Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper February 20, 2025

INTERESTING NEWS

Community rallies in honour of those lost to drug use

A

ball hockey tournament in

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

PortAlberni, BC - Shae Doiron grew up around sports in PortAlberni, and has organized several ball hockey tournaments, but what unfolded over the last weekend of January in a packed Maht Mahs gymnasium was something different.

As part of its long tradition of hosting the sport on the Tseshaht reserve, Maht Mahs took in 14 teams for three days of hustle and sweat before a lively crowd – all in honour of those lost due to drug use, a phenomenon that has become disturbingly widespread amongst First Nation communities.

“It was a very emotional weekend for a lot of people,” said Doiron. “Friday to Sunday it was jam packed. I’ve hosted multiple tournaments, but that was the biggest one by far.”

Doiron played on a team honouring her brother Charles, who died from an overdoes on Jan. 28, 2022. Three years since losing her only sibling, this marked the first time Shae publicly recognized her beloved brother. Her team also played for Benjamin Fred, who passed from overdose last July.

“The tournament allowed us to represent people we lost, and to try and help families have a good time,” said Doiron. “It was a whole community effort.”

Teams from PortAlberni, Duncan, Port Hardy,Alert Bay, Duncan, Victoria and even as far as Williams Lake competed in the tournament, making up 11 men’s teams and three women’s.

“I knew there was going to be a huge response because of how much fentanyl has affected not just our community or my family but so many others all over,” added Doiron. “I had immediately 16 men’s teams wanting to be in.”

‘The Realm of Hungry Ghosts’

The widespread interest in the tournament isn’t surprising considering the extent that illicit drug use has impacted families across the province. Since the provincial government declared a public health emergency inApril 2016, death by overdose has claimed over 16,000 lives in B.C. – and more than 50,000 across Canada. In B.C. this means that illicit drug use has become by far the leading cause of death for people under 60 - more than homicide, suicide and car accidents combined.

The fatal tally began to rise a decade ago when fentanyl claimed a prevalent place in the illicit drug supply. More impactful than morphine, Fentanyl is an opioid that was originally designed for

Maht Mahs reminds Shae Doiron of the wide-reaching effects of the opioid crisis

Eric Plummer photo

Jean Thomas, Shae Doiron, Linda Thomas and Gail K. Gus provided food at PortAlberni’s Overdose Prevention Site on Feb. 4, one of several initiatives undertaken with funds raised from an opioid awareness ball hockey tournament in late January.

and aggressively marketed in the medical community as a painkiller.Alawsuit is underway from the province against drug producing and distribution companies alleging that the painkiller was pushed on the public without a responsible regard for the societal effects.

The toll of illicit drug use on Indigenous communities has been particularly devastating, as they have been impacted with a fatality rate six times that of the rest of B.C., according to the First Nations HealthAuthority. In September the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council took a stand on the issue with the declaration of a state of emergency due to the overdose crisis and its associated mental health issues that have hit so many families. Since then the NTC hired a consultant to determine the specific needs of its 14 nations, while collecting precise numbers on the losses in each community.

“We know fentanyl. It’s changed our life forever,” said Doiron, who has also battled addiction in her life.

This month she marks two years of sobriety, although Doiron is keenly aware of the dangers of falling into addiction again.

“I had 12 years of sobriety at one point, I kind of went through a rough patch and found myself back in active addiction,” she said. “If you can have a 6-pack on a Friday night, and make it to work on Monday, then all the power to you. I’m not that kind of a person.”

For years Dr. Gabor Maté worked in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a neighbourhood that continues to see the highest rate of drug-related fatality in B.C. In his book The Realm of Hungry Ghosts Maté puts forth the view that addiction is the result of a deep-rooted need for relief from a stress that was established in one’s early years. Whether its excessively shopping or shooting heroin, Maté finds that addictive behaviour comes from a struggle for escape from pain that has tormented a person since childhood.

“I’ve experienced a lot of trauma as a child growing up,” said Doiron. “It’s not that I lived in an unsafe home, however the topic of intergenerational trauma is brought into our lives in unfortunate ways.”

The roots of violence go back multiple generations, explains Doiron, whose Tseshaht First Nation had theAlberni Indian Residential School operating on its main reserve for most of a century. She has found that the route to addiction is a lack of connection to oneself and the community.

“It’s unfortunate that stigma is still very active in communities and on an individual basis,” said Doiron. “When I lost my brother, I now suffer from PTSD of trying to save his life. That has just enhanced everything that I thought I overcame, however I’m still experiencing the ripple effects of being hurt myself.”

‘Acycle of addiction’

The last time Shae spoke to her brother on Jan. 28, 2022 was when she asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee. Charles was resting in his parent’s trailer, but after Shae had gone to an appointment that afternoon it became clear something was very wrong when she got multiple phone messages from family unable to reach him.

“4:55 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 I called my dad and said, ‘Go check on Chaz, I’m pretty sure he’s using’,” recalled Doiron.

“When I got there my father was doing chest compressions on my brother. He was in such a state of shock.”

During a press conference in January, B.C. Minister of Health Josie Osborne addressed the isolation people struggle with while in the grip of addiction.

“Many people are trapped in a cycle of addiction and they feel that there is no way out,” said Osborne, who is also the NDP MLAfor Mid Island-Pacific Rim.

“For those who need help, it’s often even harder because of the barriers that stand in the way of them getting the treatment that they need.”

Osborne offered these words before announcing 26 new substance-treatment beds that the province has added since lastAugust, including six more in Nanaimo, part of the over 3,700 publicly funded spaces now available across B.C. Continued on page 3.

Ucluelet b-ball girls break 36 year Provincials drought

Warriors took second place at Vancouver Island Championships Feb. 10-11 in Victoria to qualify for Provincials

By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ucluelet, BC – For the first time since 1989, Ucluelet Secondary School (USS) Warriors senior girls basketball team is heading to the Provincial Championships. Head coach Emily Collins says her team represents the heart and depth of the West Coast with players represented from Ucluelet, Tofino, ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation) and ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht).

“It’s a huge deal. When you look at the rankings right now for all the SingleA schools, we’re the only public school on the rankings. We have no money behind us, we have no athletic trainers, we are just a small school from a really small community,” said Collins, who has been coaching these young female athletes for the past three years.

To prepare for the 37th annual Provincials on Feb. 26 - March 1 at the Langley Events Centre, the girls are upping their shooting drills and Collins sent a flurry of emails to local business owners with the goal of fundraising $4,000 for tournament costs, which would cover all the team meals, travel and accommodation.

“With this team, these girls have the skill and they have so much knowledge about basketball. I think if we go in and feel positive and go in as team then we can really do anything,” said Collins. She drew inspiration from the Gidgalang Kuuyas Naay Breakers SeniorA boys team who made history last year by becoming the first team from Haida Gwaii to play in the finals of the Provincial Championships.

“Anything is possible,” she said. “But

Submitted photo

Ucluelet Secondary senior girls basketball team celebrate after placing second at the Vancouver Island Championships, which qualified them for the Provincial Championships at the Langley Events Centre Feb. 26-March 1.

the expectation is just to enjoy it and take it in.And also just to show off years and also generations of basketball.”

The Warriors senior girls took second place at the Vancouver Island Championships Feb. 10-11 in Victoria to qualify for Provincials.

“When we won our first game, we all cried,” said Grade 11 ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ player Carol-Anne Tom. “It was close, it was 60-56. We were tied up in the second

quarter, third quarter and up until the last. They would get a point, we would get a point.”

“I think in that game especially we really proved that we don’t give up… ever,” said Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ player Maxine Clutesi.

“I’m really happy to be here,” said Zakariyah Thomas, who is from ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ, but lives in the Tla-o-quiaht community of Ty-Histanis. “Coming

from a small reserve inAhousaht, I think by coming here it gives me more opportunities, more friends and a basketball family.”

USS played Pacific Christian School, the top ranked team in the Province, in the final game of the Islands. Even though they lost 80-36, Collins says she felt like her team kept up.

“(Pacific Christian) didn’t miss a shot, which was incredible to watch, but defensively we shut them down so much and the girls hustled right until the last minute,” she said.

“I think we bring a lot of reassurance to each that we all have to play together. If the team is bigger, that means we have to be stronger. That’s when we all come out and show that we are small, but we can be big,” said Thomas.

“Agood example of that is at North Islands, we had one sub and we still won that game,” Clutesi adds.

Collins is joined by Ornella Cirella, Kendall Grayson and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ’s Jada Touchie in the USS girls basketball coach’s corner.

“All my life, I’ve always looked up to Jada. Jada is my inspiration. It’s really good having Jada on the bench,” said Thomas, who is also planning to dance with her nation at Hoobiyee – as long as the tournament schedule doesn’t collide.

“We’ll have some big cheering sections because it’s during Hoobiyee. I’m excited, I get to have my family there,” said Thomas.

To follow the USS girls basketball Provincials run, visit: bchighschoolbasketballchampionships.com/1agirls/

Drug fatality rate drops 13 per cent

Two years into B.C.’s decriminalization project, the province sees lowering numbers

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Although the debate continues over how the province should handle the ongoing overdose crisis, a ray of hope is evident in the declining tally of fatal deaths in B.C.

On Feb.4 the B.C. Coroners Service reported 2,254 deaths due to illicit drug use in 2024. While it remains the leading cause of death to residents under 60 – more than homicide, suicide and car crashes combined – B.C.’s tragic toll from last year shows a 13 per cent decrease from 2023, and the lowest seen since the COVID-19 pandemic brought a surge in drug-related fatalities in 2020.

“This is consistent with reporting from other jurisdictions in Canada and internationally,” said Chief Coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan in a press release.

In November 152 deaths were reported by the Coroners Service, followed by 147 in December. This marks the first time in years that B.C. had an average of less than five fatalities a day due to illicit drug use.

Three quarters of last year’s fatalities were male, with 81 per cent occurring inside and the remainder outside or in vehicles. The fatality rate for those aged 19-29 dropped significantly from 40.3 per 100,000 in 2023 to 33.4 last year.

The highest death rate remains those in their 40s, with 77.9 fatal overdoses per 100,000.

Over 16,000 people in B.C. have died due to illicit drugs use since the province declared a public health emergency in April 2016. The rise in fatalities over the last decade has coincided with the presence of fentanyl in the illicit market – an opioid that was found in 78 per cent of deaths in 2024.

More effective than morphine, fentanyl was originally introduced as a medical painkiller, but the drug’s spread through the health care system has faced scrutiny in recent years. British Columbia leads a class action lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies and distributors for their role to enabling fentanyl to claim a place in the street drug supply. On Jan. 22 the Supreme Court of Canada certified this lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors.

“Our goal was clear: to recover the health-care costs of treating opioid-related harms and to hold manufacturers and distributors accountable for their role in allegedly using deceptive marketing practices to drive sales, contributing to addiction and overdose rates in the country,” said B.C.Attorney General Nikki Sharma in a statement. “B.C. can now proceed, on behalf of federal, provincial and territorial governments, to recover the costs of treating opioid-related diseases that were allegedly caused by the industry’s wrongful conduct.”

First Nations have been particularly hard-hit by the opioid crisis, as Indigenous people in B.C. have died at a rate six times that of the rest of the population, according to the First Nations HealthAuthority. The crisis led the

In 2024 B.C.’s rate of death due to illicit drug use dropped by 13 per cent. Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (pictured) continues to have by far the highest rate of overdose fatalities in B.C., according to coroner’s data.

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council to declare a state of emergency in September 2024, over a year after the Ehattesaht First Nation made a similar declaration after losing an alarming number of young members.

“This is a real emergency. We are losing too many, especially young people, to this crisis,” said Cloy-e-iis (Judith Sayers), president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, in a statement from Sept. 19. “When we invest in mental health, education, housing and economic development, we can create a future where fewer people turn to opioids to cope with trauma and pain.”

Many Nuu-chah-nulth people live in theAlberni-Clayoquot local health area, which was third in illicit drug fatalities in 2023, behind Hope and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. But good news came for the region in 2024, as the death rate dropped from 105.9 per 100,000 to 65.6. Last year the Downtown Eastside continued to have the highest rate with 422 per 100,000, followed by Lillooet with 116 and greater Campbell River with 109.1.

The province has invested in “a record expansion of mental health and substance use care,” said Health Minister Josie Osborne when the latest numbers were released by the Coroners Service. The health minister noted a 1-833-804-8111

‘There wasn’t a lot of options for men’

Continued from page 1.

But despite the NTC’s state of emergency, none of the additional beds have been set up in western Vancouver Island. Doiron said her brother had been clean for 30 days before the overdose that claimed his life. Charles had been trying to get into treatment.

“Learning how to cope in this world today, when it’s easier to get drugs and alcohol than it is to find help, that’s the biggest struggle,” she said. “When my brother passed, he was trying to find places to go. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot of options for men. He had a bad day and decided to use and lost his life as a result of it.”

hotline supporting those with opioid addiction, as well as more free or inexpensive counselling services.

British Columbia is two years into a three-year decriminalization pilot project that frees those in possession of up to 2.5 grams of illicit substances from criminal charges. But as a provincial election approached, the province scaled back decriminalization last year, when open use in public spaces and hospitals was again made illegal.

“While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe,” stated Premier David Eby when the policy change was announced in May 2024.

This decision has been criticized by the First Nations HealthAuthority, which calls decriminalization “an important harm-reduction component in dealing with the drug crisis”.

The FNHAcites a data report to Health Canada, which shows a rise in arrests for possession as of May last year. From 2019-22 B.C. saw an average of 718 possession offences each month, a number that dropped to 165 over the first year of decriminalization. But from May to July 2024 this rose to 450 charges a month, according to the report.

“Arresting people who use substances and putting them through the criminal justice system creates more harm because of the many consequences that make it more difficult to find a pathway to healing,” stated the FNHA. “Acriminal record can impede the ability to seek employment, housing and may impact access to children and family.”

Doiron reflects on the challenges of finding where to take a loved one for treatment, as facilities have long wait lists and some have restrictions, like prohibiting those who have criminal charges.

“It’s not just about the first 10 days of drying out,” she explained. “After the 10 days, these people are still broken and they don’t have drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism anymore. So how can we help them?”

Recovering in memory of Charles

After cash awards for the winning teams and other costs, the ball hockey tournament was able to garner almost $6,000. Doiron is using this to give contributions to organizations helping those affected by the drug crisis, including the Kackaamin Family Development Centre. The fundraising has also helped with other initiatives, like providing food to those who use PortAlberni’s Overdose Prevention Site.

“Sports is the second-best connection, aside from cultural, to where we can stay connected and just be together,” said Doiron. “Potlatch is huge. There’s really not that many anymore where we can stay connected, where we can still have that balance in a society that really isn’t designed to be native.”

Doiron now looks back on her 12-yearstint of sobriety, drawing on the lessons she gained and those who supported her, including “a pretty powerful family that is in recovery as well.”

“It was really hard to get out of it, but I managed to get out of it again,” she reflected. “I’m choosing to live a recovery life in memory of my brother.”

Eric Plummer photo

Josie Osborne

Panelists reflect on the past decade’s reconciliation

10 years marked by recognition of residential school survivors, a Papal apology and Indigenous law teaching

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Victoria, BC – It has been nearly 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hosted its final gathering in Ottawa, presenting 94 calls to action as a guide for reconciliation between Canada and its Indigenous Peoples.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established as part of the Indian Residential Schools SettlementAgreement. Its purpose was to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian residential schools and to document the stories of the survivors and those personally affected by the Indian residential school experience.

Over eight years the TRC commissioners travelled across Canada listening to the stories of 6,500 witnesses, hosting gatherings across the nation to engage the public and educate about the history and legacy of the Indian residential school system.

On Feb. 5, 2025 the University of Victoria hosted a panel discussion called Hope and Determination: Reflections on 10 years of Truth and Reconciliation. The event promised to bring together UVic scholars and students to share their thoughts on how the TRC Calls toAction have changed relations between Indigenous people and the rest of Canada.

Facilitated by Ry Moran, associate university librarian for reconciliation, the panelists included John Borrows, professor in the Faculty of Law, Carey Newman, impact chair in Indigenous art practices in the Faculty of FineArts, and Andrea Walsh, the Smyth Chair in arts and engagement as well as an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Aspecial guest was there to deliver the keynote address. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, the first Indigenous person to be appointed to be the Governor General of Canada, was warmly welcomed.

Simon recalled seeing children from her Nunavik home being taken away to residential schools. She praised the late senator Murray Sinclair, also an Indigenous person, for his leadership at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“The TRC was a platform, a place to share our stories publicly,” she told the crowd.

When the TRC report came out and stories were released to the public, Simon recalled the reaction.

“Some said, ‘I did not know’.”

Years later, preliminary search efforts indicated that the remains of 215 children were buried in unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

“Now, after all this work, it is no longer acceptable for anyone in Canada to say, ‘I did not know’,” Simon said.

But things are starting to change. Simon, sworn in on July 26, 2021, is from Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik in Quebec,

making her the first Indigenous person to be named Governor General of Canada. She is the 30th Governor General of Canada since Confederation.

Simon pointed to the progressive work UVic is doing in terms of advancing reconciliation. Included in these efforts is the development of a UVic Indigenous Plan and language revitalization work.

UVic also offers an Indigenous Law program, the first of its kind. She mentioned decolonizing efforts made on campus, including the installation of the Survivors’Flag and the recognition of Orange Shirt Day.

Outside of the university, Simon pointed to other national events that occurred thanks to the efforts of the TRC. For example, the historic apology by the Pope in Canada, the meeting with Canada’s Indigenous leaders and King Charles III before his coronation to renew relationships with the Crown, the creation of the First Nations University of Canada in Saskatchewan, and the first Inuit university which will be grounded in their culture and language when it opens in a few years time.

PanelistAndrea Walsh led the repatriation of artwork made byAlberni Indian Residential School children more than 50 years ago. The paintings were saved by the art teacher and returned to the artists following his death.

Walsh spoke of what these painting meant for the survivors and the stories that came from them. Stories of loneliness, longing for home and family and culture. One survivor said this painting is the only thing they have left of that time in their life.

Walsh said the survivors shared their memories when the TRC gathered their statements.

“These paintings were visual statements of their truth,” she said.

The paintings and stories are now permanently installed in Canada Museum of History.

Panelist and artist Carey Newman created the Witness Blanket as part of the TRC process. The Witness Blanket is like a quilt and is inspired by a comforting wool blanket. It is made of images of 880 objects collected from places like Indian residential schools, churches and government offices from across Canada.

“It stands as a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the Indian residential school era,” reads the Witness Blanket website.

“Watching people interact with the Witness Blanket, over 800 objects collected for the blanket, they focus on one object, because they make a connection,” said Newman.

The Witness Blanket is permanently installed at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Newman teaches art in Victoria’s public schools. He says children play an impor-

tant role in providing hope and inspiration. Newman recalled carving a totem pole at one of the schools and having students help out.

“Afew years later I got to watch a new generation of students culturally preparing the pole for storage. That wouldn’t have happened pre-TRC,” said Newman.

John Burrows is a professor in UVic’s Faculty of Law – Indigenous Laws, the first of its kind in the world. He noted an example of progress made in the area of Indigenous child welfare organizations. He said the work they do is guided by their laws.

Burrows shared a story from his mother, who avoided Indian residential school.

“My mother ran away from home age 14 as her siblings were being taken away to residential school. She carried the burden of guilt for not being there to take care of her siblings,” he told the crowd. His mother is now approaching her 90s and her memory is fading. She’s 88, but she still knows her songs.

“I have grandchildren, ages 6 and 4, and can watch them sing and dance and not have to worry about being taken away from home,” he said.

Jessica Sigurdson photo

Artist Carey Newman created the Witness Blanket as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process. The Witness Blanket is like a quilt and is inspired by a comforting wool blanket. It is made of images of 880 objects collected from places like Indian residential schools, churches and government offices from across Canada.

American Indian Country responds to Trump

More than half of Native Americans voted for Trump, but his first few weeks have sparked outrage for some

By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s been a busy month for President Trump. From directing the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris ClimateAgreement and waging war on paper straws to raving about turning the Gaza strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, the antics of the Trump administration have been nothing short of unravelling.

While 51 per cent NativeAmericans voted for Trump, according to a poll released by Native News Online, many nations have sent letters to the President in response to the recent political developments.

Birthright citizenship

Trump floated an executive order to curtail birthright citizenship in the U.S. The executive order has been blocked by four federal court judges and will likely end up in front of the Supreme Court.

It was widely reported that Trump’s Department of Justice argued in court that Indigenous people don’t have birthright citizenship under the 14thAmendment, so neither should children of non-citizens born in the U.S.

In a Jan. 24 media release, Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), executive director of Native OrganizersAllianceAction Fund, called the Trump administration’s actions “outrageous and unconstitutional.”

“This is a continued attack by this administration on sovereign nations,” wrote LeBlanc. “Over the past several years, we have reclaimed our power in Indian Country and made huge gains in protecting our people and our sacred, ancestral lands. Due to the actions of Native organizers and Tribal nations, we fought for and won greater representation at all levels of government. We fought for the appointment of Deb Haaland as Secretary of Interior. We have also made gains at the polls. In 2020, we worked on the ground in key states to drive the largest Native voter turnout in history.”

“We will not be bullied by an administration that seeks to diminish our rights as American citizens. We are mobilized and ready for any fight ahead,” she wrote.

U.S.-Canada Border

On Jan. 29, The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) sent two letters, one to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and another to U.S. President Donald Trump.

The letter to Trudeau was sent in response to his call for First Nations communities to support the Canadian government′s efforts to lobby against President Trump′s economic threats. The letter strongly rejected any such request, asserting that the MCK will not lend their support to a government that has historically been dismissive of Indigenous rights and has participated in systemic attempts at the erasure of First Nations peoples.

“We will not stand with a government that has consistently undermined our sovereignty, our right to self-determination, and our very right to exist,” said Ohén:ton Í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo. “We have endured centuries of injustice at the hands of settler governments, and we will not allow others to speak on our behalf when it comes to matters that directly affect our people, our lands, and our future.”

In the letter to President Trump, the MCK affirmed that Kahnawa’kehró:non have a unique relationship with the

Chief Stewart Phillip

and implementing any

United States, but also made it clear that they do not recognize the Canada-U.S. border. The Mohawk Nation predates the establishment of both Canada and the United States, and the MCK stresses that the imposition of these borders do not diminish their inherent rights

“We are the original inhabitants of this land, and the line between Canada and the United States is a colonial construct that we do not recognize,” Diabo continued. “Our relationships with both nations are based on our history as allies, not on the whims of borders that were drawn without our consent.”

The MCK called for all nations to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples to determine their own futures and urges both the Canadian and U.S. governments

to engage with First Nations directly rather than relying on external political entities to speak for Indigenous communities.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids

On Jan. 23, Naabik’íyáti’Committee posted a public statement that called on

Navajo Nation President Nygren to take immediate action regarding ICE raids and identification issues inArizona, New Mexico, and Utah, as reported by Navajo citizens and state officials.

The Naabik’íyáti’Committee outlined that despite possessing Certificates of Indian Blood (CIBs) and state-issued IDs, several individuals have been detained or questioned by ICE agents who do not recognize these documents as valid proof of citizenship.

“Our people are afraid to travel, speak out, or interact with law enforcement due to the threat of retaliation,” said Navajo Nation council delegate Eugenia CharlesNewton in the statement. “This fear must be addressed with systemic solutions.”

Tariffs

The B.C.-based First Nations Leadership Council denounced the Trump administration’s postponed tariff threat of 25 per cent on all goods imported from Canada in a Feb. 6 press release, demanding that “any response by governments of British Columbia and Canada respect and uphold the inherent and constitutionally protected title and rights and jurisdictions of First Nations.”

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs President, stated, “We are the original people of this land, and we maintain our inherent and unceded title and rights to it and will continue to exercise our jurisdiction. First Nations must play a central role in devel-

oping and implementing any response to the specter of President Trump’s capricious, nonsensical, and childish tariffs.”

Sovereignty

In a Feb. 2 letter, a collective of federal Tribal Nations urged President Trump “to recognize and protect the status of Tribal Nations as political entities in light of recent executive and federal action” that could potentially freeze federal funding of Tribal programs.

“We look forward to partnering with the newAdministration as the President works to establish his priorities and implement new Executive Orders.As that process unfolds, we urge the President and his advisors to take care to protect the unique federal trust relationship between our sovereign Tribal Nations and the Federal government, which is based on the political status of Tribal Nations.”

Eric Plummer photo

Grand

of the B.C. Union of Indian Chiefs says, “First Nations must play a central role in developing

response to the specter of President Trump’s capricious, nonsensical, and childish tariffs.”

Judith LeBlanc

Cody Diabo

Donald Trump

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Six more centres offer justice assistance

Port Hardy becomes third Indigenous justice centre to open on Vancouver Island

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Kamloops, BC - Six more Indigenous justice centres have been introduced across British Columbia - including a third location on Vancouver Island –support aimed to address the fact that Aboriginal people are five times more likely to be incarcerated than other B.C. residents.

On Feb. 6 the BC First Nations Justice Council and the provincial government announced the six additional centres, which are located in Port Hardy, Kamloops, Williams Lake, Cranbrook and Fort St. John, with a shared service operating between Burns Lake and Hazelton.

This brings the total to 15 Indigenous justice centres across B.C., which focus on providing free legal representation and guidance for criminal and child protection matters.Another virtual justice centre serves the entire province through remote technology.

Over 2024 when nine justice centres were operating staff dealt with over 2,200 cases, serving approximately 600 clients across the province. Staff can also refer First Nations, Métis and Inuit clients to housing, employment, mental health and addiction treatment services.

“When our people are well, our communities are safe,” said Boyd Peters, a director on the First Nations Justice Council, during a press conference on Feb. 6 in Kamloops.

In March of last year support from the justice centres expanded to also include those who don’t quality for legal aid.

“As those accessing our services often feel overwhelmed and disconnected from community, IJCs embrace them with care, honour their cultural identity and protect them from falling through the cracks,” stated First Nations Justice Council Chair Kory Wilson in a press release.

The 15 centres follow a critical part of the B.C. First Nations Justice Strategy.

Announced to the public in March 2020 by the justice council and the provincial government, the strategy aimed to address the vast overrepresentation of Indigenous people being incarcerated.At the time the most recent Statistics Canada data from 2018 stated that despite making up less than six per cent of British Co-

lumbia’s population,Aboriginal people comprised 32 per cent of custody admissions – showing an increase from the 22 per cent reported 10 years earlier. Since then this number has fallen slightly to the 30 per cent tracked by Stats Can in 2023.

The justice strategy noted that the “vast majority” ofAboriginal people accused had no access to counsel or legal aid. It also spoke of a need to transition “away from long-entrenched historic, continual patterns” in the criminal justice system that have succeeded to “marginalize and dismantle First Nation legal orders and governance institutions.”

How exactly the justice council and the province could facilitate this transition across B.C. remains to be seen, although on Feb. 6 Peters spoke of alternatives to the court process.

“I know that resolving conflict is a really difficulty thing in our communities. There’s some cases that we have that don’t belong in the courts, they don’t belong in the justice system, they don’t belong to the police. It’s up to us as a community to take back that power,” he said. “When you help that offender, you help that family, you help that victim, the whole family, the offender’s family – we’re all related somehow – the whole community is feeling better about the

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 51st year of serving the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. We look forward to your continued input and support. Kleco! Kleco!

situation.”

Last year two Nuu-chah-nulth communities were struck by violent tragedies that ended the lives of two young men.

On Sept. 28, 24-year-old Patrick Charleson IV was fatally shot in Nitinaht, an incident that resulted in the arrest of Derian Tate, who was also 24, and a first-degree murder charge.

Less than a month earlier a particularly violent incident rattledAhousaht, when 20-year-old Lennox Williams died as the result of a stabbing inAug. 31.An arrest and second-degree murder charge was made, although the identity of the accused is currently protected by a publication ban.

Despite these high-profile tragedies, Vancouver Island’s three Indigenous justice centres are all on the east side, hours of travel away from the Nuu-chah-nulth villages on the west coast. The newest justice centre is located in Port Hardy on the Island’s northeast coast.

“Alot of time and effort went into finding the right location to serve the maximum number of people and have the facilities needed to do that,” saidAttorney General Niki Sharma.

“The locations of the Indigenous justice centres were based on the need and the demand,” added Peters.

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BC First Nations Justice Council photo

The six new Indigenous justice centres are in Port Hardy, Kamloops, Williams Lake, Cranbrook and Fort St. John, with a shared service operating between Burns Lake and Hazelton. Pictured is the justice centre in Vancouver.

Herring fishery increases catch as biomass rebounds

Strait of Georgia sees harvest grow to 14 per cent this winter, while Island’s west coast permits spawn-on-kelp

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Although the overexploitation of Pacific herring remains a burning memory for many watching the health of the keystone species, a commercial fishery is set to return in late February with increased harvest rates.

On Jan. 17 Fisheries and Oceans Canada approved an increase to the harvest of herring in the Strait of Georgia, rising from 10 per cent of the region’s biomass last year to 14 per cent in 2025. On the west coast of Vancouver Island a commercial harvest of herring roe on kelp has been approved for the first time in several years, although large seine and gillnet boats will not be permitted in the region.

“Commercial fishing opportunities will be provided on the west coast Vancouver Island to support fisheries for spawn on kelp and rights-based harvest pending ongoing discussions,” wrote DFO in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa, noting that the fishery’s anticipated impact on the region’s biomass of herring would be small. “This is expected to represent a harvest rate of approximately 1.3 per cent in the area.”

This follows a directive from the Nuuchah-nulth Council of Ha’wiih Forum on Fisheries given in November, stating that the Island’s west coast would remain closed to commercial boats in 2025 –except for the harvest of strips of kelp when they collect eggs during the annual herring spawn. Ha’oom, a rights-based fisheries society owned by theAhousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Hesquiaht, Ehattesaht and Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations, is planning a potential harvest of spawn on kelp, which would tap into the commercial potential of selling herring roe to foreign markets.

“Recent research indicates 78 per cent of the herring used in a closed [spawnon-kelp] operation survive, compared to 0 per cent in seine and gillnet fisheries,” wrote Wickaninnish, CliffAtleo, chair of the Council of Ha’wiih, in a letter to DFO in November. “Therefore, being cautious, Nuu-chah-nulth counsel only spawn-on-kelp fisheries for the [west coast Vancouver Island] area in 2025.”

DFO’s decision to open up the fishery comes amid encouraging data indicating a rebound of the species. On the Island’s west coast a biomass that was calculated to be under 15,000 tonnes in 2018 rose to 65,500 tonnes last year, with almost 60,000 expected in the region in 2025.

The herring spawn has also grown significantly, based on DFO’s modelling that calculates reproduction in an area.

On the west coast of Vancouver Island the herring spawn index was calculated to be under 12,000 tonnes in 2015, but in 2024 this rose to over 86,300 tonnes, the largest seen in the region since the mid-1970s.

Those who live on the coast are watching this impact other animals in the ecosystem.

“We now see an abundance of whales returning, coming in closer to where we haven’t seen them,” said Errol Sam of Ahousaht during a Council of Ha’wiih meeting on Feb. 11. “Two years ago we had a grey whale right at the front of our reserve because of the herring coming in.”

“We observe grey whales and humpback whales all in front of the village of Opitsaht,” added Tla-o-qui-aht Fisheries ManagerAndrew Jackson at the meeting.

Commercial fisheries are opening elsewhere on the B.C. coast as well. These include around Prince Rupert, where a five-per-cent harvest of the biomass has been made available to catch up to 2,300 tonnes, and on the central coast, where boats can catch 4.7 per cent of the species in the area, amounting to 817 tonnes.A commercial fishery remains closed off the coast of Haida Gwaii, where only a harvest for food, social and ceremonial purposes is permitted.

The largest herring fishery will be off the east coast of Vancouver Island, where the Strait of Georgia has been the only region in recent years to consistently open for commercial seine and gillnet fleets.

This fishery aims to catch female herring while they are full of eggs, a lucrative commodity Japan and other foreign markets. The actual fish are normally ground down and sold as feed for livestock or fish farms.

This year limit in the Strait of Georgia

Irine Polyzogopoulos photo Seagulls hover over herring as they reproduce at Yuquot, a familiar sign of activity at the southern edge of Nootka Island.

has been set at 11,600 tonnes, representing an increase to catching 14 per cent of the biomass from the 10 per cent allocated in 2024.

This has met opposition from the region’s six WSÁNEĆ hereditary chiefs, who in November demanded an immediate moratorium on the fishery due to the fragility of herring stocks.

“We are deeply frustrated,” says Tsawout Hereditary Chief Eric Pelkey (WIĆKINEM). “This decision further jeopardizes the health of our waters and our way of life.”

Although the Council of Ha’wiih voted in favour of a spawn-on-kelp fishery in 2025, Nuu-chah-nulth representatives remain concerned about allowing largerscale commercial seine and gillnet boats into their territories. The west coast of Vancouver Island has been closed for a commercial herring roe fishery since 2005 – with the exception of 2014 and 2015. In those respective years a Nuuchah-nulth-led court injunction blocked the commercial catch, followed by a meagre season in 2015 that yielded no significant harvest.

Herring are considered a critical species for adult Pacific salmon, as DFO research indicates that they account for 58 per cent of the coho diet and 62 per cent of what

chinook eat.

Uchucklesaht Ha’wilth Clifford Charles recalls a time in the 1970s when herring boats spread their nets through the mouth of Barkley Sound.

“There was no passageway. If you wanted to get into Trevor Channel and go to PortAlberni, it was most difficult,” said Charles during the Feb. 11 Council of Ha’wiih meeting. “There was a lot of accidents that happened where boats got their propellers caught in somebody’s net. I call that overfishing.”

“For far too long our resources have been exploited,” stressedAhousaht Tyee Ha’wilth Hasheukumiss. “I really truly believe it should be an Indigenous-run fishery in our back yards.”

Nuchatlaht CouncillorArchie Little noted that not all nations voted for the spawn-on-kelp fishery.

“We don’t support that. There’s absolutely no herring access in our territory,” he said during the meeting. “We want that duly noted so it’s not a free for all.”

Over the last decade the province’s herring exports have been as high as $55.3 million in 2017. The majority of product went to Japan, with China and the US as other destinations. In 2023 B.C. exported $23 million worth of herring product, with $15 million going to Japan.

Letitia Charleson photo Hesquiaht member Joshua Charleson holds herring he smoked with his wife, Letitia, outside their home in PortAlberni.

New chief advisor ‘will work relentlessly’

Jennifer Richardson is appointed Canada’s chief advisor to combat human trafficking

By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ottawa, ON – During the third annual Red Dress roundtable in Ottawa at the end of January 2025, the Honourable GaryAnandasangaree, minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, appointed Jennifer Richardson as Canada’s new chief advisor to combat human trafficking.

Richardson, who is herself a survivor of human trafficking, says she “uniquely understands the barriers and challenges that victims face” and that she will work towards making support and services more accessible.

“It is a great honour to become Canada’s chief advisor to combat human trafficking.As a survivor of human trafficking, this appointment is very personal to me and signifies my commitment to safeguard some of the most vulnerable members of our society. I will work relentlessly with other survivors and stakeholders to combat human trafficking so that collectively we can end this crime in Canada,” said Richardson in a news release.

With over 24 years working in the antihuman trafficking sector, Richardson is considered an expert in the field and was also the first director of Ontario’s ProvincialAnti-Human Trafficking Coordination Office.

Her appointment was effective January 27, 2025, for a term of three years.

As chief advisor, Richardson will provide ongoing advice and recommendations to Public Safety Minister David McGuinty while also working in collaboration with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Anandasangaree and Indigenous partners to advance Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

Indigenous females especially vulnerable to being sexually exploited

Fifty per cent of trafficked girls and 51 per cent of trafficked women are Indigenous, according to data from the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s organizational network, which informed a 2014 report published by the Canadian Centre To End Human Trafficking.

“Considering Indigenous People count for

This ‘know the signs of trafficking’sticker was placed in the women’s bathroom at the Calgary airport. Some think they should go on BC Ferries vessels.

five per cent of Canada’s population, this stat is horrifying. I suspect the numbers are higher because there are many women who get ‘lost in the system’or just don’t feel safe enough to speak out about their experience,” said Denise Halfyard, the manager of Tears to Hope Society, a B.C.-based nonprofit that supports families of missing and murdered loved ones.

Halfyard’s cousin Tamara Chapman disappeared around Prince Rupert along The Highway of Tears in 2005.

“I would encourage the new chief advisor to continue working with Indigenous people, particularly grassroots organizations who have built relationships with women in these situations,” Halfyard continued. The biggest risk factors for sex trafficking are being female and being young.

Recent Statistics Canada data shows that of the 3,558 victims of police-reported human trafficking nationwide from 2013 to 2023, the vast majority (93 per cent) were women and girls, and about one-quarter (23 per cent) were children and youth younger than 18 years.Asmall number of victims (seven per cent) were men and boys.

Of the 3,223 female victims of human trafficking, two-thirds (68 per cent) were aged 24 years and younger.

“Richardson’s experience in the field of human trafficking is such an asset, but to have someone in such a position who is a woman is so important. It’s so much easier for victims of sexual abuse to speak to a woman about their experience,” Halfyard said.

Victims were most often trafficked by an intimate partner (34 per cent) or a casual acquaintance (22 per cent).

“Atactic employed by some traffickers involves drawing a potential victim into a

‘Walk beside us’:

February saw walks across Canada for missing

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Nanaimo, BC - Hundreds walked through the streets of Nanaimo on Feb. 14 in recognition of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people – one of many such marches that took place over the weekend with hopes of ending a national crisis. Organized by the Vancouver Island University Student Union, the Nanaimo MMIWG march was among many held across Canada on Feb. 14.An estimated 250 people participated in the Nanaimo walk, according to Leah Vaisanen, VIU’s Indigenous Students’Representative. Valentine’s Day marks the annual Women’s Memorial March, an event that began in 1992 in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside after the murder of a First Nations woman. Since then, walks have been held across Canada recognizing the prevalence of homicide and disappearances affecting Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+, an acronym that stands for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and sexually diverse.Aboriginal women account for 4.3 per cent of the female population of Canada, but make up 16 per cent of homicide victims, according to theAssembly of First Nations. They also comprise 11 per cent of those who have gone missing. This includes Lisa Marie Young, a Tla-o-qui-aht woman who hasn’t been seen since she was out with friends in Nanaimo on June 30, 2002. Young was last seen leaving a party with Christopher WilliamAdair, someone she just met that evening. For the last several yearsAdair has lived on the Turkish Riviera, and sources report that he could have relocated to the Philippines. No charges have been laid for Young’s disappearance.

romantic relationship with promises of love and affection, with the end goal of exploitation,” reads the Stats Can report.

Halfyard told the Ha-Shilth-Sa that after an incident over the Christmas holidays on a Vancouver to Nanaimo ferry, the Tears to Hope Society approached BC Ferries about adding a “know the signs of trafficking” signage to their vessels.

“These signs are popping up more and more at transportation hubs like airports and venues where these ‘services’might be solicited like arenas and concert venues. They should be at all hubs like the ferries, buses, taxis, etc.,” said Halfyard.

“It’s not just our lawmakers’and enforcers’jobs to protect women from trafficking, but society as a whole,” she continued.

“The more this signage is up to recognize when someone may be trafficked, the more a trafficker is going to think twice, because who knows who’s paying attention.”

Led by Public Safety Canada, the appointment of a chief advisor is part of Canada’s National Strategy to counter human trafficking. Launched in 2019 with an ongoing $10.3-million annual budget, the Strategy aligns with the United Nations Palermo Protocol, an internationally recognized set of terms to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking persons.

Canada’s Strategy includes investing in a multilingual Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline, increasing intelligence and data collection, and augmenting victim supports and services, with a culturally sensitive approach to Indigenous victims’needs.

The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is toll-free, confidential, and available across the country 24/7/365 in over 200 languages. It can be reached at 1-833-9001010.

Lisa Marie Barron was a friend of Young’s. Serving as Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Ladysmith, she spoke at in Muffeo Sutton Park on Feb. 14 at the conclusion of the MMIWG march.

“When we were both in our early 20s, on a weekend when I was not out with her, she went missing. On all of these marches, I always think of her and think of her family,” said Barron. “Still to this day we don’t know what happened to Lisa Marie Young.”

Following a call from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in 2016 Canada launched a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This produced 231 Calls for Justice, but in recent years the government has faced heavy criticism in their implementation.

“It has been dismal the amount that has

Nora O’Malley photo

Denise Halfyard, left, and Jennifer Touchie participate in a walk to bring awareness to MMIWG on May 5, 2024 in the Ucluelet First Nation’s community of Hitacu.

beside us’: March honours the missing and murdered

alks across Canada for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+, including a Feb. 14 event in Nanaimo

over a

and disappearances affecting Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+. The event was organized

been completed to date,” said Barron. “I believe only two of the calls to action have been completed.”

On Feb. 14 a joint statement came from three federal ministries tasked with implementing the calls. They noted a toll-free telephone line offering any assistance related to MMIWG, 1-844-413-6649, as well as the launch of the Red DressAlert pilot project in October 2024. This alerting system currently operates in Manitoba to quickly notify the public when anAboriginal female, gay or gender-diverse person goes missing. Jennifer Richardson has also recently been appointed to lead the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

In December the feds released the first annual Progress Report on the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.

This noted that almost $558 million was invested by provinces, territories and the Government of Canada over the last year into the cause, funding for 729 organizations and partners across Canada.

“Awareness is key to changing social norms,” stated the report.

“Violence against women in particular is simply in the 21st century not something that this country can, will or should ever

have tolerated,” said Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog, who noted the need to change attitudes. “It is in engaging our young and teaching them to be proud - particularly those who are Indigenous, who are trans - to take pride in themselves to feel confident, to feel good about themselves, that they are far less likely to be victimized by those who are evil amongst us.”

The solution to the national crisis will not come from the federal government, said Monique May, chair of Stolen Sisters Memorial in Victoria.

“I need you to pledge here today that ‘I am going to push to bring our own calls into action’,” said May to the crowd in Nanaimo on Feb. 14. “It’s the only way. We can’t sit back and wait for the federal government to move - the provincial government, the municipalities - we need to be vocal.”

“You need to walk beside us,” she continued. “This work is heavy, but this work doesn’t only save Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQIA+ people and our men and our boys, it will go towards every person in community. Gender-based violence doesn’t discriminate: It doesn’t matter what race, what sexuality, what gender, what age, what ability or income. Together we can do it.”

Eric Plummer photos

On Feb. 14

hundred marched from Dianna Krall Plaza to Muffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo in recognition of homicides

by the VIU Students Union.

Monique May

Leonard Krog

Grade 9 Alberni student wins FNHA art contest

By Olivia Thomas Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Rose-Mary Duperon had her work selected by the First Nations Health Authority to promote harm reduction ship with Substance Use.”All four of her submissions were selected by the FNHA, says the family.

PortAlberni, BC - Rose-Mary Dupperon, a Hesquiaht First Nation member and Grade 9 student atAlberni District Secondary School (ADSS), is the recent winner of an art contest put on by the First Nations HealthAuthority (FNHA). Her artwork will be featured as part of a new FNHAresource called the “Harm Reduction Conversation Toolkit.”

In December, the FNHAposted via their website, “The First Nations HealthAuthority (FNHA) is seeking talented First Nations youth artists to create a powerful and meaningful icon for our new Harm Reduction Conversation Toolkit.” This initiative aims to provide information and resources on substance use prevention, harm reduction, safety and advice on how to have supportive conversations. The contest was open to all First Nations artists up to 29 years old across the country, with submissions accepted until December 31, 2024.

Rose-Mary submitted four pieces of art relating to the four chapters of the toolkit, which are titled “Promoting Healthy Communities,” “Harm Reduction,” “Having a Conversation about Substance Use,” and “Making Changes to your Relation-

Rose-Mary says the inspiration of her interest in the art contest came from a place of personal experience.

“I have seen people I know struggle,” she said. “I generally think harm reduction should be talked about more.”

An avid artist for as long as she can remember, Rose-Mary attributed her grandmother as someone who has supported and encouraged her love of art.

“My grandma has always done art with me,” she said. “We’ve always done crafts like dream catchers and drawing together.”

Ann Ostwald, an art teacher atADSS, originally learned about the FNHAcontest for Indigenous youth. She printed off the information and presented the idea to the Indigenous students in her art classes.

“When Rose-Mary first heard about it, she said she was interested but was going to talk with her grandma about it,” said Ostwald. “Then, she went ahead with it. She would sometimes work on it in class, but mostly she did it at home. I teach art from the view of doing it as a way of living, not just in the class. That way they enjoy it more than feeling it’s something they’re forced into doing.”

Ostwald shared that Rose-Mary has also designed a “Spirit Wolf” art piece for the local dog park in PortAlberni.

“She’s just incredible,” Ostwald boasted.

Rose-Mary will receive $500 from the FNHAfor each of her four winning

submissions. Daisy Lucas, Rose-Mary’s mother, spoke of the pride that their family and the community feels towards Rose-Mary’s achievement.

“We as a big family will be doing a celebratory lunch for her. We are renting

a hall and inviting the family and RoseMary’s best friends to come sit with her and enjoy this moment with her. I am very proud of my daughter,” Daisy said. Amedia contact for the FNHAsays they will formally announce the contest winners soon.As for her winnings, RoseMary says she’s saving it for a summer vacation trip with her friends.

Phrase†of†the†week:†huu%ak†mi%i†p’iš†sak%a+quu†quu%us,†hi>ciinup%it%iš†%a>†up†c^apac†qaayi+%up†wikiitup†%uuwaapi

Pronounced ‘Whoo ugk mit pi’s suc

Submitted photo

An avid artist for as long as she can remember, Rose-Mary Dupperon attributed her grandmother as someone who has supported and encouraged her love of art.

Hesquiaht posts 1-2 record at Basketball Tournament

Female Descendants team hoped to be er their silver-medal performance at the All-Native in 2024

By Sam Laskaris Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Prince Rupert, BC – The Hesquiaht Descendants were no doubt hoping for another medal-winning performance.

But things did not go quite as well for the women’s squad at this year’sAll Native Basketball Tournament, which concluded this past Saturday (Feb. 15) in Prince Rupert.

The Descendants were one of 16 entrants in the women’s division at the prestigious tourney, which celebrated its 65th year.

The Hesquiaht club was seeded second in its division based on its silver-medal efforts at the 2024 tourney.

But the Descendants did not come as close to matching their successes of a year ago.

The Hesquiaht side, which received an opening-round bye for being one of the top four seeds, did manage to win its tournament opener, 72-35, against Lax Kw’alaams.

But the Descendants were then downed 64-56 by Hazelton.And Hesquiaht was eliminated from further action after also losing its next match, 67-51, against the host Prince Rupert Rain.

“It was a disappointing year of course but it’s (a) learning (experience),” said Descendants’captain Mariah Charleson, who is also the chief councillor of the Hesquiaht First Nation. “We’re a longtime team now at this point. We still came out kind of middle of the pack. We know obviously that we are a more talented team than that.”

“Unfortunately, we just came out flat

in really important games. It was unfortunate but you live and learn from these things. You’ve got to work harder and get back at it next year.”

“We were missing a couple of key players off of our team,” said John White, the head coach of the Hesquiaht team. “Two of our key starters didn’t make it out this year.”

“Going into the tournament I think we could have used more time to prepare,” White said. “We didn’t get to hold any practices or play in any tournaments prior.”

“Everybody got to play. I think every single person got on the scoreboard in that first game. I think the second half was a typical Hesquiaht Descendants game,” Charleson said.

“Unfortunately, the other two games we

just came out flat,” Charleson said. “We didn’t produce the results that we know we are capable of.”

The Descendants were unable to match the size of the Hazelton squad.

“They were an extremely tall team,” White said of the Hazelton team, which ended up finishing in third place. “They had a couple of 6-footers in their starting lineup. I think we just ran into some shooting struggles. But the girls played extremely well. They ran hard.”

Charleson also felt the height advantage proved beneficial for the Hazelton club.

“We were way undersized,” she said. “They have some really big girls. We got into some foul trouble early in that one. They really beat us with their foul shots. They made them count and they capitalized on them.

“It was still a pretty close game. It was definitely a winnable game for us. But our shots weren’t dropping.And the foul trouble wasn’t helping.”

“Honestly I think the girls went into that game thinking it was an easy win,” Charleson said. “And Prince Rupert came out guns ablazing. They were warmed up. We had three days off.

“It was a 9:30 a.m. game and everyone came out flat.And Rupert was ready to go. They were rolling.And I give it to them. They deserved to win. They were outhustling us and outrebounding us. They wanted it a lot more.And our girls were sleepy, slow and Prince Rupert capitalized on that.”

“Because we sat from Monday to Thursday between games, a lot of sitting around instead of actually playing (hurt us),” he said. “But I’m proud of the girls. They all ran their hearts out and they played well even though we were a small team. We had a good showing.”

White, who was in his third year of coaching the Descendants, is already looking forward to the 2026 tournament.

“We’ll come back stronger next year,” he said. “We just ran into some shooting woes.And we didn’t have the full team there. We had the team that we went with and I’m proud of the girls. They played really well.”

Besides Charleson, the Descendants’ roster this season included Heather Charleson-Campbell, Shania Sabbas, Tamia Edgar, Chantelle Thomas, Destiny Hansen, Jaylynn Lucas, Naimah Robinson and Jenelle Johnson-Sabbas.

Also, Preston Campbell served as the team manager.

Indigenous sport nets $24.2 million from organization

By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver, BC – Canada is investing $24.2 million in Indigenous sport programs to empower First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

The Honourable Terry Duguid, minister of Sport and minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced the 2024-2026 funding recipients for the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) initiative on Feb. 7 at a media event outside the Indigenous Sport Gallery BC Sports Hall of Fame in Vancouver.

The $24.2-million investment supports 119 Indigenous-led projects across the country and features three funding streams for the 2024-2026 cycle.

“Sport unites communities, builds strong bonds and promotes healthier lives. The Government of Canada is proud to support Indigenous-led initiatives that provide culturally relevant sport opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples nationwide. Through the SSDIC program, Indigenous partners are breaking down barriers and creating lasting, positive change through sport,” said Duguid in a media release.

Stream One involves $10.6 million to be distributed to 13 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies and theAboriginal Sport Circle to develop community programming. In B.C., I-SPARC (Indigenous Sport, PhysicalActivity & Recreation Council) is the provincial organization established in 2009 to improve and build capacity for Indigenous sport and recreation.

“We are incredibly grateful to Minister

Duguid and Sport Canada for this funding, which provides critical resources for us to deliver a broad range of community-based sport development and health promotion programs throughout British Columbia,” said Rick Brant, I-SPARC CEO in a written statement. “With these funds, we are able to collaborate with Indigenous communities and sport and physical activity sector partners to design programs that reduce barriers and increase access to culturally relevant initiatives that advance the health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth and families throughout the province.”

Stream two allotted 55 Indigenous sport and recreation projects nationwide a portion of the $7.1 million. The Nuu-chahnulth Youth Warrior Family Society and Rising Tide Surf Society in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory were amongst the named recipients.

Stream Three received $6.25 million to be distributed to Indigenous governments, communities and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations that provide opportunities forAboriginal women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people to participate in meaningful sports activities.

Canoe Cultures Society, a Vancouverbased organization dedicated to the art and culture of the canoe, is a Stream Three recipient that received $99,974 to put towards a canoe training program for girls, women and 2SLGBTQI+.

Ann Phelps, managing director for Canoe Cultures Society, said they applied for the Stream Three funding because they wanted to introduce more girls to the sport of traditional canoeing.

“The girls will go out with an elder on the journey canoes, not the racing

canoes because they are a little tippy, and they’ll go out once or twice a week,” said Phelps.

“Eventually, if some of them really like the canoeing, we’ll introducing them to the racing canoes because that’s what we specialize in. The idea is just to empower those girls. They’ll learn more about their culture and it will also teach them life skills,” she continued.

“I think that we all know that sport really builds confidence, and it leads to other things. People eat better,” said Phelps, who is the only non-Aboriginal person in the Indigenous-led Canoe Cultures Society. “I know a lot of canoe racers now of course and they’re really serious about it. They practice every day, five days a week and then every weekend

they go to races.”

Drawn from the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the Stream Three social development goals focus on physical and mental health, suicide prevention, sexual trafficking awareness and prevention, safe and healthy relationships, and sexual positivity (2SLGBTQI+), according to the Ministry of Sport.

“It’s heartbreaking when you read about the high incidence of suicide in kids,” said Phelps. “They think they don’t have hope, so if you can give kids something to be proud of, something to look forward to, it really makes a difference and that’s why sport and recreation is so helpful.”

Canoe Carving Society photo

Barry Fred from the Tseshaht Nation near PortAlberni sculpts the edge of a canoe paddle.

Mariah Charleson photo

The Hesquiaht Descendants won one of their three matches at this year’sAll Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert.

Greetings to everyone. Hoping you are all doing well in your communities. Hoping you enjoyed family day in a way that you felt good about. I send my deepest condolences to those who had losses in the past while. It is always hard to lose a loved one that has had such an impact in our lives.

I am glad that we have returned to warmer temperatures and rain. The cold periods in January seemed to have grown longer and I would attribute it to climate change. I have always been told to be happy about snow in the mountains as it means a good year for sockeye ahead.

Recently the Council of Hawiih met to discuss various fisheries issues from fish farms to herring to otter studies.

The Makah sent representatives to listen in and to share their knowledge with the other Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. As always the key messages were to ensure access to all fisheries for food and also commercial and the right to manage the fisheries as DFO does not do it properly in order to ensure continued access to all the stock of fish.

With regard to fish farms,Ahousaht spoke about the importance of fish farms to their community and the number of innovations they have adopted to increase the environmental stability of the farms. They talked at length to the Hawiih and then to DFO the next day. Hupacasath spoke of their challenges with Robertson Creek hatchery and the need to ensure a share of fish from the increased run sizes from the hatchery before putting more effort into the hatchery.

With respect to West Coast of Vancouver Island herring, the focus was the impact of predation on herring. NTC fisheries has been involved in research on how predation has decreased the herring populations. Their research shows that predator consumption is largely driven by Humpback Whales, which explains increasing Pacific Herring natural mortality rates in recent years and could be used to forecast future mortality.

Copies of the presentation and research are available from NTC Fisheries.

DFO and First Nations have been working for several years on a new salmon allocation policy that NTC has been involved in.ACommittee and Working Group have identified key issues and challenges with the existing policy and are exploring options and recommendations for updates to the policy. This review came out of theAhousaht case at the BC Supreme Court where the court found that the allocation policy was an infringement of the aboriginal right to fish. This is an important initiative for the NTC to be involved in.

Information provided at Council of Ha’wiih meetings on Fisheries can be viewed online.

Time was taken to acknowledge Jim Lane’s 30 years with the NTC. He has dedicated a lot of years to the Nuu-chahnulth peoples right to a fishery and managing of the fishery. He is acting manager of fisheries. Thanks to Jim for his years of service and dedication to NTC.

The Representative of Children and Families held a forum on the effects of toxic drugs on our youth. It was more of small discussions among participants and a sharing of what is happening in our communities and what communities are able to do and what their needs are from money to increases services and facilities. This is an issue that is affecting our youth all across the province.

I attended a clean energy opportunities forum on line that was hosted by the BC

Government and First Nation Energy and mining Council (FNEMC). This was providing information on what is happening in the industry and what has to happen to provide clean energy opportunities to First Nations. I also spoke at a conference about the Clean Energy Transition and emerging multi generational leadership-that is building leadership through generations.

The elder’s conference is held inAugust of every year in Vancouver. They no longer meet in communities. Meeting in Vancouver inAugust is financially hard for our Nations as hotel rooms are at their highest at that time. Organizers of the conference say that this is what the elders want, and where they want to be. The Elder’s Society is asking for Nations to be cultural hosts of the upcoming conference. If there any interest in being a cultural host, please let me know and I can put Nuu-chah-nulth Nations name forward.

The Federal Court has approved a launch date for the first claims period to begin for those affected by discrimination in the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and the narrow application of Jordan’s Principle class action settlement.

This process is separate and distinct from ongoing efforts to secure an agreement on long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services. The negotiations on compensation and longterm reform are two different settlement agreements with different approvals processes.

The first claims period will open on March 10, 2025, and applies to the Removed Child and Removed Child Family classes. Those First Nations individuals removed from their homes as children betweenApril 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022 while living on reserve and placed into care funded by Indigenous Services Canada, their caregiving parents or caregiving grandparents may be eligible for compensation.

It was great to see the Haida and government of Canada signing an agreement where Haida title was recognized. Prime Minister Trudeau was there for the event signifying the importance of the agreement. The BC government has signed the same kind of agreement and passed legislation to that effect. BC and Canada need to recognize other First Nations title in the same. The BC treaty process does not recognize title. Sending out kudos to the Haida for such a great accomplishment.

Respectfully,

Judith Sayers, Cloy-e-iis

Parenting 101

Jan. 20 toApr. 11

Various Locations

Tla-o-qui-aht - Jan 20 to 24. UclueletFeb 3 to 7. PortAlberni - Feb 24 to 28. Tseshaht - Mar 10 to 14. UchucklesahtMar 24 to 28. PortAlberni -Apr 7 to 11. For more information call 250.724.3232 or 1.877.722.3232

Hoobiyee

February

28 and March 1

PNE Forum, 2901 East Hastings St., Vancouver

The Hoobiyee Ts’amiks Edition is a cultural celebration marking the Nisga’a new year. Volunteers are needed, and

President’s Message &Community Beyond

online application open Jan. 10, 2025.

Official invitations were sent out to dance groups inAugust 2024. Community meetings for the feast will be announced in January.

All up-to-date information and forms can be found at https://tsamiks.com/hoobiyee

Eating in Balance

Wednesdays

PortAlberni Friendship Center

Participants will receive a $10.00 grocery coupon that can be used at Quality Foods and Buy Low Foods. Open to all families with children 0-6.

To register please contactAmber at 250723-8281 ext. 233

Awish and an email campaign are what prompted a float plane filled with over 400 teddy bears to be delivered to the children at Kakawis Treatment Centre. February 10, 2000, Chek 6 news delivered hundreds of bears to Kakawis, a residential treatment centre located on Meares Island. Day care worker Jackie Auberton wished out loud that all the children at Kakawis could have a teddy bear, after being given one the previous

Christmas. Jackie’s sister, Lee Mackenzie, an employee at Chek 6 heard the wish and began an email campaign amongst her fellow staff, while Lee’s brother-in-law began a second campaign at the Parliament Buildings. Shortly after Bears began flooding in from generous friends, family and staff of Chek 6, BC Legislature and BC Ferries. Kakawis chairperson, Lisa Thompson estimated that 75-100 children go through Kakawis each year.

Original story by Denise Titian

Hundreds of Teddy BearsArrive at Kakawis

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

Player furthers career with Penticton hockey academy

‘High-level’

defender Ryson Barker moved from Port Alberni to Okanagan to enhance his hockey development

By Sam Laskaris Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Penticon, BC – Ryson Barker believes his hockey career has been greatly enhanced this season.

It’s taken massive commitments, however, not only from the 13-year-old from Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation but also from various members of his family.

That’s because Barker has not been living at home this season. Instead, he’s been in Penticton where he suits up for the Okanagan HockeyAcademy’s Under 15AAAteam.

The Okanagan squad competes in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, a circuit which features clubs representing academies from across the country.

“It’s a big step up from the Island hockey,” said Barker, who spent last season with a Nanaimo-based Under-13 club.

Though he’s in his first year of being a teen, Barker packs 160 pounds onto his 5-foot-11 frame. He’s the tallest defenceman on the Okanagan squad.

“It’s been going good,” Barker said of his 2024-25 campaign. “I’ve improved a lot skill-wise.And my hockey IQ has gone up so much from the coaching and just the style of play.”

Barker has collected 13 points (six goals and seven assists) in his first 28 games with the Okanagan team.

Barker had also considered attending a handful of other hockey academies in British Columbia this season.After taking part in tryouts at three academies, he opted to accept an Okanagan offer.

“They just had a really nice facility,” he said. “And everyone there was very nice.”

Barker’s family has rented a basement suite in a Penticton home to allow him to play for the Okanagan squad this season. Barker’s parents Tess and Ryan as well as his aunt and grandmother take turns staying with him in Penticton.

“We are very supportive of Ryson following his dreams,” said Tess Barker, adding both her husband and herself take turns remaining in PortAlberni to help run a family business, R. Barker Contracting.

Family members have quite a lengthy journey to get from their PortAlberni home to Penticton.

“It honestly depends on the ferry,” Tess Barker said. “On a good day it’s about eight hours of travel.”

For starters, it’s about a 75-minute drive from PortAlberni to the ferry in Nanaimo. The ferry heads to either Vancouver or Tsawwassen.And then from there, it’s about another four and a half hours of driving to Penticton.

Tess Barker said her son is indeed giving his career a boost by being at the academy.

“It’s a specially designed day for the hockey students where Ryson is able to excel,” she said. “They kind of remove different electives and kind of keep it down to your core classes.And so much of your other time is hockey, dryland and sports nutrition.”

Ryson, who is in Grade 8, attends a Penticton public school along with his teammates. Once the hockey season is over in mid-March he will return home and take classes atAlberni District Secondary School.

Tess Barker said the family will continue to support Ryson’s career.

“Our big goal is just to have him graduate with success,” she said. “Wherever he goes in hockey is up to him. We’re going

13-year-old Tla-o-qui-aht member

to try and facilitate and support him as long as we can.”

Jeff Ureker, the head coach of the Okanagan Under-15AAAteam, has plenty of praise for Barker.

“Ryson is an excellent teammate and very dedicated and hard-working young man,” he said. Ureker also said that Barker has been contributing in various aspects to the Okanagan squad.

“He plays in all situations whether it be power play or penalty kill for our team and is a very big part of our team’s success,” he said. “He has a quality shot and offensive ability. He has an excellent skillset and skating ability to go along with his size and strength as a very highlevel defender with a bright future.”

Barker said those at the academy are forbidden from talking about their plans for the following year until the playoffs for the current season are over.

But Barker said he is keen to take his career as far as possible. Along-term goal is playing professionally in the National Hockey League (NHL).

“I want to go as far as I can,” he said. “The main goal is the NHL. But I’ve got to accomplish a lot more things before I can go there.”

Barker’s favourite pro team is the Vancouver Canucks.As for his favourite pro players, Barker mentions Canucks’ captain Quinn Hughes and Roman Josi, captain of the Nashville Predators. Barker in all likelihood would welcome the chance to keep playing in the CSSHL next season. The 2025-26 campaign will be a big one for him as it is his Western Hockey League (WHL) draft year. He’s eligible to be chosen in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.

He’d love to eventually suit up for a squad in the WHL, one of the three Major Junior circuits that comprise the Canadian Hockey League.

Ureker is also a scout for the Wenatchee Wild, a WHL club that is based in the state of Washington.

But Ureker does not want to be speculating too much on exactly where Barker’s future might take him.

“While it is still too early to predict

where he will end up as a player in his hockey career, he has all the tools needed to play at a high level and is very dedicated in his training to better himself every

day,” Urekar said. “I can’t say enough good things about him as a player and the character he brings to the team.”

Hours of operation - 7:00 am - 10:00 pm Phone: 724-3944 E-mail: manager@tseshahtmarket.ca

Tess Barker photos

The

is playing at the Okanagan HockeyAcademy in Penticton this season.

shawl. This hummingbird dress that George is holding (below Right) will soon

Dancers get ready to ring in the Nisga’a new year

Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht prepare for two-day Hoobiyee event, which starts Feb. 28 at the PNE Forum

By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ty-Histanis, BC – Excitement is building for Hoobiyee 2025, a two-day celebration of Indigenous dance and culture set to illuminate Vancouver’s PNE Forum on Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1.

Pronounced HOO-bee-yay, the event is guided by the emergence of the first crescent moon in late winter and marks the beginning of the Nisga’a new year.

The Nisga’a people have lived in the Nass River Valley of British Columbia’s northwest coast since before recorded time. In Vancouver, the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society represents over 2,000 Nisga’a citizens who reside within the Greater Vancouver, Victoria and Vancouver Island regions.

Each year, the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society hosts Hoobiyee, extending invitations to dance groups from other Nations to join the festivities.

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation (TFN) on the west coast of Vancouver Island is sending about 80 dancers this year, according to

elder Grace George and Corinne Martin, Tla-o-qui-aht’s homeschool co-ordinator for education. George’s Nuu-chah-nulth name is naaskiisiya, meaning ‘full of light’, while Martin’s name is tuutussimka, which translates to ‘female thunderbird’.

George and Martin are also known as their nations “crafty people of Hoobiyee”, and have been busy hemming shawls, ironing the TFN logo onto little flags and decorating dresses.

George explained that except for lead dancers or hinkiits who wear fancy shawls and headdresses, most TFN shawls are black with a red or white fringe.

“This stems back to the potlatch ban because if they got raided all they got was plain shawls,” said George, who will be performing ‘The David Family Song’, her family’s dance which she says is hundreds of years old.

The Government of Canada banned potlatches from 1885 to 1951 as “part of an effort to destroy Indigenous culture and religion,” writes the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The ban was

part of the IndianAct, which was meant to regulate the lives of Indigenous people and used as a tool of assimilation.

Martin says she’s excited for Hoobiyee. She says it’s a chance to witness other culture groups from all over the province perform, to make friends and to make good connections.

“Hoobiyee is a great experience for our youth/culture group to participate in and to show who we are as Tla-o-qui-aht. Our culture songs and dances is what keeps us strong and connected to each other,” said Martin.

TFN is scheduled to perform on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.

Maaqtusiis Elementary and Secondary School inAhousaht on Flores Island has over 40 students to dance at Hoobiyee this year.

“We have been practicing twice a week in the evenings at the Thunderbird Hall since the beginning of January. They had

their final practice last Wednesday (Feb. 12) with their regalia,” said Maaqtusiis cultural team leader and teacher Terri Robinson. “We have been attending this event since 2018, I believe, with our group growing bigger each year. We are grateful to all the women and men who help the children learn our songs and dances. They have worked hard and will bring good energy to this cultural event.”

TheAhousaht Cultural Group is scheduled to perform at 3 p.m. on March 1 and the Maaqtusiis Cultural Group is at 1 p.m. that day.

Once again, Hoobiyee’s theme is ‘Reclaiming Our Spirit’. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the two-day event is free. Over 60 Indigenous vendors and artisans will be on-site selling traditional foods and crafts.

To see the full Hoobiyee 2025 program and venue directory, visit: https://tsamiks. com/hoobiyee.

Eric Plummer, Nora O’Malley photos

As was the case in 2024 (above) Hoobiyee is again bringing multiple performances from Nuu-chah-nulth groups. During preparations Grace George (below left) holds up a basic Tla-o-qui-aht

be decorated with a white fringe.