Union and Huu-ay-aht pledge forestry co-operation

Hope remains that all of British Columbia’s Indigenous communities will receive shots by the end of March

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

British Columbia – It has been over 50 days since the province began the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine to Indigenous communities and FNHA is reporting that over 18,100 units have been administered – mostly fi rst shots. According to the First Nations Health Authority, 18,100 units of vaccine have been administered on reserve with an additional 3,000 doses delivered to Indigenous people in urban centers, such as Vancouver. Vice-President, Public Heath Response Team, Katie Hughes said that FNHA is working with provincial health authorities to get vaccination clinics to places like the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre and in downtown shelters. Dr. Shannon McDonald, FNHA’s acting chief medical offi cer, noted that there was a post-holiday season spike of cases at Indigenous communities in the fi rst half of January 2021. “There were 1,000 active cases at the time, and we’ve suff ered some loses,” she added. McDonald went on to say that some communities were dealing with cluster cases, but some of those are resolving. As of Friday Feb. 17, there were 278 active cases among the Aboriginal population in B.C. There is a vaccine shortage in the province and health offi cials were concerned that they may not meet the provincial government’s goal of inoculating all

Submitted photo Nurses with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council were in Ahousaht on Jan. 6, which was among British Columbia’s fi rst Indigenous communities to receive inoculation. willing adults in B.C.’s 203 Indigenous communities by the end of March. On Vancouver Island, 16 Indigenous communities have received fi rst doses of the vaccine. Innoculation started in another fi ve locations on Vancouver Island, but there were n’t enough doses for all willing adults. “Five (communities) are partially done and there’s 30 more left to do,” said Hughes. Dr. McDonald noted that bad weather in the second week of February has hampered delivery of vaccine to some communities. McDonald says that the Ministry of Health remains committed to prioritizing Indigenous communities for the vaccine. She noted that FNHA is using all doses it has received. Hugues says the vaccine has reached more than 90 Indigenous communities in the province to date with another dozen or so communities hosting clinics in the coming days. Health authorities hope to have updated information in the next month about vaccine availability and clinics for Aboriginal people living away from home. According to FNHA, it will take 42,000 fi rst doses to cover all willing people over the age of 18 in B.C. First Nations communities. Dr. McDonald stated that Indigenous communities are raising concerns about emerging COVID-19 variants, but have no information that any of the diff erent strains of the highly infectious disease have reached First Nations. She noted that provincial health authorities carry out testing for variants and have not indicated that the new strains are aff ecting Indigenous communities at this point. Dr. Nel Wieman, FNHA’s acting deputy chief medical offi cer, noted that the prolonged pandemic, the uncertainty and social isolation has created stress in the communities. “The vaccine roll-out is creating a new set of stressors,” she said, adding that people are wondering when it will be their turn for the vaccine or asking if the vaccine is even safe. She said that the FNHA is working hard to build confi dence in the safety of the vaccine. “It (vaccine) is the best way to stay safe,” she added. FNHA and Indigenous leaders are also hearing from people living off -reserve asking to go home to be vaccinated. Not only is this not permitted due to the shortage of vaccine, but it is not safe. Health authorities are asking people not to travel during pandemic to avoid risk of spreading the virus. In the year since the pandemic started, 78 Indigenous people in British Columbia have died of COVID-19. More than half were people living on-reserve. “We grieve with the families and our hearts go out to them,” said Wieman.

Communities begin receiving second immunization

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Ehatis, BC – The people of Ehattesaht are breathing a sigh of relief after wrapping up their second COVID-19 immunization clinic that saw a majority of their adults receiving their second and fi nal shot of vaccine. Darlene Smith of Ehattesaht said that their small community of 100 saw 28 cases of COVID-19, beginning in November. The outbreak caused concern for the ones that became very ill, but none required hospitalization and all eventually recovered. On Feb. 16 a team of four NTC nurses and a local nurse from Zeballos set up a vaccination clinic for those who had already received the fi rst shot. The clinic was set up for the people of Ehattesaht and Nuchatlaht. According to Smith, some adults over the age of 18 declined the vaccination, leaving extra doses of vaccine. As in the fi rst clinic, extra doses of vaccine were off ered to Zeballos residents who interact on a regular basis with the people of Ehattesaht. Extra doses of vaccine were off ered to health workers, school staff , volunteer fi refi ghters and others that provide services to Ehattesaht. Smith said she was relieved to have people in the community vaccinated. “The process is over. Now we just need our people living away from home to get it,” said Smith of the inoculation. She went on to say that there is a little bit of relief knowing her people are fully vaccinated, but she pointed out that people who have had COVID-19 before can get it again. “But now that they are vaccinated, if they were to contract COVID-19 again, they should not get as sick,” she said. In Ahousaht, Chief Councillor Greg Louie said that a team of six NTC nurses and a paramedic came to the village to administer second vaccine shots. Ahousaht has a population of about 1,000 people. In both Ehattesaht and Ahousaht, the second set of vaccination clinics were only for those who received fi rst shots. Those that missed fi rst rounds of vaccine could not get shots at these follow-up clinics. In addition, the vaccine was offered to residents only, meaning that band members couldn’t travel from urban areas to get the shot. Louie said that nurses would be making home visits to residents with mobility challenges. On Feb. 22 more than 170 Ahousaht residents received their second Moderna shots. More than 500 doses of vaccine went to Ahousaht in January for the fi rst round of vaccinations. Not all doses were used but were off ered up to other communities. The three-day immunization clinic scheduled for Ahousaht had to be delayed after the fi rst day due to a funeral. The vaccination clinic is set to resume for two additional days on Feb. 24.

Photo submitted by Ehattesaht First Nation Ehattesaht Chief Simon John and his council Ashley John, Tim John and Cory Hanson, are relieved to have second round of COVID-19 immunizations done after a cluster outbreak in their community in December 2020.

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Reporter Photo by Melissa Renwick Melissa Renwick Development of a 14-unit aff ordable housing project has begun on Sharp Road, in Tofi no, on Feb. 16. (416) 436-4277 Fax: (250) 723-0463 melissa.renwick@nuuchahnulth.org Aff ordable rentals coming to Tofi no Audio / Video Technician Mike Watts (Ext. 238) (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 mike.watts@nuuchahnulth.org Editorial Assistant Holly Stocking (Ext. 302) (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 holly.stocking@nuuchahnulth.org

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By Melissa Renwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tofi no, BC - Aff ordable housing in Tofi no has been a longstanding issue the community has grappled with for years. Renowned for its natural beauty and cultural richness, Ian Scott, Tofi no Housing Corporation (THC) interim executive director, said that people are “chasing Tofi no as a place to live having made money elsewhere, or choosing Tofi no as a place to own a second home.” In 2018, the median assessed value of single-family home in Tofi no was $647,500, a 39 per cent increase from 2012, according to the 2018 Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region’s Vital Signs report. The result has placed a “signifi cant amount of pressure” on the people who are working in the various tourist sectors within the coastal community. “They are not able to fi nd accommodation, so businesses have invested in staff accommodation and that has included buying up property,” said Scott. “I have sympathy for those business because there’s not another good option.” In a move to address the issue, THC has begun the development of a 14-unit aff ordable housing project at 700 Sharp Road. Partnering with Catalyst Community Developments Society, four onebedroom units, four two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units will be up for grabs. Upon completion, the one-bedroom units will be rented to residents with a household income of under $51,0000 for $875-$1,125 per month. The twobedroom units will be available to residents with a household income of under $81,000 and rented for $1,100-$1,550 each month. And the three-bedroom units will be available to residents with a household income of under $91,000 and will be rented for $1,220-$1,725 every month. Priority will be given to residents who work in Tofi no full-time and have been living in the region for two of the last three years. Catalyst Community Developments Society will be taking applications from interested households towards the end of 2021. According to the Vital Signs report, the region’s living wage is $20.11, making it the third highest living wage in B.C., behind Vancouver and Victoria. The province’s current minimum wage is $15.20 – $4.91 lower than the region’s living wage. “We’re happy to see aff ordable housing being advanced in the region,” said Saya Masso, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation tribal administrator. In many ways, Scott said that Tla-o-quiaht First Nation is “ahead of the district” in addressing housing needs with their previous development of Esowista and future expansion plans. Currently, the nation is in “high-level” discussions with the province on the transfer of several Crown land lots in Tofi no. District lot 124, near Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort, was transferred to the nation, but they are awaiting fi ve additional lots. Once the land is transferred to Tla-oqui-aht, Masso said they will begin the design phase of a sub-development that would target aff ordable housing for the region in the coming years. “It is a topic [yet] to be resolved,” he said. Instead of developing one lot at a time, Masso said the nation is waiting on the land transfer so that they can create a “best use and best opportunity plan for the Crown lots.” “Aff ordable housing in Tofi no is critically needed,” he said. “Let’s plan the properties properly.”

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