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FISHING TRAGEDY
Survivor describes capsizing Vessel from fatal sinking has yet to surface
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ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES JACKIE CARMICHAEL WESTERLY NEWS
making for people who don’t have access to elders,” Wells said. “Social media has been instrumental for sharing knowledge.” Community forums allow young families to stay engaged in the learning process, but a small group go further by meeting face-to-face. A “language nest” was formed through the Friendship Centre, providing community-based immersion for preschoolers. “The idea is to immerse kids in the language with no English,” Wells said. “It also fosters the parents to learn.” She said the learning process has gone from shameful to validating, but often remains an emotional journey for those who experienced the trauma of the residential school days. “People were physically and emotionally reprimanded for using the language,” Wells said. “Now we don’t have that, but there are still the ghosts that we have to overcome. It is quite remarkable to be a part of that healing movement.” New courses are starting up next week at North Island College.
An incident that took the lives of three men off the Island’s West Coast Saturday was caused by a vessel tipping while it picked up a net full of fish, according to accounts from the scene. A deckhand survived the disaster, but the three other crew members who were aboard the Caledonian died in the Pacific 55 kilometres west of Estevan point, which is located north of Tofino. Among these fatalities are Doug White, 41, and Keith Edward Standing, 48, from Port Alberni, as well as the commercial vessel’s skipper, 55-year-old Wesley Hagglund from Duncan. The survivor remains unidentified, but provided essential information to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre into the cause of the tragedy. On an afternoon when other fishing crews in the area reported cloudy weather and two-metre waves, the Caledonian had one “bag” of fish on board and was picking up another a net full of catches when it began to tilt at approximately 3:30 p.m., said the JRCC’s marine rescue co-ordinator Colin Henthorne. The vessel keeled on its side, trapping Standing and White in the hull as Hagglund and the deckhand scrambled atop the partially submerged vessel. Several hours passed as the two gripped the portion of the ship that remained above water, until the body of one of the drowned men floated to the surface at approximately 10 p.m. “The one who survived lost sight of the skipper at that time – bear in mind, this was in the dark,” Henthorne said. “He never saw him again.” The survivor was wearing a life vest, and eventually swan towards a light in the distance that turned out to be the Caledonian’s inflatable life raft. He was later rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard. Investigations into the tragedy have been launched by the RCMP, B.C. Coroners Service and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. As an independent government agency that assesses transportation fatalities and other incidents where risk could have been reduced, the board normally inspects equipment found at the scene. But in this case the Caledonian has yet to be found.
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Caasta, left, and Tseeqwatin, spend time learning about the Nuu-chah-nulth language and culture at the Friendship Centre. [KRISTI DOBSON,TIMES]
Efforts underway to save traditional speech KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Only one per cent of the Nuu-chah-nulth population speaks the traditional language, but measures are being taken to save it from extinction. Several initiatives are underway that allow all ages to be a part of the revitalization process, and for many, it is more than just simply about learning a language. When Victoria Wells shared her interest as an adult learner years ago, she did not foresee the impact her work would have on the community. As a member of the Ehattesaht First Nation, Wells has a passion for reclaiming the history of the aboriginal people and is doing so through education. Wells was a founding member of the Quuquuatsa Language Society in 2012, a non-profit organization designed to help teach the Nuu-chah-nulth language. “Only one per cent of the entire Nuu-chahnulth population speaks the language fluently,” Wells said. “And of that one per cent, only one-tenth are actively engaged through family or community-based sharing.” Quuquuatsa works in conjunction with the
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University of Victoria to bring courses to Port Alberni. Along with adding economic value, Wells said it opens doors for people in the Alberni Valley. The courses are at North Island College and have had students attend from Ucluelet, Ahousaht, Kyuquot and Zebellos. Wells said the most difficult part of learning the language is making time for it, but she sees it as a hobby. “Like any hobby, you create time for it,” she said. Wells incorporates strategies in her home by posting new phrases each day on the bathroom mirror for her 11-year old son to learn. He attends Haa Huu Payuk School, where aboriginal language and culture is a basic component in the curriculum. “Some students go home and teach words to their parents,” said Gio Mussato, principal at Haa Huu Payak. “So the language is coming back from the brink of extinction.” To keep the interest among the younger generation, Wells has embraced digital literacy and the Society has made learning universal. “We are creating digital material for story
Regular season starts Friday for the Bulldogs
Last chance to see My View of Nature Close up
Junior A team brings its new roster to Duncan to face the Cowichan Valley Capitals with Tai in goal.
This exquisite art exhibit is on at the Rollin Art Centre until Sept. 19, featuring watercolour artist Judi Pedder.
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