Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper December, 14, 2023

INTERESTING NEWS Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product Vol. 50 - No. 24—December 14, 2023 haas^i>sa Sales Agreement No. 40047776

Eric Plummer photo

Iris Frank (left) and Anne Masso give a presentation on Tla-o-qui-aht’s ongoing efforts to preserve its ancestral language at the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Annual General Meeting on Nov. 30.

State of emergency declared for language programs As fluent speakers decline, more than half of First Peoples Cultural Council funding expected to be cut in 2024

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni, BC – A delegation representing the Tla-o-qui-aht language department claimed that B.C.’s Indigenous language programs may be at risk of losing up to 58 per cent of their First Peoples’ Cultural Council funding in 2024 if budget allocations across Canada are adjusted.

Anna Masso, TFN’s language coordinator, outlined the strides her nation is making in saving and revitalizing the Tlao-qui-aht language. But she is afraid of what will happen if more than half of the language budget is cut in April 2024.

According to Tseshaht Chief Councillor Wawmeesh, Ken Watts, the FPCC funds Indigenous language programs across Canada. British Columbia First Nations gets the lions’ share of the funding because there are more Indigenous languages and dialects in this province. Watts told delegates at the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Annual General Meeting on Nov. 30 that Indigenous leaders from other Canadian provinces are not pleased with the distribution formula.

“Both B.C. and Canada haven’t made (funding) commitments for 2024 but maybe they will,” Watts reported. “If not, then we will lose 58 per cent of our funding,” Masso pointed out that it was in 2008

that the NTC’s AGM theme was ‘Retaining our Language’.

“With each generation that leaves us, we lose a wealth of knowledge,” she said.

The Tla-o-qui-aht wonder how they can continue with the progress they’ve made in language preservation and revitalization with more than half their budget gone.

“How do we make up the difference?” the delegation asked.

According to Masso, the First Nation has fewer than 10 fluent speakers left.

They ask that the NTC prioritize language revitalization and advocate for funding to support preservation programs.

Ahousaht Chief n̓aasʔałuk, John Rampanen, noted the efforts the nations are making to save their languages, both individually and in partnership with other nations. He said the Tk̓emlúps Nation recently declared a state of emergency to save their language and he suggested the NTC do the same.

Rampanen said it would make sense to seek funding collectively to make sure the efforts to save languages can have security and continuity into the future.

Judith Sayers pointed out that the First People’s Cultural Council, the organization that delivers funding to First Nations groups for language revitalization programs, is a Crown agency.

The discussion at the NTC AGM turned

Inside this issue...

Nuchatlaht back in court.................................................Page 3 Bears sighted feasting on whale carcass.........................Page 7 Ha’wilth Yał luu a passes chieftainship................Pages 10&11 Leaders reflect on improving communities..................Page 13 Senior girls gear up.......................................................Page 19

to recollections of past meetings and treaty sessions held in the 1990s and prior, where elders often took to the microphone to share stories and teachings in their language. The NTC has a library of VHS and audio recordings of these meetings that need to be digitized so that they can be shared with Nuu-chah-nulth nations.

The table agreed that the NTC’s library of videotaped meetings should be digitized. In addition, they agreed that an archivist should be hired to catalogue the collection and make them available to the individual Nuu-chah-nulth nations. The videos can then be used to support each nations’ language and culture programs.

A motion that the NTC and member nations declare a state of emergency for the loss of language and culture was passed.

It was further agreed that a working group made up of representatives from each member nation be established to support preservation of language and culture programming. The NTC will look for funding to carry out digitization work of its archives collection and find funds for a researcher/archivist to manage the collection so that it can be shared with member nations.

Cloy-e-iis, NTC President Judith Sayers, says the tribal council will look for money as requested in the motion to access their archives. She recalled how the fluent speakers of the past would talk

about many subjects through the years.

“We used to have translators at all our meetings for those who didn’t speak our language so they could follow the teachings, histories and protocols being spoken,” she remembered.

Sayers knows the communities are working to save their languages with dwindling resources.

“So many fluent speakers have left us and there are parts of our language we have already lost,” she noted. “We must continue to work to save our language through teaching teachers, community members and documenting and using our language.”

It is anticipated that the federal government will make significant cuts to language and culture budgets in 2024 and the province has already made cutbacks, according to Sayers.

There is concern that languages could disappear if governments do not reinstate the funding.

“The NTC will be writing letters to both federal and provincial governments to advocate for increased funding in keeping with the calls from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, reconciliation itself, and implementing UNDRIP and the federal and provincial action plans,” said Sayers. “Governments cannot walk away from their legislated commitments.”

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

Page 2— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023

Ahousaht to withdraw from NTC health services New funding arrangement with First Nations Health Authority brings services directly to remote community

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ahousaht, BC – The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Annual General Meeting ended with an announcement from Ahousaht chief and council, stating they plan to disengage from NTC’s health programs so that the First Nation can directly manage these services on their own.

Elected Chief n̓ aasʔałuk (John Rampanen) thanked the other Nuu-chah-nulth nations for standing together over the years and helping Ahousaht get on their feet. He said the nation will begin to transition into a new model of health delivery services in 2024.

“Ahousaht leadership is also currently engaged in pathways to reclaim jurisdiction over Health, Justice, Child & Family Services as well as Education.” he told Ha-Shilth-Sa. The move, he said, would allow Ahousaht more authority and access to the health services its people need. In addition, it would save administration costs at the NTC level.

“It is estimated that the administrative fees gleaned off the top of health funds intended for Ahousaht total eight per cent for FNHA [First Nations Health Authority] and 12 per cent for NTC. This means that an estimated 20 per cent of health funds allocated specifically for Ahousaht is not reaching our Nation,” Rampanen wrote in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. Direct funding to Ahousaht, he noted, will bypass the 12 per cent NTC administrative costs and also provide Ahousaht direct communication with FNHA, provincial and federal agencies to access

health care services.

Ahousaht is the largest Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation with a list of more than 2,200 registered members, with slightly less than 40 per cent living in its main village on Flores Island, and a growth rate at 2.6 per cent annually.

Located on remote Flores Island, about a 40-minute water taxi trip from Tofino, travel in and out of the community can be difficult and expensive. Residents access most health services in Tofino, Port Alberni and beyond.

The village has two wellness centres, and a medical centre is in the works.

“Ahousaht people know what Ahousaht needs,” said Rampanen.

And he assured that those living off reserve would not be forgotten.

“This will enhance and strengthen our nation – all Ahousahts matter, no matter where they live,” he added.

Rampanen says Ahousaht has been entertaining the idea of disengaging from NTC health services for several years.

Doing so would allow Ahousaht to develop a direct funding arrangement with the First Nations Health Authority, providing “greater self-determining control over health funds intended specifically for our nation as well as more flexibility and authority over how health funds are allocated and used by Ahousaht,” he wrote.

Currently, Ahousaht shares health services with other NTC nations and resources are spread thin, according to a statement from the First Nation’s chief and council. While Ahousaht works to build services into Ahousaht, they are also thinking of their neighbors with smaller populations.

n̓ aasʔałuk, John Rampanen Rampanen says a planned medical centre to be built in Ahousaht would not only meet the needs of residents, but could potentially be accessed by neighbors to the north, like Hesquiaht, cutting their travel time and expenses.

“We would not want to see smaller nations negatively impacted by Ahousaht,” he said.

Ahousaht is in negotiations for the opening of a medical centre/nursing station.

To have this service would significantly reduce medical travel expenditures.

Ahousaht is developing a network of health care services that includes counselling and other wellness programs already offered at their holistic center called Chachum Hii Yup Tiicmis. The recently acquired Tofino Wilderness Lodge will be used in the off-season as a healing and well-being centre. Revenue generated at the lodge during the eight-month tourist season could be reinvested back into healing and well-being programs.

Rampanen says Ahousaht members will likely not see any significant changes in their access to health care over the next few months, because the change will be introduced gradually. Plans are in the works for enhanced elder care supports both on and off reserve.

“We heard that loud and clear, that more elder support is needed,” said Rampanen, adding that he doesn’t know what that support will look like, yet.

“We anticipate that the quality and level of direct service to and for Ahousaht people will only be enhanced and strengthened,” said Rampanen.

Ahousaht leadership is developing a plan and acknowledge that some health services from the NTC may need to be retained until Ahousaht is in a position to fill those roles from within.

The disengagement from NTC Health Services is set to begin April 1, 2024, however, this will be an ongoing process.

“At the end of January 2024, there will be a series of at-home and urban reconciliation engagement sessions hosted,” said Rampanen. “This will kick-off an ongoing series of community-oriented dialogues to update and hear from Ahousaht employees and community members.”

Ahousaht Leadership has also brought on board a health strategist, Margaret Dick, to support with this initiative.

Rampanen says Ahousaht has put a lot of consideration into this decision and Ahousaht leadership wish to thank member Nuu-chah-nulth nations for helping Ahousaht “get on their feet”.

“This is a testament to the leadership, and we would like to express our gratitude to them,” he said.

December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 3

Nuchatlaht back in court to determine future of case At least 45 new maps are prepared to show historical occupation; First Nation looks at years of fighting for title

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Vancouver, BC - The Nuchatlaht were back in court on Dec. 11, as the small First Nation seeks Aboriginal title over its territory on the northern part of Nootka Island.

Nearly seven years since first filing the title claim to the B.C. Supreme Court in early 2017, the Nuchatlaht and their legal team appeared before Justice Elliot Myers for a hearing to help determine the future path of the case.

In May Myers released a decision on the Nuchatlaht’s claim over the approximately 20,000 hectares off the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. The judge determined that the First Nation’s members are the historical and rightful owners of the claim area – but not all of it. He noted that the only “direct evidence” of historical habitation lies in the vicinity of village sites near the coast.

Since they last came before the judge in August, the Nuchatlaht have made two applications to further the case. One option is to prove title over certain sections of the claim area by reexamining evidence that has already been filed to the court. In preparation for this route the First Nation’s legal team has prepared 45-50 maps indicating different areas of historical occupation.

“We have prepared those maps and are ready to present them on Monday,” said Owen Stewart from the Nuchatlaht’s legal team before the court hearing.

“Whether we get to that or not, we’re not sure.”

The hearing was scheduled for four days, but it only took three quarters of the Monday to determine the next phase of the case. The Nuchatlaht’s application to prove title for certain sections of their territory was accepted by the court. This means that during the next court hearing, which is scheduled for five days starting March 11, 2024, the Nuchatlaht’s legal team will present further argument to define certain sections of the claim area.

“This is a process of now fighting about, okay, what are the smaller areas that Nuchatlaht have won title to?” explained Stewart. “The court is really hesitant to draw their own line, they need one of the parties to draw it for them. This is that process.”

It remains to be seen if the court will accept another application for the Nuchatlaht to gather further evidence to prove

Eric Plummer photo

On Dec. 4 the Nuchatlaht were back in the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver to assess the future direction of their title case with Justice Elliot Myers. Pictured from the left after a court appearance in August are Jack Woodward, Owen Stewart, Jennifer Macleod and Sue Klatt from the First Nation’s legal team, with Tyee Ha’wilth Jordan Michael and Nuchatlaht members Archie Little and Edgar Smith seated in front.

Aboriginal title over the entire area they presents a time-consuming process for Tsilhqot’in case,” added Myers while in have claimed. This entails reopening the the Nuchatlaht, as these recordings of the court in August. case for more evidence, a process that First Nation’s elders require translation This is the first aboriginal title case could take years. It would involve more and transcribing. since the province passed the Declaration archaeological studies of the claim area, “If that’s what it takes, my client has of Indigenous Peoples Act in 2019. In in which surveyors drill into culturally instructed me to do that,” said Jack alignment with an international declaramodified trees to date when they were Woodward, who leads the Nuchatlaht tion from the United Nations, this legislaaltered by Nuchatlaht’s ancestors. legal team, as he appeared before Myers tion passed into law the recognition of In evidence already presented to the in August. ancestral lands that First Nations occucourt, archaeologist Jacob Earnshaw The Nuchatlaht have relied on the prec- pied before contact with Europeans. But has identified 8,386 culturally modified edent of the Tsilhqot’in case, a 2014 rulas is being proven by the lengthy court trees in the claim area, with an average ing from the Supreme Court of Canada. process, getting the province to legally distance of 845 metres from the shore.

Woodward was part of the legal team that recognize a First Nation’s territory can Stewart said that the First Nation has fought for this recognition of the central bring a drawn-out battle. been doing more of this sort of archaeoB.C. First Nation’s aboriginal title, which “We can’t just have big general descriplogical work as it awaits the next phase of sets the exclusive and continued occupations of these things,” said the province’s the title case. tion of an area as the legal test. Although lawyer Jeff Echols while in court with the “Archaeological surveys have been Myers determined that a Nuchatlaht Nuchatlaht in August. “Their argument taking place,” he said. “One of the comconfederacy used the claim area when was that there was one territory owned by ments in the decision is that none of these the British Crown asserted sovereignty one group. The evidence didn’t support surveys were done with permits. We in 1846, he cited an inherent problem that.” couldn’t test anything, we couldn’t stick with relying on the Tsilhqot’in case as a With less than 170 members, the years of an auger in a tree, count the rings and tell precedent “given the marine orientation fighting for title has put a large financial you how old the CMT was. We’ve got of the culture”. burden on the Nuchatlaht. that permit now. We’re ready to put our “[T]here will probably not be trails “We’re committed to fighting it all the foot on the gas if the court lets us.” between one coastal location and another, way,” said Councillor Archie Little. “We Reopening the case for more evidence given that the means of transport was know that it’s costly, it’s very costly, but could also involve the examination of primarily by canoe,” wrote the judge in we believe in who we are and we’re goaudio tapes currently in the Royal B.C. his decision from this spring. ing to prove to them that we are right.”

Museum’s collection in Victoria. This “This is quite a bit different than the

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Page 4— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023 Ha-Shilth-Sa newspaper is published by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council for distribution to the members of the NTC-member First Nations, as well as other interested groups and individuals.

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Ditidaht improves accessibility features Daycare, health clinic and community hall set for upgrades like hand rails, ramps

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Malachan, BC – Three Ditidaht First Nation community buildings at Nitinaht Lake will receive upgrades to improve accessibility, thanks to financial support from the Rick Hansen Fund.

The Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) announced three B.C. First Nations would be beneficiaries of grants as part of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month. Ditidaht joins Malahat Nation and the Seabird Island Band as recipients of grants that will allow them to make accessibility improvements to community facilities. The RHF program’s goal is to improve accessibility for people facing mobility challenges.

Ditidaht Chief Councillor Judi Thomas was pleased to share the news, saying that the grant will allow the nation to enhance accessibility and inclusivity within the community.

“This initiative aligns well with our values of iisaak (respect), uu-ah-thluk (taking care of), and dubayaax ̣ a c̓awaaʔk (everything is one), emphasizing the importance of respecting diverse abilities, inclusivity, and mutual care,” she told Ha-Shilth-Sa. Thomas went on to say that the Asaabuus Daycare, Community Services Health Clinic, and the Community Hall will receive accessibility upgrades in the near future. “(This will) undoubtedly make a significant impact on the lives of young, adult, and aged community members with physical disabilities,” she said.

Upgrades will include things like added handrails, toilet grips, sloped walkways, signage, ramps, automatic doors, lighting indoors and outdoors, and countertop height, according to Thomas.

Beneficiaries of the RHF grants will receive up to $82,500 in funding to perform accessibility improvements to three sites that will meet the foundation’s RHFAC ratings, along with accessibility training.

According to the Rick Hansen Foundation, RHFAC is a rating program that measures the accessibility of a site based on the holistic user experience of people with varying disabilities. Some of these features include accessible entranceways, vehicle access, emergency systems,

Wikimedia Commons photo

The Rick Hansen Foundation has awarded up to $82,500 to the Ditidaht First Nation to upgrade its daycare, health clinic and community hall with features like hand rails, more lighting, ramps and automatic doors. Pictured is Rick Hansen in 2011. accessible washrooms, and wayfinding strollers, caregivers and those with temsignage. porary disabilities. It will provide greater Also provided to the three grant recipiindependence and increased self-esteem ents is Accessibility Awareness Training for everyone impacted, including staff.” to foster a positive culture of Diversity, “I’d like to thank the Rick Hansen Equity and Inclusion, as well as compliFoundation, and everyone involved in mentary RHFAC training. This training this program for reaching out and giving will be offered through Vancouver Comus this opportunity to participate in this munity College and will teach participrogram,” said Chris Barker of the Ditipants how to use RHFAC methodology to daht First Nation. “Accessibility issues rate existing buildings and pre-construcare often overlooked, and I think this is tion drawings on their level of meaningthe perfect opportunity to gain as much ful access. knowledge as possible to help improve Chief Thomas said three Ditidaht accessibility in our community. We look students will take part in RHFAC trainforward to taking the necessary steps to ing at Vancouver Community College to improve access in our community buildimprove accessibility awareness. Having ings.” trained staff in the village further ensures The Rick Hansen Foundation was estabthat the community is well-equipped to lished in 1988, following the completion support individuals with diverse abilities, of Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World said Thomas.

Tour. For over 35 years, RHF has worked “This will benefit members who have to raise awareness, change attitudes, and vision and mobility barriers, those who remove barriers for people with disabiliuse wheelchairs or walkers,” she said. ties.

“It will also benefit seniors, parents with

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December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 5

Ditidaht push for Carmanah Main improvements Atmospheric river highlights the need for provincial road standards, while improving a continued water deficit

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Nitinaht Lake, BC - After seeing a precipitation deficit through November, the West Coast’s wettest month, a ‘potent and impactful’ atmospheric river brought heavy rainfall to western Vancouver Island.

According to Environment Canada, up to 150 millimetres of rain fell in some areas, and the storm calmed in the early hours of Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The River Forecast Centre issued a high streamflow advisory for the west coast of Vancouver Island.

“Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads,” reads the Environment Canada alert for the west coast of Vancouver Island. “Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.”

“It’s a pretty broad and wide atmospheric river that’s coming in and especially along the west side of the Island,” said Jonathan Boyd, a hydrologist with B.C.’s River Forecast Centre.

He added that freezing elevations are relatively high at 2,500 to 3,000 metres, “which means that if there is snow [on] some of the western Vancouver Island mountain tops, that snow could melt and just add to the water in the systems.”

This atmospheric river may be a positive for the drought conditions, Boyd said, since at the end of November things were reported at level one, jumping back up from zero.

“In the sense that the ground is a little bit drier, and vegetation is kind of ready to soak up some extra moisture,” he

Karen Mack photo

December 5, 2023 the road to Nitinaht Lake was flooded by heavy rain (pictured), the atmospheric river event in December is heightening the need for a better land passage to the community. reservoirs, the groundwater, and just “It raises concerns for access,” she said. added. saturate the soil.”

“In November, I met with Minister “From a drought perspective, the storm Though November was in a precipitaFleming to advocate for the overall road actually is, I think, fantastic, aside from tion deficit, for the Ditidaht First Nation, improvements for the local community,” of course the localized challenges that the main road into their community at said Thomas, adding that she would like may present itself from flooding,” said Nitinaht Lake has already seen multiple to see provincial standard improvements Boyd. “We do need these atmospheric floods, shared Chief Councillor Judi to the road. “We need signage, we need rivers to replenish the water supply, the Thomas. safety measures in place, and this mostly “Ditidaht is impacted in a big way with results from the closure at Highway 4, large rainfalls and storms that happen Cameron Lake bluffs, where hundreds every year,” said Thomas. “Every year of thousands of people were rerouted the…Campus Creek floods, blocking through Ditidaht traditional territory.” the main road access in and out of the After a June wildfire shut down Highvillage, obviously stopping ambulances, way 4 at Cameron Lake for much of the transporting people and groceries in and summer, Boyd noted potential of debris out of the community.” or a landslide cutting off access again “It disrupts transportation and even puts during heavy rain. human lives at risk,” she added.

“And then thinking of those alternative According to James Fothergill, Ditidaht routes that were being used to get people Emergency Services manager, the main to Port Alberni and when you get into the road sees roughly 12 floods per year. logging roads, along with heavy rainfall But the community now has a 2.8-kiloand heavy use, that’s when they become metre bypass road. quite dangerous,” he said.

Thomas noted that this bypass was put “The remote communities are at greatest in by logging road builders. risk,” said Boyd, adding in concern for “It does not work well for cars; the residents and communities living along grades are too steep. It puts more of river systems. our people at risk from a safety point “We already have a feasibility study of view,” she said, noting erosion is a completed that lifts the road and widens concern. “It’s a safety hazard even though it to provincial standards so that it’s flood it’s meant to be a mitigation to the floodproof,” said Thomas, with estimates of ing.” the project costing roughly $30 million.

Thomas shared that in November when “We want to promote safe and efficient the main road flooded, trees had fallen movement of people through our terriacross the bypass. tory.”

Page 6— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023

Climate Change impacts traditional food systems ‘Ocean acidification’ is among the effects of carbon emissions, affecting aquatic species as well as their habitat

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Kyuquot, BC - According to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Provisional State of Global Climate, 2023 is reported to be the warmest in the 174-year observational record, surpassing 2016 and 2020 records for warm temperatures.

For Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations (KCFN), the biggest impact from climate change is on their cultural ways of life through traditional food systems, said Katarina Duke, KCFN’s manager of Marine Conservation and Fisheries.

“Because of all the changes that are happening, especially in the oceans, with ocean acidification, for example, it’s really impacting what species are available for social and ceremonial purposes,” said Duke.

“Almost all the salmon stock in KCFN territory have declined,” she shared.

“They’re dwindling and they’re definitely needing some extra help.”

“Climate change is not going anywhere,” added Duke. “But we need to figure out how can we help other species live, adapt, and mitigate these impacts on them for basically the benefit of everyone, everything; all living beings.”

Since Duke has been at KCFN she’s noticed unpredictable weather, making it difficult to use traditional knowledge mechanisms to predict precipitation levels, temperatures, and weather, among others.

“Historical data begins to no longer serve as a baseline,” said Duke. “Indigenous knowledge is having to adapt by

continually observing patterns in nature.”

“Because those are being disrupted, knowing when a species is going to be at a set location, and when it’s not, it’s causing to be a problem for when it’s time to harvest,” continued Duke, adding that not only salmon but medicinal plants are impacted. “Traditional harvesting areas may be relocating to other areas or may be dwindling entirely.”

Foundational to traditional food systems is biodiversity, she shared.

It was in 2022, the most recent full-year of recorded data, that the measurement of heat absorbed and stored in the ocean reached its peak in the 65-year observational record, according to the WMO’s Provisional State of Global Climate.

“The ocean absorbs around one quarter of the annual emissions of anthropogenic [carbon dioxide],” reads the WMO report.

“Carbon dioxide reacts with seawater and alters the carbonate chemistry, resulting in a decrease in pH referred to as ‘ocean acidification’.”

“Ocean acidification affects organisms and ecosystem services, including food security, by reducing biodiversity, degrading habitats, and endangering fisheries and aquaculture,” the report continued.

Despite the WMO’s report, British Columbia’s climate change accountability report outlined that the province’s net Greenhouse Gas Emissions have decreased by five per cent since 2018, and four per cent since 2007, reads a press release from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Methane emissions were reduced from the oil and gas sector by 50 per cent, the

Melissa Renwick photo

It was in 2022, the most recent full-year of recorded data, that the measurement of heat absorbed and stored in the ocean reached its peak in the 65-year observational record, according to the WMO’s Provisional State of Global Climate.

Pictured is the ocean west of Kyuquot Sound. ing the foods currently in the KCFN diet report continued, outdoing their 2025 but to reclaim those foods that are absent target to reduce methane emission by 45 per cent. or limited from the diets,” said Duke.

“Finding ways in which northern abalone “We continue to be on the right path to can become a part of the traditional food meet our ambitious emissions-reductions targets, even as our population and our systems again as it was pre-contact and economy have both grown significantly before over-exploitation.” over the past few years,” said George “Northern abalone, however, are proHeyman, B.C.’s minister of Environment tected under Species at Risk Act (SARA) but perhaps we need to explore how we and Climate Change Strategy, in a recent press release. “By continuing to accelercan bring abalone back without further ate thoughtful, effective CleanBC policies compromising the wild population, perand by making more investments in clean haps even supporting its recovery,” she added. economic growth, we are confident that we can meet our climate targets and conDuke also noted solutions such as the use of clam gardens, which are “aquacultribute to a secure and more affordable ture founded on Indigenous knowledge future for British Columbians.”

For Duke, solutions to protect traditional capable of cultivating biodiversity for rich food systems.” food systems consist of looking beyond “Food is just so important,” said Duke. the conventional management strategies, “Realizing that connection between and instead “weave multiple ways of climate change and food is really, I think, knowing” which include both “new and really critical.” old options”.

“For KCFN this isn’t just about protect-

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December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 7

Bears sighted feasting on whale carcass in Hesquiaht Grey whale a sign of population decline among the species, a development researchers tie to global warming

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Hesquiaht Harbour, BC - Karen and Stephen Charleson, who have lived at Hesquiaht Harbour for decades, encountered a sight early this month they’ve never seen before: two bears feasting on what appeared to be the carcass of a grey whale.

Stephen had first spotted the massive carcass floating the area about a month prior. Then on Dec. 1 he noticed the bears eating it.

“It looks like a gray whale to me,” wrote Stephen through a social media app sent to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “The smaller bear started eating inside the whale’s jaw before we left the site. (We were in a canoe just off the beach watching). I haven’t seen any bears eating a whale before. I first spotted the carcass about a month ago across the way from us.”

Before heavy rains began, Stephen noticed the bears were at the carcass again on Sunday, Dec. 3.

“We have looked through binoculars once in a while to see if the bears are still there--yesterday they were still there,” Stephen wrote. “It is too rainy today to see if the bears are there, but we could see the carcass early this morning before the rain started. It is about two miles across the harbour from where we live.”

Hesquiaht Harour is approximately 45 kilometres northwest of Tofino, accessible only by boat or float plane. The Charlesons have lived there for a least part of the year since the mid-1990s, running the Hooksum Outdoor School, and built a house about 15 years ago to reside in Stephen’s traditional territory at Ayyi’saqh year-round.

They usually don’t see many grey whales, unless Hesquiaht gets a good herring spawn, like they had in February and March for the past two years.

“If it has been a good spawn here, they stay in the harbour and feed for two, three, or more weeks before continuing their migration south,” wrote Karen.

“If there is not much herring spawn, we might not see many gray whales at all (less than 10), but in the last few years there have been slowly improving herring spawns (since the gillnet fishery has been shut down), and there have been more whales feeding in the harbour (sometimes up to 60 at a time).”

The recovery of the grey whale is considered “a conservation success story” by the USA’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The species that migrates along the West Coast of North America was near extinction in the 1940s, but since hunting the mammal was banned grey whales returned to what is believed to be pre-commercial-whaling numbers.

Stephen Charleson photo

In early December two bears were seen in Hesquiaht Harbour eating what appears to be the carcass of a grey whale.

But since the population peaked at 27,000 in 2016, an unusually high number of carcasses have been washing up on the shores, like what recently appeared at Hesquiaht Harbour. As of last winter, the NOAA estimates that the population of grey whales on the eastern side of the Pacific has dropped to approximately 14,500. This due to a remarkable die off that began in January 2019, which researchers call an Unusual Mortality Event.

“Most of the animals that are washing up are very underweight,” said Erin Gless of the Pacific Whale Watch Association.

“They’ve done necropsies on them and there doesn’t appear to be a virus or anything like that.”

Each year grey whales migrate along the North American coast, from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to the warm waters of Mexico’s Baja, where they NOAA Fisheries photo give birth in the winter months. A recent A Southwest Fisheries Science Center researcher scans for gray whales during a study from Oregon State University has survey as part of the long-term population monitoring research. found that changing ocean conditions in ocean. The bottoms of these frozen platwhale strandings all along their range the Arctic could be limiting the available forms hold algae which feeds the biomass including throughout British Columbia food that the population of recent years below. and including the Tofino area, it does not was able to support.

“We found that the population dynamics surprise me there would be instances of “Climate change is affecting a wide of an iconic and highly mobile polarbears eating grey whale carcasses,” said range of global systems, with polar associated species are tightly coupled John Calambokidis, a biologist at the ecosystems experiencing the most rapid to Arctic prey availability and access to Cascadia Research Collective, adding change,” stated the study, which was led feeding areas,” explained the study. “This that at least 27 dead grey whales have by assistant professor Joshua Stewart. suggests that even mobile, long-lived spe- been documented in B.C. waters in the The study ties the volume of seafloor cies are sensitive to dynamic and changlast four years, while more deaths have crustaceans that grey whales eat to the ing conditions as the Arctic warms.” likely gone unreported. “These would declining amount of ice floating on the Stewart and his team identified another represent a potential source of food for Unusual Mortality Events that began in bears, although many of the whales have 1999, a die-off that the grey whale popubeen emaciated, which would reduce how lation was able to recover from. rich a food source they would be with “We’re hoping that this is just another even the blubber of some of these whales example of they go through these waves having very low levels of lipids (fats).” of up and down,” said Gless.

To help researchers gain a better unWhat’s bad for the grey whale populaderstanding of the Pacific grey whale tion appears to be a benefit for bears and population, carcasses can be reported to other animals that search for food along Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 1-800the coast.

465-4336 or through email at DFO. “When these whales come to shore it’s ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. DFO’s actually a really great windfall for things marine mammal coordinator planned to like bears and wolves,” said Gless. “It’s head to Hesquiaht Harbour in the first bad for the whale, of course, but it’s a week of December to assess the remains really important feeding opportunity for of the animal. lots of species on the beach.”

“I think given the higher number of gray

Page 8— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023

‘Driven by tourism’: Benefits and concerns in Tofino Tla-o-qui-aht sees a need to become ‘larger players’ in the industry, as members have to deal with rising costs

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tofino, BC- Tofino is known internationally for its stunning sandy beaches, surfable waves, old growth rainforests, and abundant wildlife, luring in surfers, transient workers, and thousands to millions of visitors each year. Home to Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, the industry has both provided benefits and concerns for the community.

“I think that when you’re living in a tourism industry area, of course our cost of living is going to be higher because we want to charge more for tourists,” said Elmer Frank, elected chief councilor of Tla-o-qui-aht. “It’s unfortunate that us as locals have to suffer those costs.”

In an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa, Justin Wiltshire, assistant professor in the economics department of the University of Victoria, shared that “any notable tourism boom is likely to drive up local prices”.

“My suspicion is that the tourism boom initially benefited local[s] in Tofino, providing more economic opportunities and amenities,” wrote Wiltshire. “But as Tofino became increasingly popular, house prices and rents began rising faster than wages, making things more unaffordable.”

The professor noted that the tourism boom has benefited locals who invested in land that has risen in value, but renters and some property owners who needed to live on their land have found themselves falling behind.

“Of course, if this is a very large and sustained increase in tourism in a place that also draws transient labor (e.g. outof-town surfers who also take jobs to pay the bills), then housing demand also increases, which can drive up rents,” wrote Wiltshire. “In places where there aren’t extra construction workers or where land is scarce… it can be a lot more difficult to build new housing, and so rents can increase much more sharply.”

According to Clayoquot Biosphere Trusts’ 2023 Vital Signs report, the west coast region is now home to 7,626 residents, which has grown from 4,804 since 2006 and from 6,808 in the last two years.

Throughout the Clayoquot region, there are over 682 listings on AirBnB, reads the report. In 2022, it was reported that a monthly average of four one-bedroom, less than one two-bedroom, and one three-bedroom longer term rentals was available in Ucluelet and Tofino.

According to the Vital Signs report, in 2021-22, the Long Beach unit of Pacific

Melissa Renwick photo

A surfer walks out of the ocean on Long Beach, near Tofino, on April 14, 2021. The natural beauty of Tla-o-qui-aht territory has enabled the area to become an international destination, leaving locals to struggle with rising costs.

Rim National Park saw 1.2 million visitors, increasing from under 800,000 in 2013.

“The largest impact comes from unmanaged aspects of tourism,” said Saya Masso, lands director for the Tla-o-quiaht Tribal Parks Guardian Program.

“When tourism can be managed and guided to the trails that you want them to and there’s good guide outfitters that are educating the tourists on respectful use of the tribal parks, those usually minimize and have minimal impact.”

But for Tribal Park Guardians, issues with affordable housing and the lack of available campgrounds has caused an increase of people living in their cars or camping in the backcountry.

“Tourism, at least in Tofino, comes with an affordable housing issue, which then comes with illegal dumping and illegal camping,” said Masso.

“I think it’s got much less of an impact in our territory than straight up resource extraction,” said Gisele Martin, who grew up working in tourism. “But tourism also can have huge impacts so there’s a lot that needs to be done to mitigate that.”

“The cost on our traditional foods is something that hasn’t been factored in,” Martin said.

The areas where Martin’s uncle used to

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hunt for duck and deer and dig for clams are now occupied by float homes.

“We can’t hunt there because people are living there,” said Martin. “This is the area where we’re from, this is where we’re supposed to be duck hunting or clam digging or picking berries.”

“Tourism has certainly had an impact on our community and our people,” said Jim Chisholm, Tla-o-qui-aht tribal administrator. “It’s been very good in a lot of ways, and in some ways, it’s got some concerns for us.”

For Tla-o-qui-aht, they own and operate Best Western Tin Wis Resort, which has maintained high occupancy rates through the 2023 off season, and Tsawaak RV resort and campground, offering competitive rates for long-term stays for locals through the off season, reads a December project report.

“Tourism provides employment for a lot of our members, whether it’s in our facilities or in other hotels, or restaurants or stores,” said Chisholm.

“You can see and you can feel how

much this town [is] driven by tourism in our traditional territory,” said Frank.

“You can see that because the fire at Cameron Lake and the road closures that happened during that time affected Tofino significantly.”

Frank shared that restaurants were closing and laying off its employees.

But for Frank, in terms of economic benefit in the region, he shared that Tlao-qui-aht is “being left behind as First Nations”.

“We should be one of the first and foremost benefiting from our hahoulthee, our traditional territories,” said Frank.

“Our nation has to learn to participate more in the economy of this area, in other words of tourism,” said Chisholm.

“We’re not directly major players in the tourist industry out here. Parks Canada are, merchants in Tofino are, but [for] us, it’s a lesser extent, and things we want to do in the future is… we want to be bigger players in the tourist industry out here.”

December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 9

Irine Polyzogopoulos photo

Cathy Watts was blanketted by Lisa Sam and Yvonne Lucas at a retirement celebration on Dec. 6. At Chances Rim Rock Casino.

Front desk pro retires after 25 years with tribal council Wa•s remembers the hectic pace of her long-time post, focus gained by leaving personal stuff out of the office

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Port Alberni, BC - After 25 years at the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s main office in Port Alberni, Cathy Watts reflects on her fondness for being where the action is, juggling constant telephone calls while attending to visitors who approached her front desk.

“It was hectic at times, but I did it,” said Watts, who retired earlier this year.

“I looked forward to just helping out the people and doing the best I could in the front.”

Quick with an answer while wasting no time to attend to anything at hand, Watts was in her familiar post on and off since she started with the tribal council in 1998, finally earning the full-time job in 2007. Her handprints are all over the tribal council after years of working in various other departments as well, including some time assisting with office duties for Ha-Shilth-Sa. “I got into doing odd jobs around the building, like painting,” recalled Watts, who painted with fellow long-time employee Yvonne Lucas, who currently manages travel reservations. “We actually painted the whole hallway, upstairs to downstairs.”

Watts and Lucas even painted a house the mental health department was using in Tofino. She also learned to help issue status cards. She owes her work ethic to being able to leave personal matters out of the office, allowing her to focus on putting her job first.

“Don’t bring anything from home into the office. If there was ever anything seriously happening at home or a family problem, I just left it at home and I dealt with it after work,” she said. “Same with work. If there was something happening at work, I wouldn’t talk about it at home, I would just leave it there and deal with it the next day.”

With 10 siblings, Watts grew up on the Tseshaht reserve, mere blocks away from the main NTC office. For her job she returned to the location of where she attended kindergarten: For one year, Watts was the only one among her brothers and sisters to attend the day program at the Alberni Indian Residential School, which once stood at the site of the NTC office building.

Watts vividly recalls the daily routine of going and coming from the school.

“My mom, she used to bath me and dress me, and my oldest brother or sister would walk me down to the end of the road and wait for the big school bus to go by,” she said. “I’d jump on that bus and take a ride up to NTC hill, through those big gates, past the big building and to our kindergarten class.”

Memories of her years at the tribal council are also vivid, but Watts admits that she’s ready to step away from work life.

“I’m going to miss my work family…

I’m going to miss them, but I will cherish the memories I had with them all the years I was there,” she said. “You’ve got to really love what you do, and I loved what I did.”

Page 10— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023

Huu-ay-aht Ha’wilth Yał luu a passes chieftainship to dau

Before retiring from 35 years as First Nation’s second chief, Yał luu a, Jeff Cook, stands up the young women of his house, giving t

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni, BC – In a continuation of a potlatch which started in October 2022, Jeff Cook, Yał luu a, invited people back to the Alberni Athletic Hall Dec. 9 to complete the business of transferring his ha’wilth seat. The 2022 potlatch was cut short due to circumstances beyond the control of the hosts, who promised they would finish their business on a better day. Dec. 9, 2023 was the day they completed their work for Huuay-aht’s Yaałuuwaštak̕amałtḥ house.

The event started with an aitstuthla, or coming of age ceremony, for the young women of the Cook house. Yał luu a’s speaker told the crowd that the ha’wilth was standing up the young ladies as adults on that day. The young women, all dressed in white, were escorted onto the floor and placed in front-row seats where they were surrounded by people that were there to protect them.

One-by-one, each young woman received a name from Yał luu a. The names were printed on tags hung around each girls’ neck as a speaker explained the meaning of the name, or why it was chosen for that particular person. The names, said speaker Haa’yuups, mean that Yał luu a claims them as his own and in proof that they belong in his house.

“They each have responsibilities, as women…when a do like this happens, they won’t be sitting around,” explained Haa’yuups. “They all have roles and responsibilities in their house.”

In addition, if anyone wants to take any of the young ladies as a wife, they must first go through the people of the house who have made a promise to protect them.

“These men,” said Haa’yuups, motioning toward the people seated behind the young women, “they will fight for them… make sure they’re treated right. If someone

Huu-ay-aht Ha’wilth Yał luu a transfered his seat on Dec. 9 in the Alberni Athletic Hall. The event started with an aitstuthla, or coming of age ce young women of the Cook house. Yał luu a’s speaker told the crowd that the ha’wilth was standing up the young ladies as adults on that day. chief’s hat, he placed it on his daughwants to take them as a bride, they must be second chief. ter’s head as the crowd applauded. worthy.”

Following the naming ceremony, HuuHe removed his red shawl and wrapped Other members of Yaałuuwaštak̕amałtḥ ay-aht women danced onto the floor, each it around her shoulders, announcing that house were given names from their carrying an item from Yał luu a’s hupakhis name, Yał luu a, would now be hers. ha’wilth – his last order of business before wanim – his treasures used to conduct his “From here, it’s hers,” said Cook, statretiring from 35 years as Huu-ay-aht’s chiefly duties. They were placed on tables, prominently displayed. ing he is now retired, and she would be Calling his daughter Sherri to his side, hosting the rest of the potlatch. through his speaker Yał luu a announced The now retired ha’wilth said his new that he would be giving her his chieftainname is Soktis. ship to hold until her own son is ready to A beaming Sherri continued naming take the seat. Removing his woven cedar members of the house as part of their

Before retiring from 35 years as First Nation’s second chief, Yał luu a (left) stood up the young women o them names. Also pictured is Yał luu a’s speaker, Haa’yuups, and his daughter, Sherri Cook, who now ca Yał luu a after the transfer of chieftainship.

December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 11

nship to daughter

men of his house, giving them names

Denise Titian photos

an aitstuthla, or coming of age ceremony (pictured), for the g ladies as adults on that day. goal to ensure all of their members have names.

Following a dance by Huu-ay-aht people, the floor was opened to anyone wishing to make presentations or offer words of advice to the newly seated Yał luu a.

Several from Nuu-chah-nulth nations and beyond stood to congratulate the new ha’wilth and showed their support by dancing and offering gifts.

The celebration went on well past midnight.

a (left) stood up the young women of his house, giving is daughter, Sherri Cook, who now carries the name

Huu-ay-aht dancers bring out items from Yath luu a’s Hupakwanim for the people to see. All of these items were transferred to the newly seated chief.

Page 12— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023

Patricia Li•le reflects on career of constant transitions Time at tribal council brought massive office changes, while her family grew up in a transforming Port Alberni

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Port Alberni, BC - Recently retired, Patricia Little looks back on a quarter century with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, a period marked by momentous transformations in the administrative world - while the surrounding Port Alberni environment was changing for her growing family.

Little concluded her career with the tribal council in June, after 25 years of working in the non-insured health benefits and accounts payable departments. It was a time of continual upgrading for the Tseshaht member, who only got halfway through Grade 12 as a youth.

“I didn’t finish school because I got married,” recalled Little, who grew up on the Tseshaht reserve.

She had three boys, and when they started in elementary school it became clear to the young mother that more formal education would be necessary if she was to progress her career aspirations.

“I found that going to get a job, you do need your diploma,” said Little, who found a new drive for education while her children were growing up. “It made me focus more on those courses to get it done.”

After getting her high school diploma, part time jobs led to causal work at the Tseshaht band office and the tribal council. Then she applied twice for a position in the NTC’s non-insured health benefits department, getting the job on the second try. At the time the role entailed helping to connect members with vision care, mental health counselling and patient travel benefits available to one and offreserve Nuu-chah-nulth-aht. She worked closely with Robert Cluett, a Newfoundland transplant who himself retired earlier this year after 26 years with the tribal council.

Eric Plummer photo

After over 25 years of working in the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s noninsured health benefits and accounts payable departments, Patricia Little retired on June 15.

In these early years all of the tribal dollar amounts, did not match their council’s 14 nations sent in their memfinance reports, that’s where we had to bers’ monthly patient travel expenses in figure out where it was not correct,” she the form of a disk, mostly by mail. said. “Over the years, working with those “With the disks, a lot of the times they same numbers over and over, I got used came and they were not readable,” reto figuring out where the mistake was and called Little. “It had to go back to them, if it was out by a certain dollar amount, I get fixed on their end and get sent in knew where to look.” again.”

“I liked to have my reports to the dollar, But after about five years this systo match to be correct,” added Little, tem was transformed when email was who studied accounting in the evening at implemented. This made things far more North Island College in her early years at efficient, enabling Little to gain a mastery the tribal council. “I liked the challenges. over the reporting process.

I liked getting over with one challenge “When the nations’ reports, their end and then not too later another one would

come up.”

In the last few years of her career office life would be transformed again with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The tribal council’s clerical staff transitioned to working at home, a practice that, for many, continues to this day.

“It seemed some days I got more done at home,” Little admitted of the work transition.

Meanwhile Little’s children, then grandchildren were going through the school system. She found a different emphasis on formal education than when she was growing up.

“One of my granddaughters, she was living with me, and she just lost interest in school. I got her back in, and because she lived with me, I drove her all the time,” said Little. “She actually graduated this year. She’s the one who had the baby as well.”

Now with five grandchildren and one great-grandson, most of Little’s family lives in Port Alberni, where countless weekends over the years were spent at the hockey rink.

It’s part of the family’s passion for sports, as Little, now 65, continues to play slo-pitch. She also competed in fast-pitch when she was young, followed by years of ball hockey that brought her ladies team to back-to-back national championships in Calgary and Moncton, New Brunswick in the 1980s.

But as she recalls a childhood when she could walk to town alone from her home by the Tseshaht Market, Port Alberni has become a different environment for Little’s grandchildren.

“It’s way different from when I was growing up,” she said. “I won’t let any of my grandkids go out at night, or even during the day, walking by themselves.

I make sure that they’re with someone, or if they’re stuck they can phone me anytime to get picked up.”

Phrase of the week: T’i@asum> qiiyu%i haawiic^i> hupa> ma>ši> hišukši> wiik@a> Pronounced ‘Tee arh sum alth ha we alth slith malth slith hee shook slith wik arh silth’, it means, ‘December is called the month of Equinox. When the sun sets in the same place, things stop moving and stand still.’ Supplied by ciisma.

Illustration by Tianna Michael

December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 13

Longtime leaders reflect on improving communities Charlie Cootes, Robert Dennis recognized for years of progressing economic development in their First Nations

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Port Alberni, BC - This year two elected leaders stepped away from politics after serving their First Nations for over a generation - time that included the negotiation of one of British Columbia’s few modern-day treaties.

Charlie Cootes and Robert Dennis Sr. were recognized at the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Annual General Meeting for their long terms as chief councillors. Held on Nov. 30 in Port Alberni, the meeting took place days before Cootes stepped away from being the Uchucklesaht’s elected chief on Dec. 11. Dennis completed his last term as Huu-ay-aht chief councillor in June.

For Cootes, involvement in his nation’s governance has spanned most of his lifetime, starting in 1967, as noted during the meeting.

This was a time when the collective of Nuu-chah-nulth nations was known as the West Coast Allied Tribes, a time when modern-day essentials had yet to come to many coastal communities, recalled Cootes.

“We started out that none of our nations had proper sewar, electricity,” he said.

In 1973 the Nuu-chah-nulth collective would become the West Coast District Council of Indian Chiefs, before being renamed the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council six years later. The early years were a time when the collective focused on bringing essential utilities to First Nation villages.

“In the early years of the NTC we prioritized that money to develop one or two nations every year in one of those categories,” said Cootes during the recent AGM. “We gave them state-of-the-art sewer systems, hydro, water…we did that on a rotational basis for the 14 communities.”

Dennis served half a dozen two-year terms as a councillor through the 1970s and 1980s until being elected chief in 1995, a position he held until 2011, then again from 2015 until this year.

He reflects on a consistent vision of improving the economic prospects of the Huu-ay-aht.

“I got involved because I took the view that previous leaders and elders of our community left us a pathway to follow,” said Dennis. “My grandfather and my dad built a trolling boat when that wasn’t the norm. They built a boat in 1966. That gave the skill that when you want to get things done, get them done.”

Cootes was motivated to improve the community he was connected to.

“What can you do for your community? Not what can you do for me,” said the former Uchucklesaht elected chief.

“It’s what you have to do to get people to move back to their communities, take their place and carry on good governance.”

A major accomplishment for the two leaders is the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, a treaty that includes the Uchucklesaht, Huu-ay-aht, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ Che:k’tles7et’h’, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and Toquaht First Nations. These Nuu-chahnulth nations remain the five out of 14 who have engaged in the treaty process since the early 1990s, and are among just seven First Nations across B.C. who have progressed negotiations with the province and Canada to implement a final agreement.

Enacted on April 1, 2011, Maa-nulth brought $73.1 million (in 2006 dollars) in capital transfer payments to the nations,

Eric Plummer photos

Charlie Cootes speaks at the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s AGM on Nov. 30, a week and half before the end of his last term as chief councillor of the Uchucklesaht Tribe. Behind him to the right is new Chief Councillor Wilfred Cootes. with a total of 24,550 hectares of treaty settlement land. This removed the Maanulth nations from the jurisdiction of the Indian Act, giving them full authority, under Canadian law, over their lands and resources.

After at least 15 years of negotiations, when he signed the agreement in 2006 former Indian Affairs minster Jim Prentice said Maa-nulth would “set in motion” solutions to social and economic issues within First Nations that had hindered growth for too long.

“It’s a huge step and I always encourage people to pursue it – if not treaty, then some sort of governance agreement with the two governments,” said Cootes.

Since treaty implementation, the Uchucklesaht Tribe has undertaken major real estate projects in Port Alberni, including opening the Thunderbird Building in 2016, an $8-million multiuse facility near the Harbour Quay that offers 34 apartments, with administrative space for the First Nation. In 2018 the Uchucklesaht bought property formerly used for the Redford School, a 1.5-acre full city block that contains 20,000 square feet of office space, a full gymnasium, a large kitchen and field. Many of these offices are currently being rented by NTC departments.

Down the Alberni Inlet in Uchucklesaht territory, in recent years the tribe has built several new homes in the village of Ethlateese, where about a dozen of its members live year-round. Cootes has seen these sorts of projects happen quicker under the treaty.

“That document gets better each time you read it,” he said. “It shortened our time frame for decisions that used to go to Ottawa by about eight months to two years, we now do in two weeks. That’s how good treaty is, we get a lot done, we make our own laws.”

“Our financial position is significantly greater than before we entered treaty,” reflected Dennis. “It gave us the tools to generate more economy, to generate more revenue, and therefore we had the ability to enhance our programs and services.”

Since Maa-nulth was implemented, Huu-ay-aht has added 1,230 hectares of private land to its holdings. This includes multiple properties in Bamfield, where the First Nation now owns a motel, two lodges, a market, café and pub. The Huuay-aht have also claimed a growing stake in forestry in their territory south of Port Alberni, with a 35 per cent interest in

Former Huu-ay-aht chief councillor Robert Dennis sits with wife Sarah Dennis (left), granddaughter Dani and daughter Jacquie at the AGM. Tree Farm Licence 44.

Cootes and Dennis, who are related, first The intention has been for these investmet each other as children attending the ments to translate into better services for Alberni Indian Residential School. With a Huu-ay-aht citizens, said Dennis. chuckle Dennis reflects that it was under “We needed things in place in order to the strict rules that dominated Indigenous advance economic development, in order youngsters at the school where he learned to enhance programs and services,” he how to negotiate. said.

“When you’re in residential school, But the former elected chief reflects that breaking rules was always a challenge,” it wasn’t until 1993 that the Huu-ay-aht he said. “Getting away with it was even a were able to assemble a team to progress bigger challenge.” the treaty mandate.

“Sometimes Charlie would sneak out “As Huu-ay-aht First Nation we were at night, and I would stay in,” continued nearly removed from the NTC table Dennis. “When I’d stayed in, he would because we were poorly organized and come knocking on the window, trying to didn’t have all of our ducks in order,” get in. ‘What are you going to give me, said Dennis, noting that the agreement Charlie, for letting you back in?’.” couldn’t have been made if his nation Ahousaht elder Wally Samuel knew asked for too much. “There were tough Dennis and Cootes since the late 1950s, compromises. If you see treaty negotiawhen they attended the Alberni residentions as lock, stock and barrel, then you tial school together. have to look at it differently. Huu-ay-aht “We were little boys together, residential First Nation looked at it as an opportunity school,” said Samuel. “That’s why we are to enhance what we’re doing.” the way we are to survive, to make sure After negotiations moved forward, Coo- our people aren’t mistreated, put down. tes recalls a time when the province and We never want those things to happen to feds wouldn’t discuss things further. our people, what happened to us.”

“Robert and I approached them, and During the AGM Uchucklesaht Tyee they said, ‘No, we’re not going to come Ha’wilth Clifford Charles reflected on to the negotiating table unless you get a how these childhood survival tactics led really good administrator and really good to leadership skills in adulthood. chief negotiator,” he said.

“We hear really bad things about the This ended up being the late Tseshaht residential school, the devastation, the leader George Watts. sorrow. What was needed to be done “We called him and asked him to be our was to take the Indian out of the Indian, chief negotiator, and that’s the only way it almost worked,” he said. “These guys the government would start to talk to us are smart. They’re products of residential again,” Cootes recalled. “We spent the school, and that’s the only good thing I next six years finalizing our Maa-nulth can say about it.” treaty.”

Page 14— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023

First Nation celebrates business success in Kyuquot ‘There’s no unemployment in our community,’ says Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ economic development officer

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Kyuquot, BC – “We are literally in the bush, far away from paved roads and malls,” said a Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations member (KCFN) in a BC Achievement award video, but the nation, through its Tiičma Enterprises group of businesses is capitalizing on its remoteness.

On Nov. 5, a delegation from KCFN proudly accepted a BC Achievement Foundation award at a gala dinner held in Vancouver.

According to the foundation, the 2023 BC Achievement Indigenous Business Award program recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs, partnership entities and community-owned enterprises.

Tiičma Enterprises, a wholly owned economic development corporation of the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’les7et’h’ First Nations (KCFN), won the award in the category of Community-Owned Business of the Year – two or more entities. Tiičma is the Nuu-chah-nulth word for ‘heart’ and their company slogan is ‘Business with heart’.

Gary Wilson, CEO of Tiičma Enterprises since 2021, is proud of the successes and continued growth KCFN has made, not only in the tourism industry but also in the natural resources sector.

The home village of Houpsitas is very remote, accessible by dirt road and boat, but sports fisherman flock to the village every summer. While many tourism industries buckled under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, KCFN found a way to grow.

Wilson said the nation saw the business potential in a floating lodge to house its Walter’s Cove Resort operation, and leased the facility. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced a long pause in tourism, even forcing some businesses to close.

“But our customers are very loyal,” said Wilson.

In 2022, 80 per cent of the sports fishermen committed to coming back to Kyuquot giving the business momentum.

In January 2023, Tiičma Enterprises

Eric Plummer photo

On National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2022 visitors and staff at Walters Cove Resort took a trip in a traditionally designed dugout canoe, marking the beginning of fishing season at the lodge. purchased the floating lodge to permaResort and West Coast Expeditions, along nently house Walter’s Cove Resort. with other business partnerships and joint “It’s been a source of pride for our naventures. tion, a big success,” Wilson said.

Tiičma Forestry is another example of During the summer, the resort welcomes business growth. In 2021, Wilson said the paying tourists and in the off season it is nation’s forestry tenure was too small to rented out for programs, meetings, and be profitable. retreats.

“We wondered how we could increase But there is much more to Tiičma Enour annual allowable cut,” said Wilson. terprises. Formerly known as Kyuquot/ In order to maintain a sustainable forCheklesaht Group of Businesses, Tiičma estry business, the nation would need to Enterprises rebranded following comincrease its tenure. munity consultations. Wilson said the They approached nearby forestry comcitizens of KCFN desire a conservationpanies with an offer to co-manage tenures based economy that respects their land in partnership. Instead, Interfor offered to and values. sell their tenure to Tiičma Forestry.

Tiičma Enterprises has under its umbrel“They offered to sell to us, they wanted la the Fair Harbour Marina and Campto get out and part of their exit strategy ground, Houpsitas Village Suites, Tiičma was to negotiate with First Nations,” said Aggregate, Tiičma Fisheries, Tiičma Wilson.

Forestry, Tiičma Hospitality, Tiičma The deal with Interfor is near compleManagement Services, Walter’s Cove tion. When the sale is complete, Tiičma

Forestry will have quadrupled its value.

It’s annual allowable cut will go from 35,000 cubic meters to 140,000, allowing the nation to harvest timber sustainably.

Following a business retreat, KCFN leaders met with renowned Osoyoos chief and businessman Clarence Louie. He encouraged them to develop a strategic plan that would move KCFN away from dependence on government financial support for business and toward revenue from their own sources. KCFN took his advice, saying their five-year strategic plan provides clear direction as they build on their economic development foundation.

Kevin Jules, KCFN’s economic development officer, says his nation is flourishing under their new strategic plan.

“There’s no unemployment in our community. In fact, we had trouble finding workers during the tourist season,” he said.

Jules estimates 200 KCFN citizens live in Houpsitas with another 200 in Campbell River, the nearest urban centre. The remainder live in other places away from home.

Tiičma Enterprises has had to expand its office space in Campbell River to accommodate its growing staff.

“We went from 2.5 staff members in 2021 and now have 10 or 11 people in the office,” added Jules. “By the end of 2024 there will be at least six more.”

Tiičma Enterprises rents commercial space next door to the KCFN government office. Together, there are at least 30 workers at the offices.

The nation works on developing capacity by having management train up-andcoming citizens to step into jobs that require advanced skills.

“We received letters from Premier David Eby and MLA Murray Rankin, minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, congratulating us,” Wilson said. “I’m really proud of that. We’re doing something right, we’re moving mountains.”

To see the Tiičma Enterprises video made by the BC Achievement Foundation, visit: https://youtu.be/ bM1LM0bfHnA?feature=shared

Tiicma Fisheries to expand aquaculture operations

By Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Kyuquot, BC - A new secure logistics and staging facility at Fair Harbour, in Kyuquot Sound, will allow Tiičma Fisheries to reduce its transportation costs and expand its shellfish aquaculture operations.

The project will be used to store equipment and gear, including aquaculture trays, lantern nets, spools of rope, floats, navigation buoys, a vessel on a trailer, tools and supplies.

Tiičma Fisheries, which is owned by the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations, continues to grow their current shellfish operations and this new facility will allow much larger deliveries of equipment that can be stored.

“The project will help us lower our transportation and storage costs for getting aquaculture equipment up to Fair Harbour for use at our farms in Kyuquot Sound,” said Daniel Rabu, general manager of Tiičma Fisheries. “This will support our growth over the next few years as we anticipate developing four to six new aquaculture farms.”

Tiičma Fisheries is presently limited to small delivery loads due to a lack of storage, which also impacts transportation costs. By supporting the aquaculture business expansion, this project will enable the development of additional farms including a scallop farm at Amai Inlet, a commercial oyster farm at Cachalot Inlet, and farms for seaweed, geoduck, and abalone.

Rabu said this project is instrumental in helping Tiičma Fisheries finalize and develop several additional farms that will create meaningful jobs. It is expected to generate long-term economic and social benefits for the Houpsitas community members, food security for the First Nation and long-term sustainable revenue once farmed product becomes ready to harvest and market.

Tiičma Fisheries currently delivers farmed oysters to a processor/buyer in Bowser and the new facility is more of an equipment storage and staging facility.

“By increasing our capacity to store aquaculture equipment and gear closer to our farm operations, we will have more timely access to components needed to sustain our current operations and support

Tiičma.Enterprises photo

Fishing is an important part of life, sustenance, and culture for KCFN. of $111,850. future growth,” Rabu said.

“This is the first opportunity for the trust Future plans for Tiicma Fisheries to partner on a strategic investment for an include building a processing and cold aquaculture logistics facility,” says Aaron storage facility in Fair Harbour.

Stone, board chair of Island Coastal Eco“We are currently engaged in oyster nomic Trust, in a press release. “We are farming and will soon be farming scalvery excited to invest with Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ lops,” Rabu said. “We are also working Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations in sustainon developing aquaculture facilities to able aquaculture sector development in farm other species as well.” north Vancouver Island and the economic Island Coast Economic Trust is investbenefits they will be creating as they ing in the Tiičma Fisheries Aquaculture Logistics Facility through the Capital and grow and diversify their communityowned business, Tiičma Fisheries.”

Innovation Program. The Trust will conThe project is said to be underway soon. tribute $50,000 to a total project budget

December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 15

Ahousaht elder shares cautionary tale of car purchase It wasn’t until after Pamela Webster bought her Chevy Impala that she noticed additional costs in her financing

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Nanaimo, BC - In July right before Pamela Webster was about to embark on the Tribal Journeys to Muckleshoot, Washington, she drove from Victoria to Nanaimo to look for a new vehicle at Harris Kia, leaving the dealership that day with a Chevy Impala and a financing contract.

When Webster initially purchased her vehicle from the dealership, she felt in a rush after having skipped brunch and dealing with the news of a loss. It wasn’t until the next day when Webster had looked through her contract that she noticed additional costs included the purchase amounting to thousands of dollars that she wasn’t aware of.

“I looked through that contract and of course there [were] costs there that [weren’t] really mentioned verbally,” Webster recalled. “I mean they did talk about stuff and they didn’t, of course, mention the costs affiliated with these items.”

The salesperson who sold her the vehicle was due to leave the company, only a week after selling the car to Webster.

“It was very troubling after the fact,” said Webster. “Things [were] already said and done.”

She returned twice on her own to attempt to find a resolution with the dealership. Webster recalls each time meeting with different managers and said that they wouldn’t negotiate.

She was placed with a new salesperson, who she “didn’t feel comfortable” with.

“When I went in with my son to attempt to do a negotiation we weren’t even given a chance,” said Webster, adding that during this meeting her son had used a cultural approach in support his mom.

“We were just totally dismissed, that’s the way I felt that happened.”

After nearly a month, Webster was able to meet with one of the owners of the company and received a full refund. “[The owner] right away apologized for what happened,” said Webster, adding that he also presented Webster and two family members who came with her with blankets, using some Nuu-chah-nulth words when speaking with her.

They were prepared this time, shared Webster, they wanted to approach this in a better way.

“When it was time to say goodbye, he did say, čuu,” said Webster. “That kind of noticeable homework was done, I could see.”

Alexandra Mehl photo

Pamela Webster and family gathered at the Harris Kia dealership in Nanaimo in August, protesting a vehicle purchase agreement she said wasn’t fair. The dealership’s owner has since met with Webster, and issued a full refund for the return of the car.

Webster was able to receive a full refund “We would like to be able to resolve any ment, including the back, and have the and returned the car back to the dealercustomer’s complaint, and we’re espedealership fill in all areas or put a line ship, though she was not able to get cially sensitive to a situation like this, through them,” the VSA website continback into her old vehicle which she had where we’ve got cultural sensitivities and ues. “Don’t take signing this document initially traded in. things that we need to do our best to com- lightly. Have terms you do not understand “I just wasn’t happy… that I didn’t get municate effectively so that everybody explained to you. Once it’s signed, the my old vehicle back,” said Webster. “I feels heard, and everybody’s experiences dealer can accept it, binding you to buydidn’t want to actually look into another are valid,” said Harris. “We want to make ing the vehicle.” vehicle for a while after that experience.” sure that we operate in a way that honors “It’s a lot of money you’re putting in, Webster chose not to do a financing situ- that, because that’s how we feel.” it’s a big-ticket item, just like a home ation when she purchased a vehicle from According to an article published by would be,” said Webster. “You want to another dealership.

Making Auto Easy, when purchasing a make sure you have everything in order She noted that her old vehicle was sold vehicle through a dealership, some fees to do that kind of purchase.” and the dealership said they would look are optional, while others are mandatory.

“I am very happy that I was able to get into getting her vehicle back for her, but Mandatory fees include shipping and out of that situation,” she added. “I think have yet to respond. freight costs (roughly $2,000), air condithey were talking, seven years for this “I think it was the best situation, contioning tax issued by the Canadian govfinance.” sidering,” said Webster. “I did lose out a ernment ($100), a pre-delivery inspection Webster also cautions people not to little bit. I didn’t get my car back.” fee (amount determined by dealer and can purchase a vehicle while in a state of “It was still in pretty decent shape,” she be included in shipping and freight fee), vulnerability. added. tire tax (roughly $20 to $30), provincial “Make sure to have some financial quesFor Tony Harris and Dave Bare, owners auto regulatory fees (varies depending on tions ready or be a little bit prepared by of the Harris Kia dealership, they shared province), and DOC fees ($500 to $700 doing some research,” said Webster, addwith Ha-Shilth-Sa that the situation was depending on vehicle). ing that it’s okay to ask. “Have questions a misunderstanding and were hopeful to Optional costs that may be offered are ready or someone there that’ll help you find a resolution. extended warranties, rust protection, with those questions.”

“Anything that would be part of the nitrogen-filled tires, GAP insurance, “Trust your instincts,” Webster added. deal would be spoken about and written undercoating, and VIN etching, reads the “If it does not feel good then just leave down,” said Bare in an interview with article. and say, “no” before signing anything.”

Ha-Shilth-Sa, adding that he was not in “You must approve these purchases to “I know business is business, I underthe room at the time of the purchase. be charged for them,” reads the Vehicle stand that,” she continued. “But I think When Webster initially expressed her Sales Authority of British Columbia web- customer service is important, and how concerns of the additional costs, Bare site. “The motor dealer must give you a they are, especially with Indigenous shared that the dealership offered to copy of the sale or purchase agreement at people, that matters.” refund the warranties and protection the time the agreement is accepted.” packages that day.

“Review every section of this docu-

Page 16— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023

Community&Beyond Muulthmuums Crafting and Connecting

December 19th & 21st Port Alberni – Netp office 4090 8th avenue Connecrt with others as we explore our tradition of gift giving and cragting.

Supported by NETP Staff. We offer materials and space to create a drum or rattle. We will also share knowledge and teachings. We will welcome participants to share their teachings with us as well.

Limited seats available. Lunch and materials provided. Please contact NETP Intake Coordinator Gregory to register at email: Gregory.thomas@nuuchahnulth. org or call 250-723-1331 Registration deadline: Monday December 18th Eileen Haggard Memorial Poker Tournament 2023

December 30th Port Alberni, location TBA

Alexandra Mehl photo

Noelani Watts, Carmen Bill, and Mia Foster, members of ADSS dance and cheer team, extend an invitation to join Totem 68 on Jan. 11, 12, and 13, 2024.

Join us for Texas Hold’em. $150.00 buy in, $120 goes to the game, $30 goes to the scholarship. Contact Ted Haggard on Facebook or 250-735-4639 or Linsey Haggard on Facebook. Seats are limited.

We look forward to seeing you all back.

Ring in the New Year

December 31st & January ADSS dance and cheer 1st team prepare for Totem 68

Victoria – Saint Joeseph’s Elementary School Gym

High school teams extend an invitation for everyone to join in on the Port Alberni basketball tournament’s fun

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Port Alberni, BC - For Noelani Watts of Tseshaht, she watched her first Totem when she was in Grade 6, which inspired her to be involved in the tournament as a cheerleader.

“I just remember watching all the Totem spirit candidates and seeing the cheerleaders and being like, ‘I can’t wait to be in high school’,” said Watts. “I wish I could go back to that first time watching Totem again and just get… those butterflies of all the people around you and how exciting it is.”

“I love performing for younger girls, because it makes them think, ‘Hey, maybe I could be a cheerleader one day’,” added Watts.

Leading up to Totem, Watts shared that the cheer team has been working on sharpening and cleaning up their routines.

Mia Foster of Hupačasath, also a member of the cheerleading team, added they’ve been working on routine choreography and making sure their “cheer’s nice and loud so we can get the crowd going.”

For the ADSS dance team, this year they

are adding an additional routine, said Carmen Bill, of Tseshaht.

“As a dancer, usually people don’t clap or cheer for you when you’re on stage,” said Bill. “When you hear them, all yelling and getting excited for you dancing, that’s really exciting.”

“The atmosphere of it is so cool,” shared Watts. “All the people in the audience and getting to cheer all the basketball teams on. I know, for me being a dancer for my whole life, it’s exciting to be in front of a crowd of people.”

But most importantly, the girls shared that Totem has a place for everybody.

“Just making people feel comfortable being at Totem [and] making them feel like it’s okay to make some noise,” said Watts. “It’s okay to have a big smile on your face, we’re all just there to have fun.”

“It’s honestly so much fun even if you’re just in the crowd,” Watts added.

“Come watch, because I don’t really know the rules of basketball but it’s still so fun to watch and be a part of,” said Bill.

“Everyone is included, and everyone is invited,” said Foster.

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Bring your culture and ring in the new year! All nations or groups welcome.

Alcohol and drug free.

31st – 4:30pm-12:30am culture and snacks 1st – 1:00pm-1:00am snacks and dinner Group rates available: Accent Inns and Hotel Zed. For details, to help or for donations contact Guy Louie Jr. (lll):778977-2006 and Pamela Webster: 250-8126130 Huu-ay-aht First Nations 10-day healing workshop

February 4th - 14th Campbell River The Journey to wellness: Addressing our sexual abuse, abandonment & shame. 10day healing workshop. Space available for a maximum of 8 participants. Open to women 19 and older. No cost to citizens.

Transportation will be provided, or gas cards will be given. Intake appointments will be scheduled with interested participants, also women must make a commitment to attend all ten days.

Contact Kerry-Ann Collinge (250-7230100) & Cory Howard Sr. (250-7283414)

December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 17

Employment and Training

Page 18— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023

Boys aim to repeat last year’s Totem championship ADSS senior boys are supporting one another as they get ready to take a run at a consecutive tournament win

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Port Alberni, BC - Brooklyn Doiron, Tseshaht and Ahousaht player on the senior boys basketball team will be going into his second year playing at Totem, with a lot of hard work and a bigger role to fill, he said.

“I’m excited because I have a way bigger role this year,” said Doiron. “I’ve gotten a lot better at basketball, [I’ve] been working on my game.”

Last year Doiron supported the team through the tournament as they stole the Totem title, 59-51, against defending champions Carihi.

“I’m hoping for the same outcome,” said Doiron. “We lost a couple players, but we still got a pretty good team, so we’re hopefully going to get it done.”

“Last year’s group did an amazing job at winning Totem and it was a pretty exciting finals game,” said Steve Sperger, coach for the senior boys. “I know these boys are super excited to come back this year and try to repeat that.”

“There’s been a lot of talk between the boys [about] starting a tradition,” said Sperger. “Winning it once is really not a tradition, winning it a second time is starting to create something.”

For Thomas Morris, Ahousaht and Tse’khene player on the team, he has a ‘good feeling’ about this upcoming Totem tournament.

“Definitely going to look forward to playing on the court,” said Morris. “It’s going to be a good year.”

“Totem can get pretty crazy, as you can hear in the stands,” Morris said, noting that he also is looking forward to the spirit that Totem brings.

“I hope we bring good team energy,” said Doiron. “We won it last year, so I hope we win it again.”

“I’ve been around this group for two years,” said Sperger. “There’s been a lot of growth; I’ve really seen some maturity with this group and I think that’s really going to help them at Totem.”

“They’re pretty tight knit, and I know every coach says that about their groups, but it’s nice to see how they get along, how they play on and off the court together, and how they hang out, and how they support each other,” he added.

“I think they’ll be successful at Totem because they support each other so much,” said Sperger.

Alexandra Mehl photos

ADSS Senior Boys Basketball team, reigning Totem champions, hope to steal a consecutive win to start a Totem tradition.

View more stories at www.hashilthsa.com

December 14, 2023—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 19

Alexandra Mehl photo

Jaiden Knighton, member of the ADSS senior girl’s basketball team, hopes the girls ‘carry out a good attitude’ through the tournament as they aim for a win.

‘The best version of ourselves’: Senior girls gear up ADSS girls basketball team hopes to place among the top two in the tournament over first weekend in January

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Port Alberni, BC - The ADSS senior girls basketball have been playing together in different variations for three years, said their coach Greg Freethy.

The team is stacked with 11 players: two Grade 12s, including the tallest of the group, who get lots of rebounds, said Freethy, adding that there are six Grade 11 players and three Grade 10s.

“It feels really good to be able to look down the bench and know that all those girls can come in and do some really good things,” said Freethy.

Though playing competitively is important to Freethy and the team, having a good attitude and playing the best they can throughout their games is where their focus is at going into this upcoming

Totem tournament.

“I hope we can carry out a good attitude the whole game,” said Jaiden Knighton, a Ditidaht and Ahousaht player on the senior girls team. “I want us to all know that it’s going to be a good time and it’s nothing serious.”

“We’re just here to have a good time, have fun, and it’s to bring everyone from band, basketball, athletics, dance, cheer; bring them all together, and show just how we are all one as Armada,” added Knighton. “I’m really excited to play with the girls I’ve been playing with for a really long time.”

“I’m really looking forward to the crowds and just that feeling of… excitement and nervousness, that everyone’s here, everyone’s watching, but everyone’s here on your side,” said Knighton.

“There’s no one here booing you, there’s

no one here wanting you to lose.”

For Mary Robinson and Hayleigh Watts, both of Tseshaht First Nation, this will be their first year playing in Totem. They shared that they are hoping for first or second in the tournament.

“I’m really excited,” said Watts. “[T]he excitement that the whole gym has when we start, the energy is just up, [and] I’m excited for us to win games.” “[I’m] excited to win this thing,” said Knighton.

Both Robinson and Watts have been preparing for the upcoming tournament by working on plays as a team and shooting on their own time.

Coach Freethy shared that the girls play a strong defense, which has been a key component that took them to sixth place on the island as a junior team in past years.

“This year, we’ve been putting in a new offense, so that’s been taking a lot of our time and practice,” said Freethy. “Hopefully it’ll be looking sharp by the time we get to Totem.”

But since it’s so early in the season, Freethy shared that they don’t know much about the other competing teams.

“We’re just more focused on what we do and trying to be the best version of ourselves,” said Freethy. “I just want us to play to our best, just whatever that is, on that day, and be competitive and give all our great community and fans and students that come out, just give them a good show and win or lose, let them know that we tried our best.”

Page 20— Ha-Shilth-Sa—December 14, 2023