Ha Shilth Sa Newspaper February 23, 2023

67 Alberni residential school deaths, reports Tseshaht

Radar identifies 17 likely burials after 13 per cent of the area studied, while survivors provide detailed accounts

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Editor’s note: This article contains material which may be disturbing to some readers

PortAlberni, BC - Through over a year of research that included groundpenetrating radar and extensive analysis of testimonials from former students, an investigative team has announced that at least 67 children died while attending the Alberni Indian Residential School.

This news was announced Feb. 21 by the Tseshaht First Nation before a packed Maht Mahs gym, itself a former structure built for the residential school, which operated for nearly a century in Tsehshaht territory near the western bank of the Somass River. From 1893 onwards, children from over 70 First Nations attended the institution as part of Canada’s assimilationist residential school system. AIRS was run by the Presbyterian then the United Church of Canada, before the federal government took over operations for the last five years before the doors were closed in 1974. The project’s tally is more than double the 29AIRS deaths that were previously listed by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Besides multiple reports of physical, sexual and spiritual abuse, for generations survivors and the Tseshaht community have been aware of children dying at the institution. Following the news of 215 unmarked burials indicated at the former site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021, Tseshaht launched ʔuuʔatumin yaqckʷiimitqin (Doing it for ourAncestors), a multi-phase project that aims to “shed light on the truth, history and the need for justice,” according to the First Nation.

On Feb. 21 findings from the first phase of this undertaking were released, the result of a combination of analysing historical records, statements from survivors of the residential school, above-ground laser LiDAR scanning and ground-penetrating radar. This radar scanning identified 17 possible burial sites of former students, which was obtained by radio frequencies collecting data by bouncing off of various changes in the earth.

“In the data we look for things that are shaped or have the right size to be burials,” explained Brian Whiting of GeoScan, which conducted the ground scans. “We look for a break in the layers that suggests a grave shaft, and inside that break in the layers are there reflections that could be from a coffin or from material breaking down over time.”

Although Whiting cautions that only archaeological excavations could com-

pletely confirm a child burial – something that the Tseshaht will not undertake for this phase of the initiative – the process of identifying likely graves includes combining data and ruling out other underground objects.

“We always try to rule out more normal causes, natural features like logs and roots and so forth before making the call of something being a possible grave,” Whiting said.

The project team identified 100 hectares of land where former students could have been buried, but GeoScan has so far only covered 12 per cent of this area through its drone-operated LiDAR scanning and ground-penetrating radar. Tseshaht Chief Councillor Ken Watts said that federal funding will be necessary to undertake the next stage of the project.

“We’ve been able to do what we can with what we have, but they definitely have to step up,” he said. “We are not in a place to carry all of it on our own source revenue.”

As the results were announced 67 small stuffed bears covered a section of the floor, a reminder of the next task for ʔuuʔatumin yaqckʷiimitqin. Each of these toys are to be delivered to families of the children who never left the confines of the residential school, along with information gathered from the project about the victims.

But this might not be yet possible for all of the families, as some victims are only identified by a first name, said the project’s lead researcher Sheri Meding,

while others don’t have a name anyone can recall.

“We know the names of some of the students that died,” she said. “We know what age they were when they died, what they died of.”

“Overwhelmingly, the cause of death was due to medical conditions,” she continued. “Conditions that were very clearly inadequate conditions, unhealthy conditions at the school.”

But accounts from former students also spoke of witnessing a pupil being killed, small coffins being taken out of the building at night, female students getting impregnated from staff and forced abortions.

“And also witnessing newborns and aborted fetuses being disposed of in the incinerator,” added Meding.

Although survivors of the residential school have for many years carried stories of this incinerator, Watts said it’s yet to be determined how its location can be identified.

“How do we actually verify that through other technology? That will have to be coming in the weeks and months ahead,” he said, noting complications due to development on the Tseshaht reserve after AIRS closed. “One of the big difficulties of our community is the work that’s happened after.At the site we have new homes around the area, we have a lot of different development that’s happened. Nothing has ever come up in that development where we’ve been concerned, but to identify that site where that individual

incinerator was, the technology that can or cannot be used remains to be seen.”

Despite the trauma that resurfaces from disclosing such disturbing information, AIRS survivor Charlie Thompson was relieved that what he has known his while life is being widely publicized.

“It lifts up my spirit,” said Thompson, who had an uncle who died at the institution. “We know, as a family, that our uncle may be part of the number that came up today.”

Charlie’s brother Jack Thompson also attendedAIRS and spoke at the event. He mentioned police who caught students after they escaped.

“The police have to be held accountable for what they done. They never listened to the students when they told what was happening to them,” he said. “There cannot be reconciliation until the truth is known by everyone.”

Looking ahead, the Tseshaht are undergoing fundraising for a memorial at the former residential school site that lists every student who attended.

The First Nation also plans to tear down Caldwell Hall, which formerly served as a student residence. The oldAIRS building is currently being used by the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council.

“There’s people who won’t even come to our community because that building is still standing there,” said Watts.

“We plan on tearing that building down. We’ve told Canada that they need to step up, they need to fully fund the teardown of that building.”

Eric Plummer photo

On Feb. 21 Maht Mahs filled up for the announcement of the first results from ʔuuʔatumin yaqckʷiimitqin (Doing it for our Ancestors), a multi-phase project that aims to “shed light on the truth, history and the need for justice,” according to the Tseshaht First Nation.

Memorial women’s march fills Downtown Eastside

For the 32nd year streets are flooded with remembrance of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver, BC - Feb 14. marked the 32nd year that the streets of the Downtown Eastside flooded with remembrance of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse peoples. Families from First Nations across Canada came to commemorate their missing and murdered loved ones.

At the corner of Main and East Hasting Street people began to gather in the morning, organizing for the day’s events. The sky was widely blue, and the air was crisp with a coastal winter bite.

Signs hung from tents with the faces and names of missing and murdered women, girls, and gender diverse people. Repeating the phrase, “In loving memory of…”

The Women’s Memorial March in DTES began in 1992 after the murder of CherylAnn Joe on Powell Street.

“The spark of this March is to continue to bring the awareness of the murdered and missing woman in Canada,” said Melodie Casella, cousin of CherylAnn Joe. “I think it’s the families that have to be honored and acknowledged as well. And the ones that stand here with their broken hearts.”

Families of the missing and murdered women, girls, and gender diverse people stood in front of the mic at the corner of East Hastings and Main Street, sharing stories of grief and loss to the crowd of people, that grew larger and larger as the morning went on.

Around them, a sea of posters, filled with the faces of MMIWG2S+ were held above the growing crowd of people.

As family members spoke eagles took

their turn flying overhead.

Among the families were Lee and Leah Desjarlais, mother and father of Jenaya who was murdered in 2019 in Regina.

“We’re here to help the other families, as well to find some sort of peace to help us with our grieving,” said Leah Desjarlais.

She explained that despite not knowing anyone at the event, many people have come together and shown love.

For Regina and Carson Poitras, their daughter, Happy Charles, remains missing.

“I don’t know where my daughter is and I still look around everywhere,” Poitras said to the crowd. “I’m hoping that we can get some action out there.”

After family members spoke, shoulder

to shoulder, the crowds of people walked in song, down the streets of DTES, united in honoring their missing and murdered loved ones, and calling for justice.

Elders led the memorial march, stopping at locations where women, girls, and gender diverse people were last seen or found, murdered in the DTES. They pray in ceremony and lay a yellow rose for those who remain missing, and a red rose for those who have been murdered.

“The roses are getting more and more each year,” said Evelyn Youngchief, an organizer for the Women’s Memorial March Committee.

According to a 2022 census, Vancouver is home to 63,345 Indigenous people, making the city Canada’s third highest population of urbanAboriginal people.

The Downtown Eastside has been reported to have a disproportionately high population of Indigenous people.

“The women that live down here are not safe in their environment,” said Youngchief.

The neighborhood, one of Vancouver’s oldest, is interwoven with high levels of addiction, sex work, homelessness, among other social issues that put its residents at risk of violence.

“After three decades the MMIWG2S+ continue… to increase, despite the National Inquiry,” said Chief Judy Wilson at the press conference.

The Squamish Nation matriarch, Kwákwaýel Simia Wendy Nahanee, has sat on the planning committee for the memorial walk in DTES for five years, and has been a resident of the area for over twenty. In an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa Nahanee notes that Indigenous women living in DTES are blamed for the violence that is committed against them because of their ‘high risk’lifestyles.

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Center sees over 1,000 women and girls through their doors seeking their supports each day, with 70 per cent of their clients identifying as Indigenous.

Coordinators of the walk publish a booklet annually which includes a list of names of Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse peoples who are missing and murdered. Since 1992, the year of the first annual women’s memorial walk through DTES, over 1,500 Indigenous women’s names from DTES have been added to the list, wrote Nahanee.

“I was born Indigenous, I will die Indigenous, but I don’t want to die because I am Indigenous,” said Nahanee.

Alexandra Mehl photo

The Downtown Eastside fills shoulder to shoulder in memory of the missing and murdered Indigenous Women, girls, and gender diverse people on Feb. 14.

Eha esaht declares emergency due to youth drug use

First Nation loses six members over the last year, as resources get caught up in different government agencies

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Zeballos, BC – The past year has been a devastating one as the Ehattesaht/Chinehkint community buried six of its young adults in separate incidents – losses resulting from substance addictions.

Chief Councillor Simon John said the Ehattesaht First Nation has declared a state of emergency hoping to catch the attention of government.

“We are in a state of crisis, our youth are dying – six of them in about a year,” said John.

Ehattesaht is a small First Nation, whose reserve community of Ehatis neighbors Zeballos, B.C.According to Nuu-chahnulth Tribal Council records, as of November there were 551 Ehattesaht members, with over 100 of those living in Ehatis. There are about 20 to 30 youth from age 12 to about 20 living in the village, John estimates.

Everyone knows everyone so when one dies, everybody feels it,” said John. “We care and we are feeling helpless.”

The latest death was of a young woman who went home to get off the streets of Campbell River.

“She went there for work but that fell through, so she ended up on the streets,” John told Ha-Shilth-Sa.

Four years later, the young woman made her way home.

“She was trying to detox on her own and went to the clinic, but didn’t get her medicine in time,” said John, adding that it’s easy to get hooked but hard to get off drugs.

John said that he hoped to catch the attention of the media by declaring a state of emergency. He received a call from Murray Rankin, B.C.’s minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, who spoke to the chief about long-term solutions. While there were no immediate answers, John admits the talk gave him ideas to think about. They are planning to meet for another talk in the coming weeks.

“One of our key requests of Minister Rankin was to take the lead and bring all of the other ministries to the table to help with long-term solutions,” said John.

He said they are in desperate need of effective services for their members.

“Certainly, there are some cultural things we need to pay attention to, but really it comes down to consistency in access and consistency in practitioners,”

John said. “Our office is getting a lot of calls from the media and people offering their services and we are wading through them all.”

Part of the problem, according to John, is being a small First Nation. By the time health care funds leave the government and trickle down through all the other agencies, there’s very little left to do anything with.

“We have outreach workers and they’re all overwhelmed,” said John.

“This is not a blame game, we just wonder how we can adjust our lives, we want to understand it, fix it and move on,” he continued. “We care and we feel helpless.”

John believes the problems stem from the loss of cultural values due to the resi-

dential school system. In the community the youth have a gym for sports, there’s community events and some cultural events. But John says a lot of the cultural values have been stripped and people are down.

“We’re still in a position of fighting for cultural values that we’ve lost. We want our people to be healthy, to have dignity – when they don’t have that they can’t function,” said John.

John said that the people have been undermined so much they lose their will to survive.

“We want to find a way to lift them up,” he added.

“We see our marginalized people, some have been on drugs since their early teens – we hope for healthy lifestyles for them,” said John. “It’s tough when you see your young ones on the streets and the next day they’re gone.”

Ehattesaht’s state of emergency was announced days after B.C. became Canada’s first province to decriminalize

the possession of illicit drugs for personal use at the end of January. The provincial government announced this development in the hope of removing the stigmatization drug users face, thereby encouraging them to see treatment.As the death toll from illicit drug use has risen to the rate of six a day in B.C., the province has attempted to curb the trend through an emphasis on harm reduction approaches, like supervised injection sites and the prescription of safer alternative drugs for users who are struggling to kick their habit.

Not certain what a solution could look like, John says Ehattesaht wants to create an answer that fits the needs of their own people.

If he had all the money he wanted, he’d build a facility in Campbell River to help the people on the streets.And if he had more money, “I’d build something at home to lift up our people.”

Ahousaht Wellness Centre back on track to opening

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Maaqtusiis, BC – TheAhousaht Wellness Center, under construction on the site of the formerAhousaht Indian Residential School, is near completion and plans are to have it up and running by the end of May, according to elected Chief naasʔałuk (John Rampanen).

“Construction has been ongoing for just over two years and there was a financial hiccup but that has been resolved,” he told Ha-Shilth-Sa.

He went on to say that there was a “bit of a freeze” on construction, but the nation’s administration has taken over in a “logistical” role and the workers were rehired to work underAhousaht’s Operations and Maintenance department.

“Everything is moving forward again, and we anticipate completion in midMay,” said naasʔałuk.

The First Nation is working on the development of an operational framework to ensure that the completed facility can begin delivering services immediately.

“The wellness centre build is sponsored

by a private donor that has been accessed through the Power to Give Foundation,” said naasʔałuk.

The new center will be part of a network of health and wellness services already in existence in the community, with more being developed.

The Wellness Centre will complement healing services being offered by Ahousaht’s Chah Chum Hii Yup Centre.

Chah Chum Hii Yup housesAhousaht’s alcohol and drug, justice and child welfare departments, among others.

In addition, the Ha’wiih ofAhousaht have purchased Tofino Wilderness Lodge through their business entity called Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS).

According to naasʔałuk, the lodge will be operating as a tourist destination about four months a year with the remaining eight months dedicated to healing and well-being of the people. He said that the idea is that tourism funds generated at the lodge can go back into the healing and wellness programs that will be offered there in the off season.

There are other plans in the works for

the nation in terms of health and spirituality, butAhousaht is still in negotiation stages. naasʔałuk says there is a need to deal with the impacts of Indian residential schools that has caused intergenerational trauma.

“We want to deal with intergenerational

trauma at its root – the alcohol, drugs, violence – we want to provide support and long-term programs,” he stated. There will be a grand opening with government officials in attendance. The date had yet to be determined.

Eric Plummer photo

Ehattesaht’s reserve community of Ehatis neighbors Zeballos. Records show 551 Ehattesaht members, with over 100 of those living in Ehatis. There are about 20 to 30 youth from age 12 to about 20 living in the village, Simon John estimates.

Mike Charleson photo Ahousaht’s new wellness center will be part of a network of services already in existence in the community, with more being developed.

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.

Information and original work contained in this newspaper is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from:

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council P.O. Box 1383, PortAlberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2.

Telephone: (250) 724-5757

Fax: (250) 723-0463

Web page: www.hashilthsa.com

facebook: Hashilthsa Ntc

2023 Subscription rates: $35 per year in Canada and $40 per year in the U.S.A. and $45 per year in foreign countries. Payable to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

Manager/Editor/Reporter

Eric Plummer (Ext. 243)

(250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 eric.plummer@nuuchahnulth.org

Reporter

Denise Titian (Ext. 240)

(250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 denise.titian@nuuchahnulth.org

Reporter

Alexandra Mehl (Ext. 286)

(250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 alexandra.mehl@nuuchahnulth.org

Audio / Video Technician

Mike Watts (Ext. 238)

(250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 mike.watts@nuuchahnulth.org

EditorialAssistant

Holly Stocking (Ext. 302)

(250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 holly.stocking@nuuchahnulth.org

DEADLINE:

Please note that the deadline for submissions for our next issue is

March 3, 2023

After that date, material submitted and judged appropriate cannot be guaranteed placement but, if material is still relevant, will be included in the following issue.

In an ideal world, submissions would be typed rather than hand-written. Articles can be sent by e-mail to holly.stocking@nuuchahnulth.org

(Windows PC).

Submitted pictures must include a brief description of subject(s) and a return address.

Pictures with no return address will remain on file.Allow two - four weeks for return.

Photocopied or faxed photographs cannot be accepted.

COVERAGE:

Although we would like to be able to cover all stories and events, we will only do so subject to:

- Sufficient advance notice addressed specifically to Ha-Shilth-Sa.

- Reporter availability at the time of the event.

- Editorial space available in the paper.

- Editorial deadlines being adhered to by contributors.

LETTERS and KLECOS

Ha-Shilth-Sa will include letters received from its readers. Letters MUST be signed by the writer and have the writer’s full name, address and phone number on them. Names can be withheld by request.Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. We reserve the right to edit submitted material for clarity, brevity, grammar and good taste. We will definitely not publish letters dealing with tribal or personal disputes or issues that are critical of Nuu-chah-nulth individuals or groups. All opinions expressed in letters to the editor are purely those of the writer and will not necessarily coincide with the views or policies of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council or its member First Nations. Ha-Shilth-Sa includes paid advertising, but this does not imply Ha-Shilth-Sa or Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council recommends or endorses the content of the ads.

Prisons failing First Nations, says report

Auditor General reports shortcomings in mental health and substance use services

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

This month the Office of theAuditor General of British Columbia reported that the Provincial Health ServicesAuthority (PHSA) did not provide Indigenous peoples in correctional centers with adequate or consistent mental health and substance use services.

In British Columbia, Indigenous people are starkly over represented in corrections centers. WithAboriginal people making up 5.9 per cent of the population in the province, 35 per cent of those in custody at correction centers identify as Indigenous.

Approximately 70 per cent of those in custody have a mental illness and/ or substance abuse disorder, while nine out of 10 Indigenous prisoners, between 2019 and 2021, were reported to have been diagnosed with a mental illness or substance use disorder.

The release stated that the PHSAwas unable to confirm that upon entering corrections Indigenous people were provided

with mental health and substance services, proper assessments, and discharge care plans for release.

Of the 92 Indigenous files reviewed from 2019 to 2021, less than half had complete care plans for mental health and/or substance use, 80 per cent of clients received some services, while 20 per cent of clients received no services.

“I think that’s a failing system,” said Elmer Frank, elected chief counsellor of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

“It doesn’t make sense just to put somebody in an institution and not offer the necessary support,” he added. “It’s just a revolving door.”

Frank explains that some of what Indigenous people face with addiction and mental health stems from colonial violence like banning potlatches and the history of residential schools.

TheAuditor General’s press release stated that only seven per cent of the 92 files had a discharge plan, and did not connect Indigenous clients with adequate community resources and health services.

Brett Johnson, founder of One Life Re-

covery Services, a therapeutic community for men recovering from substance abuse disorder, said, “Most addicted people get that way from traumatic events or the environment they were raised in.”

Johnson stressed that providing people with necessary tools is critical to recovery.

“I think the biggest struggle people are faced with, especially the Indigenous communities and any marginalized persons, is… a lack of resources,” said Johnson.

The Office of theAuditor in General of British Columbia made four recommendations to PHSA.

In response to the Office of theAuditor General of British Columbia, PHSA released a statement indicating their commitment to reconciliation.

“[The] report focuses largely on improving reporting systems, we recognize and accept that the core of the findings is to immediately improve the care provided to Indigenous people in correctional facilities,” stated the PHSA.

Legal Information

Ha-Shilth-Sa belongs to every Nuu-chah-nulth person including those who have passed on, and those who are not yet born.Acommunity 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 48th year of serving the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. We look forward to your continued input and support. Kleco! Kleco!

The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error is due to the negligence of the servants or otherwise, and there shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisements

Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia Photo Auditor General Michael Pickup, who is a member of the Mi’kmaq Miawpukek First Nation.

Truth and Reconciliation Day now a holiday in B.C.

Also known as ‘Orange Shirt Day’, province designates Sept. 30 a statutory holiday to advance reconciliation

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Feb. 7, the provincial government announced legislation to make Truth and Reconciliation Day a statutory holiday, starting on Sept. 30, 2023.

The day was formally recognized as a federal statutory holiday in June of 2021, as a direct response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call toAction, 80. Though, this only allotted the statutory holiday to federally regulated workplaces.

Currently the federal government, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon are the jurisdictions that have declared Sept. 30 a statutory holiday.

The provincial legislation was in response to consultation with Indigenous groups throughout the province.

For Robert Dennis, chief counsellor for Huu-ay-aht, this legislation would “recognize the past wrongs” that have happened to First Nations people in

Canada and work towards correcting those wrongs.

“This would be an opportunity for… Canadian society to work together to create a just society, [and] not a different level of treatment for different people,” said Dennis. “Things have to change, [they] can’t remain the way they are, and a day like this would help us to make that change.”

Closing the economic gap for Indigenous people, a reduction in incarcerated Aboriginal individuals in the prison system, increasing graduates in the education system, and creating a level playing field in job opportunities are among some further changes that need to happen, said Dennis.

“Especially if people can change…their cultural attitudes [or] their cultural biases, they would realize that a segment of their society was definitely treated differently,” said Dennis. “This would just help them in educating them and realizing what needs to be changed, and then, more importantly, how it can be changed.”

Film gives sobering look at residential school history

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

PortAlberni, BC –Anewly released film is being screened across Canada, allowing elders and residential school survivors to view the graphic movie with support people in place.

Bones of Crows, released last fall, chronicles the life ofAline Spears, a Cree matriarch and residential school survivor. Produced by Marie Clements, who is of Métis/Dene descent, the film examines 100 years of Canadian history through the lens ofAboriginal people and a mostly Indigenous cast.

“The Bones of Crows is told through the eyes of Cree MatriarchAline Spears as she survives a childhood in Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse,” says the film website. “She uses her uncanny ability to understand and translate codes into working for a special division of the CanadianAir Force as a Cree code talker in World War II. The story unfolds over 100 years with a cumulative force that propels us into the future.”

Grace Dove stars asAline Spears from young adulthood to elder. Emerging child actor Summer Testawich delivers an emotional performance as young Aline, first, as a happy child with parents and siblings, followed by heart-breaking scenes when she is forcefully wrenched from her family to be taken to residential school and the subsequent abuse she suffered there.

The film is packed with images of the unvarnished history of Indigenous Canadians. There are references to racism, addictions, family violence, child sexual abuse, missing and murdered Indigenous women, the foster care system, the prison system and, even though it was filmed before the 215 graves were discovered at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, it contains references to unmarked burials at a residential school.

Cricket Testawich is the mother of child actor Summer Testawich. Summer was only nine when the film was shot. She has just celebrated her 11th birthday and

has been on tour, along with her mother and other cast and crew, for Canada-wide screening events.

Cricket says that the free screening of the new film provides an opportunity for survivors and warriors to view the film with supports in place.

“It’s an opportunity for the Indigenousbased community [the have] a chance to come together to see their history be reflected on the screen and to be supported,” she told Ha-Shilth-Sa.

Representatives of the charity I Love First Peoples are on tour with the cast and crew, offering support during the community dialogue, which follows every screening. In PortAlberni, elders from the Indian Residential School Survivor’s Society were on hand to offer cultural support in the form of brushing or smudging.

Cricket Testawich is grateful that supports are in place at the screenings, saying that producer Marie Clements took

the history and made it more real.

“It gives a greater understanding of who we are as a people,” said Testawich.

She was also grateful that Clements paid close attention to the well-being of the actors, including Summer.

“Marie protected her (Summer), she made sure that [Summer] could walk with the story and not carry it,” said Testawich.

Calling it an incredible honour to play an important role in the film, Summer Testawich said it’s been a real blessing and is proud that she’s reaching this generation of people.

“Each one of us has a history and history can change futures,” said Summer, adding that she’s honoured to bring this story to the world.

Bones of Crows has been touring across Canada since September 2022. The Vancouver Island tour is happening through mid-February and has been in Port Alberni at the PortAlberni Friendship

Center andADSS. It has been seen in communities from Port Hardy to Victoria, and the feedback has been great.

Some screenings held at high schools during classroom hours were for students only.

The screenings were hosted by Ian Speirs of I Love First Peoples, location manager Jerome Turner, as well as Bones of Crows actors Kindall Charters and Summer Testawich. The community tour was made possible through the support of sponsors including Rogers, I Love First Peoples, Indigenous Screen Office, Shaw Rocket Fund, Canada Media Fund and others.

“The response to the film has been phenomenal,” said Cricket.

Students were engaged and wanted to know what is next, how can they help, she added.

“This film is opening those conversations – this is not just the past, it is still here, now,” said Cricket.

Non-Indigenous people have also shared their thoughts. Some said they thought they knew all about residential school, but they really didn’t, according to Cricket.

Principal Derrick Shaw of Valemount Secondary School saw the film in November.

“Bones of Crows presents an opportunity to look through lens of Indigenous people of the land in a manner that connects the dots of so many chapters of our past, highlighting numerous injustices, life altering experiences and the physical and mental abuse and resulting scars,” he wrote. “I believe Bones of Crows is a gateway to the conversations required to advance a true truth and reconciliation relationship with all Canadians.”

“This history will never repeat itself –we will never let it happen again,” said Cricket Testawich.

Winner of the 2023 Victoria Film Festival Cultural CurrentsAward, Bones of Crows is also on the film festival circuit internationally, including the Berlinale European Film Market - EFM and Māoriland Film Festival.

Bones of Crows will be released in theatres in the spring of 2023 followed by a five-part mini series that will air on CBC in the fall.

Alexandra Mehl photo

People fill the streets of PortAlberni on Sept. 30, 2022, marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Bones of Crows photo Released last fall, Bones of Crows chronicles the life ofAline Spears, a Cree matriarch and residential school survivor. The film is being screened across Canada.

First Nation buys floating facility for Walter’s Cove

Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ is looking beyond the fishing lodge design of a barge set to return this summer

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Kyuquot, BC - The Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ Che:k’tles7et’h’First Nations are looking at a bigger future for its Walter’s Cove Resort, with the purchase of a 23-room luxury floating facility planned to become more than its original fishing lodge design.

The northernmost Nuu-chah-nulth nation recently announced the acquisition of the facility, encompassing a total investment of over $2 million, including more than $1.5 million for the structure plus necessary startup costs ahead of the 2023 fishing season. In the interest of boosting tourism potential on Vancouver Island, the Island Coast Economic Trust provided the First Nation with $300,000 to help with the acquisition.

Known as the Englefield, the floating facility was purchased from Vancouver Island Forest and Marine, which previously used the barge to house forestry workers on various parts of the West Coast. The Englefield was leased by Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ Che:k’tles7et’h’to serve as Water’s Cove Resort last year, a trial run that proved the facility to be a viable investment.

“The purchase of the floating lodge will allow the nations to generate community and economic benefits from the sports fishing sector – a significant economic driver and large-scale seasonal employer within Kyuquot Sound,” said the First Nation’s ChiefAdministrative Officer Cynthia Blackstone in a press release. “This acquisition also allows us the possibility to explore new eco and cultural tourism projects in the area. Knowing we have adequate and permanent housing to

support the staff and rising visitor market opens several new business opportunities for us.”

With space for up to 50, the barge offers Water’s Cove a much larger facility than the resort’s original nine-room structure on Walter’s Island. Since opening in 2014, the sports fishing market showed promise for the First Nation’s tourism aspirations, with annual revenue growing from approximately $150,000 to nearly $850,000 in 2019.About half of the resort’s customers have come from the United States, and many clients fly into

the Kyuquot destination from Vancouver.

But amid a closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, significant structural issues were found in the resort’s original building. Facing $1.5 million in repairs to bring the foundation to safe standards, byAugust 2021 the decision was made to close the resort indefinitely.

Hope surfaced during the following winter with the option of leasing the Englefield, a facility that was originally designed to be a fishing lodge when it was built in 2000. By June 23, 2022 Water’s Cove was able to open to visitors for the first time in two years.

The resort had a successful season of approximately 260 guests, surpassing its goal of 232, said General Manager Terry Schultz.

“Our returning guests who came to the old lodge loved it,” he said. “We hit our revenue targets, the fishing was good and the weather was decent.”

“I think it was a result of pent-up demand,” said Gary Wilson of the last fishing season, who is CEO of the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’First Nations Group of Businesses, which is now known as Tiičma Enterprises. “We targeted 85 per cent of what we would normally get in a season, and we exceeded that.”

Over the winter the floating facility has been moved to dock in Vancouver, but the First Nation awaits its return in May to again be anchored atAmos Island, which is one kilometre from the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ Che:k’tles7et’h’village of Houpsitas.

Now that the First Nation owns the barge, plans are extending beyond the facility’s sports fishing season, which ends in early September.

“Beyond the sport fishing we’re working with the nation to utilise the asset for family programs, community services programs, training as well as regional meetings with folks like the Ha’wiih council and others,” said Wilson. “We recognise there’s a need and a demand. We don’t have currently community facilities to support those types of meetings and training that’s required throughout the year.”

More Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ citizens are also being engaged for chartering their boats as fishing guides, increasing the resort’s 2023 fleet to ac-

commodate 20 guests at a time.

“Currently we only have seven boats, two persons per boat, that’s a maximum of 14 people,” said Wilson of the current limitations. “We want to make sure that we have more vessels to supply the demand.”

Looking ahead, the First Nation plans to move the floating facility toAmos Island’s beach by the spring of 2025.

“You don’t have to deal with anchoring systems and floating and storms. Operational costs are cheaper on land too,” explained Schultz, noting that a floating lodge is required to be docked every five years for maintenance. “We would have to tow it out of the west side of the island. You’re looking at $100,000 to tow it and another $300,000 to dry dock it, sand blast it and paint it, sound test the hull, all that kind of stuff, which is what’s required for an accommodation barge. You lose all those operational costs by having it on shore.”

Although the First Nation is expecting to exceed last years’numbers, the ongoing declines of Pacific salmon stocks present an undeniable challenge for the sports fishing industry. In the future the operation aims to attract more visitors hungry for outdoor experiences that don’t involve catching fish. To widen its offerings, in early 2022 Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ Che:k’tles7et’h’bought West Coast expeditions, an adventure tourism company with more than 50 years of operating in Kyuquot Sound. With its base camp located nearby on Spring Island, West Coast Expeditions offers hikes and multiday kayaking excursions.

Being part of the Maa-nulth treaty has enabled the First Nation to swiftly explore its economic interests in its territory, said Wilson.

“They have ownership and they have control over those natural resources and how we do business on the territory,” he said. “When looking at such opportunities, we’re not expecting to go to the federal government or provincial government for permission and further, we make those decisions internally as a government. It’s more efficient for us as we bring forward the plans and the proposals.”

Eric Plummer photo

Encompassing a total investment of over $2 million, the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’First Nations have acquired a floating lodge capable of housing up to 50 people to serve as its Walter’s Cove Resort.

Pet care comes to the west coast through mobile clinic

Pandemic set animal management back 10 years in Ahousaht due to lack of sterilization services, says expert

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Tofino, BC – Pet owners living in remote communities have a tough time accessing veterinary care, leading to exploding pet populations. But that could soon change with the launch of a mobile veterinary clinic from Tofino that will go to places likeAhousaht, Ty-Histanis and Toquaht to offer pet care at a substantial discount.

James Rogers, co-founder and executive director of the CARE Network, is excited about the new project that will deliver indemand services at a discounted rate. The CARE Network is a non-profit animal rescue and education organization that launched in Tofino about 10 years ago.

CARE has worked with communities likeAhousaht over the past decade to help address exploding pet populations, said Rogers. Their volunteers have gone into the community to remove and rehome unwanted or unclaimed pets. According to Rogers there are many barriers to accessing veterinary services for locals, from the additional travel time, the prohibitive cost of services at private practice clinics to the lack of veterinarians across Canada.

“Wait times to see a veterinarian, even in the city is six to eight weeks,” said Rogers.

At most clinics, it costs more than $600 to neuter a dog. Inadequate access to veterinary care means dogs and cats are not getting spayed or neutered. Rogers says when the dog population is out of control, it leads to health problems for the animals, including starvation, illnesses like the deadly parvo virus and it draws wildlife into the community.

Rogers said Care Network began working with the CAAT (CanadianAnimal Assistance Team) to offer spay and neuter clinics in west coast communities starting about 10 years ago. But the pandemic prevented outsiders from coming into the communities, meaning there have been no clinics in over two years.

“One expert says COVID set us back at least ten years,” Rogers told Ha-ShilthSa.

The CARE Network shelter is small, designed to hold animals for a few weeks, then they get adopted or go to a bigger shelter. Rogers says all rescues are now at or beyond capacity.

“In 2021 we helped more than 780 animals on the west coast,” he stated. He went on to say that this situation is taking a toll on resources at shelters, which are largely run by volunteers and supported by donations.

The CARE Network evolved from spay/ neuter clinics in partnership with CAAT, but demand is through the roof. Rogers says CAAT is supported by veterinarians that volunteer their services and they are not designed to go to the same community on an ongoing basis.

“That is not sustainable,” said Rogers.

So, CARE Network looked at other alternatives to support communities. That included helping First Nations governments develop animal bylaws.

“Ahousaht has a more progressive set of bylaws in the region,” said Rogers.

The problem is there is no bylaw officer to enforce it.

Now the people are complaining that dogs are roaming free, around the school. Children are in danger of getting hurt if the dogs start fighting.

Prior to the pandemic, CARE Network had planned to bring dog trainers into villages to teach people how to train their

pets. They also hoped to assist with a fence program, to help people keep their pets confined to their property. But now there is a lack of human resources.

“But we see more dogs on leashes than we did ten years ago,” said Rogers. He admits that they can’t get everyone on board to contain their pets.

“Just because ‘Fluffy’is a nice dog doesn’t meant that ‘Fluffy’should roam free, the rules should be for everyone because it is a health and safety issue,” said Rogers.

With COVID restrictions lifted, the CARE Network has switched gears and are proud to announce the launch of a mobile veterinary clinic that will address some of the transportation issues.

They’ve purchased a used U-Haul moving van and converted the box into two rooms. The new mobile clinic will be called Mission Pawsible, referring to the seemingly impossible dream to get it done.

The 32-foot van is divided into two rooms, one will be an examination room and surgery space.

Dr. MacKenzie Drake will provide professional veterinary services. Drake is a local woman, having grown up in Ucluelet and starting a cat rescue when she was 16. Rogers said she dreamed of being a veterinarian but the wait to get into a school in Canada was long with far too few seats for veterinary students.

“She had to go to New Zealand and live in her van while she earned her degree,” said Rogers.

Dr. Drake will be working with a veterinary technician, bringing Mission Pawsible into communities and other shelters, offering spay/neuter clinics at a deep discount.

“As long as we can cover our costs, this is a sustainable model,” said Rogers.

Rogers says the First Nation government will pay Mission Pawsible a fee to cover the cost of supplies and services.

“They may offer this service for free or they may charge their members a fee to recoup some of their costs - either way, it’s up to them,” said Rogers.

And it will be well below the cost of what is generally charged at a city clinic.

The CARE Network has paid for the van and the renovations, but is still raising funds for equipment.

“We’re raising $150,000 for specialized equipment,” said Rogers.

They are seeking donations through their social media page. In addition, they are inviting people or organizations to host a ‘Spay-ghetti No-balls’fundraising dinner where CARE Network volunteers bring the food and presentations.

The CARE Network will host a fundraising dinner with live music in March.

The van is expected to be up and running inApril or May and will be open to First Nations from Hot Springs Cove to Macoah, with the First Nation covering the cost.

“We’d be open to other First Nations in the mid-island area – if their government gives us a call we can explore that,” said Rogers.

Donations can be made to the Care Network through their Facebook page or their email at info@carenetwork.ca

CARE Network photos

The CARE Network is launching a mobile veterinary clinic that will be available for west coast First Nations communities, from Hot Springs Cove to Macoah. They’ve purchased a used U-Haul moving van and converted the box into two rooms. The 32-foot van is divided into two rooms, one will be an examination room and surgery space.

New technology separates farmed salmon from wild stocks,

A federal mandate to transition from ocean net pens by 2025 is losing meaning as First Nations rights, West Coast economics

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Vancouver Island, BC -After a disappointing first trial, the second batch of fish being raised in a semi-closed system in Ahousaht territory is “exceeding expectations”, raising hope that the technology will add another stage to salmon farming that removes contact between farmed and wild stocks.

Cermaq has overseen theAtlantic salmon at its Millar Channel site for more than three months since the trial began in the fall. Known as semi-closed containment, the site differs from the traditional net pens by using an enormous bag composed of a synthetic non-permeable material that blocks out the surrounding ocean. Manufactured in Norway and assembled at Port Alberni’s Canal Beach, the semi-closed site is expected to keep the salmon until May. At that point Cermaq plans to move them to a traditional net pen in another Clayoquot Sound location, where the fish will remain for another 10 months until reaching harvest weight.

Before being moved into the semi-closed site the salmon were raised in land-based hatcheries for 12 months, which follows Cermaq’s usual practice of rearing fish. Oxygen and water are pumped into the ocean site from a depth of 23 metres, and so far lice have not been detected in the fish, avoiding an ongoing challenge in salmon farming.

“At 23 metres we don’t anticipate to find things that you’ll find at the top of the water like sea lice and other harmful plankton species,” said David Kiemele, managing director of Cermaq Canada, who hopes the semi-closed containment technology will become the first stage of the salmon’s time in the ocean. “At the first six to eight months at sea we can avoid the need to mechanically delouse the fish, and also improve on growth and survival during that period as well.”

This is Cermaq’s second trial of using the semi-closed system in Millar Channel, after the first run that started in the fall of 2020 yielded fish that were too small to sell.

“The first trial didn’t go as well as we would have hoped, but like anything new and innovative, there’s a bit of a learning curve,” admitted Kiemele. “Those fish didn’t make it to the actual harvest weights that we wanted to achieve, we had to pull the plug on the trial early. The fish were only about 1.5 to two kilos when we ended the trial.”

Technology gives more control

Despite the challenges of learning how to harness the new technology, semi-closed containment gives aquaculture operators more control over the environment salmon are farmed in, including artificially maintaining oxygen and keeping temperatures more consistent through the year.

“We inject oxygen into the bag, that takes out the normal fluctuations that you’ll see in the marine environment,” said Kiemele. “Warmer water during the winter and consistent oxygen are two key things for better growth.”

But this comes at a higher cost than net pens, requiring a significant investment if operators are to make semi-closed containment an integral part of salmon farming in the future. To make the practice more sustainable Cermaq is exploring the use of hydroelectric power generated at the farms instead of diesel.

“It boils down to reducing interaction between the environment and the farm, which has a number of benefits for not only our

fish but also the environment and the wild fish in the area,” said Kiemele of semiclosed containment. “We want to be here long-term, and this could be part of how we achieve that.”

‘Wild salmon don’t have time to wait’

Salmon farming continues to face considerable opposition, a distrust of the practice that the Liberals addressed during the last federal election with a pledge to transition away from ocean-based net pens. Now Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray is working under a mandate “to create a responsible plan to transition from open net pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025.”

“Wild salmon don’t have time to wait while the salmon farming industry tinkers with experimental technologies. Government must require the industry to get out of the ocean – by 2025 at the latest.”

For groups like ClayoquotAction, this change couldn’t come soon enough.

“It is clear that open-net pens are harm-

ing wild salmon by spreading deadly pathogens, parasites and pollution,” wrote Executive Director Dan Lewis in a press release issued in October. “Wild salmon don’t have time to wait while the salmon farming industry tinkers with experimental technologies. Government must require the industry to get out of the ocean – by 2025 at the latest.”

In late September of last year the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs passed a resolution urging a “rapid transition” away from oceanbased net pens to land facilities.

“The containment of hundreds of thousands of fish effectively transfers the economic burden of managing fish waste to the environment and surrounding communities,” stated the BCUIC resolution, which ties fish farming to “salmon-related diseases and viruses, including heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI), piscine reo-virus (PRV), and tenacibaculum, and for hazardous levels of parasitic sea-lice impacting wild migratory juvenile salmon, and unnatural levels of predation targeting vulnerable herring stocks.”

‘Asacred responsibility’

But early this year federal and provincial departments published reports that minimise sea lice concerns and state that moving ocean pens to land facilities is unviable.

Arecent report commissioned by the B.C. Ministry ofAgriculture and Food examined the economics of entirely moving salmon farming to land, concluding that the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology used in such facilities would require a total investment of $1.8 billion for the transition. Conducted by Counterpoint Consulting, the study states that for landbased fish farming, “Profitable production of market-size salmon at commercial scale remains elusive.”

Leaders from the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations, including Hereditary Chief Paddy Walkus, speak to Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray on a Mowi

Dallas Smith, spokesperson for the Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship, has been in discussion with Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray about Canada’s plan to transition net pens out of the Pacific by 2025.

~ Dan Lewis, Executive Director for Clayoquot Action

from wild stocks, as industry navigates through uncertainty

rights, West Coast economics and the future of Pacific salmon complicate the direction of the fish farming industry in B.C.

have formal agreements with fish farm operators, including theAhousaht, Ehattesaht/ Chinehkint and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations in Nuu-chah-nulth territory. The Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship advocates for most of these nations, and is asserting their territorial rights as pressure on the aquaculture industry continues.

“We will choose if, when, and how the sector operates in our waters,” stated a Feb. 3 press release from the coalition.

[W]e would not put at risk thousands of years of stewardship nor the future of our peoples for short-term monetary gain,” continued the coalition’s statement. “For too long this conversation about this industry has been taking place between everybody except the nations impacted most. Activists, eco-colonialists, consultants, governments, and the companies have been at the table guiding the path and narrative of fish farming.”

Last summer salmon farms on the B.C. coast were granted two-year licence renewals, except sites in the Discovery Islands

northeast of Vancouver Island.

Cermaq has three sites in the area which have been empty since early 2021, shortly after the federal department originally cancelled their licences.

“All fall under agreements with nations in the local area,” said Kiemele. “Two of the three sites have permission to be restocked.”

After more than seven months of uncertainty, on Feb. 17 DFO announced it would not be renewing licences for the Discovery Islands farms.

For the farms that continue to raise salmon on the B.C. coast, operators are expected to provide details on their transition plan by June. But as 2025 draws closer, the concept of removing net pens by that date is losing meaning, said Kiemele.

“Unfortunately, there’s still messages out there about all farms on land by 2025. That’s just simply not true,” he said. “It’s a long-term view that we’re taking here, not focusing on a date that, quite frankly, has sort of become obsolete.”

Submitted photos

Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray on a Mowi Canada West salmon farm in their traditional waters on Oct. 14.

spreading deadly pollution,” wrote Lewis in a press ild salmon while the salmon with experimental Government must require the ocean – by 2025

last year the Union of passed a resolution urgaway from oceanhundreds of thoutransfers the sh waste surrounding comBCUIC resolution, to “salmon-related including heart and ammation (HSMI), and tenacibaculevels of parasitic migratory juvenile levels of predation herring stocks.”

responsibility’

federal and provincial reports that miniand state that movfacilities is unviable. commissioned by the B.C. and Food examentirely moving concluding that aquaculture system (RAS) facilities would investment of $1.8 billion for by Counterpoint states that for land“Profitable production commercial scale

“Regulatory uncertainty, high capital cost, low returns on investment, and lack of incentives to locate in British Columbia remain the primary constraints challenging the development of RAS salmon farming in B.C.,” continues the report. “We have concluded from our research and analysis that RAS development in B.C. is possible, but at smaller scales and not in isolation from the larger aquaculture sector currently operating in B.C.”

Meanwhile, Fisheries and Oceans Canada published a report by the Canadian ScienceAdvisory Secretariat, which found “no statistically significant association” between sea lice on farmed salmon and what was found on wild Pacific stocks. The secretariat found that fish farms on the B.C. coast pose

a “minimal risk” to Fraser River sockeye, a species of particular concern amid the continued decline of Pacific stocks. But the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has been skeptical of the DFO’s studies favouring the industry. Its resolution from last October pointed to evidence provided by the federal Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans “that outlined how DFO repeatedly ignored and misrepresented scientific evidence and overrepresents the interests of industry.”

The UBCIC stressed that First Nations “have a sacred responsibility to protect fish from the devastating impacts of open netpen aquaculture.”

Activists, ‘eco-colonialists’and governments

There are 17 First Nations in B.C. that

Since the fall of 2020, Cermaq has been trialing a semi-closed containment salmon farm at a Millar Channel site in theAhousaht First Nation’s territory.

Canada’s Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray visited Vancouver Island this fall to meet First Nations representatives on the transition from ocean net pens. Pictured is Murray on Oct. 12th in Campbell River, Wei Wai Kum territory, with Dallas Smith of the Tlowitsis Nation to the left, Wei Wai Kum Chief Chris Roberts.

Hesquiaht squad registers three victories at All Native

By Sam Laskaris Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Prince Rupert, BC – The Hesquiaht Descendants were able to enjoy some success at this year’sAll Native Basketball Tournament (ANBT).

But an early loss to the eventual champs of the women’s category at the event, which concluded this past Saturday in Prince Rupert, hindered the Descendants’ chances of even more glory.

The Hesquiaht squad was the only Nuu-chah-nulth entry in the tournament, which featured four divisions. Besides the women’s category, this year’sANBT also included three men’s groupings. There was the highest calibre senior men’s division as well as intermediate (21 and under) and masters (35 and over) categories.

TheANBT, which has been running for 63 years, is the largest Indigenous adult basketball tournament in the province.

The Descendants ended up playing five matches at the tournament, which featured a double-knockout format, meaning clubs were eliminated from further action after their second loss.

The Hesquiaht side handily won its opening match, 77-30 over Kitkatla. But the Descendants were edged 56-50 by a club dubbed Similkameen in its second outing.

The Hesquiaht squad managed to register victories in its next two matches. For starters it posted a convincing 73-32 win over Massett. And then it downed Hazelton 54-51.

But the Descendants had their tourney come to an end when they were edged 68-64 by Greenville on Feb. 18.

“We led most of that game,” said Mariah Charleson, the captain of the Hesquiaht side. “And we let it go in the last couple of minutes.”

Charleson said the Greenville club hit “some lucky shots” in the late stages of the match.

“They had a 30-foot bank shot,” Charleson said. “And they were just dropping everything.”

Similkameen went on to take top honours in the women’s division, trouncing Kitamaat 66-25 in the championship final.

“It was a good game,” Charleson said of her team’s matchup against Similkameen. “And it showed how we are capable of playing.”

Charleson added that the Descendants’ early setback against Similkameen proved to be costly as they had to fight their way back into possible contention via the lower bracket of the tournament.

Charleson said her side had some lofty expectations heading into the Prince Rupert tourney.

“We believe we could have been a Top 3 team,” she said. “I still believe this.And we proved that by being the only team to really give Similkameen a good run.”

The Descendants did not receive an official placing in the tournament. Five other squads, however, were still alive when they were eliminated.

Because of their first loss to Similkameen, the Descendants would have been required to play a rather exhausting schedule just to reach the championship final in their division. Had they managed to beat Greenville and continue playing on, the Descendants would have needed two more victories to set up a rematch with Similkameen.

Charleson, who founded the Descendants in 2015, felt this was the best Hesquiaht team assembled for theANBT.

“This is the strongest Hesquiaht team we’ve ever brought up,” she said. The club’s best finish, however, thus far remains its inaugural appearance at the 2015 tourney, when it placed fourth in its division.

As for this year, a total of nine players were on the Hesquiaht roster that travelled to Prince Rupert. But they had their share of obstacles.

For starters, it was quite the challenge just trying to get all team members together.

Prior to theANBT, the Descendants only played one other tournament this season. They ended up winning a Port Alberni tourney lastAugust. But partly because of travel logistics not all team members were able to participate in that event.

Charleson and two of her teammates, Jaylynn Lucas and Janae Sam, live in Nanaimo. Other members of the squad live in PortAlberni, Victoria or Hot Springs Cove.

Besides travel issues, Charleson said

in Prince Rupert

the squad was hindered by the fact many communities simply cannot afford to run tournaments these days. Thus, the Descendants’other playing options were virtually non-existent. While they did not have any recent events to compete in prior to theANBT, Charleson said some of the club’s players who live close to each other were able to occasionally practice together.

Seven of the Hesquiaht team members had previously competed at theANBT. The two newcomers were Jenelle Sabbas and Maliyah Sam-English.

The Descendants’roster also included Shania Sabbas (Jenelle’s cousin), Dalainee John, Jada Touchie and Destiny Hanson.

Meanwhile, John White served as the team’s manager.

The Descendants did their share of fundraising in order to be able to afford to attend the tournament. The club also had several sponsors that assisted with expenses including Hesquiaht First Nation, Barkley Project Group, Ratcliff LLP, AtleoAir, Speers Construction, Ha’oom Fisheries Society and Full Moon Enterprises.

Phrase†of†the†week:†%iih=mis%aqniš†%a>†>uucaamiih=%aqkin†h=aaš†h=%up

Pronounced ‘ii r miss ook nish alth clu saa min r h kin alth haa sha r up ’, it means ‘Women are very precious to us and we all respect them very much .’Supplied by ciisma.

Illustration by Koyah Morgan-Banke

The Descendents’ nine players were the only Nuu-chah-nulth team to enter this year’s event

Mariah Charleson photo

The Hesquiaht Descedants managed to win three of their five matches at this year’sAll Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert.

B.C. teams await North American Indigenous Games

Scheduled for July 15-23, the first games since 2017 will primarily be in the Nova Scotia capital city of Halifax

By Sam Laskaris Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Nuu-chah-nulth athletes still have opportunities to earn spots to represent British Columbia at this year’s NorthAmerican Indigenous Games (NAIG).

The multi-sport games, scheduled for July 15-23, will primarily be staged in the Nova Scotia capital of Halifax.

The city of Dartmouth and the Millbrook First Nation will also be hosting some of the competitions.

An estimated 5,000 athletes, aged 13-19, are expected to participate at the NAIG. They will be representing 26 provinces, territories, states or regions throughout Canada and the United States.

Team BC will be represented by 535 athletes and coaches.

Michelle Webster, who will serve as the chef de mission for the B.C. contingent, said the majority of athletes who will represent the province in team sports have already been selected through various tryouts.

Webster said she is unable to give an accurate tally of how many Nuu-chah-nulth athletes have been selected to compete at the NAIG thus far.

She added athletes from across the province, including Nuu-chah-nulth ones, still have chances to be selected for Team BC in various sports that primarily feature individual competition. These sports include wrestling, golf, badminton, canoeing/kayaking, 3D archery, athletics, rifle shooting and swimming.

“They have to submit a time or a score from a selected event,” Webster said.

Webster also realizes that some Nuuchah-nulth athletes live in remote communities and do not always have the opportunities to attend some sporting events.

Thus, Webster said Team BC reps are willing to closely look at the accomplishments and skill levels of athletes who are unable to attend tryouts or various tournament or meets.

“We’re open to working with athletes if they are having challenges getting to a competition,” she said.

Webster, a member of Namgis First Nation, is currently working as the manager of sport development and community engagement for the Indigenous Sport, PhysicalActivity & Recreation Council (I-SPARC), the governing body of Indigenous athletics in B.C. She was named Team BC’s chef de mission for the NAIG last year.

But Webster is no stranger to NAIG competitions. She served as the head

Team BC has won the over-all team title at the last two NorthAmerican Indigenous Games.

coach for the BC girls’under-19 softball squad that captured the gold medal at the 2014 NAIG staged in Regina.

She was also the head coach for the provincial girls’under-19 softball club that placed fourth at the 2017 NAIG in Toronto.

The games have not been held since then.

Nova Scotia was originally supposed to host the NAIG in 2020. But those games were postponed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And then those games did not happen in 2021 and were postponed indefinitely because of the continuing uncertainty of the pandemic.

Games’officials are now confident they can deliver the event safely this July.

“You can feel the excitement throughout the province,” Webster said. “We’re grateful to be a part of the process.”

Besides trying to capture some hardware in individual or team action, all NAIG competitors are also attempting to earn some points that will count towards their over-all team score.

BC captured the over-all team title at the 2014 NAIG and then defended its title in 2017.

Team BC also made history in 2014. Not only did it capture the over-all team award, it became the first contingent to win that accolade along with the John Fletcher SpiritAward, for being chosen

as the team with the most integrity and sportsmanship.

At the 2017 NAIG, Team BC won a total of 179 medals – 67 gold, 58 silver and 54 bronze.

No doubt having one of the largest contingents at the games helps the efforts of the BC squad.

Webster is unwilling to predict whether the provincial entry will be able to once again finish atop the team standings. “We are very confident we will do well,” she said. “It’s always nice to win but we want to stress that just the experience of going there is something that is pretty special.

The first NAIG were held in 1990 in Edmonton. The next games were in 1993 in PrinceAlbert, Sask.

Correction

The original plan was to have the games rotate between Canadian andAmerican venues. But they have only been held twice in the U.S., in 1995 in Blaine, Minnesota and in Denver, Colorado in 2006. Milwaukee was supposed to hold the games in 2011 but the host society backed out of its involvement and that competition was cancelled.

Since then NAIG officials have confirmed that the games will only be held at Canadian locations, in part because of various government funding that is available to help host.

More information on the various sports that are still looking to complete their rosters for B.C. teams that will participate at this year’s NAIG is available at www. isparc.ca

In the Feb. 9 edition of Ha-Shilth-Sa, the page 2 story noted that Joe David’s totem pole was raised in Opitsaht on July 1, 2022. The project was in fact started by Nookmis Martin, who asked his brother Joe Martin to undertake the project. The totem pole was completed with the help of various local artists, including Joe Martin’s daughter, Gisele, Gordon Dick, Patrick Amos, Robin Rorick, Ken Easton, Robinson Cook and Nookmis.

I-SPARC photo

We apologise for the error.

President’s Message Potlatches

Hello everyone. Hoping you are all doing well and the winter has not been too harsh. Wanted to update you on my activities since my last report.

I had a meeting with Jagmeet Singh and Gord Johns with other First Nations. Thanks to Tseshaht First Nation for arranging this meeting. We talked about federal issues. Jagmeet wants to understand our issues and help promote our issues with the Liberal government. I spoke to him about the need for capacity funding for help to do all the work we have to do with Canada.

NTC directors meet once a month to review the work of the executive, give direction for further work and share what their communities are doing. Our meeting for January covered many topics.

I attended the International Marine ProtectedAreas Congress 5 and went to the Indigenous caucus meeting at IMPAC5. We gathered as Indigenous people from around the world the day before the official meetings started to get organized, network and provide some messaging for the forum. There were around 40 recommendations made from our breakout groups on various topics, but some ideas were Governments must recognize Indigenous Peoples as marine stewards.

All governmental and non-governmental partners must recognize that Indigenous leadership is needed to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’perspectives and values are reflected in management objectives.

Indigenous Peoples must be recognized and involved as rights holders in all discussions around oceans protection“nothing about us, without us”.

At IMPAC5, the NTC, Pacheedaht, Haida, Quatsino and DFO had a press conference to announce their agreement to establish a Marine ProtectedArea off the west coast of Vancouver Island and B.C. Canada has legal processes they must follow in order to establish this MPA.As of February 18th that process begins. The regulation to establish the MPAwill be published in the Canada Gazette and the public can comment for 30 days on whether they support this or don’t and why. There will be further processes to follow that will take time. The First Nations will form a management board to help manage this area.

Back in spring of 2021, the chiefs of the FNS, UBCIC and BCAFN asked for an independent evaluation of the health governance structure of FNHA. This includes FNHA, health council, FN directors, regional caucuses and family caucuses. It has been 10 years and the leaders wanted to know what is working and what is not working and what can we do better.

There are concerns that the First Nation rights holders are not being able to direct health in any significant way and must be assured a voice in health as they are the rights holders. The health of our people is very important. The B.C. Minister of HealthAdrian Dix has refused for almost two years to provide us with funding to do this evaluation and the health authority and health council have been opposed to this evaluation, which has not helped for us to get funding. The report called In Plain Sight recommended a health governance review and B.C. committed to implementing these recommendations, but has so far had refused to do this. Be assured the leaders only want to strengthen the health governance structure and in no way want to do away with it.

LEAschool district 70, Local Education Agreement, is being re-negotiated. I have

been working with our education manager and First Nations as we change this agreement to be more reflective of First Nations values, UNDRIP and reconciliation. SD70 made some motions about reconciliation at their board meeting but did not talk to First Nations first about what we wanted for reconciliation. That is what reconciliation is about. First Nations are saying what they want made right. We are working to build this kind of respectful relationship with SD70. School district 70 has come a long way in working with First Nations but still need to do more.

The First Nations Summit had a two-day meeting which I attended via Zoom. We explored many topics and all the working groups report out on their activities and several federal and provincial ministers make presentations and answer questions. One interesting motion made was for the summit to engage in tripartite discussions with the governments of Canada and British Columbia to co-develop a draft tripartite nature agreement for consideration by the chiefs. Such an agreement must be consistent with UNDRIP.

As NTC’s health agreement with FNHA is about to expire, we have been Working on a new five-year health agreement. Also been working on the block financial agreement for the eight First Nations who get block funding for their operations.

On Feb. 21 Tseshaht will announce the potential Burial sites in phase one of their work. I have been dreading this day knowing how hard this is going to impact our Nuu-Chah-nulth people and all First Nations who had children at this school. It will prove what we have always known, that many children did not go home. I am so glad I never went to residential school. My mother and other family did. I am glad my children did not go to residential schools, but their father did. I have, like many others, lived with the effects of residential school. My grandchildren will be the first generation that will not have had a parent that went to these schools.And we will ensure there is never another institution like that our children will attend in the future. Our children are our future and will ensure a brighter future for them. We will gather together and lend each other strength and prayers as we deal with this harsh reality of the potential burial sites.

As always, it is my honour to work on behalf of the Nuu-chah-nulth people and look forward to reporting out to you on my activities.

Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers

Memorial Potlatch

We are extending an invitation to you and your family to join us as we celebrate the life of our late mother

MARGARET JACK and my perfect late son TREVOR

ANTHONY JACK on May 6, 2023, starting at NOON at the Thunderbird Hall, 1420 Weiwaikum Road, Campbell River. If you have any questions, please message Anita Baker on Facebook or text/call 778-676-1012.

Marcy Keitlah Memorial Potlatch

Sptember 23, 2023

Port Alberni, BC

Your hosts; Calvin Keitlah, Cory Frank, along with Grandparents Marilyn Watts and Rudy Watts Sr.

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

Hunters fear bill will threaten traditional practices

Changes to Bill C-21 to control gun violence have sparked concerns of hindering hunting rights in rural places

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bill C-21, gun control legislation that is currently being considered in Ottawa, was intended to address firearm violence and strengthen laws by controlling handguns and assault rifles. In late November, the Liberal party proposed amendments to the bill that would impact hunters with its broader scope of banning rifles. At the beginning of February, the amendment that would include some long guns and rifles used for hunting had been withdrawn, though it has been speculated that is only temporary.

For Moy Sutherland Sr. ofAhousaht, he understands the hurt that is associated with gun violence. However, he explains that this legislation impacts people who are honorable with firearms.

“[The] main priority in our life is not for criminal activity, it’s for hunting,” said Sutherland Sr. He’s been hunting for over 65 years to provide food for his family and community. Sutherland Sr. started out in his youth observing his father and brothers when they would hunt.

Hunting was something that always brought him and his family together, a way to connect to their culture as a family utilizing traditional fishing, hunting, and harvesting practices.

The first time Sutherland Sr. shot a deer he was hunting with his father at age 17. His father explained that this would be the last time the boy would watch him field dress a deer.

His father said to him, “from here on in, you are going to always going to work on your own animal,” explained Sutherland Sr. “Every animal you get is your responsibility to work on it that way.”

Sutherland Sr. has gone on to share his knowledge of hunting with his children. His son got his first animal when he was old enough to work on it himself, he explained. Just as Sutherland Sr. had learned, his son would learn to carry firearms and bow and arrows safely, always treating rifles as though there is ammunition in them. Safety was a priority for Sutherland Sr.

“Firearms regulations are always developed by people who automatically think of it as a necessity of criminal life to have firearms and anybody who has firearms is potentially a criminal and that’s why the laws are created the way that they do them,” said Sutherland Sr. “They forget about us people that live the way that we do hunting and fishing, what those firearms mean to us to supply food for our family and community.”

When a community member or a family member is struggling with an illness or a loss, Sutherland Sr explains that he helps by offering them traditional food that has been hunted.

Sam Haiyupis, anAhousaht member, has been hunting since he was roughly 13 years old.

Just as Sutherland Sr., Haiyupus started his hunting journey as an observer of his father and brothers getting bigger animals such as deer or bear. To this day, Haiyupus continues to go out hunting with his brother.

“My whole family…I would say, depended on different seasons of hunting that we can participate in,” said Haiyupis.

“We’ve always been that way.”

Haiyupis explains that he grew up around his parents plucking, dressing, and preparing ducks that were hunted, together. This is now something that Haiyupis does with his partner.

“They’re all my favorite memories because I can pretty much remember just about every year and every place that I caught [an animal],” said Haiyupis.

In early December theAssembly of First Nation passed an emergency resolution opposing Bill C-21.

Haiyupis said that he struggles not seeing much Indigenous leadership speaking out about issues involving hunting.

“To me, any rifle, if you’re using it for hunting, it’s not an assault style, it’s a hunting rifle,” said Haiyupis.

He continues that the politicians that are making this legislation don’t have a full understanding of rifles, the way that a

hunter does.

“We go through all this screening when we do our application for our [Possession andAcquisition Licence].And yet, it’s not enough that we shouldn’t be trusted with what we own,” said Haiyupis. “We [hunt] for sustenance,” added Haiyupis. “It’s a way of life for us, for a lot of us.”

Darren DeLuca is owner of Vancouver Island Outfitters for the last 30 years. Deluca grew up in PortAlberni where he had access to the backcountry and started hunting with friends as a teenager.

“The amount of time that you spend in the outdoors, and the things you see and experience, you sort of see the glory in

nature… both its strength and its fragility,” said DeLuca.

Deluca explains that with hunting, because you are taking the life of an animal, hunters often build a sense of personal responsibility and stewardship towards nature and wildlife.

With Nuu-chah-nulth teachings at the center, Sutherland Sr. teaches respect for the environment, animals that are hunted and the people who are joining the hunt, whether they are elders or the younger generation. Respect is the number one priority, including not overharvesting.

“It’s partly also looking after the population of what we’re out there for,” said Sutherland Sr.

“[The last minute amendment] feels like a target on rural communities, and has distracted from the original purpose of the bill,” said NDP MP Rachel Blaney while in the House of Commons.

But Canada’s Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino stressed that the bill was to targetAR-15 style guns, used in previous shootings such as Polytechnique.

For DeLuca, hunting is about going out with friends, families, and sustaining his community.

“The real crime issue is handguns in gangs in the inner cities,” said DeLuca.

“I always see governments trying to restrict hunters’rights, and I never once see them do something to support hunters’ rights, bring forward a regulation, or an act that protects a person’s right to hunt and fish,” said DeLuca.

“Fortunately, Indigenous people have the constitutional right to hunt and fish,” he added. “In a lot of cases it’s protected wildlife, because they had to protect that constitutional right.”

Sam Haiyupus photo Ahousaht member Sam Haiyupis has been a hunter since he was a teenager.

Parks Canada commissions wolf figures from carver

Joe Martin brought his pieces to Long Beach, part of a wide-reaching park initiative to showcase Indigenous art

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Long Beach, BC – Visitors to Pacific Rim National Park’s Long Beach near Tofino will now have access to Nuuchah-nulth art and culture, thanks to a new trail that celebrates history and teachings of local First Nations. The trail, named ʔapsčiik tašii, is located in the haḥuułi of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.

ʔapsčiik tašii, pronounced ‘ups-cheek ta-shee’, is a 25-kilometre multi-use pathway through the Long Beach unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. It can be seen on the west side of Highway 4 heading to Tofino.

According to Richard Giele, the national park’s visitor experience manager, Parks Canada worked with both First Nations to involve local communities and ensure the pathway presents a cultural experience for visitors.

“Parks Canada is committed to a national network of heritage places that celebrates the contributions of First Nations peoples, their histories and cultures, as well as the special relationship First Nations peoples have with lands and waters,” said Giele in an email to HaShilth-Sa.

The paved path will include art installations commissioned by Parks Canada that are created by artists from each nation.

For Tla-o-qui-aht, a pair of beautifully carved red cedar wolf figures overlook the ocean at the Long Beach parking lot. The figures were carved over the summer of 2022 by Tla-o-qui-aht master carver

Joe Martin and can be seen from the highway nearing the Tla-o-qui-aht community of Esowista.

According to Giele, decisions on the name of the path and the art installations were made on the advice of an elder’s working group struck by each First Nation.

“The name of the pathway, ʔapsčiik tašii, means ‘going in the right direction on the path’. Chosen from the local Indigenous languages, it speaks to the future direction, the path forward, and travelling it together as partners,” Geile wrote.

He went on to say that both Tla-o-quiaht First Nation and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ conducted site visits to choose the location for their own commemoration piece.

“The Tla-o-qui-aht chose the location Cašiiwa, Incinerator, meaning ‘The Voice of the Ocean’,” said Giele.

The Tla-o-qui-aht, in collaboration with Parks Canada, agreed on the theme of wolves for their location.

“Wolves are highly revered in ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ First Nation territory. The wolves that live here are integral to the health of these ecosystems. Their presence shapes and protects the forests and waterways, keeping nature in balance and strengthening biodiversity,” explained Giele, adding that Gisele Martin of Tlao-qui-aht First Nation explained it to him this way.

He went on to say that wolves are also spiritual protection of the traditional leaders and the citizens of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Nation.

“The significance of the name wolf, Qʷayaciik, describes and means the ‘Way We Must Be - To Uphold Our Responsibilities and Make Things RightAs We Travel Through Life. Go the Right Way and Speak Truthfully’,” explained Giele.

Carved from red cedar, the pair of wolves is meaningful for Martin.

“Our art is a way of teaching that is

different from the mamulthni (Caucasian) culture,” said Martin. “In our culture, teaching starts in the womb.”

Martin explained that it was mainly the elders that did the teaching, ha-hopa.

“There were teachings in the murals on the houses and on the poles, the ancestors would teach that way – for our people, art was a way of educating,” said Martin.

He explained his people were illiterate at the time of first contact with Europeans.

“We were not able to read their written words but so were they…they were not able to read our history in our art,” said Martin. “These figures have meaning.”

He went on to say that when art and regalia were taken away to be put in museums and residential schools were introduced, learning became different.

“We have a lot of social problems today – something is missing,” said Martin. “When children are brought up respectfully, discipline comes naturally.”

Martin explained that Quu-as (traditional) names had meaning, and each name came with a responsibility. Elders, he explained, would sit with the children to teach them about that.

He recalled spending time with his own father as a young boy.

“Dad never left me choice to go hunting, fishing, trapping – it was ‘let’s go’, and we went,” he recalled.

The elder Martin would bring his sons along to watch him make canoes – never pressuring them to learn.

“I watched him adzing a log, then, one day I went to him and asked him to show me how to do it,” Martin recalled.

His father demonstrated how to use the adze and told his son to get a lot of practice.

“People don’t know how to work with their hands anymore,” said Martin. Parks Canada is doing its part to revive these cultural teachings. They commissioned the carvings for approximately $50,000.

They are working with Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ,

who are currently developing their commemoration carving for ʔapsčiik tašii. In addition to this project, Parks Canada is working with other Nuu-chah-nulth nations on projects through the Stories of Canada program.

According to Giele, Tammy Dorward, First Nations Program Manager at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve provided him the following information about the program.

“First Nations who have haḥuułi along the West Coast Trail received funding to share their stories in the way they wished (i.e., in their own voices, and their own way),” Giele shared.

At Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the nations call the program the “honouring haḥuułi” where each First Nation developed their own project.

“Ditidaht First Nation developed nine interpretive panels sharing their history, village locations, and names, which are expected to be installed this year,” said Giele.

In addition, Pacheedaht First Nation developed four panels, and the Huu-ayaht First Nations carved replicas of two welcome figures and installed them in September at Kiixin National Historic Site, located approximately 5 kilometres from the West Coast Trail.

While Martin has finished his portion of the project, he continues to produce more art.

“Now I am carving a wolf, bear and female welcome figures,” said Martin. He says at least one of the figures will stand in Ha’uukmin Tribal Park in Tla-oqui-aht territory.

Submitted photos

The figures were carved over the summer of 2022 by Tla-o-qui-aht master carver Joe Martin and can be seen from the highway nearing the Tla-o-qui-aht community of Esowista.