Photo by Melissa Renwick RebeccaAtleo hugs Kate Drexler (left) and Sarah Reid after announcing the new funding for a bighouse in Maaqtusiis Secondary on Flores Island, British Columbia, onAugust 10.
It will be built in consultation with community members, who will help decide the location,Atleo said. “It’s somethingAhousaht really, truly needs in order for us to become stronger,” Atleo said. “We really need to become stronger as a nation, as a people – and to truly hold our girls up on those pedestals.”Sexual violence has become “normal” in Ahousaht,Atleo said. “It makes me angry,” she said. “It shouldn’t be normal … this [bighouse] is going to be a game changer. I know it in my heart. It’s going to be a game changer where we’re all going to feel safe here.”
Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Vol. 49 - No. 16—August 25, 2022 haas^i>sa Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 40047776 INTERESTING NEWS If undeliverable, please return to: Ha-Shilth-Sa P.O. Box 1383, PortAlberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2Inside this issue... RCMP seek info in murder of Terrence Mack................Page 2 The lost art of fish knives...............................................Page 4 Conflict of interest concerns within DFO.......................Page 5 Northern Region Games held in Yuquot................Pages 8 & 9 Ahousaht actor writes for TV show..............................Page 15 Ahousaht receives $8.3 million for new bighouse
Tom Paul is a drug and alcohol councillor with Chah Chum Hii Yup Tiic Mis who has been advocating to bring awareness around sexual violence within his community for years. “Ahousaht is not a safe place for women and children,” he said. Prior to contact, Paul said women were placed on the “highest pedestal.”
“We’re trying to say that as a community, we’re not ok with what’s happening,” Drexler said. In only nine days, Drexler,Atleo and Sarah Reid, a Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society consulting advisor, worked to put the grant proposal together. It was done with the support from community members,Ahousaht’s Ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs), as well as chief and council.“Bringing our community together to plan and construct a bighouse is an opportunity in itself for healing,” the proposal read. “The bighouse is not only a symbol of culture, but also of strength, collaboration and unity. Having a physical space for our Ha’wiih to govern, and for our muschim (people) to come together to unlearn colonial ways and relearn traditional ways of doing.”
Healing ceremonies, coming-of-age ceremonies, marriages, memorials and seating-of-the-chief ceremonies will all be practiced inside the bighouse.
First Nation plans to use federal funding to build a safe space for those who are threatened by sexual violence
By Melissa Renwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ahousaht, BC -As community members fromAhousaht First Nation gathered inside the gymnasium at Maaqtusiis Secondary on Flores Island, deep roars of thunder penetrated the room.
Sacred rituals and ceremonies that were once held in honour of women are now only talked about, Paul said. “There’s so much shame and so much pain from intergenerational trauma,” Paul said. “It’s got to stop. No more sexual abuse – no more.”
Sexual violence is a learned behaviour that stems from the traumas of colonization and residential schools, Paul said. After being victimized by sexual abuse in residential schools, Paul said it started a cycle of people victimizing each other. Since the application for the bighouse was submitted in December, Paul said two of his granddaughters were sexually violated by being touched inappropriately.“Ithasn’t been easy because all of our families have got secrets,” Paul said. “All of our families, in some way or another, have been affected by sexual violence. And it’s painful.”
“The ancestors are here in full force,” said RebeccaAtleo,Ahousaht Education Authority director of education. “It’s very indicative of the excitement that we have forAddressingtoday.” those gathered onAugust 10,Atleo revealed that the nation received $8.3 million towards the construction of a new bighouse through the federal government’s Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program. Upon hearing the news, the room erupted into applause and cheer.
“Through these rites of passages, we will be reminded that hišukniš ćawaak, ‘we are all one,’regardless of age, creed, race or gender,” the bighouse proposal read. “It is through these practices that Ahousaht people of all genders will restore, reclaim and revitalize their identities.”Drexler and Reid were honoured with traditional names for the work they put into the Mamu-aqtl,project.which means “hard worker,” was given to Drexler, and Reid was named thlaayik, which translates to “always giving.” The gesture moved Drexler to tears. “Culture is healing,” she said. “Having a space where culture can be practiced and celebrated is a pathway to healing.”
Ahousaht council member Hohomyiis (Walter Thomas) said the bighouse will be a place where members can show and share language, songs, dances and prayers.“Ithelps give our kids identity,” he said. If members start feeling safe in the bighouse,Atleo said it’s a feeling that will start to “emanate” throughout the community.“Oncewestart holding people accountable for their actions, I really believe that things are going to change,”Atleo said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
“They were looked after and they were treasured,” said Paul. “[Women] had roles to play in the community – they were our knowledge keepers, they were our mothers, they were our gatherers –and that’s kind of gone.”
The bighouse is being designed to provide a space for young girls, women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people inAhousaht to be emotionally and physically safe. Launched by Crown-Indigenous Relations and NorthernAffairs Canada, the contribution program is aimed to support Indigenous communities in re-establishing and revitalizing cultural spaces. Kate Drexler is the instructional principal at the Maaqtusiis schools. Over the five years she’s been working within the community, Drexler said she’s seen how the prevalence of sexual violence has impacted students at the schools.
In order to heal, Paul said “we need to walk through the fire together.” “We need to talk about it so our grandchildren and future grandchildren don’t go through this vicious cycle,” he said. “It’s still happening and it boils down to the fact that we don’t respect women.”
The bighouse will not only be a safe space for young girls, women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, Tom said it will also be a place where “we can start teaching ourselves as men how to treat women.”
Mack’s body was found in an apartment rented by a woman shot in a police confrontation days later in Hitacu
The body of 33-year-old Terrance Mack was found in a PortAlberni apartment May 4, 2021. Police believe the incident was a homicide.
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lowing an attack on a liquor store clerk in PortAlberni.According to reports, the female clerk at the King Edward Liquor Store on lower ThirdAvenue tried to stop Martin from shoplifting. Martin attacked the clerk with a knife, cutting the clerk’s neck.Police located Martin later that day and arrested her for aggravated assault, robbery, fraud, theft and breach charges. Martin appeared in PortAlberni Provincial Court onAug. 17.Atrial has been scheduled on fifteen counts including breach, theft, assault by choking, aggravated assault, robbery and possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes. Neither the police nor the Mack family have named suspects in the death of Terrance Mack, however, Sandra Mack said she hopes investigators are able to piece things together soon.
Page 2— Ha-Shilth-Sa—August 25, 2022
RCMP seek info in 2021 murder of Terrance Mack
“It’s an ongoing investigation…we are waiting for the evidence to go through the courts to be filed,” said Mack, adding that the family has been told by investigators the name of a suspect. The RCMP say they have followed up on each lead during the past fifteen months.“Officers believe that more people within the West Coast communities have information about Terrance’s murder,” they“Investigatorsstated. are still looking to anyone who may have key information to further this investigation and bring closure to those who have been impacted;” stated Constable Richard Johns. Anyone with information about the events surrounding Terrance’s murder are asked to contact the PortAlberni Serious Crimes Unit at 250-723-2424.
By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter
PortAlberni, BC – The PortAlberni RCMP are reaching out to the public for information that could solve the murder of 33-year-old Terrance Mack. According to their media release, dated Aug. 19, RCMP officers and Serious Crimes Investigators arrived at an apartment on the 3200 block of ThirdAvenue following reports of a deceased man in one of the units. The decomposing remains were discovered May 4, 2021. It was determined that Mack had been murdered approximately two weeks earlier.Apositive identification was made on May 8 and the family was notified of his death on May 9, 2021. Relatives of Mack gathered outside the apartment building shortly after the news broke, demanding justice for Terrance, who was the father of two young children.Atthe gathering a family member stated that they had made a connection between the apartment unit and a police shooting incident that took place at Hitatcu, near Ucluelet, B.C., on May 8, 2021. RCMP responded to a domestic violence call at a home in the Yuu>u%i>%ath First Nation community. They found an injured male and a woman brandishing what was later determined to be a replica gun.An officer shot and wounded 30-year-old Melinda Martin of Tla-o-quiaht during the altercation. Both Martin and her boyfriend were transported to hospital to receive treatment for their injuries. The Mack family said Martin rented the apartment that Mack was found in. They believe that Martin and her boyfriend were hiding out at Hitatcu, where her boyfriend’s family lived. The boyfriend has since died, from causes not related to the assault. Martin was arrestedAug. 9, 2022, fol-
By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter British Columbia – Nuu-chah-nulth survivors of residential and day schools who have gone through the class action lawsuit process are raising concerns about the difficulty of submitting claims. Asmall group of residential and day school survivors met with Nuu-chahnulth Tribal Council Vice-President Mariah Charleson in earlyAugust to talk about their concerns.
Cameron argued that children who were struck with belts or rulers did not suffer the equivalent trauma as a child who was repeatedly sexually abused. “The harm/abuse suffered is not equivalent on any level,” he added. “The experiences are not common and are recognized as such in the SettlementAgreement. Compensation is harms-based.”
“Although we anticipate flexibility in processing an Extension Request Form, class members will need to identify a reason as to why they have been unable to file a claim by the July 13, 2022, deadline. Decisions by the Exceptions Committee are final,” states the Indian Day School website.
Those who applied for and received level one compensation have no recourse.
Both Gowling WLG and the Nuu-chahnulth Tribal Council offered support and assistance to those filling out the applicationTheforms.amount of compensation a survivor receives is based on a five-level system with $10,000 at level one up to $200,000 at level five paid to those who suffered overt violence resulting in long-term harm.Butsome claimants were leveled down, prompting them to ask who makes these decisions and what criteria do they base these conclusions on.
Survivors who hoped to amend their claims after remembering other harms inflicted upon them in day school learned that, once submitted, the claim was ‘locked in’. Cameron says a survivor can only apply for compensation one time and the agreement does not enable ongoing disclosure or amendments to add more information after they’ve been signed and submitted.
The exception would be when a claimant’s application was adjudicated at a lower level than they claimed. In this case they have the right to appeal the decision and submit more information.
August 25, 2022—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 3
According to Cameron, the court appointed the ClaimsAdministrator, and their decisions about the level of compensation a survivor receives is based on the harms grid, which is found on page seven of the claim form. The claim form lays out each level of compensation and the criteria necessary to be considered for a particular level. “If a claimant is leveled down…they have the right to seek a reconsideration and, in so doing, submit additional information to support the level sought,” Cameron wrote.
“To date, no claimant has been denied an extension,” he stated.
InAugust 2019 the Federal Court approved the settlement of the McLean case, a nation-wide class action lawsuit against Canada brought to compensate former students for harms they suffered while attending federally operated Indian dayTheschools.Indianday school settlement was designed to avoid the re-traumatization of class members that was often seen in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.Butitisemotionally difficult for many people to fill out the application forms. “People don’t want to tear open their old scars,” said Charleson. She believes there hasn’t been enough information given to survivors, many of whom don’t understand the process.
Sessional Papers of the Dominion of Canada photo Indian Day Schools, funded by the Government of Canada, operated mostly on Indian reserves from the late 1800s to, in some cases, as late as 1985 inAhousaht. Pictured is a 1905 photo from Kamloops, B.C.
Survivor class members had from January 13, 2020 to July 13, 2022 to submit claims for Accordingcompensation.toCamCameron of Gowling WLG, the day school claims process was a simpler, less traumatic process than the previous Indian Residential School (IRS) Settlement process. “It is a paper-based process that avoids the adjudicative IRS IndependentAssessment Process,” Cameron told Ha-ShilthSa in an email. “Rather, the process assumes that the claimant is telling the truth regarding harms/abuses suffered as submitted on the claim form. Indeed, no evidence is even required to support their statements.”Butsurvivors say that even sitting down to fill out the claims is difficult for them, as horrible memories are relived. “People have a hard time with the forms, they’re so daunting,” said Nora Martin, a residential school survivor from Tla-o-qui-aht.Sheexplained that everyone who attended these institutions suffered some form of trauma, whether it be direct physical or sexual abuse, or bearing witness to violence inflicted on others. Sometimes they forget that the starvation experiments and dental malpractice they endured are worth noting in their claims.
“Some kids had dental work with no anesthesia or too much anesthesia….and some witnessed physical or sexual abuse on others,” said Martin. She recalled her late younger brother who was haunted until the day he died by seeing the body of a young boy hanging in the restroom. “We should all get the same amount regardless…we all suffered the same abuse,” said Martin.
“I spoke to survivors all over the island and heard their concerns about the process,” said Martin. Some survivors, in hindsight, recalled abuses that were not included in their application.Abuses that could have raised the level of compensation.
“Approximately 17 per cent of all claimants received a higher level of compensation than what they indicated on their claim forms,” he stated. With the Day School class action lawsuit application deadline now expired, those with pending claims have been offered an extension to January 13, 2023. They must fill out an Extension Request Form, found on the Indian Day School website, stating the reason they didn’t make the July 13, 2022, deadline. All extension requests will be reviewed by the Exceptions Committee and approvals are not automatically granted. Cameron notes that the Extension Request Form is short and simple to fill out.
Claims process daunting, say ex-day school students
“I read an article that said more than 85 per cent of those that applied for day school compensation received level one, or the lowest amount of compensation offered,” said Charleson. Cameron noted that compensation is based on eligibility and the narrative that was submitted in the application.
The Extension Request Form can be mailed/emailed by contacting Class Counsel at 1.844.539.3815 or dayschools@gowlingwlg.com.ExtensionRequestFormsand Claim Forms must be received by the Claims Administrator by January 13, 2023, at 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time (PST). Class Counsel remains available to assist, free of charge, during the extension period. Mental health and wellness support also remains available through the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855242-3310 or the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca, open 24 hours a day, 7 days aMartinweek. said the next class action lawsuit is for those who were confined in Indian hospitals. Lessons learned from the Indian residential school and Indian day school compensation process should help inform those going through the Indian hospital claims process. Martin advises preparing ahead of time. “They need to train people to fill these forms out, so that they can receive fair compensation,” she said.
In fact, this appeal appears to be the only opportunity a survivor may have to level up, should they recall other abuses after the claim has been submitted.
Se lement aims to assume claimants are telling the truth, but a rating system for pain suffered raises concerns
“People felt rushed to get through the process,” said Charleson, adding they may not have had adequate support as they filled out documents.
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Breathing life into lost art of fish knives
Ulu-syle chitukthl blade brings ergonomic advantages, closely resembling a shell
By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ahousaht, BC – Prior to the introduction of metal, Nuu-chah-nulth people relied on sharpened rocks and shells to cut the fish and game they harvested. Today, they use typical kitchen knives. But just a few decades ago the old-timers made ulu-style knives for fileting fish because they were so much easier to use than a standard kitchen knife. Tony Titian, 28, ofAhousaht, recalls seeing ten or more of these handmade knives at his grandparents Carl and Lena Jumbo’s place. But since they passed away the knives that Carl made are all gone.Recalling how the elders would work with these knives, called chitukthl in Ahousaht, Tony said they just looked so much easier to use, so he took it upon himself to learn how to make one. People sent him photos of chitukthl in their homes and from that he developed a template. He scavenged blades from a decommissioned sawmill back in 2013 and used a grinder to shape blades. He fashioned handles out of cedar and set them on the blade with wood glue. After sanding the handle and sharpening the blade, Titian went out to see some special people in his life, giving them one of four handmade chitukthl from his first attempt.“Thisis my first time making them and I see there’s lots of different styles and materials to make one with,” he noted. He said it took him a day to make two chitukthl and he plans to make four more. “I was very glad to see my aunty using the one I gave her…she said it was nice and sharp,” he added.
Dr. MarleneAtleo, ?eh ?eh naa-tuu-kwiss,† also†from†Ahousaht,†has†written†about†the† use†of†the†chitukthl.† Atleo†talks†about†the†advantages†of†using† the†ulu-syle†chitukthl†over†a†long-bladed† knife.†Having†learned†to†filet†fish†from† her†husband’s†grandmother,†she†said,† “using†a†chituklth†requires†an†almost† embrace†of†the†fish†which†is†consistent†of† the†relationship†of†reciprocity†we†are†to† cultivate.” “It’s†(salmon)†not†an†object†to†cut†but†a† way†to†help†it†off†with†its†coat†so†it†could† be†its†gift†to†us.†It’s†how†I†was†taught† including†the†story†of†the†close†cultural† relationship,”†Atleo†said.†That,†and†it’s† ergonomically†a†better†instrument†to†use† for†filleting†salmon.
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Page 4— Ha-Shilth-Sa—August 25, 2022
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be reproduced without written permission Nuu-chah-nulthfrom:Tribal Council P.O. Box 1383, PortAlberni, B.C. V9Y Telephone:7M2. (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 Web page: www.hashilthsa.com facebook: Hashilthsa Ntc EditorialAssistant Holly Stocking (Ext. 302) (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 holly.stocking@nuuchahnulth.org 2022 Subscription rates: $35 per year in Canada and $40 per year in the U.S.A. and $45 per year in foreign countries. Payable to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. (250)EricManager/Editor/ReporterPlummer(Ext.243)724-5757Fax:(250) 723-0463 eric.plummer@nuuchahnulth.org DeniseReporterTitian (Ext. 240) (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 denise.titian@nuuchahnulth.org Audio / Video Technician Mike Watts (Ext. 238) (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 mike.watts@nuuchahnulth.org (416)MelissaReporterRenwick436-4277Fax: (250) 723-0463 melissa.renwick@nuuchahnulth.org
Titian†will†begin†making†four†new† chitukthl†as†the†people†in†Ahousaht†are† filling†their†smokehouses†in†the†coming† days.†He†loves†to†see†the†smiles†on†their† faces†as†he†delivers†his†gift.† Submitted photo Tony Titian gives a chitukthl fish cutting knife he made to his aunt.
DFO emails open up conflict of interest concerns
“Our Indigenous technical organization required this information in order to provide sound management advice to our First Nation membership,” stated IMAWG in a summary document. “As a last resort”, the group submitted a formal request under Canada’sAccess to Information and Privacy acts, asking for a wide range of chinook data and information from 2019 and 2020. IMAWG stated that the submission was made due to concerns over Luedke’s dealings with the recreational fishery, “hence the specific request for all emails between Mr. Luedke and members of the [Sport FishingAdvisory Board].” Since 1964 the Sport FishingAdvisory Board has advised DFO on fisheries management.“DFOorganizers, after considering the input of the SFAB executive and members, will provide access to agendas and information needed as a starting point for informed discussion well in advance of meetings,” states the advisory board’s principles. “In addition, this information will be posted to a public website to ensure accountability to all Canadians.” But after reviewing over 400 pages of documents and correspondence dating back to early 2019, IMAWG stated that it was led to believe that Luedke was “working in stock assessment primarily to benefit the recreational fishery, and as a result the management of salmon has beenIMAWG’scompromised.”summary also names DFO biologist Diana Dobson, who is Luedke’s spouse, for participating in these dealings with the recreational fishery.
In June these concerns were presented to the Nuu-chah-nulth Council of Ha’wiih Forum on Fisheries, where frustrations with the federal department escalated during a meeting in Tofino that was hosted by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. “These people are supposed to represent the public and Canada,” said Tla-o-quiaht Fisheries ManagerAndrew Jackson. “We need to expose it.” Brian Tate, chief councillor of the Ditidaht First Nation, said the correspondence shows “irreparable” conduct from the federal department. “We as Nuu-chah-nulth need to gather and show how upset we are,” he said. Luedke did not respond to Ha-ShilthSa’s request for comment on IMAWG’s concerns, but the DFO stated that allegations of a possible conflict of interest are considered seriously by the department.
“Work is underway to improve our data systems, including storage and access, with the goal of increasing efficiency and transparency,” added the DFO.
August 25, 2022—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 5 250.724.7629 CYPRESS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
An email from a SFAB member shows a reluctance to share data with Indigenous groups.“[M]ost of the responses to DFO from First Nations regarding management options for Fraser River chinook stocks of concern were frankly hostile to the recreational fishery,” stated the email from April 2019. “We collectively decided to make the data public, but if it’s going to be used against the recreational fishery in a user-group-versus-user-group nonscientific way, I think we have a problem with continuing to make the data widely available.”Inthatmonth DFO announced that some chinook salmon stocks in the Fraser River were “in danger of disappearing from Canada,” according to assessments by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Strict measures were introduced that spring to better control chinook fishing, with tighter catch limits for sports fishers and delayed openings for many areas until mid July orAugust. In May more restrictions were announced to protect the offshore feeding grounds of the endangered southern resident killer whales. As 140 conservation officers patrolled the Fraser River by land, water and air, members of the Sports FishingAdvisory Board spoke of the tightest fishing restrictions the industry had seen in years, according to the correspondence provided toThisIMAWG.wasn’t good for business for a tidal and freshwater industry that generates Photo by Eric Plummer Recreational fishing boats head down the Somass River in July. The recreational fishing industry is valued at $1.1 billion annually, supporting over 9,000 jobs, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. over $1.1 billion annually, supporting approximately 9,000 jobs, according to DFO“Thefigures.multi-day anglers will not pay $2,000-4,400 per person for a fishing trip to go home with one large halibut and a couple of rockfish,” stated SFAB information sent in 2019. “Their motivation is chinook and the expectation to keep a couple of them on a multi-day trip. They will not make a ‘long haul’trip without a reasonable limit of chinook salmon. They will not tow a boat from Washington State to Nootka or Kyuquot Sound, with all the travel expenses, plus the local service costs when chinook is at 0 during this time frame. Marinas and lodges would be vacated.”
InApril 2020 an email within the DFO to Luedke indicated concerns that the department could be swaying too far in favour of the sports fishery, which remained open at the height of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. “I am concerned that we remain the non-partisan Department of Fisheries and Oceans, not the Department of Recreational Fisheries,” wrote a DFO official that the Ha-Shilth-Sa is keeping anonymous. “Yes, we need to listen to all stakeholders, but we do not have to follow their every wish. We need to speak for not only the fishing community as a whole, but for the fish themselves. We are supposed to design and conduct risk-averse fisheries…‘No’has to be an option for the long-term viability of the resource.”
By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor
“Throughout the emails we see Mr. Luedke sharing documents and tools with SFAB that were not shared with IMAWG despite their requests,” continued IMAWG’s summary statement. “Rather than acting as a DFO biologist, Mr. Luedke appears to be acting as a member of the recreational industry or SFAB.”
First Nations group pushes for transparency, after data was withheld in favour of sports fishery, says IMAWG
Since the June fisheries forum the DFO has “reviewed the complaint as reported by the Island MarineAquatic Working Group, and the matter is now closed,” according to an email sent to Ha-Shilth-Sa.
The disclosure of internal correspondence between DFO and the Sports FishingAdvisory Board has raised conflict of interest concerns, leading a First Nations’ fisheries group to call for two biologists to leave the federal department. With the aim of collectively supporting Indigenous fisheries, the Island Marine Aquatic Working Group is composed of representation from 14 Vancouver Island First Nations, encompassing Nuu-chahnulth, Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw communities. Suspicions grew among the group two years ago, when IMAWG had difficulty getting data on chinook salmon from Wilf Luedke, a stock assessment biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, despite repeated requests.
Erma Robinson of Usma Family and Child Services stands with Karmen Robinson at the Fun in the Park gathering that was held at PortAlberni’s Roger Creek Park onAug. 23. The event was put on by Child and Youth Services, with participation from Usma and other departments from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, drawing approximately 150 people during the midday hours.
Data shows herring biomass remaining above a critical level, but predation from animals remains a big threat
“The limit reference point is a place where you don’t want to get to with high probability,” explained Lane. “We’re above the limit reference point, but not very high.”
Eric Plummer photo
Page 6— Ha-Shilth-Sa—August 25, 2022
Significant spawn brings hope for keystone species
The limit reference point for the west coast of Vancouver Island is approximately 14,000 tonnes of biomass.According to survey data compiled since 1950, the wave of herring volume has dipped below this point a few times. The most recent drop was in the mid 2000s, remaining under this critical threshold for a decade until rising in 2015. For Dianne Ignace, the life she witnessed at her home early this year was a reminder of the 1970s, when the recorded volume of herring peaked at over 90,000 tonnes midway through the decade. “Back in the ‘70s it was just a heyday of herring. There was just so much life, and the kʷaqmis used to be on the kelp and rock weed,” she recalled. “We don’t have nearly as much growth down on our shores anymore. It’s pretty barren around here compared to what it was in the Herring‘70s.”are one example of several species that have declined at the ancient village site. Ignace recalls the bounty that she used to collect with her late husband Dave at Hesquiaht Harbour, before a resurgence in the population of sea otters took hold. “We used to go dig a 100-pound sack of clams in 15 minutes in an area the size of my kitchen table,” she said. “Hesquiahts have lived here for over 6,000 years,” continued Ignace. “There was over 1,000 people here and they lived off the clams on the sandbar as one of the staples in their diet. It took the sea otters six years to clean those clams off that far, and they’re still not back.” Along with protecting habitat like eelgrass, controlling fisheries is one of few means people have to help Pacific herring populations to rebuild.Abig challenge currently for the keystone species is other animals, said Lane. “What we’re seeing is a big driver is predation…hake has taken the big chunk,” he said. “The amount of predation from humpback whales, which surprised me, stellar sea lions and hake, we might not get out of this unless there’s a real Ignacechange.”remains hopeful that the scene she witnessed outside her house early this year could bear future abundance.
“This spawn we had on the beach, hopefully a lot of them hatched,” she said.
Photo submitted by Lesley Sugar Thompson Ahealthy herring spawn was spotted in Yuquot on March 11, leading residents to collect kʷaqmis. Early this year coastal locations like Yuquot and Hesquiaht Harbour saw the largest volume of herring roe many in years.
By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Tofino, BC – Dianne Ignace saw something remarkable when she returned home to Hesquiaht Harbour in mid January. Nearly two feet of herring eggs lay on the beach at the remote village site where Ignace has lived with her family for the last 47 years, resembling snow drifts on the Pacific shore. “It was incredible. That was the longest spawn I’ve seen here in 30 years,” said Ignace, noting that when the tide went out a foot of herring roe was revealed. “On the ocean floor when the tide was out you can see how deep it is.” The site where Hesquiaht people have lived for thousands of years serves as a valuable indicator of the ocean’s health.A preliminary report released this summer by Fisheries and Oceans Canada identifies Hesquiaht Harbour with other sites across the west coast of Vancouver Island where a significant spawn from herring, or ƛusmit, was observed early this year. Surveys undertaken across the island’s west coast cite 23,707 tonnes of herring biomass this year, showing an encouraging volume amid results that have wildly fluctuated, dropping as low as 5,407 tonnes in 2012. As a keystone species for salmon and other marine animals, the rich volumes of herring roe, which are called kʷaqmis or siiḥmuu in Nuu-chah-nulth, was met with excitement from those in coastal com“Herring,munities. they’re a forage fish for other animals, salmon, lingcod, which Nuuchah-nulth also harvest for food and economic purposes,” explained Jim Lane, Uu-a-thluk deputy program manager. “When you’re the forage fish, you’re kind of the bottom support of everything above it.”
The commercial herring fishing was once a staple amid the coastal harvesting industry, peaking at nearly 70,000 tonnes of catches off the coast of Vancouver Island in 1959. But in recent years the species has not been deemed healthy enough to sustain a commercial catch, and an industrial-scale fishery has not occurred off the west coast of Vancouver Island since Other2005.areas on the B.C. coast have also remained closed, with the exception being east of Vancouver Island, where a commercial fishery has opened for a few weeks each spring in the Strait of Georgia. This fishery targets pregnant females full of roe for markets hungry for the eggs, most of which are inAsia. Conservation groups have lobbied Ottawa to close this fishery as well. In recent years the Nuu-chah-nulth Council of Ha’wiih Forum on Fisheries has called for the closure of a commercial fishery off the island’s west coast. This measure is in place to give populations time to improve, and now Joyce Murray, minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, has mandated for specific rebuilding targets in 2023. But it’s yet to be determined what sort of a commercial fishery the west coast of Vancouver Island could support, said “Certainly,Lane. I don’t think you could sustain fisheries like they have in the Strait of Georgia, which is a much higher biomass,” he noted. Biologists closely watch the volume of herring in relation to a limit reference point, which is a critical level that the measured biomass in a particular region needs to reach.
Tseshaht welcome navy vessel to Port Alberni shore
August 25, 2022—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 7 Have You Moved? If you should be getting a copy of the Ha-Shilth-Sa paper delivered to your home and you are not, please contact: Holly Stocking at 250-724-5757 or email holly.stocking@nuuchahnulth.org
By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor PortAlberni, BC -ARoyal Canadian Navy ship landed at PortAlberni today to a welcome from Tseshaht members. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ottawa came to the PortAlberni dock at approximately 10 a.m. to begin a two-day stay. The ship was open for free guided tours on Saturday from 1-4 p.m., giving the public a chance to see the vessel and its crew before HMCS Ottawa departed on Sunday morning. Agroup of Tseshaht members sang for the 442-foot ship as it docked, while the vessel’s crew members tugged at ropes to secure it to the PortAlberni PortAuthority’s Berth 3.
The First Nation welcomed Commander Sam Patrick to its territory, land that the navy vessel is tasked by the Government of Canada to defend. Tseshaht Chief Councillor Ken Watts explained that the ship was docked at the sacred site of ƛuukʷatquuʔis, Wolf Ritual Beach. Gifts were given by the commander to Tseshaht Ha’wiih. The First Nation also gave artwork and a necklace to Patrick, followed by song and dance and a tour of the vessel for Tseshaht members.
Photo by Eric Plummer Tseshaht First Nation members sings as the HMCS Ottawa docks in PortAlberni onAug. 12. 250.720.7334 les sam@shaw.ca
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Members sing for 442-foot ship as it docks for a weekend at harbour, welcoming hundreds for onboard tours
Rose Jack, Mowachaht/Muchalaht’s manager of Community Health and Family Services, said that her staff, along with youth coordinators Norma Johnson and JohnAmos, as well as elders advocate Margaretta James, came together to decide that the First Nation would resume the tradition by hosting the games this year. The event followed a week-long annual camp out at Yuquot that Mowachaht/Muchalaht has gathered for since 1992.
“In meeting with youth workers and staff from the other northern tribes the decision was made to have the games in Yuquot since we were already out there,” said Jack, adding thatAnnie John and Jessie E. Smith of Ehattesaht andAudrey Smith of Nuchatlaht also had roles in pulling the games together.Theorganizers spent the next six weeks planning events for the games, making grocery lists, shopping for t-shirts and competition ribbons as well as meeting with the other northern nations to coordinate gathering in the remote location. At a site only accessible by boat or float plane, once the games were underway JohnAmos was constantly on call. With no internet connection or cell phone coverage, the radio atAmos’hip allowed little rest from the games’coordinating duties. “It’s always such a joy,” said the youth coordinator of returning to Yuquot. “We get to ground ourselves. We break away from all that technology, all that hustle and bustle in civilization.”Outsidethechurch 137 tents stretched across the grass, circling a field near Yuquot’s shore, where tug of war and a coordinated game of tag occupied dozens of children and teenagers for hours in the afternoon. “We spent a little over $5,000 for all the food and water for the Northern Region Games,” commentedAmos. “I’d do this again 100 times over just to see everyThe event brought participation from the Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Nuchatlaht and Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’andAhousaht First Nations. Pictured are participants singing in the Yuquot church onAug. 10. Campers enjoy a lunch at the Northern Region Games onAug. 10 (above), which brought together Nuu-chah-nulth-aht for four days of activities and teen-year-old Jack John (right), pulls in a tug of war with others at the games, which also included tag (below) and a mini-marathon (bottom right) in ern edge of Nootka Island.
After a three-year absence due to COVID-19, more than 300 from northern Nuu-chah-nulth nations converge in Yuquot for By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Yuquot, BC -As rain passed over Yuquot oneAugust morning, a crowd of children filled the community’s church, their parents and caregivers looking over the toys and card games spread across the building’s floor. Hovering above the activity stood replicas of sacred carvings by the Maquinna and Jack families, colourful pieces glowing in the church’s dark that depict whales, bears, eagles, serpents and hunters, with a thunderbird in flight. The otherwise quiet community on the southern shore of Nootka Island saw hundreds of campers in earlyAugust, totalling as many as 317 during the Northern Region Games that were heldAug. 8-11. It’s been years since so many gathered in Yuquot, the ancestral home of Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, where people have lived for over 4,300 years. For over a decade northern Nuu-chahnulth nations held the games in alternating communities, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted the annual gathering, which was last hosted in Zeballos by the Ehattesaht First Nation in 2019.
Northern Region Games foster self discov
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August 25, 2022—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 9
The mother has previously fostered another 26 children inAhousaht. The family has a scheduled chore list, duties the children must undertake each day before they are allowed to go on digital devices.
“Some were really fast dances, some were slow,” he added.
“Our main goal here is for these kids to have fun,” continuedAmos, noting the importance of being present and attentive with the children. “To be consistent with them, that’s what everybody needs in their life - especially when they’re young.” Small clusters of youth remained in the church in the afternoon, rap music filling the building that was originally constructed in 1956 in honour of Catholic Pope St. Pius X. Statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus on the cross sat quietly upstairs in the afternoon sunlight, while stained glass illustrations at the building’s entrance depict nobly dressed 18th century Europeans signing documents at Yuquot’s shore, the local Indigenous people watching in the background.Thediversity of the church’s contents serves as a reminder of Yuquot’s storied history. Besides being the ancestral home of the Mowachaht, the settlement was British Columbia’s first point of contact between Europeans and First Nations peoples, when the site became a trading destination for the British and Spanish in the late 1700s. During the Nootka Sound Controversy of 1789-94, conflicting trading interests brought these two European superpowers to the brink of war. Since 1923 Yuquot, or Friendly Cove, has been designated as a National Historic Site. For the last 30 years, members of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht community have ventured to the ancient site each summer to camp and celebrate their origins. This year’s Northern Region Games opened up the location for other First Nations, including Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Nuchatlaht and Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’.AlargefamilyfromAhousahtalso travelled to Yuquot for 10 days of camping. Lil’star brought nine youngsters with her, including four of her biological children and another five who she is fostering with husband Paul Frank.
Nuu-chah-nulth-aht for four days of activities and socializing. Fourand a mini-marathon (bottom right) in Yuquot at the south-
“It was really exciting to watch,” he smiled.
nations converge in Yuquot for days of rebuilding social ties at the ancestral home of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation
The large family regularly goes camping, and Lil’star has found that gatherings away from the distractions of modern society benefit each child’s sense of identity.
Ray Williams has the only household to remain in Yuquot, since the First Nation was moved to a reserve near Gold River in the late 1960s and ‘70s.As a young child he watched an earlier version of the Northern Region Games in the 1940s and early 1950s. Nootka Days began each May 24th in Yuquot, running for four days with participation from theAhousaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht and Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’nations.
The elder chuckles remembering the events from his youth, including threelegged races, swimming, diving, wheelbarrow races, bathtub races, lahal and the “Upset Canoe Race”, which involved teams of two running from the beach to correct overturned vessels.
body’s face here, all the happiness, all the joy that’s happening.”
Photos by Eric Plummer
“There’s no WiFi for them, there’s no games for them - it’s more like finding themselves and who they are, and that they’re going to okay,” said Lil’star, who has family ties to Yuquot on her grandfather’s side.
“The ciqḥsii, the announcer, would take the person that made the mistake, stand that person in front of the crowd. The speaker would call somebody in the audience to come,” said Williams. “The person that came out of the crowd, he would dance for the person that made that mistake.”
“Kids will come to us so they’re not split off and taken off the reserve,” said Lil’star of fostering. “I’ve been in there, my parents didn’t raise me. My aunt, who I call mom, is my mom’s sister. My grandparents from here raised me. I just love kids, I wanted a lot of kids.”
“It’s to show them where they come from, show them who they are,” she explained. “When kids are in care, they lose who they are and where they come from. They get so mixed up on not being with their parents that they seem to distance themselves so much. Being here the kids have really opened up and they’re so happy.”
An interesting part of Nootka Days was clearly an influence from potlatches and cultural gatherings, where mistakes during an event were handled before the audience.
“They would line up the č’apac at one end over here. They had a trolling boat to mark the starting line,” explained Williams of how the upset canoes were arranged. “Aguard would be on the beach, he would shoot off a shotgun in the air to start the race.”
“There were no trophies or anything, they were just fun games,” recalled Williams. “Every evening of every day they would do dances and sing songs.”
self discovery away from modern distractions
“The Bread of Life is far too small for this. It seems to me little or no consideration has been made for a more feasible long-term location,” Slemko said. “I cannot believe this, 25 more people living in a business area. [The Bread of Life] are bad neighbours already and I’m sure it’s going to get worse.” Mayor Sharie Minions recused herself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest as she is married to Colin Minions of the SalvationArmy. Coun. Ron Paulson was the only councillor not in favour of permitting a TUP for the shelter. He doesn’t believe the Bread of Life, which is next to the Harbourview Apartments and the Rack and Rally club, is the best location for the shelter and the clientele that will access it.
Colin Minions said the shelter will be operated from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and people can’t come in and out. “During the day we see 150 people in and out and it’s constant traffic…so at night once they are in, they’re in,” Minions said. “There’s been concerns about the use of the sidewalk space in front, so we’re in the process of…having a grant approved to build a patio off of the back in the backyard, which will allow people to go outside to smoke or hangout at night - or just generally keeping people off of the sidewalk.”
The letter claims most established businesses don’t want to see “the homeless” sleeping or leaving residue on their doorsteps, which they say are the same issues being faced by neighbours of the Overdose Prevention site on the corner of ThirdAvenue and Bute Street.
By Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor PortAlberni, BC -Aportion of Port Alberni’s unhoused population will soon have access to a temporary overnight shelter located at the Bread of Life on ThirdAvenue, but not all of the soup kitchen’s neighbours are thrilled about it. City council voted in favour of a temporary use permit (TUP) for the low-barrier shelter at a regular meeting of council on July 11. The 25-bed shelter will be operated by the local SalvationArmy at the Bread of Life’s drop-in centre and funded annually by BC Housing.
Low-barrier space for the unhoused brings mixed responses from business and neighbours in 3rd Avenue area
Atemporary-use permit, granted under the Local GovernmentAct, can be in place for three years and can be renewed one time for another three years. Completion of a Good NeighbourAgreement and an approved fire plan are both conditions of the TUP. There’s no expansion to the building proposed in the application and renovations will be internal to the structure.The2021 homeless count for PortAlberni cited 125 individuals who identified as homeless. The report showed a significant increase in people who identify as Indigenous, which went up from 48 per cent in 2018 to 65 per cent in 2021. That is compared to 17 per cent of Port Alberni’s general population who identify asColinIndigenous.Minions of the SalvationArmy said BC Housing approached them about turning the temporary drop-in centre at the Bread of Life into a year-round 24hour shelter due to the current shelter on EighthAvenue being “overcapacity on most nights and a growing need.”
Some businesses owners in the area are fed up with crime, vandalism and open drug use occurring at or near their businesses.KamBingg, owner of PortAutotech at 3717 ThirdAve., said a stack of pallets and tires was set on fire outside his business on Monday,Aug. 23. Luckily firefighters were able to get the blaze out quickly.Business owners in the area plan to bring their concerns to the next city council meeting on Sept. 6. In another attempt to help the unhoused population, the SalvationArmy sets up a mobile three-stall shower unit on an empty lot in front of Dry Creek Park from 6–10 p.m. up to four days a week. The showers must be moved off the property outside of the allotted time. The mobile showers are on loan from the SalvationArmyARC in Victoria. They are staffed and sanitized between uses.
At the July 11 meeting, H&R Block owner Rick Slemko told council he was shaking angry as he read his letter of opposition to a temporary shelter. Slemko said he’s had to pick up garbage, syringes and human waste around his storefront on several occasions from individuals accessing the Bread of Life. He’s found people sleeping in his doorway and said on occasion his customers don’t feel safe entering the office.
The funding through BC Housing will also include opportunities for case management for those accessing the shelter. Down the street from the Bread of Life, a visible problem with homelessness can be seen on FourthAvenue around the WintergreenApartments and bottle depot.
“We were able to touch base with many local surrounding businesses. We were able to connect with Dog Mountain, Coastal Restoration Society, which is set to make a big investment in the area and some others,” Minions said. “Some were largely in support, some had a lot of questions and concerns that we’re able to address.”Theowners of Dog Mountain Brewing across the street from the Bread of Life and the Coastal Restoration Society, which recently purchased the former BMO building on the corner of Third Avenue andArgyle Street, wrote letters of support for the new shelter.
Cherie Edgar, a hereditary chief for Tseshaht First Nation who also volunteers at the Bread of Life, told council that the shelter likely won’t draw anyone new to the“Thesearea.people deserve a place to sleep irregardless of what got them there. These are not bad people.All we’re doing is trying to give 25 people a place to sleep,” Edgar said. “We’re not attracting anybody else into the area that’s not already there. We feed 150 people a day and then they’re off and they’re sleeping in everybody’s doorways because they don’t have a place to go.”
Photo by Karly Blats
Page 10— Ha-Shilth-Sa—August 25, 2022 Illustration by Ivy Cargill-Martin Phrase†of†the†week:†Čušt’akšiƛʔaƛuknuš ƛiimaqst N’aačičiƛʔaaʕiicḥums
Bread of Life plans to open 25-bed shelter in Alberni
Afew other business owners voiced concerns about the shelter through letters to council. Neighbour KeithAmbrose spoke to his opposition at the meeting. “The soup kitchen has been a horrendous neighbour,”Ambrose said. “There’s no inclusiveness in this plan, I’m a neighbour and I wasn’t included in anything.”
Aletter to PortAlberni city council from a group of concerned citizens voiced opposition to the shelter and asked city council if they wanted to “turn the complete side of town, which ThirdAvenue runs through, into a homeless shelter.”
Individuals have begun setting up tarps and other makeshift shelters along the sidewalks with bags, personal items and shopping carts pilling up nearby.
Pronounced ‘Jus tak shilt alt ook nish Tlee muck stee Na gee glit aa each r Yums Yuh mums’, it means, ‘Our Spirits are Happy Now that our People can see each other again.’ Supplied by ciisma.
A25-bed overnight shelter will soon be available for PortAlberni’s homeless population at the Bread of Life on ThirdAvenue.
The Caregiver(s) would provide 24-hour care in a culturally safe and suppor ve environment, responding effec vely to challenging behaviours. Compensa on would be built around the specific needs of the youth and the Caregiver, and could include both direct services and financial support to allow Caregivers to meet the needs of the youth. For more informa on, please call Joni or Julia at 250-724-3232.
Looking for...... Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services are looking for individual/s or families who are interested in caregiving for teens with high-risk behaviors.
Pot shop grows since moving to Hupacasath land
August 25, 2022—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 11
The Green Coast Dispensary is seeing benefits from relocating to River Road by the Somass River a year ago
The anniversary barbecue was highlighted by Green Coast’s owners making a donation to Carolina Tatoosh’s Hupacasath youth group. “Dwight and Rudy gave the Hupacasath Submitted photo Of the over 300 people who camped at Yuquot this summer, 42-day-old Terry Hamilton was the youngest. Pictured are Dayton Guillemette, Dreyton Jackson, Keegan Hamilton, Shelly Hamilton and her infant Terry in front of the welcome figure at Yuquot for the annual Northern Region Games. youth group run by Carolina $5,000 for the youth groups at the start of the summer,” outlined Sayers, adding that they plan to improve a campground. “And that’s part of our plan is to keep on doing things within the community to kind of show our support, and our appreciation, and really show that we’re here.”
By James Paracy Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor PortAlberni, BC - Green Coast Dispensary spentAugust 6 celebrating a key date in the history of their business. The date saw the business’s ownership and management throw a free barbecue event for the public to celebrate the anniversary of moving to their River Road location. Green Coast manager Graham Sayers says the event felt like a great way to thank the community and give back.
“It’s just nice way to give back to the community and let them know that they’re appreciated and that it’s them that make our business succeed,” explained Sayers. “We just wanted to do something nice on that day.And it happened to be on a Saturday, which was perfect for us.” He adds that Green Coast Dispensary would like the barbecue to be an annual event. Sayers says the company would like to do more in the community as well, differentiating themselves from just being another store in the area. The company itself is owned by Rudy Watts of the Tseshaht First Nation and Dwight Dockendorff, who is of Métis ancestry. Sayers is Hupacasath and manages Green Coast Dispensary, which is now located on Hupacasath land.According to Sayers, the sense of coming together that comes with this business is a really important factor at Green Coast Dispensary and it reflects in all of the different people involved.
According to Sayers, Tatoosh has been running the Hupacasath youth group for years, to the point where kids she’s raised have their own kids in the group now.A group that important in the community felt like a very important place for Green Coast’s ownership and management to helpRunningout. a business that brings the people together is an essential pillar in Green Coast’s structure, especially in being owned by Rudy Watts, who is Tseshaht and located on the Hupacasath reserve. “It makes me proud to be able to start an Indigenous-owned business on traditional lands,” said Watts. Sayers echoed the sentiment, saying he strongly believes in the idea of having everyone work together on traditional lands and watching it grow. On the business side of things, Sayers says Green Coast Dispensary has experienced steady growth since their move to River Road. “We had lost our original location about three years ago and it took a couple of years for us to find something that would really fit well,” said Sayers. “That’s how we ended up coming to my band, the Hupacasath band. We worked with them for about six months on opening up the dispensary here on traditional territory.” Since the move, Green Coast has seen their growth come from word of mouth alone and they continue to bring in customers of all demographics.Amajor driving force of that growth has been the growth of the marijuana industry. According to Sayers, all kinds of people come into the store for different reasons, ranging from physical health to mental health and much more. He adds that after they help people out at Green Coast, these customers really spread the word. “They’re educating themselves and then they’re going out and educating their friends and their family members,” he explained. “And I mean, some of the stuff that’s coming out right now with CBD and the benefits that people are feeling from it, it’s giving instant benefits to people that are feeling anxiety or having problems with sleep.”
Green Coast Dispensary’s growth is continuing throughout Vancouver Island as well. They’ve expanded by opening up a second store with the Qualicum First Nation, located on Fisheries Road in Qualicum Beach. Sayers says the new location has done really well through their first month open, and he adds that this is something Green Coast’s ownership and management group would like to continue doing in different communities that would welcome this opportunity.
Photo by James Paracy Graham Sayers, manager of Green Coast Dispensary, stands by the cannabis shop on River Road in PortAlberni.
EricAngel, our fisheries manager, has given notice that he is moving on to other opportunities. We will miss him as he has worked hard for Nuu-chah-nulth. Our fisheries program is large and diverse and includes working with communities, governments, the First Nation Fisheries Council, and other First Nations on common issues. Most notably, working with the T’aaq-wiihak on the implementation of their court case and Haida, Quatsino, Pacheedaht and DFO on the proposed marine protected area. He also worked hard on Salmon Parks in the Northern Region to try and protect salmon habitat to a higher standard than it is now. We can’t thank him enough for all the work he has done for Nuu-chah-nulth over the years and wish him the best in whatever path he takes.
Greetings to all Nuu-chah-nulth-aht. Hope you are enjoying your summer, getting lots of fish to eat and preserve for the upcoming winter. Again, sympathies go out to our families who have had a loss of precious people.
Events
Correction: The August 10th edi on of Ha-Shilth-Sa displayed a cover photo of Davidson Maquinna holding a carving with his uncle, Tyee Ha’wilth Mike Maquinna, at the Yuquot Summerfest on Aug. 6. The Ha-Shilth-Sa has since learned that the carving was completed in 2021 by Patrick Amos, who was born in Yuquot. The piece was presented for installa on at Yuquot as a collabora on with Parks Canada, the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Na on and the Land of Maquinna Cultural Society. Plans are for the carving to be permanently installed in the near future at the ancient Mowachaht village site, along with a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque. Thanks to MargareÅa James for this addi onal informa on. ness we transact at theAGM, including the financial audit, minutes and follow up to last year’s motions. I attended a workshop on the long-term agreement on Children and families and Jordan’s Principle. Negotiations are underway to complete the long-term agreement on reform of the children and families program, and Jordan’s Principle. They are anticipating that it will be concluded by the end of 2022 and implementation byApril 1, 2023. In B.C. the family and children services organization is still working on a model for funding children and families and does not expect to be done until 2024. There is much work to be done in a short time. B.C. has also had limited Jordan’s Principle funding compared to other jurisdictions and was also behind in prevention funding and programming. We will keep you updated on progress in this regard. I am working on an NTC action plan for how NTC will push the B.C. government in implementing their Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous PeoplesAction Plan. The VP and I will bring NCN priorities to the directors and a political strategy on how to work on each item for their review and approval. B.C. has committed to their action plan over five years and we must take this opportunity to make sure they live up to their word and that we make sure our input is part of what drives those actions.
-Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers
News this week that the Prime Minister announced the nomination of Michelle O’Bonsawin to the Supreme Court of Canada. She is the first Indigenous person to ever be nominated to the Supreme Court of Canada and so this is a significant happening. She has still to go through a process before being appointed to the court but this will be a formality. For many, many years, First Nations people across Canada have been pushing the federal government to appoint an Indigenous person to the Supreme Court of Canada. Nuu-chah-nulth has been to the Supreme Court of Canada on several occasions and ensuring the justices understand our issues, values, laws and legal orders is very important. This is one justice out of nine and we certainly could use more than one First Nation justice when you consider how many rights and title cases get to the Supreme Court. The laws of Canada are built on colonial laws and it is difficult to make the changes to those laws, but having our own laws recognized and implemented is something Michelle could do. NTC is a community partner with Simon Fraser University, with CliffAtleo Jr. leading that project. Climate change is a real threat to our people and reducing greenhouse gases is key to mitigating global warming. We are looking at electric boats for our fishery fleet, taxis and other marine vessels as a way to help with zero emissions by 2050. Cliff has assembled a team of experts that is helping with this project. Haida and NTC are community partners, looking for innovation, training and changing mindsets. The team is assembling an inventory of the number of boats and Nuu-chah-nulth needs. We have monthly calls to get updates on work everyone is doing and it’s an interesting project to be involved in. September 19th is our NTCAGM. It will be in person and over Zoom. We will have limits on in-person attendance due to COVID protocols. COVID is still an issue and numbers of cases are climbing and we want to be careful. The theme will be healing our minds, bodies and spirits. We will have a presentation on the study being done by NTC and other partners regarding the effects of COVID. We will also have a presenter on jurisdiction over children and families and what is going on across Canada and different options. We will also have our usual busi-
President’s message to Nuu-chah-nulth-aht
Page 12— Ha-Shilth-Sa—August 25, 2022
Nene Van Volsen and her team will be working on federal areas of health, education, children, and other important matters. Expect to be contacted by Hugh, Michelle or Nene to set up dialogue sessions in your communities or regions. The federal government has asked us for input and it is important that we provide what is important to us in the area of federal jurisdictions. There are a lot of issues impacting Nuu-chah-nulth politically, legally, socially and culturally. We work with the directors on many different issues and prioritization of the work that we do. We congratulate all the successes in the communities for various health, economic, cultural and social you have achieved. It is always exciting to hear about your achievements.
Correction: The Page 12 article Chims Guest House showcases new tiny home at second annual festival in the Aug. 11 edition of HaShilth-Sa contained a misleading statement regarding housing regulations on the Tseshaht reserve. Since the article was first published, the Ha-Shilth-Sa has since been provided with the following information: Tseshaht First Nation has provided a Band Council Resolution with very specific conditions pertaining to the Chims Guest House business, not a “permit”. Tseshaht First Nation has a housing policy that includes conditions with respect to mobile homes and their use for permanent residence. While there are differences in on and off reserve residential rental regulations, Tseshaht First Nation has informed Ha-ShilthSa that their current housing policy does have criteria and limitations related to mobile homes/recreational vehicles; and they are also working to finalize an on-reserve Business Licensing Policy for 2023 implementation.
NTC received moneys to work on the federal government action plan on UNDRIP and to propose amendments to any laws, policies and regulation. Hugh Braker is working on our fisheries area and what we will propose to the federal government on what needs to be changed in laws and policies. Michelle Corfield and her team will be working with our Nuu-chah-nulth nations to make recommendations and actions related to racism and discrimination, any form of violence against our people and other injustices.
August 25, 2022—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 13 Employment Opportunities More job posting www.hashilthsa.comat
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Page 14— Ha-Shilth-Sa—August 25, 2022 Port VolunteersFriendshipAlberniCentreNeeded Need work experience? The Port Alberni Friendship Centre is looking for interested applicants for various positions. Call 250-723-8281
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Non-Insured Health Benefits - NIHB Coverage – Travelling Out Side Of Country Principles
If you are leaving the province, you should be aware that your coverage may not pay all health care costs. Health services provided outside Canada often cost more than the amount paid by the Ministry of Health Services. Sometimes the difference is substantial; for example, the amount we pay for emergency inpatient hospital care will not exceed $75 (Canadian) a day for United States of exceeds $1,000 (US) per day and can be as high as $10,000 a day for intensive Incare.addition, some items/services that may be a benefit in BC are not covered outside the province; for example, prescription drugs and optometric services. Further, the Ministry does not subsidize fees charged for ambulance service obtained outside BC. We advise you to buy additional health insurance to supplement your basic coverage before you leave the province, regardless of whether you’ll be in another part of Canada or outside the country – even if your company or travel agency can advise you about extra coverage to pay for any difference in fees and to provide benefits not covered by the Ministry. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you must mention this when purchasing additional insurance as most policies will not cover treatment of that condition outside the province. In some cases you may purchase an insurance policy where the insurance company has a signed agreement with the Ministry. This permits the company to pay physician and hospital claims and receive reimbursement on your behalf thus eliminating the need for you to handle your own claims.
What You Should Know- “Before” Leaving British Columbia
For
2. The client must: a. Be eligible for the NIHB Program; and b. Be currently enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a provincial or territorial health insurance plan and continue to meet residency requirements for provincial/territorial health coverage.
MSP Contact @ 1-250-386-7171 or fax 1-250-952-3427 – In case the number s have changed the web site is: www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp
3. For Transportation to Medical Services: For transportation to medical services outside of the country the client must be referred for provincially/territorially insured medical services by a provincial or territorial health care plan for treatment Shaganappi Plaza: wage change for Building Maintenance and thevideenrolled4.http://www.ammsa.com/content/careers/shaganappi-plaza-ltd-calgaryammsa.comand-superintendent/http://www.windspeaker.com/news/sweetgrass-news/building-maintenance-Windspeaker.comSuperintendentoutsideofCanada.ForSupplementalHealthInsurancePremiums:Full-timestudentsinapost-secondaryinstitutiontostudyoutsideofCanadamustpro-aletterofconfirmationthattuition,whichisnotaneligiblebenefitunderNIHBProgram,hasbeenpaid. cost of privately acquired health insurance premiums for approved students or migrant workers and their legal dependents will be reimbursed. Transportation to Medical Services: Transportation benefits when eligible clients are medically referred and approved for treatment outside of Canada by a provincial or territorial health care plan. further information on coverage outside of Country you are encouraged to call First Nations & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Vancouver BC toll free @ 1-800-317-7878
What is covered? For Supplemental Health Insurance Premiums:The
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NOTE: Ambulance – If you require ambulance service while in another province or outside Canada, you will need to obtain service from an ambulance company in that jurisdiction and will be charged the fee established by the-out-of-province service provider. Fees range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. When purchasing additional out-of-province health insurance you are advised to obtain insurance that will cover emergency transportation while you are away and, if necessary the cost of transportation back to BC.
Submitted photo D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Bear), left, sits with Michael Spears (Danny), NathanApodaca aka Doggface (Charlie), Chad Charlie (Marc Don) with director Erica Tremblay as they work on the Reservation Dogs television show in Oklahoma.
Uu?uu~tah. Shot inAhousaht, is the story of a young chief who is entrusted to be the whale hunter of his village. Just over ten minutes in length, the film can be found on YouTube. In 2016 Charlie hit a roadblock in his creative journey when he returned from Standing Rock, North Dakota. He said an incident occurred that caused him to suffer from PTSD and, subsequently, depression.Itwashisfriends in the industry that encouraged him to get back on track. “You’re a storyteller, you tell good stories – don’t let that die,” they told him. “In comedy I met a lot of dope people who talked me into writing for film.” Charlie went back to the keyboard and began writing scripts again. He directed Firecracker Bullets, a film based on his experience at Standing Rock. The cast of Reservation Dogs is almost all Indigenous and includes 2019 HonoraryAcademyAward winner Wes Studi. Wes plays Bucky on Reservation Dogs and is the firstAmerican Indian to win an AcademyAward. Hailing from Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma, Studi has a long history in acting going back to 1988. He appeared in Avatar, Geronimo – anAmerican Legend, The Last of the Mohicans and Dances withAlsoWolves.included in season two is Nathan
The television series features all-Aboriginal writers and directors, along with an almost entirely Indigenous cast
By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Oklahoma, USA – Chad Charlie, an Ahousaht writer, actor and film maker born and raised in Seattle WA., has taken the leap from stand-up comedy to the television screen. The 32-year-old is now acting and writing for the critically acclaimed Indigenous comedy drama Reservation Dogs. Reservation Dogs is an Indigenous American television series created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi for FX Productions. It is the first television series that features all Indigenous writers and directors, along with an almost entirely Indigenous NorthAmerican cast and production team. Filmed in Oklahoma, the series premieredAugust 9, 2021. In September 2021, the series was renewed for a secondAccordingseason. to IMBD, Reservation Dogs follows the adventures of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who steal, rob and save in order to get to the exotic, mysterious and faraway land of California.To succeed, they will have to save enough money, outmaneuver the meth heads at the junkyard on the edge of town and survive a turf war against a much tougher rival gang.
Charlie plays Mark Don in season two of Reservation Dogs. He says his part focuses on imperfect men trying to be mentors to younger males. “Mark Don is there to give Bear a job,” says Charlie. “We are flawed but we are trying.”Thereare underlying themes around the themes of what it takes to be a good man or what makes you a good father. Charlie has a background in comedy and that is what brought the attention of producer/writer Sterlin Harjo. “I was approached by Sterlin while doing comedy,” said Charlie. Most of the writers for Reservation Dogs have backgrounds in comedy. It helped that Charlie also has a background in construction, as his character, Mark Don, is a roofer. Charlie said his episode centers around young men growing up without dads. “There’s conversations about grief and loss, and it’s more genuine because it’s Indigenous people writing it,” he said. While the subject matter is heavy, the writers and actors manage to bring humor into the story.
Apodaca, otherwise known as Doggface, who went viral in 2020 after he uploaded a TikTok video of himself lip syncing to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” while skateboarding and chugging cranberry juice. Apodaca will play Uncle Charlie to one of the main characters. The first season of Reservation Dog can be seen on The Disney Channel. The Canadian premier of season two is scheduled for Sept.7, 2022. Charlie is now back in Seattle but says he has had a great time with the people in Oklahoma.“Ifellinlove with Oklahoma…the community, the people are so kind,” said Charlie, adding he may make a part-time homeReservationthere. Dogs has won several awards including two Independent Spirit Awards and a Golden Globe nomination.
Ahousaht actor now writes for Reservation Dogs show
August 25, 2022—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 15
“We want to write something our people can relate to and something that will make them proud,” said Charlie. Starting with standup comedy, Charlie said he began writing and directing his own films in 2018. His first film was
“We (writers) talked about the awards but in the end it’s the people we care about. There are kids who dress up as some of the characters from Reservation Dogs for Halloween,” said Charlie. His ultimate goal, he says, is to earn the trust of the people at home so that he can come back to tell their stories in an authentic and passionate way. “I want to make our people proud,” he said.
Page 16— Ha-Shilth-Sa—August 25, 2022
