Ha Shilth Sa Newspaper February 22, 2024

INTERESTING NEWS Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product Vol. 51 - No. 04—February 22, 2024 haas^i>sa Sales Agreement No. 40047776

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On Feb. 18 the Hesquiaht Descendants came in second at the All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert after facing Similkameen in the finals.

Hesquiaht women take second at All Native tourney Team includes a trio of mother and her two daughters, came second to Similkameen in a rematch for the finals

By Nora O’Malley Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Prince Rupert, BC - The Hesquiaht Descendants ladies team made history at the 64th annual All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert, B.C. on Feb. 11 to Feb. 18.

Captained by Mariah Charleson, the squad of nine players battled their way to the final game of the tournament, becoming the first-ever Hesquiaht team to make the top two.

Charleson professed a deep “Klecko Klecko” to all the supporters who sent messages and cheered them on throughout the weeklong event.

“What we represented is the style of basketball that we played in Nuu-chahnulth territory,” Charleson said. “It’s hard, it’s gritty, it’s tough. We battle. We don’t have the height that some of these teams have, but we’ve managed to shut down teams far bigger than us just with outright hustle, grit and by never, ever giving up. That fight we have within ourselves; that’s Hesquiaht basketball. That’s Nuu-chah-nulth basketball.”

Hesquiaht beat New Aiyansh 70-47 in their first game, they took down Kitamaat 55-46 in game two, Vancouver fell

55-50 in game three, and game four was a heartbreaking 59-52 loss to Similkameen, which sent them to the losers bracket and semi-final against Greenville.

Hesquiaht rallied to secure a 74-51 win against Greenville and a re-match against Similkameen.

Charleson said they had them in the first half, but “came out flat” in the second half. Similkameen would take the tournament win 50-29 from the Descendants.

“We played extremely talented teams the whole way through; not a single easy match-up the entire week. The only team we couldn’t get past was Similkameen,” said Charleson, who was named an All-Star for the entire tournament of 17 teams.

Teammate Skylene Patrick, 33, also picked up major hardware, earning Tournament All-Star and Best Defensive Player.

“Growing up with my dad Tyson Touchie, he just always emphasized the importance of defense. It was really my goal to be a strong help side for my teammates and to hustle for the ball as much as possible. I got tied up in a lot of jump balls all weekend; just little tips and steals and being smart with my fouls,” said Patrick, a mother of three.

Inside this issue...

Leaders call off Paddle to Ahousaht 2024......................Page 3 Free meds for status members...................... .................Page 5 MMFN takes conservation a step further...............Pages 8 & 9 Ahousaht actor performs in Father Tartuffe..................Page 11 Clean energy coming to Uchucklesaht.........................Page 15

Patrick was joined on the Hesquiaht bench with her mom Anita CharlesonTouchie and sister Jada Touchie.

“It was super meaningful to play with my mom and Jada,” she said. “We have a lot of feisty, aggressive Hesquiaht women. Everybody had bumps and bruises.

Everybody had band aids. Everybody was willing to work really hard.”

Jada Touchie, 20, was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

“Making it to the final is a really big push for me to want to develop as a basketball player and train harder. We were so close,” said Touchie. “I am so thankful to be part of this team. There is a big history of basketball in our family. I grew up watching my older siblings play, my parents, and even my grandparents. I felt really proud to represent my late grandfather Con Charleson.”

To prepare for each game, the Descendants sang Hesquiaht songs in the changing room and gave thanks to their Ancestors and to the Creator every morning. Team rookie Brandis Lucas, 18, says it might have been that team spirit that gave them the edge.

“We have a group chat and someone would send a video of an eagle sitting outside their door or whatever. We took

everything as a sign. Being that cultural and connected to the land, I want to say it definitely helped us make it that far,” said Lucas.

Touchie agreed.

“A lot of us are going through hard times and grieving, so we felt it was really important to ground each other and be connected culturally. We went to the water together and had dinner and had our smoked fish together. That was so comforting to feel that connection while we are so far from home. We did a really good job uplifting each other,” said Touchie.

While some of the players flew in and out of Terrace, most of the team drove to Port Hardy and took the 21-hour ferry ride to Prince Rupert for the event. Entry to the All Native Basketball Tournament is $1,000 per team and each player receives a per diem of $20 per day they stay in the competition.

“We have mothers away from their children, we’re taking time away from our jobs, so we’re not getting paid, so (the per diem) is a big help. And it’s a big, massive commitment just to have our nine players present the whole week,” said Charleson, adding that they will be back next year — even stronger.

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

Page 2— Ha-Shilth-Sa—February 22, 2024

Thousands gather in DTES for missing and murdered After more than 30 years of annual walk, family and advocates question progress for female Indigenous victims

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Vancouver, BC- For over three decades, Valentine’s Day in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) marks the commemoration of Indigenous women and girls who are missing and murdered. But women and girls have continued to go missing and be murdered, leading family members and advocates say not enough is being done to protect Indigenous people.

Sheridan Martin of Gitxsan Nation attended this year’s memorial march with her mother, daughter and granddaughter to honor her sister, Cindy Martin, who went missing in 2018. For five years no one knew what happened to Cindy, but on Aug. 9 of 2023 Cindy’s remains were discovered.

“If you rewind it 20 years ago, Cindy was the one that brought us here,” said Sheridan of the DTES Memorial March, adding that Cindy was involved in advocating for missing and murdered women and girls.

Cindy had lived in Vancouver working as an Indigenous advocate for the school board and teaching Indigenous women and girls from the Downtown Eastside how to drum and sing. But at the time of her murder, she was in her hometown in northern B.C. “This is important for me, because the murdered and missing Indigenous women started going missing in, probably, 1970,” said Sheridan. “Fast forward to 2024, and it hasn’t slowed down.”

According to statistics Canada, 490 Indigenous women and girls were murdered between 2009 and 2021, translating to a

Alexandra Mehl photo

On Feb. 14 the streets of the Downtown Eastside were filled for an annual walk. rate that is six times higher than non“Indigenous women are not valued as Indigenous women. women in a place where it’s our land,” Indigenous women and girls are oversaid Williams. “We should be standing represented as victims of homicide. Durtogether to stop that.” ing this time period they made up almost Carol Martin has worked in the DTES three per cent of Canada’s population, women’s centre and been involved in the Statistics Canada reads, while accounting Memorial March since it began. for between five and seven per cent of “Women still to this day continue to go victims. missing, nothing has really changed,” “[I’m] highly aware that my grandsaid Martin. daughter can go missing because she’s “This whole platform is to bring awareIndigenous,” said Sheradan. “It’s about ness that things haven’t changed for us my daughter going missing because she’s Indigenous women, our sacred givers of Indigenous, because she’s a woman, life,” said Martin. “They’re to be honbecause she’s a female.” ored, they’re to be respected.”

Karen Williams of Gitxsan was at the But Martin shared that Canada needs march in memory of her sister, Alberta to shift the way Indigenous women are Williams, who went missing in 1989. thought of.

“It’s very uplifting, very uplifting and “When the media starts talking about positive,” said Williams of the Memothese things, the first thing they say is she rial March. “To come and support one was a working girl, or she lived a highanother.” risk lifestyle,” said Martin.

“I think at birth, we’re at a high-risk,” Martin added, “lifestyle as Indigenous women.”

The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was published in 2019.

Since then, Martin said that there has been very slow progress.

“Where’s the response from the government?” she said. “The work is not being put into place to make those changes, and it needs to happen soon.”

For Sheridan Martin, layers of oppression, poverty and systemic racism need to be addressed to stop Indigenous women and girls from going missing.

“How do we start peeling those layers back and really taking a look at how humanity has treated our Indigenous women and girls,” said Sheridan.

“We have to stop them from going missing,” added Sheradin. “How do we put the face of humanity on each Indigenous woman and girl so they’re not looked at as something to be killed and discarded?”

“If we stand in solidarity, we become a louder voice,” she continued. “It’s not just one voice or thousands of voice[s]; this [march] is sending out a message across Canada.”

Sheridan hopes that in her granddaughter’s life she sees changes and that there no longer Indigenous people going missing and being murdered.

“I see that hope is still surviving, and hoping to find justice for what happened to the women - especially at the Pickton farm,” said Carol, as she explained the yellow roses used in the march represent hope.

February 22, 2024—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 3

Leaders call off Paddle to Ahousaht, say not consulted First Nation notes possibility of hosting Canoe Journeys in five years if infrastructure projects move forward

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ahousaht, BC – Ahousaht leadership issued a joint statement on Feb. 6 that the nation is not prepared to host Canoe Journeys in 2024. The statement was made on behalf of Ahousaht Hawiih (hereditary chiefs) and the elected chief and council.

In August 2023 a video made at Ahousaht’s Thunderbird Hall showed a group of about 30 members inviting people to the Flores Island community for a potlatch on July 29, 2024. With the hashtag ‘RESPECT – Gathering of families’, people were invited to land in Ahousaht, presumably by canoe, on July 28. The potlatch was scheduled to continue until August 2, 2024.

The news was met with excitement and anticipation up and down coastal British Columbia and Washington State. Word spread quickly through social media.

But Ahousaht Ha’wiih and elected leadership say they were not consulted when the invitation was made and could not ensure the safety and comfort of such a large volume of people coming to their remote, island home.

Tyson Atleo, ʔeʔqatiʔis, is next in line for his father’s Ha’wilth seat and is a board member of the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society. Speaking on behalf of Ahousaht leadership, Atleo told Ha-Shilth-Sa that the chiefs and council were not adequately consulted about the extended potlatch and the nation is not prepared to take on an event of this magnitude on relatively short notice.

When asked why it took six months for leadership to make their announcement, Atleo said they want to respect the intent and desire to host, “but we want to make sure everyone is supported and can coordinate an incredible and safe experience.”

“Leadership wanted to ensure that they are a united voice in either trying to support or not move forward with this opportunity,” Atleo continued.

In the end, they determined that there’s no safe way to effectively host this year.

Ahousaht hosted an event called Journey Home to Ahousaht – Canoe Quest 1999. In August of that year Ha-Shilth-Sa reported that planning and fundraising for the event began two years earlier.

Thousands of people arrived in Ahousaht for the event, with “more than 45 canoes” lining the beach.

“1999 was a different era of canoe journeys,” said Atleo.

Much has changed since then, including the greater number of canoe families.

Vince Ambrose photo

Groups from across the West Coast have been preparing for a paddle to Ahousaht this year, but the First Nation’s hereditary and elected leaders have cancelled the event, citing a lack of adequate resources in place and a lack of approval from Ahousaht Ha’wiih. Pictured is Hesquiaht Ha’wilth Vince Ambrose and his group during the Paddle to Muckleshoot in 2023, which was last year’s canoe journey.

Last summer the Paddle to Muckleshoot Keitlah) will not be opening Ahousaht Journeys in the future. According to the brought over 90 canoes to the destinabeaches for the 2024 Canoe Journeys. leadership statement, Ahousaht is in tion in Auburn, Washington. Several Ahousaht Leadership will not be hosting the development stages of several key Nuu-chah-nulth groups paddled down the the 2024 Canoe Journeys and we expect infrastructure projects that are due to be coast for several days to the Muckleshoot all organizing committees to respect this completed in the coming years.

Indian Tribe’s land, where a week of decision.”

“With an adequate and inclusive planfestivities ended on Aug. 6, 2023. Over They went on to state that while they ning process Ahousaht Leadership will this journey the canoe families stopped at recognize and appreciate the healing valwork with the organizing committee to First Nation communities along the West ue of Canoe Journeys, the announcement consider hosting the Canoe Journeys in Coast. was made without consulting Ahousaht approximately five years. We apologize “It’s much bigger, more commercial and Leadership. for any inconvenience and appreciate the expectation of the host community is “This was a violation of our traditional your respect for our declaration,” reads to be able to provide things like medical protocol,” they wrote. the Ahousaht leadership statement. services, parking, washroom and cleaning “Further, Ahousaht and the surrounding “Leadership wants to respect the wishes facilities. It takes a lot of resources and region, including the District of Tofino, of muschim and know that Ahousaht is financial capital, on a commercial scale,” are not prepared to host the 2024 Canoe recognized as a culturally strong commuAtleo told Ha-Shilth-Sa. Journeys. Ahousaht and Tofino currently nity,” said Atleo. “Many of our members On Feb. 6, Ahousaht leadership delivlack the necessary infrastructure (ex. travel to journeys and we want to ensure ered a statement that read, “On behalf of parking, accommodations, food services, that we are prepared to offer that same the Ahousaht Ha’wiih (Hereditary Chiefs) washroom facilities, medical and security level of comfort and care for people that and Ahousaht Chief and Council (collecservices, etc.) to effectively and safely visit us.” tively ‘Ahousaht Leadership’) we issue host the volume of canoe families that He believes it will take a minimum of this statement regarding the announceparticipate in Canoe Journeys,” reads the five years planning for such a large event ment for Ahousaht to host the 2024 statement from Ahousaht leadership. given the remote location of Ahousaht.

Canoe Journeys. Hawiih ƛakišwaya (John With that being said, Ahousaht leader“We respect Canoe Journey and value ship say they are working on developwhat they provide. We want to uphold ing infrastructure that could allow them canoe journeys and make sure it’s done to host events on the scale of Canoe properly,” said Atleo.

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Page 4— Ha-Shilth-Sa—February 22, 2024 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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How much coffee is in your sugar?

Frappuccinos and Mocha drinks have over a dozen teaspoons of sugar in them

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In the wake of the nine-to-five hustle, juggling the demands of work, school, and family, oftentimes takeout caffeinated drinks save the day. But health professionals share that many pre-sweetened caffeinated drinks have a higher sugar, fat and calorie content than people are aware of.

“A lot of people don’t know necessarily how many calories and how much sugar is in a lot of the drinks that they consume,” said Jen Cody, a dietician with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. “Most of the drinks that are available through [Tim Hortons] or Starbucks…have a surprising amount of fat and sugar in them.”

At Tim Hortons a medium double double contains 200 calories with 13g of fat and 21g of sugar (five teaspoons), at Starbucks a grande caramel macchiato contains 250 calories with 7g of fat, and 33g of sugar (8 teaspoons), and at McDonald’s, a French vanilla cappuccino contains 260 calories, 6g of fat, and 34 g of sugar (8 teaspoons). To compare, a can of Coke contains 39g of sugar (9 teaspoons).

Canada’s Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends “no more than” 48 grams (11 teaspoons) of added sugars in a day.

But for a healthy diet, less than half of that is recommended for the average 2,000 calories a day.

According to Diabetes Canada, Canadians eat an estimate of 110g (26 teaspoons) of sugar each day for a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet, which includes sugars added to food and drinks, as well as naturally occurring sugar in milk products, vegetables, and fruit. Based on a 2004 study, 35 per cent of an adult’s daily sugar consumption was attributed to beverages.

“We are a culture that is really focused on sugar in our diet, and the more sugar that we have, the more that we want,” said Cody.

“Everybody’s on this colonial diet now,” said Matilda Atleo, an Indigenous educator in diabetes at the First Nation Health Authority (FNHA).

Cody explains that in one year, if a person consumes 100 extra calories per day, they will gain roughly 10 pounds.

Jen Cody “Ten pounds has an effect on your heart and on your blood, and on all different aspects of your health,” said Cody.

According to Canada’s Heart and Stroke Foundation, overconsumption of sugar can lead to heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, cancer, and cavities.

“I think it’s just really important to bring out that awareness of the sugar content and what happens when you consume so much sugar,” said Atleo.

High consumption of sugar in one’s diet in combination with no physical activity will cause weight gain and those factors alone are connected pre-diabetes, said Alteo.

Cody adds that some caffeine drinks can take up a significant portion of the recommended daily calorie intake, especially in the larger sizes. One drink could lead to an extra 200 to 500 calories a day, she continued.

Starbucks’ Grande Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino contains 470 calories, 22g of fat, and 60g of sugar (14 teaspoons), while at McDonald’s their medium Mocha Frappe contains 490 calories, 20g of fat, and 60g of sugar (14 teaspoons). Tim Hortons medium Mocha Iced Capp contains 530 calories, 24g of fat and 72g of sugar (17 teaspoons).

“It’s really easy to drink a lot of calories very quickly and not register that you’ve had that [many] calories in a short

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period of time,” said Cody. “Your body doesn’t really have the time to respond… and then adjust to what that means in the calories that you have later on in the day.”

“I think that having those treats occasionally is great, and if they want to have it as sweet as they like it, then that’s okay,” said Cody. “It’s when you’re having that treat every day or having it more than once a day.”

For those who are having high sugar treats every day or twice a day, she suggests asking yourself why it’s fulfilling and how it could affect your health overall. Cody recommends being more aware of how you feel 45-minutes to two hours after consuming a sugary drink, ordering the smaller size, or half sweet.

But she also suggests choosing a different drink entirely that has lower fat and sugar contents.

“When it comes to coffee, I think, keep it simple, don’t add sugar,” said Atleo.

“People in Italy, they have espressos, little cups of strong coffee, [with] nothing added.”

“They enjoy the taste of coffee, they don’t add all the stuff to it,” said Atleo.

Cody suggests drip coffee or an Americano, and adding a small portion of cream and sugar to taste rather than ordering a pre-sweetened drink.

Flavoring water with fruits, berries, and herbs is another suggestion Cody made to help stay hydrated and connect people to traditional food and medicines.

“I’ve talked to so many people who have decided, with this new year, that they [want to] cut sugar out of their diet, and they have stepped away from a lot of the drinks that they have been having that have a lot of sugar,” said Cody. “That evened out their energy for the whole day, and they feel a lot better.”

Cody recommends having a good breakfast, lunch and dinner to maintain energy throughout the day.

“You’re eating regularly during your day, and having foods that are low in sugar will really help,” said Cody.

“I think it’s always been a concern and I think we need to take it more seriously,” said Atleo. “[People] really have to be conscious of the amount of sugar and try to cut back and just have plain coffee.”

Ha-Shilth-Sa belongs to every Nuu-chah-nulth person including those who have passed on, and those who are not yet born. A community newspaper cannot exist without community involvement. If you have any great pictures you’ve taken, stories or poems you’ve written, or artwork you have done, please let us know so we can include it in your newspaper. E-mail holly.stocking@nuuchahnulth.org. This year is Ha-Shilth-Sa’s 50th year of serving the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.

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February 22, 2024—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 5

Free meds for status members is surprisingly long list Plan W over the counter list is updated quarterly, covering 100 per cent of certain prescriptions and other items

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni, BC – “Why pay for something when you have the right to get it free?” asked Alberni Pharmacy pharmacist and owner, Farah Kassam.

Having worked in pharmacies in Vancouver and Nanaimo, Kassam landed in Port Alberni and opened her own business in December 2022. She noticed that many First Nations customers come in to buy things they can get for free with their Indian Status cards. It is not unusual for her to ask new customers if they have status – and for First Nations people, they know immediately what Kassam means.

“Not many people know about Plan W,” said Kassam, adding she thinks only two out of every 10 people are aware of it.

Bijan Mahmoudi, a pharmacist and owner of Shopper’s Drug Mart in Port Alberni, agrees that it’s important for First Nations people to get familiar with the Plan W OTC list, and should even have it printed. But, he says it’s just as important to talk to a pharmacist about your symptoms and needs.

“Allergies, for example, some think they have an eye allergy but it could be something else,” said Mahmoudi. “To get the best care you have to come in and talk to the pharmacist.”

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) provides pharmacy benefits for Indigenous people in the province through a partnership with BC PharmaCare and Pacific Blue Cross. PharmaCare Plan Wellness (Plan W) is the drug benefit plan for FNHA clients.

Plan W covers 100 per cent of eligible prescription costs for status First Nations people and also covers certain over the counter (OTC) medication and supplies.

The Plan W over the counter list is updated quarterly. Kassam says items on the list have changed over time, and so have rules about access to the medications.

She says the Plan W OTC list is developed by people with an awareness of the health needs of First Nations people. For example, she noted that residential school

Holly Stocking photo

Bijan Mahmoudi, a pharmacist and owner of Shopper’s Drug Mart in Port Alberni, says it’s important for First Nations people to get familiar with the Plan W OTC list, and should even have it printed. survivors were often given watery powdered milk at the institutions. As a result, many have developed lactose intolerance.

For that reason, the OTC medication, Lactaid, can be obtained for free by status First Nations people.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, First Nations people had to visit their doctor to get a prescription or a note for Plan W OTC items. But with the strain on the healthcare system in recent years, rules were relaxed. Today, status First Nations people can go straight to the pharmacy to get things like Aspirin, antihistamines, vitamins, bandages, medicated creams and ointments, laxatives, antacids and so much more for free, provided it is on the

Farah Kassam list and the pharmacist approves.

Mahmoudi says Pharmacists are in a unique position with their expanded roles in the healthcare system. Prescription files for a patient are accessible to all pharmacists. A pharmacist can see at a glance what medications and supplements a patient is taking and can offer advice.

According to Mahmoudi, a pharmacist’s expanded role allows them to administer products for minor aliments and contraception. A pharmacist can now prescribe medications for acne, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dysmenorrhea, fungal infections, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, hemorrhoids, nicotine dependence, urinary tract infections, and more.

A pharmacist can also prescribe birth control and Plan B contraception (the morning after pill), said Mahmoudi.

Patients must go in-person to the store for their Plan W OTC products to sign for their order. Unless a parent or guardian is signing for a child, the provincial government requires the patient’s signature for Plan W products. Once it’s signed for, Mahmoudi says the order can be processed and delivered through Shopper’s Drug Mart’s free prescription delivery

service.

Kassam says this process has helped her catch things that could have caused serious problems. One man, for example, had no family doctor and was prescribed a heart medication in the hospital. After finishing his supply of medication, the man came to the pharmacy thinking he needed Aspirin.

Aware that it is unsafe to abruptly stop the medication the man was on, Kassam arranged an online appointment with FNHA’s Doctor of the Day. This is a virtual clinic that patients can use if they can’t get in to see a general practitioner.

The patient was not aware that he would need a continuing course of the medication. The Doctor of the Day virtual clinic and an alert pharmacist set him back on track.

“I encourage people to use my virtual clinic for something that is emergent like UTI’s or cold sores, or if you can’t get into your doctor for more than a week for refills,” said Kassam.

Doctor of the Day books appointments four to five days out, says Kassam.

Call 1-855-344-3800 to book an appointment. Medical assistants are available to help you seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

As not all pharmacies are up to date with the Plan W OTC list, patients are advised to check what is currently covered by seeing the Ministry of Health’s site at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/ health/practitioner-professional-resources/pharmacare/pharmacies/fnhb-plan-wotc-drugs For each item on the list there are six columns. The first column lists the chemical name of the product while the second column shows the brand name of the OTC item that most people are familiar with. Acetaminophen, for example, is followed in the next column by its popular brand name, Tylenol.

The fifth column shows a DIN/NPN number for each product. This number is important to pharmacists and can speed up processing time of your prescription if you provide it to the pharmacist.

Kassam recommends that clients make a list of their OTC needs along with the DIN/NPN number for each item and the reason they need the product. Pharmacists can then review the list, approve it, then process your order.

“It’s kind of like a prescription so pharmacists have to evaluate it,” said Kassam.

Mahmoudi says that patients should be getting only the items that they immediately need, rather than stock piling OTC products. Stock piling items that are not needed could put a strain on the system and lead to the government placing restrictions on Plan W items.

When it comes to the availability of generic versus name brand OTC products, Kassam says the government wants to save money so generic brands will be the first choice.

“But if the generic brand is not available, the pharmacist will give them what they have,” he added.

Both Shopper’s Drug Mart and Alberni Pharmacy offer a blister packaging service and can have them delivered to your door.

To see a list of OTC medications available to status First Nations visit: https:// www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/ health-drug-coverage/pharmacare/planwotc-meds.pdf

Page 6— Ha-Shilth-Sa—February 22, 2024

Dangerous hole shows need for be•er Nitinaht road Ditidaht’s crew was able to make a temporary fix, but the First Nation fears other hazards will soon emerge

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Nitinaht Lake, BC - A hole large enough for a person to fall into was found on the road near Nitinaht on Saturday, Feb. 10, a hazard that highlights the need for better alternative access to communities on western Vancouver Island.

Although the logging road leading to the Ditidaht First Nation’s community by Nitinaht Lake is in a remote location, last summer thousands of vehicles relied on the route each day while Highway 4 was closed during the Cameron Bluffs forest fire. After the wildfire over Cameron Lake shut down the highway in early June, the province designated a detour

by Lake Cowichan and Nitinaht, leading north up to Port Alberni to enable essential supplies for the Island’s west coast communities. For weeks convoys of trucks used the series of logging roads.

For Nitinaht residents it’s a critical road into their community, relied upon by emergency responders. On Feb. 10 this access was completely blocked, when locals discovered a hole measuring approximately three feet wide and four feet deep.

“Saturday morning community members came across it, luckily it was daylight, and put marking signs up,” said Ditidaht Chief Councillor Judi Thomas. “It was an old wooden culvert that had collapsed, and un-stabilized the road right across.”

Thomas noted that the First Nation had recently hired Mike Swityk as its director of infrastructure, who has road building experience. Within four hours the road was excavated and a temporary culvert was installed.

“He got specifications and approvals from Chatwin Engineering to make sure that was the right size culvert to sustain our needs temporarily,” said Thomas. “It was an excellent team effort, led by Mike Swityk, our new director.”

On Monday morning (Feb. 12) mark-

David Daryl Tate photo

On the morning of Feb. 10 a sinkhole large enough for a person to fall into was found on the road to Nitinaht. Within four hours a crew from the Ditidaht First Nation has stabilized the road enough for a single-lane passage. upgrade in recent years. Last October ers remained notifying motorists of the ging, the road does not get maintained.” marked the completion of the chip sealhazardous part of the road.

“Access to Nitinaht Lake and Nitinaht “It’s stable on the single-lane traffic village is predominantly via permit roads ing, an alternative to paving which uses an asphalt emulsion. Initially budgeted side,” said Thomas. “Steps are being that are held by timber forest licensees, for $30.7 million, the province pledged taken this morning for a permanent fix.” who are responsible for maintaining the $25.7 million for the project, with the reBut this raises the likelihood that other access route,” wrote the ministry of Formainder covered by the Huu-ay-aht First sections of the road to Nitinaht could ests in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa, adding Nations. Costs escalated over the three collapse in the future, which is something that to ensure safety it followed up with years of road work, tasking the Huu-aythat the First Nation intends to investithe licence holder. “We understand that aht to find more funds last year to finish gate. The road that collapsed is under the they are currently working with the comthe safety upgrade. The provincial govmanagement of a forestry company. munity, and the community has patched ernment put in another $10 million, and “They usually maintain the road when the road to allow access in and out of the with an undisclosed amount of additional they’re actively logging,” said Thomas. village. Further assessment will be done investment the Huu-ay-aht celebrated the “However, when they’re not actively log- by the licensee to determine next steps.” upgraded road last fall.

For years the First Nation has been Now it’s time to complete the job, bringlobbying for improvements to the road. ing a safer route to Nitinaht, said ThomA portion of the passage is susceptible to as. The need to bring it up to provincial flooding from Nitinaht River, and during the migration of chum salmon in Novem- standards became apparent last summer ber fish have been seen swimming across during the sudden reliance on the logging road during the Cameron Bluffs wildfire. the road during past years. In early 2023 “I am going to be sitting with the a 2.8-kilometre bypass was completed, minister of transport soon and advocatwith a $1.7 million investment from the ing, of course, for paved roads. It needs Ditidaht First Nation, plus assistance from the San Group. This bypass is north to happen, long overdue,” said Thomas.

“Now we just need to finish that route of the section where the sinkhole was from Franklin River out to Nitinaht and recently discovered. then back around to Lake Cowichan. I If travelling from Port Alberni, half of think with a team effort we can make this the route to Nitinaht is over Bamfield happen.”

Main, which has undergone a major

February 22, 2024—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 7

Low Vancouver Island snowpack brings drought risk But a low snow storage does not necessarily translate to a bad fire season, says BC Wildfire Service Forecaster

By Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Vancouver Island, BC - An updated snow survey from the River Forecast Centre (RFC) for February shows Vancouver Island’s snowpack has decreased by nine per cent from the previous month.

Sitting at just 30 per cent of normal, Vancouver Island’s storage on snow in the mountains has seen a decrease since last month, similar to six other communities in the province.

Vancouver Island is 45 per cent lower than it was in February 2023, marking the second largest decrease in the province.

As of Feb. 1, the province-wide snowpack remains very low, averaging 61 per cent of normal across British Columbia.

Last year, the provincial average was 79 per cent for Feb 1.

According to experts at the RFC, low snowpack and seasonal runoff forecasts combined with warmer-than-average weather and the lingering impacts from previous dry seasons are creating significantly elevated drought hazards for this upcoming spring and summer in the province.

“There are still two to three months left in the snow season. While conditions may change slightly over this period, current trends in low snowpack are expected to persist,” states the snow survey. “Due to the extremely low snow conditions, below normal spring freshet flood hazard is expected this season, especially in the Interior.”

Vancouver Island’s Snow Basin indices decreased relative to normal due to very warm late-January temperatures and

Karly Blats photo

Mt. Arrowsmith on Feb. 19, 2024. Vancouver Island’s snowpack has decreased by nine per cent from January, sitting at just 30 per cent of normal. heavy rain that caused significant snowmoisture,” MacDonald said. “Some The Ministry of Agriculture and Food melt, according to the RFC. of our most active wildfire seasons, is working with the Ministry of Water, Snow basin indices across the province namely 2003, 2017 and 2018 followed Land, and Resource Stewardship to imare much lower this year compared to on the heels of deeper than normal snow prove communications with B.C. produc2023 due to very dry and warm condipacks. As always, the amount of rain we ers about how to prepare for drought and tions through the snow accumulation receive in June will determine the severhow water management decisions are season. ity of the 2024 fire season.” made during drought conditions.

Matt MacDonald, lead weather forecastIn 2023 there were 281 wildfires on The province will be hosting upwards er with the BC Wildfire Service, said it’s Vancouver Island, 56 per cent of which of 30 in-person and online information a common misconception that the amount were human-caused. sessions throughout B.C. between March of overwinter snow has a direct impact to The low snowpack levels and unseason- and May 2024. the following wildfire season. ably warm weather are creating a signifiAn agriculture water management “Several factors including sublimation, cant drought risk for this year, therefore workshop was held in Port Alberni on rate of melt and whether the underlying the Province of BC is reaching out to Feb. 16, and there will be a decoding substrate is frozen, affect the effectivefarmers and other water users to help drought management engagement sesness that snow melt has in recharging prepare for dry seasons and to understand sion in Courtenay on March 5 and one in the underlying fuels and vegetation with their water management decisions.

Cowichan on March 6.

Page 8— Ha-Shilth-Sa—February 22, 2024

Salmon, water and old growth: MMFN takes conservation a step f Even if it takes hundreds of years the Salmon Parks initiative has determined that the species can recover only if the forest i

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Nootka Sound, BC - If you want to save Pacific salmon from extinction, stop logging the forests they rely on for habitat.

This is the approach taken by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht’s Salmon Parks, an initiative that is quickly gaining steam in Nootka Sound, where the First Nation plans to have a significant portion of its territory protected from industrial logging in the coming years. Since getting word of over $15 million in federal funding at the end of October, the project has formed a society led by a seven-member board, including representation from the First Nation’s Council of Chiefs, the Mowachaht/ Muchalaht community, band administration as well as three directors from conservation and economic development sectors in the region. The initiative now has five permanent staff, two of whom are Mowachaht/ Muchalaht members. Other funding has been secured from a number of conservation groups.

The Salmon Parks project application says that if the status quo continued, all old growth in Mowachaht/Muchalaht territory would be logged in the next 15 years. Without serious intervention, this puts Nootka Sound’s salmon stocks at risk of facing extinction over the next two decades, after 90 per cent of the region’s salmon population has declined since industrial forestry took hold over the past century.

Hereditary Chief Jerry Jack has seen the rivers in his territory dry up over his lifetime, but the full extent of how much the area has been transformed became clear during a flight he took over the past year.

“I never realized how much devastation there was by logging. It’s really sad,” said Jack, noting that although he’s not against forestry harvesting altogether, sustainable practices are needed. “We’re slowly losing everything, and things have to change. The logging practices have to change, because they’re eating our rivers.”

Although he’s just in his 40s, Jamie James recalls a time from his youth when salmon filled a stream running through Ahaminaquus Creek, by a reserve on Muchalaht Inlet where the First Nation once had a village.

“That back river used to be just loaded with chum, all year round,” said James, who is now Mowachaht/Muchalaht’s field logistics coordinator. “Now you don’t see them at all anymore.”

Salmon Parks are now recognized under Mowachaht/Muchalaht law, but they have yet to receive any designation by the Province of British Columbia. Even so,

A black bear walks near Matchlii, in the Burman River’s watershed in early October. The area is part of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht’s Salmon Parks protect the watershed from industrial logging. that the prolonged closure will one day the recently awarded funding will protect salmon spawn, and that will make a huge allow salmon to return to a river that once almost 39,000 hectares of old growth in the difference.” supported commercial fishing.

First Nation’s territory, ancient forest that ’Neglected’ importance of old growth In June 2021 Fisheries and Oceans Canacontains “critical salmon ecosystems”, acda announced the Pacific Salmon Strategy cording to the project description. This will In recent years concerns have intensiInitiative, a $647 million plan to protect halt industrial-scale logging in the Salmon fied about the future of Pacific salmon. In and rebuild stocks through improved Parks, but smaller operations can continue, February 2023 the First Nations Fisherscientific monitoring, habitat rehabilitation such as hunting, fishing and the harvesting ies Council of B.C. raised the alarm by and boosting breeding from hatcheries. of trees for cultural purposes. The Salmon announcing a coalition formed to halt the A portion of the PSSI bank is going Parks are intended to eventually encompass path to extinction, citing that 90 per cent of toward payments to retire commercial 66,595 hectares by 2030 – the same year Pacific salmon stocks have declined since fishing licences, thereby thinning the fleet that the province has pledged to have 30 the 1970s. to lessen salmon population losses from per cent of its land protected.

“I cannot imagine the cultures of the West harvesting. Licence buyouts are nothing Logging tenures on Crown land in the Coast people without salmon, it would new in B.C., and the commercial fleet has region are currently held by Western Forest be difficult,” said Hugh Braker, president been reduced to roughly half of what it Products and BC Timber Sales. Of the over of the First Nations Fisheries Council, was in the 1970s. $15 million recently granted by Environduring the coalition announcement a year But despite fewer commercial boats on ment and Climate Change Canada, almost ago. “We believe that the choices made the water and more fishery restrictions, $12.5 million is allocated for land acquisiby British Columbians today will have salmon have continued to decline, leading tion costs, notably buying out tenures that an effect on the future for the returns of some to wonder if more voluntary retireare currently held by forestry companies. salmon.” ments will help with the continued decline “It’s the single most important intervenOn the west coast of Vancouver Island, of the species. tion we can take to help salmon,” said Eric several stocks of chinook are listed as “un“I would have blamed it on overfishing Angel, general manager of the Salmon der threat” by the Committee on the Status earlier, absolutely, but because hatcheries Parks Stewardship Society. “We can’t of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Meanhave increased the fish in the system, you really do much about ocean warming, we while the Tla-o-qui-aht have not allowed would think there would be more fish,” can’t do much about the climate change their members to harvest sockeye from the impacts…in the big picture, climate change Kennedy Lake system since 1992, hoping said James, noting that a major threat to is just something we have to adapt to. But we can absolutely stop cutting down the old growth around those key habitats for

In October part of the Burman River watershed was still considered an active forestry worksite, with a tenure to harvest held by BC Timber Sales.

According to the Salmon Parks project description, all old growth in Mowachaht/ Muchalaht ha-hahoulthee would be logged if the previous rate rate continued.

February 22, 2024—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 9

ation a step further only if the forest is allowed to heal

Roger Dunlop is the Lands and Natural Resource manager for the Mowachaht/ Muchalaht First Nation.

Eric Plummer photos

owachaht/Muchalaht’s Salmon Parks, an initiative that will salmon would become more evident if hatcheries ceased to breed fish. “You’d see the fish stocks decline really fast because of logging. There’s no spawning habitat.

People think that it’s because of overfishing - it’s the habitat that’s the issue.”

According to the Pacific Salmon Foundation, approximately half of B.C.’s 9,000 wild populations of the species are in some sort of decline. Salmon that spend more time in rivers and lakes appear to be particularly threatened.

“Pretty key parts of the salmon lifecycle are tied to these terrene aquatic landscapes, everything from spawning to the initiation of juveniles really depends on the state of trees surrounding salmon streams,” said Katrina Connors, program director for the PSA’s Salmon Watersheds Program. “Generally, the bigger and older the forest, the better salmon will fare.”

Connors noted that old growth trees are “critical” for healthy salmon ecosystems, including the shade they provide for spawning habitat.

“This is really important for keeping

Eric Angel

salmon eggs cool. The shade also reduces algae and other plants in the stream, which reduces the amount of oxygen for salmon,” she explained. “These riparian ecosystems, they provide so much for young salmon.

The leaves, the needles of plants, they have insects, which fall into the water…the roots from the trees help to stabilize stream banks and slow erosion, which reduces the amount of sediment.”

The State of Canadian Pacific Salmon, which was published by DFO in 2019, details the complex factors that have contributed to the species’ decline, including the effects from a warming climate, ocean heat waves that alter food sources when the salmon migrate out to sea, and rising air temperatures. The department also acknowledges that historic logging has damaged riparian zines next to streams, warming water in the summer, while contemporary forestry can also “contribute to landslides if significant portions of watersheds are cleared or roads are built with poor drainage.”

“Wood and debris from old growth trees plays an important role in shaping the character of smaller coastal stream systems and provides places for fish to live and hide from predators,” wrote the DFO in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “Shade from trees regulates stream temperature during hot weather, providing cooler water that salmon need to reproduce and grow. And mature forests act as sponges that soak up rainwater and feed it back into streams during drier seasons and drought.”

The federal department is involved in a number of projects to help salmon in Nootka Sound, such as exploring restoration strategies like artificial beaver dams that “help moderate water flows in droughtprone systems, promote water storage, and increase water availability through periods of water scarcity.”

But an obvious factor has yet to be attacked, said Angel.

“For quite some time now DFO has really neglected the importance of old growth forest habitat as essential to survival of salmon populations,” he said. “The reason it hasn’t been tackled until now is politically it’s challenging to make it happen, but that’s changing.”

B.C.’s great mistake In early October 2023 Vancouver Island was still parched from a particularly long, dry summer. Roger Dunlop walked through a park in Gold River, pointing to a mosscovered old growth tree towering over the path.

“When you look at these hemlock trees, like that one, it’s pretty much water. It’s a column of water stretching up into the sky,” said Dunlop, who is the Lands and Natural Resource manager for the Mowachaht/ Muchalaht First Nation. “Every piece of wood that you see laying on the ground here is storing water.”

But this natural system has been disturbed by what the province’s Vancouver Island Land Use Plan calls ‘tree farm licences’, resulting in a patchwork of forest that fails to provide the cohesive ecosystem that salmon need. The Mowachaht/Muchalaht have decided that the wide-ranging protection of Salmon Parks is the necessary solution to British Columbia’s great mistake, said Dunlop.

“We have come to the conclusion that those little band aids on the landscape don’t conserve ecological function,” he said, stressing that what’s needed is “whole watershed preservation to allow those functions to heal. These rivers are like Humpty Dumpty; all the king’s horses and all the king’s men are never going to put these rivers back together again. The only thing that will heal it is the forest.”

Crown land that gets logged is required to be reforested, but the demands of these young trees can create issues by absorbing an unbalanced volume of water.

“There is literature to suggest that once a system has been clearcut or logged, replanted forests are not capable of providing the same sort of hydrologic function as these mature old growth forests for decades,” explained Connors. “Not having clearcutting - or thinning or selecting individual trees for harvest - this can help to minimize the impacts, as well as having a buffer around salmon streams. That’s not always something we see.”

“We’ve created these massive plantations across British Columbia of Douglas fir super trees that are designed to grow faster,” added Dunlop. “But nobody thought that was going to create a water demand and dry up the coho creeks across British Columbia.”

Forestry is often considered the industry that for generations powered development in B.C., sometimes establishing towns overnight around mills located by the deep waters of an inlet - as was the case with Gold River’s establishment in the 1960s.

“In the 50, 60 years since this timber farm licence came into existence in the 1950s there’s been upwards of $6 billion value of trees that have been harvested here. A tiny fraction of that has stayed in the community,” said Angel, adding that most of the area’s forestry jobs go to people who commute into Gold River. “It’s a profoundly extractive economy. It’s an economy that comes in and takes and leaves very little behind.”

According to B.C.’s Ministry of Forests, old growth logging has slowed down in recent years.

“Between 2019 and 2021, an average of 2,707 hectares of old growth was harvested annually from publicly managed lands on Vancouver Island – that’s only 0.3 per cent of the total estimated amount of old growth on Vancouver Island,” stated the ministry in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “By prioritizing sustainability, we will ensure that our oldest and rarest forests are protected, while supporting local, sustainable jobs.”

Furthermore, 2.42 hectares of B.C.’s old growth has been deferred from harvesting since November 2021. That’s in addition to the 3.8 million hectares that were already protected from being logged.

But Angel believes that a more permanent solution is needed, one that Dunlop estimates could take hundreds of years.

“What we’re trying to do with Salmon Parks is lock in those protections so we’ve got that long-term assurance of protection for that habitat,” said Angel. “Old growth ecosystems are salmon ecosystems. They evolved together.”

This story was made possible in part by an award from the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Salmon swim over gravel in the Gold River, by one of the few remaining spawning habitats in the area.

Page 10— Ha-Shilth-Sa—February 22, 2024

Young dancers prepare for upcoming Hoobiyee event Annual showcase marks the start of the Nisga’a new year, with performances from First Nations across B.C.

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Ahousaht, BC - Since the start of the new year dozens of young Ahousaht members have been preparing to showcase their nation’s dances at an upcoming event in Vancouver.

At least 35 students will be making the trek from Ahousaht’s Flores Island village to the Hoobiyee event, which is scheduled for March 1-2 at the PNE grounds in Vancouver. For over a month the young dancers, who range in age from Grade 5 to 12, have been practicing two to three times a week in Ahousaht’s T-Bird Hall and the school gymnasium.

“They’re always very eager,” said Ciiqaptuulthaqsa, Terry Robinson, a teacher in the community who is helping to prepare the dancers for the annual cultural event. “They connect with our culture really well. As we progress through the dance practice, their confidence builds in learning new dances.”

This will be the fifth year that Ciiqaptuulthaqsa has brought a group to Hoobiyee, and she said that Ahousaht tries to change the dances that are brought to Vancouver each time they attend the event. Cultural leaders in the community work with students to decide on what dances to perform, she said, and this year the group’s offerings incude a flag song from Kelsmaht, one of the tribes that amalgamated into Ahousaht during the 20th century.

The students also learn about the importance of asking the owners of the dances permission to perform them.

Ciiqaptuulthaqsa has seen some of her shy students “come alive” as they perform their nation’s dances.

“They’re more in tune with themselves in singing and dancing,” she said.

“They’re connecting with their ancestral roots in that way. I’ve seen a really dramatic change with my really shy students.”

The group will be performing in regalia from the Maaqtusiis school’s culture room, including pieces made of woven cedar bark.

“We had as young as Grade 3s helping

Curt McLeod photo

Ahousaht is once again sending a large group to perform at Hoobiyee, which takes place at the PNE Forum in Vancouver March 1-2. Pictured are Ahousaht performances from last year’s event. accompanied by adult singers and other with the cedar regalia last year, learntial bodies could be used to predict the chaperones, making their contingent total ing how to thin it and strip it, weave it weather and the abundance of resources. about 50. together at the top with the string,” said “Over time, they observed that whenLast year Ahousaht member Greg Louie Ciiqaptuulthaqsa. “Yesterday we had our ever the first crescent moon (thin-shaped) even managed to connect with one of first regalia practice. For them to put the is in the shape of the Hoobix – the bowl the parents to get the youngsters into a regalia on gives them the enthusiasm to of the Nisga’a wooden spoon with ends Vancouver Canucks game, said Ciiqaptutry harder when they’re dancing.” pointing upward, this meant abundant ulthaqsa.

Hosted by the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Society resources in the harvesting seasons to “Some of our students don’t get to on the traditional territory of the Musfollow in K’alii-Aksim Lisims (the Nass leave the reserve very often, so going to queam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Valley),” reads a document from the the big city like Vancouver is quite the First Nations, the annual event marks the Nisga’a Lisims Government. “The ooliexperience for them,” she noted. “It’s an start of the Nisga’a new year – beginchans would be plentiful, the salmon… awesome experience for our kids. They ning the nation’s harvest season when berries…and various other resources get to connect with even urban family the small oolichan fish return to the Nass important to the Nisga’a; all in all, a members.”

Valley. In this northwestern part of the bountiful year predicted.”

Other Nuu-chah-nulth groups are also province, the oolichan were traditionally With so many members living away scheduled to perform at Hoobiyee, the first food to arrive in the Nass River from their home territory, for several including youth from the Huu-ay-aht and at a time when winter supplies were years the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Society has Tseshaht First Nations. The event begins almost depleted. After about two months, hosted the cultural event in Vancouver. with a welcome feast on Thursday, Feb. the spring salmon would follow.

The convergence of many cultures from 29, followed by two days of performancCertain members of Nisga’a society across British Columbia provides an es on March 1 and 2 at the PNE Forum, were experts in reading the moon and the exciting experience for the many youth 2901 East Hastings Street, in Vancouver. stars, and the arrangement of these celes- venturing from Ahousaht, who will be

Phrase of the week: Ma%ayi> n’aas wiiyaasum> h=ayu%uh=%iš cawaakum> +u>ic^%aqniš ma%ayi> q’aanun%aqkin niwa yaa%akuks siiwa c^uu Pronounced ‘Naa ee yii alth nags eee yaa som alth clu ee gym ugh ee nas clue ee chilt haa my yii ilth ugk kin kaa num ugk kin yaa ugk kooks nee wa choo’, it means ‘A very special day to reflect on how we treasure our dear families. I love you all now and forever, Cuu’. Supplied by ciisma.

Illustration by Koyah Morgan-Banke

February 22, 2024—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 11

Ahousaht actor performs in version of Father Tartuffe Play follows an Indigenous family whose father invites a priest from Montreal to live with them in their home

By Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Vancouver, BC - An Indigenous focused theatre production coming to Vancouver will feature Nuu-chah-nulth actor Danica Charlie.

Charlie, who lives in Vancouver, is from the Ahoushat First Nation on her dad’s side, and of European descent on her mom’s side.

Charlie said she hasn’t been to Ahousaht since she was a kid and grew up in Victoria.

She’s playing Maryanne in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Father Tartuffe: An Indigenous Misadventure.

The play is an adaptation of Molière’s play Tartuffe and follows the adventures of an Indigenous family whose father invites a priest from Montreal to live with them in their home.

Playwright Herbie Barnes, from Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island, said the story takes place in 1967 in a time when First Nations just recently got to vote and just seven years after they were considered citizens of Canada “The father of the family has decided that he wants his family to learn the white man ways, as my grandfather did with my mother,” Barnes said. “He brings home this priest from Montreal who’s going to teach them religion. [The priest] is nefarious and he’s more interested in trying to seduce the wife of this man. It’s people being fooled by this priest and it’s a comedy, it’s fun, it’s a farce.”

Barnes said he was inspired to write an adaptation of Tartuffe after seeing the play. He wondered why anybody would be fooled by the priest, and reflects that his mother was persuaded to learn the white language instead of her own Indigenous language.

“I really wanted to adapt that piece because I saw our voice in there,” Barnes said.

All but one of the cast of Father Tartuffe is made up of Indigenous actors.

Barnes said he’s noticing more and

Venn de la Lune photo

Nuu-chah-nulth actor Danica Charlie will play Maryanne in the upcoming theatre production of Father Tartuffe: An Indigenous Misadventure. The play runs from Feb. 22–March 24 at the Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver. reputable theatre company in Vancouver more Indigenous representation in theatre supposed to be getting engaged soon but so it’s definitely a big accomplishment and writing. that kind of doesn’t work out because of for me. It’s been one of my career goals “When I started out…35 years ago there Tartuffe.” were very few (Indigenous actors) and Charlie grew up as the shy kid in school since getting out of school.”

Charlie said being an Indigenous actor you could easily say, ‘Well, I’ll just use and found that theatre was the perfect can sometimes feel like you are a “token a guy that looks native,’ and that’s not outlet to be more outgoing through the cast”, but she is seeing more Aboriginal allowed anymore,” Barnes said. “There’s characters she played on stage. representation in theatre lately. sort of this push for ‘nothing about us “I found it a really great way to express “You’ll look around the room and without us’.” myself and I just stuck with it,” she said. you’re like, we’ve got one Indigenous Although Barnes wrote the play, he is “I did it through elementary school, not directing it as he lives in Toronto. But middle school and then high school I was person, one Asian person, one black person,” said Charlie. “So sometimes he did suggest Musqueam artist Quelemia in drama and musical theatre.” you can kind of feel tokenized but I think Sparrow to co-direct and be an IndigAfter high school, Charlie attended the things are changing and it’s becoming a enous voice behind the scenes.

Canadian School of Performing Arts and bit less of that.”

Danica Charlie is playing Maryanne, the graduated in 2021.

Father Tartuffe runs from Feb. 22– daughter of the family.

“Basically since I graduated I’ve been March 24 at the Granville Island Stage, “She is super in love with her boyfriend working professionally,” Charlie said.

1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver. More that she has been with basically since “This is my first time performing with information can be found at artsclub.com. she was a kid,” Charlie said. “They are [The Arts Club Theatre]. They are a very

Students display artwork in Port Alberni’s Gyro Park

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Port Alberni, BC - The artwork of three Nuu-chah-nulth students now adorns Port Albreni’s Gyro Park after an Alberni District Secondary School art class was assigned to paint garbage bins throughout the community.

Maddexx George, Summer Little, and Maddison Lucas decided the theme of their project would be Indigenous art.

“I chose the c̓ ixʷatin, which is the eagle,” said George. “I chose it just [because] it’s my favorite animal.”

George explained that in Nuu-chahnulth culture, c̓ixʷatin (eagles) are spiritual animals.

“It’s the closest one to the spirits,” explained the Grade 9 student.

At the top corner of George’s artwork, he painted the four nations color wheel which represents Black, European, Asian and Native people, each occupying a quarter of the circle, showing how everyone is connected.

It took George nearly four weeks to complete his artwork from a bare garbage bin through to his completed piece in the

park.

“People [in] Port Alberni can actually see native art and who made it,” said George pointing to his name at the corner of the piece. “It’s real awesome that other people can see my art.”

“I hope they see it and they know that young people still know their heritage,” said George.

Orange and red handprints embellish the front of the bin, where the students collaboratively created an “Every Child Matters” panel.

Though this is George’s first artwork displayed in public, he’s been drawing since he started his schooling.

“I always loved doodling and drawing,” said George, noting that he enjoys creating Indigenous art with sceneries of trees, mountains and animals.

Elders, aunts, and uncles have helped George learn to draw and paint along the way, he said.

For the c̓ixʷatin (eagle), George meticulously dotted paint along the thin lines of his art.

“The best way is just to slowly paint or drawing every day,” said George.

Alexandra Mehl photo

Grade 9 student Maddexx George recently completed a public art project on a garbage bin in Port Alberni’s Gyro Park for an art class at Alberni District Secondary.

Page 12— Ha-Shilth-Sa—February 22, 2024

President’s Message Hello to everyone. As we move into longer, brighter days and the promise of spring, we look forward to another year of good fisheries, gathering and other cultural activities.

My hearts are with you for those losses suffered in our families and communities.

It is never easy to lose a loved one. Every loss is tough and leaves a hole in our hearts, families and communities.

There are many issues our communities are dealing with on the local level and at the larger political level.

One of the initiatives I have been working on for many years now is heritage conservation to protect our sacred sites and objects and pursuing management.

With the province committing to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act (DRIPA) I was working through a process called the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Process. We were working towards bringing amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act to the B.C. legislature this spring, sitting to achieve the things we want and need.

Unfortunately, we did not have a meeting of minds on the drafting and we have put off bringing amendments until after the next election. It is really too bad as we worked really hard on this, but we would rather make positive and meaningful changes to the act than only minor ones. A letter went out to all First Nations in the past little while explaining this. We had produced a What We Heard report of the proposed changes and it reflects First Nation dissatisfaction with what was proposed. That report will also be emailed to communities shortly.

I continue to work on justice issues and in particular policing issues. Had a meeting with the acting commissioner of the RCMP and head of Indigenous policing to pursue better relations and to work on several issues. There is a willingness on their part to work with First Nations. We had as Nuu-chah-nulth drafted a protocol on how we would work together with RCMP, but did not have First Nations signing on as of yet. I will continue to pursue this as we need to continue our work on policing. We have not forgotten Chantal Moore and Julian Jones and so many others.

We had a meeting as the executive and directors with the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) where she shared that she will be doing a larger review to investigate racism within the system and she will look into the Dontay Lucas case during that review.

I continue working on the gaming issues in the province. Trying to make opportunities for First Nations to locate gaming facilities in their communities and many other issues.

There has been a lot of controversy in the media lately about some changes B.C. wants to make around the Land Act. They are planning to amend the Land Act to allow for shared/joint decision over things within the act, like mining.

B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples Act (DRIPA) has two sections that provide for B.C. and First Nations to enter into shared/joint decision making. You would think that would be enough for shared decision making over all things. But their laws says every law must have a specific provision that applies to shared decision making. So the B.C. government it trying to do that with the Land Act. We also were doing it with the Heritage Act as well.

Community&Beyond Connect Your Mind Body Spirit

February 26-29 Coast Bastion, Nanaimo Wellness and self care. Hair cuts, massage, nails, key note speaker and much more. Open to all PES and IAFNYS clients. Accomidation provided, onsite child care, meals provided each day. Connect with your case manager to sign up. Northern region 250-720-1362.

Central region 250-266-0275. Southern region 250-720-1132. IAFNYES 250735-1633 Chims Motel Grand Opening and Tour

March 1 Many in the public are overly concerned about this. How can we have First Nations making decisions about our land, was a question frequently asked. Many worried we would make wrong decisions or take something away from them.

The reality is in five years only two shared decision making agreements have been reached and about two specific run of the river projects in Tahltan territory.

The existing agreements were not related to large-scale decisions about land. It is a long, involved process to get the mandate from cabinet to negotiate an agreement, the actual negotiations and then back through bureaucratic processes to get back to cabinet approval.

This is a big problem with the existing system as DRIPA was intended to make changes, but B.C.’s legislative processes are long and involved. They are also outside our consent and final decisions are always with the cabinet and legislature.

A very important case came down from the Supreme Court of Canada. Quebec challenged the federal law over children and families. This law provides for First Nations to exercise their jurisdiction to pass laws over children and families.

Quebec said it was their law-making power and not the federal government.

The court ruled that Canada could pass this jurisdiction to First Nations. The court did not talk about the inherent right to jurisdiction for First Nations to pass their own laws in their own right. This is looked upon as a good decision and quite a few First Nations have passed their own laws under the Federal Children and Families Act. I attended the first day of the Council of Ha’wiih Forum on Fisheries. The meeting had to do with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in relation to a paper they are putting together, a Habitat Restoration Priorities Plan for Pacific Region. They have been engaged in the process for some time now and are continuing to ask Nuu-chah-nulth for their input. Wanting to know specifics are important to us – Ha’wiih were very clear that all species are important to us. Also, what are our restoration goals, including ecosystem functions? It’s important to know what we think would make successful restoration programs. There was fulsome discussions and more discussions and work needed. Climate change, low ice packs, warming ocean temperatures, flooding and forest fires are part of the consideration. Restoring territories is a big job with many areas of habitat that need to be addressed and looked after.

Restoration should have been done a long time ago and action is needed now.

Respectfully, Cloy-e-iis

Chims Guest House, Port Alberni Join us on Friday, from 11:30am to 5:30pm for an exclusive tour. The official opening remarks will commence at 12:15pm.

Nuu-chah-nulth Baby Group

Every Monday CYS - 4841 Redford Street, Port Alberni 10am-12pm. We offer Prenatal and infant development information, special guests, snacks provide and $20.00 food voucher per family. Referrals when needed. NTC Nursing and Doula’s 250-724-3939.

Enter from 4th avenue side, building with orange stripe.

Girls Group

Every Tuesday Port Alberni – Usma culture space 5:00pm-7:00pm Girls ages 13-18. Need a safe space? Want to express yourself?

Looking to learn to bake and cook? Do you enjoy doing crafts? Come join us for fun activities with food and refreshments every Tuesday!

Eating in Balance

Every Wednesday Port Alberni Friendship Center 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Participants work together to make a meal, discuss health and food related topics. Participants who work (cook and clean) with the group will receive a $10.00 grocery coupon that can be used at either Quality Foods or Buy-Low Foods. Childminder on premises. A drop-in group, no registration required. For more information about our program, please call and ask for Amber – 250-735-6276 ext. 233. A part of the ASI Early Years program.

Cultural Brushings with Quu asa

Every Friday Redford Administration Building, Port Alberni 9:00am-12:00pm Cultural Brushings in support of the Tseshaht Community.

If you have any questions, please call Leanne Harding, Administrative Assistant 250-724-1225

Correction: In the Feb.8, 2024 issue Tianna Michael was the artist of the “we miss the sunshine” drawing. Previously shown as Tianna Morgan.

February 22, 2024—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 13

Employment and Training Port Alberni Friendship Centre Volunteers Needed Need work experience? The Port Alberni Friendship Centre is looking for interested applicants for various positions. Call 250-723-8281

Check out our new Facebook page Nuu-chah-nulth Jobs and Events Updated daily!

Page 14— Ha-Shilth-Sa—February 22, 2024

Petition to O•awa pushes for VI railway restoration A restored E & N line would provide a needed alternate route to Highway 4 that was highlighted last summer

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Vancouver Island, BC - A push is underway to restore Vancouver Island’s railway, with a call for the federal government to provide funding to a partnership that includes two Nuu-chah-nulth nations.

On Feb. 7 Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor presented a petition to the House of Commons with 7,610 signatures in support of bringing back passenger and freight railway service to Vancouver Island. The petition asks the feds to create a $1 billion fund to guarantee financing for the Island Corridor Foundation, a collective of several regional districts and First Nations along the route that owns the railway. Formed in 2003 to preserve what remained of the Equimalt & Nanaimo Railway, the ICF incudes the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and the Hupacasaht and Tseshaht First Nations.

Started by Victoria resident Warren Skaalrud, the petition notes that a railway will be needed when Vancouver Island is estimated to reach 1 million residents in 2030.

“Expanding the congested highway arteries on Vancouver Island would cost well in excess of $1 billion and would have high opposition risks from First Nations and citizens of Vancouver Island as such proposals have in the past,” stated the petition.

The document also notes the need for an alternate land passage to Port Alberni and the Island’s west coast communities. This became painfully apparent last summer, when a forest fire shut down Highway 4 at Cameron Lake for much of the season. Tourism-reliant operations in Tofino lost as much as 80 per cent of business, suffering an estimated $50 million in lost

Island Rail Corridor Condition Assessment, BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure photo

Numerous bridges supporting the railway need upgrades for the line to function again. Pictured is a bridge over Niagara Canyon near Victoria. revenue. couver Island residents. Passenger service The shutdown prompted several Nuuto Port Alberni ceased in 1953, followed chah-nulth First Nations as well as the by the end of freight shipments to the ACRD, District of Ucluelet and Nuuvalley a half century later. In 1979 Via chah-nulth Tribal Council to send a letter Rail took over passenger service between to Premier David Eby, calling for the Courtenay and Victoria, which ended in government to “create an official alternate 2011 due to declining track safety. access road to the west coast.”

Now only the railway within a 16-ki“First Nations and the ACRD in Port Al- lometre radius of the Nanaimo harbour berni are both demanding a second route is being used to move freight, operated to ensure supplies, products, and people by the Southern Rainway of Vancouver can move when Highway 4 is blocked,” Island. noted the recent petition to restore railAccording to a feasibility study comway service. missioned by the province in 2020, 45 Originally built in 1886, the Esquimalt per cent – or an estimated 180,000 of the & Nanaimo Railway eventually stretched line’s railway ties - are “considered defrom Victoria to Courtney, with a line fective”. Parts of the railway, particularly connecting Parksville to Port Alberni. the section that extends to Port Alberni, This enabled European settlement across are overgrown with vegetation that would Vancouver Island, but after a century of need clearing for service to be restored. operations, freight was in decline, while On the Port Alberni extension alone the automobile had established its role as bridge repairs were estimated to cost the main source of transportation for Van- $34.7 million, with work needed on the

13 timber structures currently in place.

The 2020 study estimated a full restoration of reliable freight and passenger service to cost over $700 million.

Despite this daunting cost, last year the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure gave a sign of serious consideration towards railway restoration. In March the ministry granted $18 million to the five regional districts and 14 First Nations along the route to develop plans for the line.

During a past meeting of the AlberniClayoquot Regional District, ACRD Chair John Jack noted that the railway would bring socio-economic benefits for people throughout the region.

“From an economic standpoint, access to reliable transportation is the most important factor in people escaping poverty,” said Jack during the meeting, which was held July 27, 2022. “Child benefits, child tax benefits, these things all matter - but if you can’t get to work, if you can’t get to your appointments, if you can’t get to your appointments to heal your mind or your soul, you can’t escape the poverty track. This is going to free up space for people to be able to do that.”

Besides the cost of repairing and clearing the railway route, additional resources are needed to “reconcile and resolve long-standing First Nations’ concerns with certain sections of the Island corridor,” stated the petition.

An example of what could lie ahead can be found in the case of the Nanoose First Nation, which fought in court to get its land north of Nanaimo returned from the railway last year.

According to the House of Commons’ petition procedure, a formal response from the government is due 45 days after the document was presented in Parliament.

ADSS athletics looks to rename their sports teams

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Port Alberni, BC - Alberni District Secondary School’s (ADSS) athletic department is formally renaming its sports teams, taking “Armada” off the court.

After four decades students, staff and coaches say the name “no longer has a connection” to the school community.

“We just felt that Armada does not represent us a whole lot,” said Dennis Bill, a teacher and coach at ADSS. “The students don’t connect with it; a lot of students don’t understand what an armada is [and]… it doesn’t match up with what we value.”

After conversations with coaches and students, they decided that “it was time to change the name,” said Bill.

But in 2012 when ADSS moved from its former location on Burde Street to its new building along Roger Street, their athletics department began working to simplify and reinvent the Alberni Athletics logo, shared ADSS Athletic Director Mike Roberts.

Their first step was transitioning from the image of a schooner, a sailing vessel representing a Spanish fleet of ships, to the letter A, which appears in their school color, red.

“We kind of just went with what we thought was good,” said Roberts. “It stuck; everyone liked it.”

With First Nations culture, art, and truth and reconciliation in mind, their

Alexandra Mehl photo

Jaiden Knighton plays for the Alberni Armada during this year’s Totem basketball tournament in January. The high school plans to change the name of its sports teams to one that resonates more with the community. next steps were to Indigenize their logo, across ADSS as their logo. shared Roberts, but it didn’t happen as “It was even more mainstream now than soon as they hoped. the first A,” recalled Roberts.

At their annual Totem tournament, Rob“As an ex-student I have [an] attacherts recalled noticing several participating ment to the name Armada, but at the schools wearing their athletics logos with same time, I see it as a great opportunity First Nations-themed designs. for us to grow and change and maybe “They beat us to the punch in our own adopt something that’s a little more suited house,” said Roberts. “This is great for to our values and our culture here at the those schools, it looked fantastic, but we school,” said Bill. need to do that as well.”

In the renaming process, they have In collaboration with the athletics deestablished a committee responsible for partment, Geena Haiyupus then produced deciding on the new nickname for teams.

The committee will be gathering ideas what is presently and widely known

from the school and wider Port Alberni community, while meeting with Tseshaht and Hupacasath, shared Roberts.

In the renaming process, “Indigenous history and culture, athletics and school history, geographical location, as well as iconic events,” will be considered, reads an ADSS athletic department press release.

“We are seeking a name that is bold, represents strength and power, and is a name that everyone can be proud of.”

“It would be great if we could connect it to our local Indigenous culture,” added Bill. “Being a member of the Tseshaht First Nation, I think it would be great if there was a way we could tie in either our language or culture into the school nickname.”

Bill hopes that the new name can be simply identified, includes community representation, and unifies the school.

“Just now… finally everything’s lining up and we’re able to move forward with looking for a new name that would, I think, identify us better, who we are, where we’re situated in Port Alberni, and that both coaches, teachers, students can relate to more,” said Roberts.

“It could be a place or something that people identify with,” said Bill. “But just something that really resonates with our students and our community.”

Team name ideas for the school’s athletics department can be submitted by scanning the QR code listed on ADSS Athletic Department Facebook page.

February 22, 2024—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 15

Clean energy coming to growing Uchucklesaht village Remote community plans for run-of-the-river power and solar panels on a mountainside to replace diesel fuel

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ehthlateese, BC – Uchucklesaht’s main reserve at Ehthlateese, a village of about 14 family homes, is getting clean, reliable energy in its growing community through funding from the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.

According to Nigel Moore, Uchucklesaht’s special projects manager, Ehthlateese has been growing rapidly over the past five years and is expected to grow further as more citizens make the move home to the pristine, waterfront village south of Henderson Lake.

But Ehthlateese is off grid and Moore says there is no chance that the remote community will ever be in the main BC Hydro system. The tiny village powers its homes and wellness centre on dieselfueled generators, operated by BC Hydro.

The generators are loud in an otherwise peaceful location and they require delivery and storage of diesel fuel to operate, running the risk of oil spills that would be disastrous for the environment. The community needs a clean, reliable source of energy for its growing population.

On Feb. 13 the B.C. Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation announced that both the Uchucklesaht Tribe and Ahousaht First Nation would receive funding to develop clean-energy projects.

The funding will allow the nations access to more efficient and sustainable sources of energy. Uchucklesaht Tribe will receive $499,140 to develop run of the river hydroelectric and solar-power initiatives.

“The nation will develop two clean energy projects over time to eliminate the need for diesel energy,” said Moore.

They have identified a creek that could support a run of river hydro electric system. According to Clean Energy BC, run-of-river hydroelectric (ROR hydro) projects generate electricity by channel-

Nigel Moore photo

A new wellness centre has been built in the Barkley Sound village of Ethlateese, equipped with solar panels on its roof. ing natural stream flows and utilizing elevation differences in mountainous regions.

According to Moore, the ROR hydro project would be ideal for Ehthlateese in the wet season near a place like Henderson Lake, known for its abundance of rainfall and clean water.

But with climate change and summer droughts, Uchucklesaht have plans for a back-up, complimentary clean energy system where they will harness solar power with the installation of solar panels on a local mountainside.

“We will use the resources available in our area and use them when they are in

season,” said Moore.

“The B.C. government is working in partnership with First Nations to support resilient communities on Vancouver Island and the coast,” stated Murray Rankin, Minster of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, in a press release.

“Supported by the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, projects like the Uchucklesaht hydroelectric development will power remote communities and create economic opportunities,” “Funding from FNCEBF makes an important contribution towards Uchucklesaht’s development of community-owned clean-energy systems in the village of Ehthlateese,” said Uchucklesaht Chief Councillor Wilfred Cootes Jr. “Developing new sources of clean energy is fundamental to the revitalization of the village and requires consistent efforts to invest in the design and development of new infrastructure over time.”

Moore stated that in addition to developing clean energy projects in the village, Ehthlateese residents now have a new water treatment plant and septic field.

“These partnerships with the Ahousaht First Nation and Uchucklesaht Tribe will

support our CleanBC goals - empowering local economic development while mitigating the effects of climate change,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

Ahousaht First Nation will receive $50,000 from FNCEBF to develop a comprehensive community plan to identify energy-efficiency measures and explore potential clean-energy initiatives.

“Ahousaht is excited to move forward with clean-energy initiatives in our Nation and is grateful for the support from FNCEBF,” said Ahousaht Chief Councillor n̓ aasʔałuk (John Rampanen). “As a remote, coastal Nation we believe that the future of clean and sustainable energy is a vital part of our ongoing development and responsible stewardship over our lands and waters.”

The FNCEBF supports clean-energy projects led by First Nations communities, such as installing heat pumps and solar roofs, as well as improving insulation in homes, energy-efficiency planning and educational events. Six First Nations partners provincewide received a total of more than $1.8 million through the fund in this round of grants.

Page 16— Ha-Shilth-Sa—February 22, 2024