations through the development ofAPath Forward Community Fund. Created in 2021, the fund helps to end violence and support Indigenous-led community dialogue sessions to inform this work.
On June 3, it was announced that $5.5 million would be allocated to the British ColumbiaAssociation ofAboriginal Friendship Centres as part of this fund.
“Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people experience violence at a much higher rate than other populations,” said Mike Farnworth, minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“Understanding and breaking down the underlying and systemic causes of violence is key to our government’s work toward lasting reconciliation and advancing gender equality, and this funding will serve to further that work.”
As executive director of the PortAlberni Friendship Center, Cyndi Stevens, will welcome the new funding, when it comes.
“The allocation to the National Office is still in progress to be allocated to the provinces,” she noted. “We will likely know more in the fall how individual allocations to each Friendship Center will roll out, I expect.”
Pronounced ‘Oohs chuk ugh nish him wits saa kee alth nish ooh knock’, it means ‘We value our history, by telling stories and keeping them alive. We have had for a long time!’Supplied by ciisma.
The Tseshaht First Nation is applying to the federal government to add properties to their reserve land.
The expansion would include adding properties adjacent to the current Tseshaht reserve land on the former Sproat Lake school grounds that the First Nation purchased years ago, and on the original airport grounds on the west side of the Somass River.
There are several reasons why the Tseshaht want to add to their reserve, but most notably because of housing needs, said Ken Watts, Tseshaht First Nation chief councilor.
“Tseshaht has a desperate need for housing, and we are currently facing infrastructure and geotechnical issues in some of this year,” Watts said. “So, we need to expand for land we already own, just adding it to reserve improves this housing issue.”
Watts also noted climate change as a reason for applying for the expansion and waiting for unmarked graves on their reserve land to be scanned.
“Tseshaht is facing the impacts of climate change and needs to prepare for our future as our current lands may continue to be impacted,” Watts said. “TheAlberni Indian Residential School is 100 hectares roughly in size and we have an unofficial moratorium that we will not excavate or build until the land has been scanned for unmarked graves and burials.”
The Tseshaht First Nation has more than 1,200 members with only roughly half living on-reserve.
“Many of our people want to return home but we have a substantial waitlist of members who have applied for nation housing rentals and those that want to build themselves,” Watts said. “While we are pursuing subdivision expansion, that often takes time with governments
with various feasibility and design work.
Tseshaht however is pushing for housing development off-reserve in our territory within the City of PortAlberni.”
Watts said Tseshaht has done a lot of work at the former Sproat School lands, including securing funding to do a training program on HazMat removal. Members and non-members were trained in how to safely tear down the old elementary school, which is now complete.
“Tseshaht also did a lot of other work on this land including a highest and best-use study, various feasibility work and other
economic exploration,” Watts said. “The highest and best-use study determined a mix of commercial and residential, adding this to reserve makes all of that easier for Tseshaht.”
Plans for the former airport lands include a campsite that would allow for 50100 sites. Watts said this idea came from the Tseshaht’s Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP), a four-year strategic plan and consistent community feedback.
“We are also finalizing and will be having members approve a land-use plan,” Watts said. “We have put forward a Non-Farm Use Permit application with theAgricultural Land Commission
of B.C. as the land is in theAgriculture Land Reserve. What complicates things is this property is split between two jurisdictions, the City of PortAlberni, and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and the approval process at all government levels will take time. We believe it will be quicker added to our reserve.”
Adding these lands to reserve will also help Tseshaht connect to city water and sewer, Watts added.
PortAlberni city council has stated it will provide a letter of support to the Tseshaht First Nation to add properties to their reserve land.
RCMPquestion man in Tofino in response to reports of an adult ‘acting strangely, asking questions about kids’, school district cautions parents to be vigilant
By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa EditorTofino, BC - The RCMP and School District 70 are reminding parents to prepare their children for potential approaches from strangers, after reports of a man questioning children in Tofino on Monday.
On the morning of June 5 accounts surfaced of an adult “who was acting strangely, asking questions about kids” near the intersection ofArnet Road and First Street in Tofino, according to RCMP media relations.
“Though no criminal offence was committed, officers from the Tofino RCMP were able to locate the man in question later in the day and had a conversation with him,” continued Corp.Alex Bérubé in an email to Ha-Shith-Sa. “He was explained that his behaviour was concerning to the public – to which he understood.”
Later in the day a letter about the incident was issued to parents from SD70 Superintendent Tim Davie. He wrote that the neighbourhood school was notified that the man was approaching children, and that this person drove a back Ford Mustang with anAlberta licence plate.
“Schools are encouraging families and students to be vigilant and review personal safety with strangers,” stated Davie.
“As we prepare to enter summer vacation, we know our west coast andAlberni Valley communities often observe an increase in visitors during the summer months.”
Parents and caregivers are being encouraged to talk to their children about safety around strangers, including the need for youngsters to play or walk to places with a buddy.
“If they become separated or lost, they should tell someone with a nametag (for
2023 Men’s Health Day
Wednesday June 14, 2023
PortAlberni Friendship Shelter – 3989 8th Avenue in the courtyard
12:00pm – 2:00pmEveryone Welcome! In support of National Men’s Health Week Canada, there will be local support programs in attendance as well as games, prizes and giveaways! Services available, Health and Wellness information, wound care harm reduction supplies, HIV testing and more!
Hesquiaht Language Program –Language of Cedar Weaving
Sunday June 18 and
Monday June 19, 2023
members to come together on this day! The last several years we have had a lot of difficult times, today let us focus on lifting each other up and celebrate who we are as Tseshaht! Dance performances – Jessica Sault, Lunch – fish bbq, salads, hotdogs and hamburgers, bouncy houses for the kids.All Tseshaht welcome.
AhousAdventures Grand Opening
Wednesday June 21, 2023
AhousAdventures – 368 Main Street, Tofino & 637 Industrial Way, Tofino, B.C.
example a cashier or security guard) immediately,” explained the RCMP. “If there is no one with a nametag, preferably, they should tell a female.”
Children are advised to avoid long conversations with strangers, and to not answer personal questions, such as where they live.
“It’s okay to say ‘no’to adults who ask you to do something for them, such as help them find a lost pet, join them in an activity or game, or give them directions,” continued Bérubé, stressing the need for kids to keep a safe distance of two arm lengths away from those they don’t know. “Never walk with or accept a ride, money or gifts from strangers or even someone you may know, without checking with your parents.”
If a person does manage to grab you, children are told to scream and make a disturbance to draw attention to the confrontation, running to a safe location like an open store.
“If a vehicle is involved, try to take notes describing the suspicious vehicle, licence plate, and the stranger’s description,” stated the RCMP. “Call 911 for help.”
Four Elements Frank’s B & B in Ahousaht
Instructors Delores Bayne and Maria Desnoyer will teach their Hesquiaht Language workshop. Please message “Hesquiaht Language Program” on Facebook to register.Accommodation available
2023Award Ceremony
Tuesday June 20, 2023
Maaqtusiis Elementary School Gymnasium
9:00am – 12:00pm Grade 1-6Award Ceremony. Thank you all for your support throughout the 2022-2023 school year.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Wednesday June 21, 2023
Tseshaht Paper Mill Dam
12:00pm- 3:00pm Tseshaht Council and staff invite Tseshaht community
11:00am – 7:00pm Maaqtusiis residents only. Food provided and cultural sharing all day. Boat schedule: First boats out of Ahousaht 9am, Starting at 3pm boats will start doing return trips for those wanting to leave the event. Complimentary boat rides are for those who register to attend the event. Registration is available through Kylee Keitlah, 250-725-0650 or officesupervisor@ahousadventures.com
We would love it if you would join us on this day!
Pole Raising at Loon Lake
Saturday July 1, 2023
Loon Lake, PortAlberni
10:30am Please join Hupacasath First Nation and Mosaic Forests for a poleraising event at Loon Lake. Lunch and water will be provided.
Marcy Keitlah Memorial Potlatch
September 23, 2023
PortAlberni, BC
Your hosts; Calvin Keitlah, Cory Frank, along with Grandparents Marilyn Watts and Rudy Watts Sr.
Need work experience? The Port Alberni Friendship Centre is looking for interested applicants for various positions. Call 250-723-8281
On June 1 pharmacists across B.C. officially expanded their scope of practice, which now allows them to prescribe contraceptives and medications for 21 minor ailments.
The aim is alleviating challenges accessing prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for residents of British Columbia.
“When a person can go to the pharmacy and talk with their pharmacists, they have a new location where they can receive faster service,” said Cindy Preston, Director of Pharmacy at the First Nations HealthAuthority (FNHA). “It really is faster access, easier access, [and] earlier intervention.”
Minor ailments include allergies, shingles, sprains and strains, nicotine dependence, cold sores, pink eye, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and contraception, among others.
According to the Ministry of Health, pharmacists can now assess patients’ symptoms, check their medical history, and recommend treatment.
“Pharmacists are responsible for continuity of care,” said Preston. “Pharmacists will reduce those interruptions in treatments.”
As pharmacists expand their scope of practice, they also can renew prescriptions, adjust dose and timing for how medications are taken, alter the form of medication - such as from a tablet to a capsule - and substitute medications for others, reads the Ministry of Health website.
Additionally, pharmacists can adminis-
ter routine vaccinations and prescriptions that are injected.
Although the new practices that pharmacists are offering will improve access for remote First Nation communities, Preston believes there is still opportunity to make changes so that they are more accessible.
“If we can continuously improve that team-based care, the collaboration between [doctors], nurses, [and] pharmacists, we will be able to better serve the remote First Nations,” said Preston. “Can you imagine if a nurse, in a remote health center, can call up a pharmacist and, with
the patient, determine what needs to happen, and what needs to be sent out on the next delivery for them?”
“Now that we have the basics, we need to look at how we’re actually going to address that gap that still exists for the remote communities,” she added. “That accessibility is what we’re looking for.”
“I hope that moving forward, the government looks at [nurses] being able to do that too and prescribe it for the things that we’re certified for,” said Kelsey Rix (Hahahtmaq aqsa), a community health nurse inAhousaht. “That would be cool
if, ideally, this is expanded to, at least, remote nursing.”
The Ministry of Health notes that residents of B.C. can visit their local pharmacy in person or call to schedule an appointment, though, beginning on June 29, 2023, the province will be the first jurisdiction to launch a provincewide online appointment booking system, inclusive of a self-assessment guide.
For a full list visit https://www.bcpharmacists.org/ppmac
The ever-popular Animal Kingdom play was part of the lineup at PAFC for Aboriginal Day on June 21, 2010.
