INTERESTING NEWS Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product Vol. 49 - No. 03—February 10, 2022 haas^i>sa Sales Agreement No. 40047776
Sculpture Garden celebrates Indigenous knowledge Project incorporates Nuu-chah-nulth art to share traditional teachings with a Western audience in California By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Sebastopol, CA – A group of Indigenous scholars and artists are collaborating on a unique garden that will not only serve as a celebration of art but also act as a teaching tool showcasing traditional knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation. And they have turned to Nuu-chah-nulth artists to take part in the project. The Cultural Conservancy and the Native American Academy have partnered to bring to life The Sculpture Garden of Native Science and Learning. It will feature totem poles and other carvings and include spaces where artists can demonstrate their knowledge - not only of carving methods, but also the ancient stories that are incorporated into the art. Rose Thater Brann-Imai is co-founder and director of The Native American Academy which endeavors to make the Indigenous learning processes and native science visible to the western world. Not only an artist but also an astrophysicist, Brann-Imai is passionate about raising the profile of Indigenous knowledge to the Western world.
“Many of our founders are Canadian,” said Brann-Imai, adding that for the past 25 years she has worked to make the Indigenous world view accessible and understandable to Western-trained minds. She pointed to the still concerning suicide rate among Indigenous youth. “That has to be addressed,” she said. Rose believes in empowering young Indigenous people by showing them the knowledge they hold is key. According to Rose, Indigenous science and knowledge is everywhere in the form of symbols, glyphs and other art forms. “That is where our scientific knowledge is contained as opposed to numbers, formulas, books,” she said. For example, “the planting cycles followed by Indigenous women for centuries emerged from their relationship with the moon and the stars,” reads the Native American Academy website. “They codified their observations in embroidery and weavings. A single piece of cloth carries a knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, entomology, etc., and how they relate.” Continued on page 3.
Photo by Denise Titian
Carver Tim Paul holds his panel, the First Scientist, which will become a part of the Sculpture Garden of Native Science and Learning.
Ahousaht launches housing project in Port Alberni By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni, BC – Ahousaht families struggling to find affordable rentals in Port Alberni may soon find relief when their nation finishes construction of its new building, according to elected Chief Greg Louie. The City of Port Alberni is dealing with a critical housing shortage. According to a Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation report, the rental vacancy rate was three per cent in 2020. Add to that steep increases in rent, the city’s housing situation makes it more difficult for families and singles to find affordable homes. In 2019, according to the same CMHC report, a three-bedroom unit in Port Alberni would cost renters between $949 to $1,231 per month. A survey of classified advertisements in January 2021 shows two-bedroom units renting for $1,100 to $1,300 per month, according to the CMHC report, although assessed property values in Port Alberni have risen significantly since. Chief Louie said his council heard from Ahousaht people living in Port Alberni
Design submitted by DYS Architecture
during meetings with urban members about four years earlier. “We heard our people saying we need housing,” he told Ha-Shilth-Sa. With more than 500 Ahousahts living in Port Alberni, the First Nation’s council jumped on an opportunity presented by BC Housing to deliver options in the city. Louie said that BC Housing offered funding to support Indigenous developments. Ahousaht councillors toured Port
Inside this issue... Closed fish farms come to Esperanza Inlet.....................Page 2 $50,000 reward for Lisa Marie whereabouts..................Page 4 Court rules against further blockades in Fary Creek......Page 6 Kelp farming opens possibilities....................................Page 9 Community garden feeds people in Tsaxana................Page 14
Alberni with a realtor a few years ago, and, with the support of the City of Port Alberni, settled on suitable site. The Citaapi Mahtii Housing Society, with representation that includes Ahousaht members living in Port Alberni, plans to redevelop a former school site located near the Fall Fair Grounds. “The development will create 35 new homes in a new four-storey building located at 4210 Cedarwood Street. This
will be the redevelopment of a vacated school facility,” reads a notice from DYS Architecture. The Citaapi Mahtii Housing Society is working to create a community that embraces Indigenous history, values and culture. It will have a multi-purpose gathering space suitable for drumming and serving food to crowds. The four-storey building will have eight studio units, seven one-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom units, 12 threebedroom suites and 4 four-bedroom units for a total of 35 housing spaces. It will allow for a more inclusive community atmosphere. Ahousaht has consulted with Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations. According to Louie, an apartment unit each will be made available to their members. In addition, their members will be invited to apply for construction jobs once ground is broken, hopefully in 2022. Still in the design stage, Louie hopes architectural drawings will soon be presented for approval. Ahousaht has hired a consultant to take care of applications and other paperwork.
If undeliverable, please return to: Ha-Shilth-Sa P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2