Ha-Shilth-Sa September 27, 2007

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Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product haas^i>sa “Interesting News” Vol. 34 - No. 19 - Sept. 27, 2007 Sales Agreement No. 40047776

Byelection to be held Nov. 15

Debora Steel

Nelson Keitlah takes in opening night celebrations of the new exhibit of former Ha-Shilth-Sa editor Bob Soderlund’s work on display at the Alberni Valley Museum. The exhibit, called How We Are, How We Want To Be, is made up of photographs of the Nuu-chah-nulth people that Soderlund took during 25 years with the newspaper. See photos and story pages 9 and 10.

The resignation of Francis Frank as president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) on Sept. 13 has kickstarted a by-election to find his replacement. A special meeting will be held on Nov. 15 for delegates to choose the person who will serve the remainder of the current term, which is two years to 2009. That person will be responsible for external NTC issues, such as lobbying and negotiating with government. Nominations for this position will close by 4 p.m. on Oct. 12. Only members of the Nuu-chah-nulth nations are eligible to serve. Nominations must be in writing and supported by a minimum of 20 signatures of persons 16 years or older, who also are members of Nuu-chahnulth nations. The confirmed list of candidates will be available by Oct. 17. Continued on page 11.

Province devotes week in September to coaches By Jack F. Little Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Nanaimo– Stan Hagen, the minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts proclaimed the week of Sept. 22 to Sept. 29 BC Coaches Week at a reception and a recognition ceremony held at the Coast Bastion on Sept. 15. Nanaimo was one of five locations in the province chosen to host and feature activities and recognition of coaches throughout the province. Other cities were Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George and the area known as Lower Mainland/ Fraser Valley. The master of ceremonies, Gordon May, the executive director of the Coaches Association of British Columbia (CABC), welcomed and greeted all of the guests. May then called on Alex Nelson, president and CEO of the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association (ASRA) for an opening prayer. May then introduced Minister Hagen

Alex Nelson of the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association. “The BC government is taking coaching seriously. The importance of coaches should never be underestimated. Coaches are the heart of British Columbia’s sport development system and they are important role models for athletes whose experience in sport is shaped by the leadership, skill and passion of their trainer,” said Hagen. Minister Hagen shared that he has five children and all of them had coaches at

Energy detectives from Hesquiaht .......................... .Page 2 Overlap issues being resolved.................................... Page 3 AGM deals with residential school settlement.........Page 6 Youth mingle with natural environment.................. Page 8 Keep tabs on your child’s progress at school..........Page 14 Community and Beyond events................................Page 16

points of their lives. He remembers his own coaches when he was younger. Hagen said there should be a real focus on sports with a couple of major events happening soon. One of them being the North American Indigenous Games in 2008 in Cowichan and, of course, the 2010 Olympics in Whistler / Vancouver. Hagen was especially proud to acknowledge and recognize the more than 4,000 coaches in the province for all of their hard work and dedication, of which 98 per cent of whom are volunteers. Hagen called on Judy Latoski, president of CABC, for a presentation of the Coaches Week Proclamation. This was followed by an introduction of the CABC coach of the year, Peter Lawless. Minister Hagen then made a special presentation of gifts to Lawless, which included a five-year membership with CABC and a $250 gift certificate. Lawless is the provincial coach for Athletics in BC Wheelchair Sports. He has coached at provincial, national, and international levels, including Western

Canada Games, Canada Summer Games, World Championships and the 2004 Paralympic Games to name a few. Lawless believes that all young athletes deserve a certified coach. Latoski was the next speaker. Latoski gave a very brief overview of the CABC, which was created in 1993. The spirit and intent of the organization is to give a voice to the thousands of volunteer coaches in this province who commit countless hours of their personal lives each year to the development of sport participants in every corner of the province. “Each and every day we see people of all ages participating in their favorite sport. And we recognize the long-term benefits that such activities will have on their health, and in their personal development. What we may not recognize, however, is the amount of time and effort that their volunteer coach has put into ensuring that these athletes have a safe and fun athletic experience,” said Latoski. Continued on page 5.

If undeliverable, please return to: Ha-Shilth-Sa P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2

ISSN 0715-4143


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