Canada’s Oldest First Nation’s Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product haasi^ >sa “ Interesting News” Vol. 31 - No. 9 - May 6, 2004 Sales Agreement No. 40047776
Ha’wiih gather at Tseshaht Longhouse By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter Tsahaheh – Ha’wiih from five of the seven NTC Treaty Table First Nations gathered at the Tseshaht longhouse to discuss issues of concern. “Things are not going well [in treaty negotiations] and we’re asking for specific direction from our Ha’wiih,” said Northern Region Co-chair Archie Little, who set the tone for the meeting. “The government says they don’t have a mandate, but they do; their mandate is to give us nothing,” he said. The Ha’wiih were welcomed into Tseshaht territory by NTC Ha’wiih protocol worker Willard Gallic, who also offered the opening prayer. The meeting was a chance for the Ha’wiih to get together, exchange ideas, talk about what has happened so far in the treaty process, and give direction on future strategies and efforts. The meeting was a chance for the Ha’wiih to get together, exchange ideas, talk about what has happened so far in the treaty process, and give direction on future strategies and efforts. “We have to pull Nuu-chah-nulth together,” said Hesquiaht Tyee Ha’wilth Matlahoa (Domenic Andrews). “It seems like we’re losing ground really fast,” added Simon Lucas. “I feel disheartened. We’re split apart. We have to use our traditions to bring us back together again regardless of what tables we’re sitting at,” he said. With that, Cliff Atleo Jr. suggested everyone join together in singing the Nuu-chah-nulth song, to boost morale, and use traditions towards a common purpose. “When that first ship limped into our territory after breaking a mast in heavy seas, they knew to ask the permission of
our Ha’wiih to come ashore, and ask permission to take a tree to replace their broken mast. This is recorded in history and we need to remind the junior governments of that,” said Atleo. After lunch, Stewart Phillip for the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and a group of delegates from Fraser River First Nations gave a presentation inviting the Ha’wiih to participate in an upcoming provincial protest. Called the “Rights and Title Caravan”, a group of protesters will leave Westbank on May 17th, meeting more people along the way as they march towards the provincial legislature in Victoria for a protest on May 20th. The Ha’wiih gave their full support to the efforts, and said they will mobilize their people, with many bringing canoes to paddle into the inner harbour and converge with the other protesters on the lawns of the legislature. Hesquiaht said they have allocated $15,000 to support their members attending the protest, and will be providing seafood for a feast at the Songhees Reserve on the night of May 19th. “Our people have been struggling to resolve the land question for over 100 years,” said Chief Phillip. “Our Aboriginal rights are a collective right that goes to our ancestors, our children, and all future generations,” he said. “We as a collective have to work together towards a better future. We are at a very serious place in our history where we need to take stock of where we are and strategize for the future,” he said. “It’s time we all came together and became a real force in this province,” said Gallic. “We have to work harder to develop and capitalize on our collective strengths,” he said. The Rights and Title Caravan protest will culminate with events and speeches at noon on May 20th at the BC Legislative Assembly in Victoria.
Vince Ambrose, Tyee Ha’wiih Dominic Andrew, Simon Lucas, Chief Ed Jones and Mike Tom at the Tseshaht longhouse to discuss issues
Central Region Chiefs meet at Tin Wis.................... Page 3 Spirit Salmon unveiled in Vancouver ...................... Page 4 Hupacasath hosts NTC Fisheries Meetings ........... Page 5 Liberals Working Forest Initiative ............................Page 6 RBC Hosts Economic Development Conf............... Page 7 NEDC Business News ............................................. Page 20
Touchie family thanks Tin Wis staff for memorial bench dedicated to late Don Touchie
Tin Wis Resort Celebrates 10th Anniversary By Denise August, Central Region Reporter Tofino –Proud members of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Tin Wis management and staff hosted the 10th Anniversary celebration of their resort on May 1st. Located on Long Beach at the site of Christie Residence, Tin Wis resort opened its doors to tourists May 1994. Ten years later the facility, which no bank would loan money for, has grown in leaps and bounds. From its modest beginning as a hotel with a small restaurant, Tin Wis Best Western Resort built additional rooms including some luxury suites, expanded and updated the restaurant, remodeled and updated the Conference Centre, added a fitness room and hot tub along with many other upgrades. A concierge was added, the lobby/gift area was expanded and a place to carve canoes is on site.
The success of the resort spells jobs for Tla-o-qui-aht members in housekeeping, food services, maintenance and management. The success of the resort spells jobs for Tla-o-qui-aht members in housekeeping, food services, maintenance and management. Newly elected Tla-o-qui-aht Chief Councillor, Barney Williams Jr. was introduced as Beach Keeper and he introduced his Chiefs that were in attendance before officially welcoming his guests.
Emcee Barb Audet said the dedication of a bench would take place prior to lunch. She called the Touchie forward as a beautiful, handcrafted wooden bench was unveiled. Williams explained young Don Touchie worked at Tin Wis for eight years before he passed away suddenly last year. The staff of Tin Wis raised funds to purchase the bench and it will be placed on the lawn facing the beach in the memory of Don Touchie. Luke and Delores Touchie, parents of Don, tearfully accepted a blanket as their daughter thanked the staff for the touching gift. Howard Tom, Chairman of the Tin Wis Board of Directors gave a brief history of the growth and development of the resort. He thanked the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation and the Central Region Economic Working Group for financing the construction, expansion and renovations over the years. Tom thanked Garth and Jeanie for taking the management of the resort and he paid special recognition to Board Members Barb Audet and Peggy Hartman, presenting them with silver pendants. Tin Wis Directors Diamond Karim, Danny Watts, and Howard Tom along Barney Williams Jr. (as Chief Councillor) received commemorative mugs as gifts. Guests were invited lunch and cake followed by singing and dancing from various Tla-o-qui-aht families.
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