Page 4— Ha-Shilth-Sa—August 12, 2021
Federal minister gives ear to Tseshaht leaders Marc Miller of Indigeous Services Canada had a visit that included a tour of the former residential school site By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Port Alberni, BC - As the Tseshaht work to determine the future of a former residential school site, the First Nation’s representatives and other Nuu-chah-nulth leaders received a visit from Canada’s Indigenous Services minister on July 28. Marc Miller was welcomed by Tseshaht hereditary chiefs, followed by meeting with the First Nation’s elected leaders. Foremost in this talk was Tseshaht’s plans for the site of the Alberni Indian Residential School, where two of the institution’s buildings still remain: Maht Mahs gym and what was formerly known as Caldwell Hall. Miller ventured to the site to step inside Caldwell Hall, which is currently being used by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. “We thought it was important for him to actually set foot in the residential school,” said Tseshaht Chief Councillor Ken Watts. “It just has an energy about it. Some really horrific things have happened there.” The federal Minister’s visit comes at a time of reckoning for Canada to settle recent painful discoveries at former residential school sites, which began with locating the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in late May. The Tseshaht plan to employ the same ground penetrating radar that has been used to locate remains at other former institutions. They also aim to formally document all of the schools past students - including those who never returned home. But Watts emphasized that the demolition of Caldwell Hall is a necessity, where the First Nation hopes to replace it with a multipurpose health and wellness building. “It really meant a lot to let him set foot on the grounds,” said Watts of Miller’s visit. “He knows this isn’t just a little area that we have to deal with. It’s pretty large in scope.” The future of Maht Mahs, however, may be different. “It’s such a hub still for our membership,” added Watts, noting that although an eventual replacement is inevitable, the First Nation has yet to hold formal discussions on tearing the gym down. “I think we’ve done a good job at doing our best to change the feeling of that facility, we’ve had so many potlatches and amazing events there, but it still is a part of the school.” Other topics discussed include the
Submitted photo
Marc Miller receives a gift from Tseshaht Chief Councillor Ken Watts in front of the First Nation’s administrative building on July 28. expansion of Haahuupayak elementary force. This concept has gained attention ity to determine access into their territoto include high school grades, and badly over the last year, after the shootings of ries was not respected by the provincial needed on-reserve housing. With no new three Tla-o-qui-aht members in different government during the pandemic. homes built in over five years, Watts said incidents, including the deaths of Chan“We just really felt the lack of jurisdicat least 30 are on a waiting list, although tel Moore in New Brunswick and Julian tion of First Nations in health during COhe expects more people who need homes Jones in Opitsaht. VID,” she added. “It was Bonny Henry haven’t applied to the First Nation. “We wanted him to make sure that he and Adrian Dix, they were making all of “We’re really lacking serviceable lots works with us as First Nations, as we are the decisions and we didn’t have a role.” that are connected to city water and sewar the only people who know what the needs With a federal election on the horizon, like most of our reserve is. There’s not are in our communities,” said Sayers. “It Watts reflected on how much things have a lot of space left,” he said, noting that shouldn’t be just high level working with changed since his father, George Watts, some existing homes have concerning AFN [Assembly of First Nations] and was a Nuu-chah-nulth leader. Although utility connections. “They’re all on ailing other organizations.” more work is needed to recognize Indigseptic tank systems that are failing as we Watts said his nation’s needs go beyond enous rights, Miller’s visit highlighted speak that could be potential health and just money from Ottawa, but the recogni- improvements over the last 16 years since safety and safety hazards.” tion of the United Nations Declaration on his father’s passing. The shortage of housing is a widespread the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “They’ve done some significant contriissue, across Nuu-chah-nulth territory “It’s not always just about resources, but butions that I think need to be acknowland Canada. A 2016 report from Statistics it’s about jurisdiction, it’s about authority, edged,” said Watts. “To see the amount of Canada found that 18 per cent of Indigit’s about implementation of UNDRIP,” money that’s been invested, he wouldn’t enous people live in crowded homes, and he said. have seen that 16 years ago.” a 2019 study by the United Nations stated Sayers noted that First Nations’ authorthat one in four on-reserve people in the country live in overcrowded conditions. This issue was stressed to Miller when he sat down with NTC leaders on Wednesday. “ISC is now funding First Nations based on the number of people on reserve,” said NTC President Judith Sayers. “For Hesquiaht, they’re getting funding for 68 people, when their membership is 750… You can’t encourage people to go home if you don’t have homes.” Justice concerns were mentioned, with the desire for remote Nuu-chah-nulth communities to have their own police
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