Page 14— Ha-Shilth-Sa— December 2, 2021
Hupacasath, Mosaic brings campground to Loon Lake First Nation and the forestry company develop ʕaʔuk ʔaama k̓anis, meaning the ‘lake loon camp and rest area’ By Sam Laskaris Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Port Alberni, BC – A new campground, offering 27 sites, is expected to open just outside of Port Alberni this coming May. Work on the venture has begun after the Hupacasath First Nation and Mosaic Forest Management recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build the campground. The new facility, which will overlook Mount Arrowsmith, will be on Loon Lake, a stocked fishing lake located about 10 minutes east of Port Alberni. “It’s something to celebrate,” Hupacasath First Nation Councillor Jolleen Dick said of the MoU. “We’re really proud of it. It gives us possession back of our land. It’s something we’ve been fighting for generations.” Hupacasath officials are also thrilled they have been allowed to name the campground. Its official name is ʕaʔuk ʔaama k̓anis, which is pronounced ah-uk aah-ma ka-niss. Hupacasath elected Chief Brandy Lauder said the name translates to ‘lake loon camp and rest area’ in the Hupacasath language. “We value Mosaic recognizing Hupačasath traditional territories and the importance of our culture,” Lauder said. “We look forward to continue working together to explore more opportunities to benefit our people.” Molly Hudson, the director of sustainability for Mosaic Forest Management, said her company has partnered with Hupacasath First Nation on various business and community ventures over the years. For example, the two have worked together in the identification of archaeological sites, log purchases and marketing. But this marks the first partnership between the two parties involving recreational use of land. The site where the campground is being constructed currently includes a boat launch. But that is being upgraded to a launch that is more accessible. A fishing dock will also be constructed as will a recreational trail network for walkers. Dick said a kiosk will also be installed at the campground. “There be will signage welcoming
Photo submitted by Mosaic Forest Management
Hupacasath First Nation has partnered with Mosaic Forest Management to build the Lake Loon campground.
Jolleen Dick people to the campground and sharing history of the area,” Dick said, adding she’s among those pleased with the Hupacasath name chosen for the facility. Dick believes it will mostly be residents from the province that will be utilizing the campsites. “I think British Columbians would like to camp in more rustic ways,” said Dick, who is serving her second term as a Hupacasath councillor. Hudson said Mosaic officials are pleased
that representatives from the First Nation were keen to enter into a partnership to build the campground. “We’re really excited they wanted to take these steps with us,” she said. Hudson also said it will be determined in the future on whether to expand the campground and add more sites to it. “It’s always possible,” she said. “We’ll see how things go to start and then we’ll see how we are doing in terms of occupancy.” Hudson cautioned, however, there is only so much space available at the campground and officials would not want overcrowding to become an issue. News of the latest campground means Mosaic Forest Management has grown its investment in recreational access. The Loon Lake campground is the 14th one the company is invested in on Vancouver Island. Jeff Zweig, the president and CEO of Mosaic Forest Management, said his company is committed to building on its work with various communities to promote recreational access to forest lands.
“The addition of this stunning campsite in the Loon Lake area gives visitors to the Alberni Valley a chance to explore wild places, learn about the culture of Indigenous nations, and connect safely with family and friends,” Zweig said. “It is part of Mosaic’s broader initiative to facilitate recreational opportunities in and around our working forest through dozens of access agreements with local organizations and our network of not-forprofit campsites on Vancouver Island.” Josie Osborne, the MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim, is also pleased that a partnership was established between the two parties. That partnership will benefit several others. “Spending time outdoors has always been a big part of who we are as west coasters,” she said. “It’s incredible to see the partnership between Mosaic and the Hupacasath First Nation moving forward with the naming of the new campsite. This work is something everyone involved should be proud of, and is an excellent way to share the best of our communities with visitors to the region.”
Tla-o-qui-aht develops new campground sites By Melissa Renwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tofino, BC - Large slash piles sit along the side of the highway leading into Tofino near the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort. The wood is set aside to be ground down by a chipper and used towards the development of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s new RV park and campground. Led by the nation’s new company, Hithuiis Spirit Construction Ltd. (HSC), the Tsawaak RV Resort and Campground is slated to have a soft launch in April. It will host 35 RV sites, at least 12 tent sites, and 13 mini cabins that will be built with longhouse facades. Painted by Tlao-qui-aht artists, each cabin will represent a different moon. The logs that were felled for the construction of the project are being milled by San Group in Port Alberni so they can be repurposed and transformed into benches and fences, said Alex Masso Jr., HSC business and project manager.
Tla-o-qui-aht artists will also have the opportunity to select felled trees for carving projects, he added. The job opportunities the project has provided is what Masso said excites him the most. “It’s really exciting to get to work with friends and family,” he said. “Everybody’s learning lots.” Around 10 employees from Tla-o-quiaht and Ahousaht First Nations have rotated in and out of the project, said Tlao-qui-aht First Nation Economic Development Officer, Jamie Basset. The $5-million project is currently on budget, but Basset said the weather has pushed scheduling behind. “Weather conditions in the last two months have slowed us down quite a bit,” he said. “And surprises in the ground.” It’s just the reality of building right above sea level, he added. After the soft launch in April, Basset said they plan to be fully operational at the beginning of May. Named after the Nuu-chah-nulth phrase
Photo by Melissa Renwick
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s new company, Hithuiis Spirit Construction Ltd., is developing the Tsawaak RV Resort and Campground near the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort, in Tofino, on Nov. 10. “It’s a hugely complex endeavour, but His-shuk-nish-tsa-waak, meaning “everywe’re looking forward to adding it to the thing is one,” the campground will be a place where people can learn about Tla-o- tourism resort offering that we currently have with the Tin Wis,” said Basset. qui-aht culture and way of life.
