Ha-Shilth-Sa May 8, 2003

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Canada’s Oldest First Nation’s Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product haasi^ s>a “ Interesting News” Vol. 30 - No. 9 - May 8, 2003 Sales Agreement No. 40047776

Governments negotiate fisheries deal By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter Tsahaheh - Negotiators from the federal, provincial, and Nuu-chah-nulth governments gathered at Somass Hall last week to work towards a new treaty fisheries proposal within a revised Agreement in Principle (AIP). NTC fisheries negotiators Simon Lucas, Richard Watts and Cliff Atleo Sr. spoke on the historical relationship between Nuu-chah-nulth-aht and sea resources, recent court decisions reaffirming that relationship in a legal context and the future of aquatic management respectively.

Negotiators from the federal, provincial, and Nuu-chah-nulth governments gathered at Somass Hall last week to work towards a new treaty fisheries proposal within a revised Agreement in Principle (AIP). “Our people have been on the west coast of Vancouver Island since time began,” said Hesquiaht’s Simon Lucas. “The sea is our lifeline; the source of our strength, our mental stability, our physical strength, and our emotional and spiritual beings,” he said. Citing the speeches of many Elders, Lucas spoke on the wealth that was enjoyed by all Nuu-chah-nulth Nations prior to contact, and how the rich became impoverished in the decades following colonization. “We were a very wealthy people because we always made our living off the bounty of the sea,” said Lucas. “But in recent years unemployment rates have been as high as 94% in some of our communities,” he said. “Our tribe rejected the AIP because they didn’t see a future in what was being offered in the area of aquatic resources,” said Lucas. “What you’re offering is less than what we have now! Why would we go for that? added Tseshaht’s Richard Watts. “The first settlers and government people said we would always be able to live off the ocean. We want the crown to honour those commitments through treaty,” he said.

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Canoe-makers Carl Martin and Clifford Williams prepare to launch Tsa-walk at E-cha-chis

Young Tla-o-qui-aht Couple expand Canoe Tour Business By Denise Ambrose Central Region Reporter Tofino- Tla-ook Adventures, owned and operated by 25 year-old Gisele Martin and her partner, Doug Wright, provides dugout canoe tours with a strong Nuuchah-nulth flavor. The 34’ Sa-sit-qua-ees carved by Gisele’s father, Joe Martin, was launched four years ago. He eventually gave the canoe to his daughters Gisele and MarieFrance.

While there are dozens of touristoriented business in Tofino, Gisele says there is a lack of genuine First Nations culture-based operations. “We are getting known because there isn’t much going on culturally here,” she said. Seeing a promising opportunity, Gisele and her partner Doug Wright applied for a business loan from NEDC and launched a cultural tourism venture based in Tofino. Tla-ook Adventures officially opened June 21, 2002 on Aboriginal Day. Doug, Giseleg and guide Dwayne Martin offer tour packages that vary from short canoe tours of the small islands in Tofino Inlet to three-hour salmon barbe-

Feature Elders Gilbert and Kateri John ...................Page 2 Nuu-chah-nulth Fisheries Offer ............................... Page 3 Haida Chief wants seal kill ....................................... Page 4 Huu-ay-aht to host World Salmon Summit ........... Page 5 Housing crisis worsens .............................................. Page 6 Central Region co-chair candidates ......................... Page 10 N.E.D.C. Business News ............................................ Page 20

ques at picturesque Echachis Island, the location of an ancient Tla-o-qui-aht village site. The Cultural Mystery Tour is another offer featured at Tla-ook Adventures. Gisele says the mystery changes but sometimes a tour might mean a search for wildlife on the islands or viewing culturally modified trees on Meares Island. Business grew through the summer and early fall despite the lack of advertising. While there are dozens of tourist-oriented business in Tofino, Gisele says there is a lack of genuine First Nations culture-based operations. “We are getting known because there isn’t much going on culturally here,” she said. Relying on word-of-mouth advertising, Gisele and her team were busy enough

to take the next step: business expansion. With a business loan from NEDC, the Martins were able to commission two smaller canoes from Joe Martin and his brothers. The first canoe, appropriately named Tsa-walk, meaning ‘one’ was launched at E-cha-chis on May 4, 2003. Invited guests were ferried to the island on a sunny but very windy Sunday afternoon. Sheltered in a small cove from the Pacific Ocean is a cabin along with two sheds. Lennard Light lies directly across the cove on another small island. Guests mingle, making seats of logs that have drifted ashore as children frolic in the frigid ocean. An hour and a half after leaving

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Tla-ook owners and crew take new canoe on its inaugural run If undeliverable, please return to: Ha-Shilth-Sa P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2 Place label below dotted line

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ISSN 0715-4143


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Ha-Shilth-Sa May 8, 2003 by Hashilthsa - Issuu