Investing early the key to financial success Alberni Region, Page 3
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Wednesday, June 3, 2015
HERITAGE
Hope for truth and reconciliation Alberni First Nations endorse recommendations by T&R commission’s final report, wait for changes “The government should immediately put in place a plan to implement the recommendations.”
MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Alberni Valley First Nations leaders are responding hopefully to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report. The TRC issued its final report in Ottawa on Tuesday, completing nearly eight years of work since the Indian residential schools settlement with the federal government and four Christian church organizations in 2007. Jeff Cook, hereditary chief of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and residential school survivor, was in Ottawa for the TRC closing events, which started on Sunday and end today. “We’re here to tell a story, and we have a story to tell,” Cook said. Cook said he agreed with all of the TRC’s 94 recommendations, calling on governments and religious leaders to take action to heal the damage done to aboriginal people as a result of over a century of forced assimilation in residential schools. The TRC calls the abuse suffered by First Nations, Métis and Inuit in the residential school system as a “cultural genocide.” The final report quotes Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, stating his view to the House of Commons in 1883, that “Indian children” must conform to
Hugh Braker, Tseshaht First Nation chief councillor
Boys in the Assembly Hall of the Alberni Indian Residential School, circa 1960. [UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA ARCHIVES, 93.049P/432]
the “habits and modes of thought of white men.” Cook attended the Alberni Indian Residential School from 1956 to 1969. “It wasn’t the best experience from my point of view,” Cook said.
He remembers when the remnants of the Alberni residential school, which closed in 1973, were finally torn down in 2009. “It’s gone now, so [we’ve] got to move on,” he said. Cook said he remains hope-
ful that the recommendations from the commission will be implemented. The Tseshaht First Nation issued a press release Tuesday noting their full endorsement of the TRC’s 94 recommendations, which
include help for aboriginal child welfare, health care, language training and reforms to the criminal justice system. “By calling for efforts to bring back aboriginal languages and establish healing centres, the TRC is addressing the effects of residential schools,” said Tseshaht chief councillor Hugh Braker. “By calling for residential school effects to be added to school curriculums and by calling for Canada to adopt the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples the TRC is confronting the need for Reconciliation. “The TRC report and recommendations are measured, wide ranging, constructive and, ultimately, aimed at healing and reconciliation,” Braker noted. “The government should immediately put in place a plan to implement the recommendations.” Martin.Wissmath@avtimes.net
COMMUNITY
PA ranked 207th by MoneySense 2015 We’re no longer ‘Worst Place to Live’ but still near bottom of list; locals work to boost image Entrepreneur opens home-grown B&B Jenn Haddock is excited to open her home as a bed and breakfast, complete with locally grown produce for her home-made meals. » Alberni Region, 3
Former UFC champion talks to ADSS wrestlers Matt Hughes, a former retired UFC champion, took some time out of developing his hunting show to drop by Alberni District Secondary School. » Sports, 5
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KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
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o longer considered Canada’s Worst Place to Live by MoneySense magazine, Port Alberni is ranked 207 of 209 in this year’s report. The 2014 last-place ranking by the magazine did not to discourage all residents. Instead, it started a movement to promote the community’s assets. The grassroots movement from one person’s Facebook status turned into an internationally-recognized awareness campaign. Ben West, former Port Alberni resident, now lives in Vancouver, but was shocked when he learned of the magazine’s list. His Facebook comment, typed out of anger, led to a satirical page dedicated to Port Alberni. His Worst Place to Live page grew, posts were shared and recognition gained at national and international levels. That, West concludes, is the real measure of what makes a community the best place to live.
“Regardless [of placing], I really do think we have moved forward in a positive way.” Kama Money, community advocate
“What people actually enjoy are the quality of life, affordability and geographic location,” West said. “You would be hard-pressed to find such amazing features like the mountains and lakes we have, which make it a really special place.” According to MoneySense, cities are ranked based on attributes that can be measured and are compared overall and against cities and towns of similar size. Divided into 20 categories, some of the attributes judged were population growth, household income, housing and unemployment rates. This year eight cities, including Comox, were added to the list. Kama Money, who, along with West and technology-based
MONEY
entrepreneur, Tashia Potter, has been driven to show the world what Port Alberni has to offer, “Regardless [of placing], I really do think we have moved forward in a positive way,” Money said. She said last year’s title of Worst Place to Live created a community-wide rallying of support. “Sometimes you have to feel anger and frustration before you commit yourself to making change,” Money said.
As a result, the three turned it around and created the Heart of Vancouver Island tag line, social media campaign and related marketing material. “Locals have taken it on and taken ownership,” Money said. “The City and regional district have also both embraced it wholeheartedly. It is not just about the three of us. “The local and international communities are noticing and I am excited about what opportunities we will have this year and in the years to come. It won’t happen overnight.” Although West believes the comparisons are skewed and does not adequately represent quality of life, he was happy to see the community rise from the bottom. “There’s still work to be done,” he said. “But it was a little bitter-sweet to lose the crown of the Worst Place to Live.” Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@avtimes.net. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
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ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES VOLUME 66, NUMBER 105
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