Ha Shilth Sa Newspaper January 12, 2023

Low-income people affected as Tofino Bus suspended

With few options to get to remote communities, those without transport look to unlicensed ride-share offers

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Tofino, BC – There will be no bus service between PortAlberni and the west coast communities of Tofino and Ucluelet from January to May 2023.

Astatement on the Vancouver Island Connector website reads:

“To our Valued Customers, after much consideration, we regret to inform you that the Tofino Bus and Vancouver Island Connector, will be pausing services on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, and will not resume services again until May 2023 as we look to move towards a more seasonal service.”

The company cites a 95 per cent decline in ridership on the route since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, making the full-time operation of the service unsustainable.

Tofino Bus states that while ridership is picking up again it has yet to return to pre-pandemic sustainable levels.

“We recognize and understand the COVID is the underlying cause and we hope that the government can look at a way to subsidize this service,” said Chief Councillor Elmer Frank of the Tla-o-quiaht First Nation.

He noted that locals were given short notice of the service disruption and it will have an impact on the people of Tla-oqui-aht and other outlying communities on Vancouver Island’s west coast.

“Alot of people rely on the service for

medical and to get to town, and this is the most economical way to do it,” said Frank.

“Over the past few months, we have tried our best to continue service by making drastic cuts to service levels,” stated Tofino Bus. “However, having received all available government subsidies and grants, continued rising costs and labor shortages, we have no other choice but to continue to make difficult operational changes.”

Chief Frank sympathizes with the Wilson’s Group, which owns the Tofino Bus and also has run the Vancouver Island Connector bus service since 2015.

“Everything has gone up…fuel, groceries, and we know the bus service and other tourism industries relied on government subsidies too for the past two years, but the COVID money ran out,” he said, adding everyone is forced to look for creative ways to make ends meets.

Bus service disruption is nothing new for residents of Hot Springs Cove, but it creates an expensive and difficult problem as administrative staff struggle to coordinate alternative travel arrangements for their population of about 60 people who live in the remote coastal village.

Nora Lucas is the community health representative for the Hesquiaht First Nation and makes travel arrangements for residents needing to get to town for medical or dental appointments.

“This is most definitely a problem as most of our people travel by bus,” she

noted.

Located an hour (by boat) northwest of Tofino, most of the population in Hot Springs Cove are elders people, with a few single parents who have young children. Boat fare from the village to Tofino is already expensive and charters are out of reach for most residents.

The news of the bus service suspension has already forced three patient travel cancellations this week alone. Lucas said that the last time the bus service was reduced to a few days a week patients sometimes had to stay in town for an extra two or three days until the next scheduled bus back to Tofino. The additional hotel and meal expenses were covered by the nations’patient travel program.

“We would try to coordinate patient

travel with those of us that have our own vehicles, but the fuel allowance under patient travel isn’t enough to cover the actual cost of the trip,” Lucas pointed out.

There are private vehicle owners who offer to drive west coast residents from Vancouver Island cities to Tofino for a small fee or at charter rates, which vary, but they are always far more expensive than bus fare. These ride shares are an informal network of licensed vehicle owners who may take a passenger or two for ‘gas chip-ins’, or it could be someone willing to charter their vehicle to bring passengers and their parcels to the west coast at a charter rate.

Chief Frank says many of his people use this ride share option, but critics warn that these operators don’t have business licences nor are they insured for transporting passengers for money. But this is one of the most economical options for people without their own means of transportation, Frank admits.

“The struggles are real for those without transportation and we have to work with what we have,” he said.

Frank went on to say that his council and administrative staff plan to look at transportation alternatives for their people that make financial sense.

Tofino Bus has not set an exact start date for service to resume.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your continued support,” the company wrote on its website.

Boulders fall on Highway 4 by Taylor Flats

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Highway 4, BC –Aroutine Sunday drive home from PortAlberni to Macoah could have turned tragic, were it not for two men who remained at the site of a rock fall that left an enormous boulder blocking a lane of Highway 4 near the Taylor RestArea.

Robyn Rea was traveling westbound on Highway 4 along Taylor Flats at the west end of Sproat Lake when she noticed an oncoming vehicle flash its lights at her.

“First I checked to make sure my high beams were off then I prepared for whatever could be up the road,” said Rea.

It was around 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8 when Rea was nearing the Taylor Rest Stop.

“It was getting dark, foggy and raining hard so I adjusted my driving accordingly,” Rea told Ha-Shilth-Sa.

After rounding a couple more corners,

Rea spotted a pick-up truck ahead, parked on the center line.

“Then I saw the boulder and rocky debris all over the road,” she recalled.

The boulder was in the westbound lane and would have been difficult to see in the waning light.

“After I took some pictures and drove around the boulder I stopped at the pickup truck and talked to the two fellows,” said Rea.

The men assured her that they would remain at the site until road crews came to clear the roadway.

The men told Rea that there were three large boulders on the road. One was behind the pickup truck and another landed off of the road.

“If it were not for the guys in the pickup, I may have hit it…they probably saved a lot of people,” said Rea.

Crews arrived later that evening and quickly cleared the boulders and debris.

Elmer Frank

Submitted photo

Aboulder blocked one lane of Highway 4 on Jan. 8, west of Sproat Lake .

BC Housing cancels Alberni’s shelter society contracts

Continuing services ‘of utmost importance’, as provincial agency seeks another operator for supportive housing

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

PortAlberni, BC – BC Housing has served notice to the PortAlberni Shelter Society (PASS) that it will end agreements for supportive housing, effective March 30, 2023. The decision was announced at a Jan. 5 meeting in Port Alberni. No reason was given.

PASS operates several supportive facilities in the small city, including the shelter at 3939 EighthAvenue, the Overdose Prevention Site located at 3699 ThirdAvenue and the Shelter Farm south of town.

PASS also has a support service agreement with BC Housing for the Capacity Expansion Shelter at 3978 EighthAvenue (formerly the First Nations Hostel opened in 1972).

PASS provides services under contract through BC Housing for shelter facilities. They are under service contracts with other agencies for the operation of the sobering centre, the overdose prevention site and Shelter Farm.

“BC Housing has given PortAlberni Shelter Society (PASS) notice that BC Housing has ended their agreements for the supportive housing and shelter located at 3939 8thAvenue effective March 31, 2023,” wrote the provincial agency in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “Over the next few months, we will be working with PASS and partners on this transition with continuation of supportive housing and shelter service for residents and clients being of utmost importance.”

While BC Housing didn’t give reason for the termination, they say that they will soon issue a request for proposals

to select an operator. BC Housing said it will prioritize organizations that can ensure safety for women and vulnerable individuals, while also respecting the culture and experiences of local Indigenous Peoples.

Our Home on 8th opened in March 2019.

Staffed 24/7, it offers 30 supportive housing units and a 23-bed emergency shelter.

Users of the facilities have access to food, clothing, health services and support in a pet friendly building.

Funded under the Rapid Response to Homelessness program, Our Home on Eighth serves individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

PASS’s management of PortAlberni’s shelters came under scrutiny in October 2020 when protestors set up an encampment on the lawn adjacent to the shelter facility.Allegations of shelter staff issuing long-term or permanent bans on several individuals from the shelter was one of the complaints.

The protest ended when BC Housing committed to conducting a third-party review into the allegations and concerns towards PASS.

“In response to escalating concerns about services provided by PASS for people experiencing homelessness, BC Housing initiated a review of the organization,” states the provincial agency’s report, which was released in February 2021. “BC Housing hired an external consultant to collect information and conduct the arm’s-length review.”

The report notes that a list of individuals banned from the facility contained 100 names in 2017.

“Another, more recent version has 50

names,” states the report. “How these lists came to be publicly circulated is unknown, but it has resulted in the further stigmatization of those barred individuals.”

The BC Housing Research Centre conducted a survey among staff and residents of the shelter. During that study, shelter staff identified challenges they face when it comes to disruptive tenants.

“Afew residents require assistance from staff to ensure they aren’t accumulating too many items in their units,” states the report.

In addition, staff saw that some residents were taking advantage of “other, more vulnerable” tenants, and were asked to leave.

Several recommendations to improve services and safety at the shelter came

from the BC Housing Consultant Review Report.An update on the status of each recommendation was issued February 2022, indicating that PASS has been working on improvements.

“Over the past 12 months, significant changes have been made to the society’s operations,” reads the PortAlberni Shelter Society Review update. “This includes new operational policies, improved access to training for staff, increased Indigenous representation among staff, and expanded relationships within the community,”

The shelter houses people from young adults to seniors, with 63 per cent of the residents being aged 25-54. One third of the residents are female and 53 per cent identify as Indigenous.

Photo by Karly Blats

As a sign of protest, in the fall of 2020 an encampment appeared before the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s Our Home on 8th.Aprovincial review and progress report followed, but now BC Housing has ended its contracts with the society.

‘Staggering’ number of first-time holiday clients

Some urban service providers saw peak in new clients, while others rallied together to give Christmas support

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver Island, BC - This past holiday season saw what seemed like endless snow filling communities throughout Vancouver Island.As the snow fell, the social services sectors worked hard through the month tending to weather and holiday needs of vulnerable people.

Among some services that were needed was the SalvationArmy’s emergency weather response program, which provides extra mats in shelters to meet the demands of unhoused folks.

Jeffrey Baergen, executive director for SalvationArmyAddiction and Rehabilitation Centre in Victoria, said that during the snowstorm the shelter on 525 Johnson street was full each night. The shelter includes 161 beds, and 30 additional mats for emergency weather response.

“We were actually over capacity each night,” said Baergen. “When it gets colder outside people are, of course, looking for more services.”

Baergen explained that one of the biggest issues facing the social services sector is staffing. Often managers have been stepping onto the front lines to accommodate the high demand.

“We can’t put up a sign that says, ‘Hey, due to staffing we’re closed’,” said Baergen. “We have to make it happen.”

“We had everybody we could possibly find working our emergency weather program so that we could get people in, out of the snow,” he added.

Pastor Michael Ramsey of the SalvationArmy in theAlberni Valley said that they operated with 20 mats throughout the snow storm. They were never at full capacity, though some nights they almost reached that point.

“We’re hoping, very shortly here, to be able to move the mat program and put in 25 beds,” said Ramsey. “Then to turn the space into, not [a] weather dependent [shelter], and just another additional shelter in town so that we are able to fully assist those who are in most need.”

Ramsey said that he is thankful for the volunteers and community organizations that come together to provide for the vulnerable population.

“Volunteerism is the only way that we’re able to provide the myriad [of] services that we do,” said Ramsey. “I’m just so thankful that, even though the need has been more significant and higher than I’ve ever seen it in this community, that so many people in this community [have] a big heart and are willing to step up and try, and help us, help others.”

Ramsey noted that this past December there was a “staggering” amount of first-time users seeking services provided by the SalvationArmy in PortAlberni. Ramsey particularly noted food hampers. Seniors on a fixed income who would have donated in previous years were now turning to the salvation army for support, seeking help such as food hampers, he said.

“I think the cost of living in many places has really gone up, like buying food,” said Ramsey. “Again, a senior income or any other kind of just solid fixed income, they’re not going to be able to keep up with that kind of an increase in cost.”

Christmas is already a busy time the Alberni Valley SalvationArmy, noted Ramsey. There is also an additional chal-

lenge to support first-time service users, he continued.

The PortAlberni Friendship Center, which is busy serving the community year-round, struggled providing services through the snow fall.

Cindy Stevens, executive director of the PortAlberni Friendship Center, said that outreach workers weren’t able to work in snowy conditions because of the dangers associated with driving in the snow.

“It impacted our ability to get services to people that aren’t, you know, able to get to our center and probably did impact people trying to get to our center,” said Stevens.

While many of the services provided by the Friendship Center tend to slow down during closures like the Christmas holidays, the unhoused population’s need for services remains consistent, said Stevens.

Though the Friendship Center remained open throughout December, it closed on statutory holidays such as Christmas day and Boxing Day. However, this didn’t stop the centre from “unofficially” providing for vulnerable communities, as they have over the past years.

Stevens and her family prepared and delivered Christmas dinners, on both Christmas day and Boxing Day, to those

in the area who were most in need, she explained.

Herb Dick ofAhousaht, who is an Island Health Indigenous outreach worker in Victoria, noted that throughout December people who were seeking services also experienced holiday blues and were missing home.

“Another part [of] what [Indigenous outreach workers] do is we have cultural events,” said Dick. “We try to support, and other matters are just bringing [the] community together.”

In December the Indigenous outreach workers, also known as ey stelnexw, hosted a turkey meal. Dick said there was a Santa, drumming, singing, and brushing.

“It made a huge impact on the community, because it’s not just the street community,” said Dick. “It’s…the First Nations community and the street community coming together.”

“I think that’s a major thing about people who are lost, they sometimes feel like they’re by themselves,” he added. “We try [to] bring the services from home to the street community, and that is through coming together, sitting together, eating together…with our local elders, and then with our Nuu-chah-nulth elders, too.”

Photo by Eric Plummer

Located at 4th andArgyle Street in PortAlberni’s Uptown district, the SalvationArmy served an unprecedented number of first-time clients over the recent holiday season, including many seniors.

“Another part of what Indigenous outreach workers do is we have cultural events”

~ Herb Dick, Indigenous outreach worker

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Health study gains $16 million grant

Longitudinal project looks ahead with plan to involve hundreds of kids & mothers

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

PortAlberni, BC -Alongitudinal project delving into the factors that determine a person’s lifelong health has received a large grant to study the early years of Nuu-chah-nulth participants.

In December the Indigenous Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative was awarded $16 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. With the goal of determining how to model well-being, the project involves volunteers from 14 Nuu-chah-nulth nations, plus Cree and Dene nations from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo inAlberta, as well as the Cree Nations of Maskwacîs in the Prairie province. This participation totals 23 First Nations in all, exploring the concept that “health and well-being are the result of long-term access to physical, spiritual, emotional, nutritional and social resources,” according to a project update released last fall.

Topics of interest include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and mental health, which are identified by the communities involved.

“The research will not only examine the efficacy of existing programs in reducing risk, but also determine the impact of biological and social mechanisms as they affect children and their families,” stated an announcement from the Nuu-chahnulth Tribal Council on the grant award.

Besides the NTC, the long-term study involves researchers from the University ofAlberta and Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

The project aims to look beyond the negative indicators that have dominated previous studies on the health of Indigenous Peoples.Among these are a 2018 report from the First Nations Health Authority and B.C.’s provincial health officer, showing a life expectancy of 75 among B.C.’sAboriginal populationeight years lower than other residents - with triple the suicide rate among youth and double the rate of infant mortality.

The project’s principal investigator is Lynnette Lucas, NTC’s director of health.

“Elders and knowledge holders are guiding every step,” said Lucas, who is also an adjunct professor in SFU’s Faculty of Health Sciences. “Most stories

about Indigenous people tend to focus on stereotypes and deficits. Our intent is to explore the root causes of health disparities giving emphasis to Indigenous ways of knowing.”

The long-term study has so far completed two preliminary two-year phases, with past funding from the CIHR. The next stage will involve the participation of women of child-bearing age, so that the first six years of a person’s life are studied, starting at conception.

The NTC expects to gather the participation of hundreds of mothers and children by the end of the six-year phase. Over the next six months a working group with determine which indicators the data collection will focus on.

“We’ve got members form each of our nursing, mental health and our child an youth services team, and then they’ll be working with some elders,” said Lucas, noting that the project currently has a large list of data points, but researchers will need to be sensitive of the needs of participants.”

“One of the options would be to take urine samples from, say, a pregnant mother across a week to test for stress hormones,” she added, citing an example of what data could be collected.

One objective of the project is to find new approaches to restore traditional family systems.

As a health researcher, Jeff Reading has been working on getting a project like

this going for the last two decades. He is a professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at SFU.

“It’s trying to break that cycle and reclaim ancient ways of knowing,” said Reading in an interview with Ha-shilthSa in September.

“We’re interested in finding out interventions that prevent diabetes and promote health. It starts out in pregnancy,” he added. “Interventions are intended to improve health, and then we can measure to find out how they improve health.”

“The hope is that we’ll be able to do is have interventions in place that assist us in creating a healthy lifestyle for a child, so that they’re not going to be developing long-term chronic illnesses,” said Lucas.

“Is there a way for us to have supports in place for families, encouraging them to eat healthy? Making sure she’s surrounded with support, and then providing healthy eating opportunities. Exercise, diet, looking at different pieces like that.”

“When you look at some current parenting strategies, they’re almost a reflection of some things that our communities have always said are important,” added Lucas.

“They understood a long time ago that a baby could hear what was being said outside, they could feel that their mother was healing, and that was very important for a child’s wellness and development.

Current attachment theories are reflective of a lot of things that our communities have said were important.”

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Photo by Eric Plummer

Residential school survivors were recognized at theAlberniAthletic Hall on Sept. 16, 2022 for their contributions to the early stages of a longitudinal study on the determinants of health. The project has recently been awarded a $16-million grant that extends for six years.

Bill for reconciliation council debated in O awa

Legislation

would form a council to hold the feds accountable for improving the lives of Indigenous peoples

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Ottawa, ON - Over the coming months the Senate is tasked with finalising legislation that pledges to hold the federal government accountable in improving Canada’s relationship with its Indigenous peoples.

But the day after Bill C-29 was unanimously passed by the House of Commons, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami withdrew support for the legislation, while another national organization advocating for off-reserve Indigenous people stands against the act.

The National Council for Reconciliation Act was passed by the House of Commons on Dec. 1, and is now in the hands of Canada’s Senate at second reading. First introduced to Parliament by Marc Miller, minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on June 22, Bill C-29 is designed to form a group that would hold Ottawa accountable in its efforts to improve the state of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.

The bill specifically follows Calls toAction 53-56, which were released by the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada in 2015.

In its current state, Bill C-29 specifies a council of nine to 13 members that would function “as an independent, nonpolitical, permanent and Indigenous led organization” to advance reconciliation efforts in Canada. The council - or board of directors - would monitor progress “in all sectors of Canadian society”, “advancing a rights-based approach to self-determination” through research, according to the Dec. 1 draft of the bill.

The group would be tasked with delivering reports to the minister of CrownIndigenous Relations. Its work covers a range of issues that include the number of Aboriginal children in foster care, educational funding, improving health indicators for Indigenous people and addressing overrepresentation in the justice system, while decreasing the criminal victimization ofAboriginal people.

Serving a maximum of two, four-year terms, at least two thirds of the council members must be Indigenous. Directors are to be appointed to the council from four organizations: TheAssembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, the Native Women’sAssociation of Canada and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, which advocates for the rights of Inuit people

across Nunavut and the rest of Canada.

The rest of the council would be determined by applications to the representatives from these four organizations.

“The other directors are to be elected following an application process established by the board of directors,” states the bill.

But before the council has even been formed, dynamics around its composition have raised serious issues for the future of C-29. On Dec. 2, the day after the House of Commons passed the bill, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed stood in front of the chamber announcing that the organization had withdrawn support of the legislation. Obed noted concerns that the council could undermine the Inuit’s direct relationship with the federal government, while the bill does little to make Ottawa accountable to reconciliation.

Behind Obed stood Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller, who said amendments to the bill could still be made as it is debated in the Senate.

On Vancouver Island, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Judith Sayers also questions the effectiveness of the reconciliation council.

“All they’re doing really is they’re finding reports and press release statements, but it’s nothing that I think is tangible enough to make sure that the federal

government is following through on reconciliation,” she said. “That’s one of the shortcomings of the legislation.”

The omission of the Congress ofAboriginal Peoples has also raised discussion as the bill was debated in Ottawa. Marking 50 years of operation, this organization advocates for Canada’s Indigenous People who live off-reserve.

“With the vast majority of Indigenous Peoples living in urban and rural areas this extraordinary move by the Liberals is a slap in the face to thousands of survivors who live off-reserve,” said CAP National Chief Elmer St. Pierre in a press release, referencing former residential school students.

“How will they choose these people? It’s really difficult,” commented Sayers about the reconciliation council. “That will be one of the challenges, who gets to be on the council.”

Senator MichèleAudette, whose mother attended residential school, expressed confidence in how the council will be selected when the bill was debated in Ottawa on Dec. 6. Representation gives preference to Indigenous elders and survivors of residential schools or their descendants.

“I want to believe that the people who are appointed to sit on this new board of directors will have the expertise and knowledge to serve everyone across

Canada,” she said. “I feel confident of that at this point in time.”

If the bill passes, the intent of the legislation is to make the reconciliation council a non-profit organization that can function independently of federal funding.As Bill C-29 has passed through Parliament, the financial sustainability of the board of directors operating year after year was questioned multiple times.

During a debate on Dec. 6 Senator Ratna Omidvar asked why the council wouldn’t be financially supported by the federal government.

“Many people in Canada now, especially people from the Indigenous community, have concluded that charitable giving in Canada is a colonial construct,” she said. “By going down this path of seeking charitable funding, the council could, in effect, be buying into a colonial path.”

“By discussing not with the government, but with the people who were involved, right now it’s at the stage where they want to make sure that they are not officially attached to the federal government in order to keep their independence, knowing that the funding will either be there or it may slowly go down, or it may increase,” respondedAudette. “They were aware of that when they had those discussions.”

RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

Photo from YouTube video still

The National Council for ReconciliationAct was first introduced to Parliament by Marc Miller, minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations on June 22. Pictured is Miller speaking in the House of Commons.

B.C. commits to protect 30 per cent of lands by 2030

Wilderness organizations applaud the pledge from last month, but await the details on how it will be financed

By Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Canadian wilderness organizations are commending the B.C. government for committing to protecting 30 per cent of lands in the province by 2030, including through the creation of new Indigenous Protected and ConservedAreas (IPCAs).

The government’s commitment would double what is currently protected in legislated areas in B.C.

British Columbia is the second province in the country to make this commitment.

Nathan Cullen, minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, has been directed in his new mandate letter from Premier David Eby to “develop a new conservation financing mechanism to support protection of biodiverse areas.” No announcements around funding commitments have yet been made.

“The commitment to double legislated protected areas in B.C. has the potential to be a major step towards protecting endangered old-growth forests, ecosystems, and species across British Columbia,” saidAncient ForestAlliance campaigner and photographer, TJ Watt, in a press release. “The new premier should be commended for this. To ensure these promises can be made a reality, it’s imperative that major conservation funding is secured through the much-anticipated BC-Canada NatureAgreement. We have the framework, now we just need the funding to implement it.”

According to the release, this is also the first time the provincial government has publicly acknowledged the need for conservation financing linked to protecting the most biologically diverse areas and the creation of new IPCAs.

In British Columbia, under successive court rulings, First Nations ultimately decide which areas within their unceded territories get protected or not, states the release. The provincial government can provide enabling conditions for First Nations to protect old-growth forests by funding land use planning capacity, stewardship jobs, and sustainable economic development linked to new protected areas.

The province’s plan to choose the most biodiverse areas for protection - should First Nations agree – is seen as a vital step towards securing productive oldgrowth forests, where the greatest species richness tends to be.

“For years we have been pushing for the province to commit to conservation financing that links protecting endangered old-growth forests through Indigenous ProtectedAreas with First Nations’ sustainable economic development,” Watt said in the release. “Creating conservation economies that allow new, sustainable jobs and businesses to flourish while preserving imperiled ecosystems is a winwin for humans and nature.”

According to the release, the federal government has so far committed $3.3 billion over five years to expand terrestrial ($2.3 billion) and marine ($1 billion) protected areas, along with several billion dollars more for “natural climate solutions” that often overlap with nature protection initiatives.

B.C.’s share of those federal funds is estimated to be between $200 to $400 million, which also includes a dedicated $55.1 million Old Growth Nature Fund for the protection of the most at-risk oldgrowth stands - but only if the province matches this funding.

Ecojustice legislative affairs specialist

be codeveloped and led by Indigenous Peoples who have stewarded the land and waters in B.C. since time immemorial.

“As with B.C.’s commitment to implementing all recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review, 30 by 30 must be co-developed and led by Indigenous peoples, and the province must provide funding for Indigenous communities to pursue meaningful protection,” Korpan said in a statement. “Abiodiversity and ecosystem health law, co-developed with First Nations, should focus on restoring healthy relationships between humans and the natural world, and should be grounded in recognition and respect for the inherent jurisdiction of Indigenous peoples to care for their territories. Such a law could provide clear direction for ensuring B.C. is able to achieve 30 per cent protection of lands by 2030.”

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) is another organization applauding the government’s conservation commitment.

“With this direction, B.C. is investing in our future, and protecting the natural world that provides our food, clean water, clean air and stable climate,” said Tori Ball, Terrestrial Conservation manager with CPAWS-BC in a separate news release. “Protected areas help to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, while contributing to diversified local economies and advancing BC’s reconciliation goals. This is extremely good news for all British Columbians.”

According to the release, Indigenous nations in the province are already leading the way through conservation visions, declarations and stewardship initiatives in their traditional territories. Ball says she is hopeful the mandate letter will specifically lead to increased action on Indigenous-led conservation proposals such as the Kaska Dena’s Dene K’éh Kusān and the Lower Similkameen’s sməlqmíx ProtectedAreas.

“Research shows that biodiversity thrives on Indigenous-managed lands and waters, and these are just two of the incredible proposals that would safeguard

BIRTH REGISTRATION SERVICESLEGAL DOCUMENTS

Registering The Birth Of Your Newborn

BY LAW – You must register the birth and legal name of your child within 30 days of birth. Naming a child and registering the birth are important responsibilities –Registration is the only way of creating a permanent legal record of a person’s birth.

Birth Registration Services

At the same time a child’s birth is registered, parents have the option to apply for the following newborn services:

- British Columbia BC Services Insurance Plan {BC Services Card} - Canada Child Benefits; and

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BC Residents are required by law to enrol in BC Medical Services Plan. Although your newborn may have been assigned a Personal Health Number by the Hospital, you must enrol your baby for BC Services Card Coverage, using BC Application Enrolment Form {that is online; or connect with your home nation or the NTC Health Benefits Program {1-250-724-5757} or Toll Free- {1-888-407-4888}

When you have BC Insurance Services through your employer, another group plan or Ministry Of Social Development, you must advise your group administrator or worker that you have applied to enrol your baby with BC Health Services using the registration of live birth form.

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For more information please call Robert Cluett, CD NTC Health Benefits Dept, 250-724-5757

Sarah Korpan applauds the announcement, but says what is missing is a clear plan for how the province will actually achieve its targets. Korpan noted in a separate release that the plan must

intact watersheds and create refuges for wildlife like caribou and many other species,” Ball says. “Their work allows threatened species to make a comeback,

bolsters Indigenous rights to land and culture, and helps the province adapt to a rapidly changing climate, so it must be supported.”

Photo by Alexandra Mehl Cheewaht Lake is protected within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, but other parts of Ditidaht territory outside the park boundary do not have the same conservation standard.

Incentives to thin out ‘unviable’ commercial fleet

DFO seeks to lesson the strain on threatened salmon, encouraging First Nations to transition to other species

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

With the aim of thinning out the commercial fishing fleet to lessen its strain on threatened salmon stocks, the DFO has announced another round of licence buy backs, including an upcoming program that encourages First Nations’communal operations to transition to other species of fish.

Staff from Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced the new initiatives at a technical briefing for media on Dec. 14, a $123-million suit of programs that includes voluntary salmon licence retirements, incentives for communal First Nations licences to transition away from salmon and a plan to dispose of commercial fishing boats. The licence retirement programs are part of the federal department’s $647-million Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative, a push announced in June 2021 to rebuild vulnerable salmon populations on the West Coast.

According to Canada’s Species at Risk Act, 24 of the Pacific salmon populations are “endangered”, with 10 listed as “threatened” and another seven falling under the “special concern” category. The DFO has blamed this decline on “climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, land and water use, acute events like toxic spills and landslides, and fishing pressures,” according to a Dec. 14 press release.

There are currently approximately 2,030 licences to catch Pacific salmon on a commercial scale, according to Jeff Grout, DFO’s salmon resource manager. Less than 1,300 of these licences are directly eligible for retirement, with the remainder being communal licences, including those shared by members of a First Nation.

The DFO’s aim is to encourage the transition to a “smaller, more financially viable and sustainable fishery for those who remain.”

“More specifically for the commercial fishery, we think that there is far more harvest capacity in the fishing fleet than there is opportunity to catch fish, and this is in part making the fishery economically unviable,” said Neil Davis, the DFO’s regional director of salmon management. He explained that under the voluntary retirement program licence holders can submit bids for the department to purchase their regulated right to catch.

“The department will view those bids, and make decisions about which bids to accept or not,” he said. “The purpose of this program is really to support that transition to a smaller commercial harvesting sector that is better aligned with the scope of harvest opportunity in the fishery for the foreseeable future.”

This is not the first time a finger has been pointed at the commercial sector as a threat to stock recovery. One month after the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative was announce in 2021, the DFO closed 60 per cent of commercial salmon fisheries on the B.C. coast, with more shut downs the following year.As salmon closures are expected to continue, many in the industry fear that their licences have dropped in market value, thereby lowering the amount that the DFO would offer in the voluntary retirement program.

“We will not be considering licence values from 2021 and 2022, to exclude the potential impacts of those long-term closures on licence valuation,” said Davis in response to the concern.

The voluntary retirement program is

nothing new, as the DFO has been buying back licences for decades, and now the commercial fishing fleet is approximately half of what it was in the mid 1990s.

Ahousaht fishermanAndy Webster sold hisArea G licence to fish off the west coast of Vancouver Island years ago.

“It was pretty hard to make a go of fishing at the time. I was penny pinching when I decided to sell it,” said the lifelong fisherman. “It was to the point where I fished by myself for four or five years with no crew because it wasn’t viable. I wasn’t able to pay a living wage to my sons.”

That was when Nuu-chah-nulth began their case to fish commercially in their territorial waters, anAboriginal right that five First Nations had affirmed by the B.C. Supreme Court in 2009. Webster now fishes for part of the year as part of the T’aaq-wiihak rights-based fishery, which theAhousaht, Hesquiaht, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Tla-o-qui-aht and Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations participate in.

Hesquiaht fisherman VicAmos also harvests with T’aaq-wiihak, but is among the few Nuu-chah-nulth-aht who have kept anArea G licence as well over years.

Amos recently completed his 50th fishing season, with the help of his two sons.

“We started in the middle of May and we were done by the first week of November,” he said. “But I started to work on my boat in January to get it ready for the season.”

Although the Nuu-chah-nulth have a constitutional priority to access salmon, Amos needs hisArea G licence to remain in the industry, as allocations under T’aaq-wiihak aren’t enough.

“If I relied on that, I would not be able to make it from one season to the next,” he said. “There’s not enough allocation to make it profitable. The only way that I survive is that I have other fisheries.”

During the Dec. 14 technical briefing, the DFO staff were asked how the voluntary retirements will not favour larger companies to stay in the industry over family-owned operations that are struggling to make ends meet.

“Whether you voluntarily choose to

participate in this program or stick it out, there’s some benefit in some form available to you,” said Davis. “If you want to depart, this licence retirement program offers you payment in exchange for your retirement. If you choose to stay, presumably there will be fishing opportunity that you may benefit from.”

“Based on our data from the last five years, somewhere between 50 to 70 per cent of each or our fleet has been actively participating in the fishery, the remainder has not,” noted Grout. “We do expect there will be some interest in the program from a number of those folks.”

Although it’s being presented as a voluntary buy back,Amos sees the whole process of restrictions, closures and retirements as a means to “starve out” the smaller commercial operators.

“They’ve been curtailing us since 1980,” he said. “They’ll probably just reallocate to a different sector that’s a priority - like the sports priority, that’s a political priority.”

In recent years,Area G commercial allocations for chinook off the west coast of Vancouver Island have been less than what the recreational sector has been permitted to catch, leading some to suspect that the federal government is favouring the sports fishery and the tourism dollars it generates.

“What really bothers me is when they gave the recreation people priority,” said Webster. “I think the whole idea was to kick the whole commercial fleet right

out.”

If the commercial fleet continues to thin out,Amos fears losing the coastal infrastructure, like local fish processing plants, that the industry relies on to continue each year.

“We have anAboriginal right to fish. Our problem is that we need the nonnative fishers to support the infrastructure on the west coast,” he said. “If you buy up all of the licences and get rid of the non-native fishers, the native fishery is not large enough to sustain the infrastructure.”

Another new initiative was announced on Dec. 14 that specifically pertains to First Nations: The Pacific Salmon Indigenous Communal Commercial Licence Alternation Program. This givesAboriginal groups and communities the chance to exchange a communal salmon licence for funding, which would then be applied towards gaining access to another species. More information and a website are expected to be available in the new year.

“As they will be switching to non-salmon species, they will have other needs in order to make that transition,” said Duncan Stephens, DFO’s director of Indigenous programs. “So there is support contemplated in the program for incremental costs associated with things like gear, modifications or upgrades, vessel modifications, training or other capacity that might be needed to make that transition to non-salmon species.”

Photos by Eric Plummer

Commercial boats fish theAlberni Inlet in the late summer of 2022. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is introducing more opportunities to retire commercial licences in order to lesson the strain on threatened Pacific salmon stocks.

ADSS senior boys claim tourney

The local basketball squad rallies together to win the tournament against defending champion, Carihi, after starting the final quarter tied with the Campbell River team

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

PortAlberni, BC – TheADSS senior boys basketball team have taken home the Totem championship after rallying together to beat the defending champs, Carihi.

At the start of the final quarter on Jan. 7 the two teams were tied, and theAlberni District Secondary School team took to the court determined.As the minutes went on the crowd grew with intensity, alternating between cheering and chanting, as the two teams battled for the win.

Prior to the final game Craig Brooks, coach of theAlberni senior boys basketball team, predicted the game would be a “nail biter right to the end, as long as we’re doing the things we want to do.”

With each basket, the crowd grew louder and louder with victory on the horizon. The ADSS senior boys ended up stealing the win 59-51.

“These guys rallied,” said Brooks. “I mean, they love each other, they work for each other…. They’ve worked hard for this.”

“We’ve talked a lot about how we’ve been overlooked right from the get-go,” added Brooks. “They’re fired up. They want to prove a point this year… every step of the way, we’ve learned lessons in victory and losses and we’re just building. We haven’t hit our peak yet, [and] there’s more to come.”

The first game for theADSS boys was against Ballenas on Thursday, Jan. 5, which they won 107-61. The following day the boys played Stelly’s and won 95-74.

Ty Cyr, a Grade 11 student atADSS who was named most valuable player for the Totem Tournament, said one of the challenges the team faced was nerves.

“You got all your classmates, your family,

your friends, [and] the band playing,” he said. “It’s a big deal so that takes a big part mentally.”

Liam St. Onge, Grade 12 student at ADSS, captain of the senior boys basketball team and one of the tournament All-Stars, agreed with Cyr.

“Definitely adjusting to the atmosphere makes you want to give 110 per cent,” said St. Onge.

St. Onge described the energy in the gymnasium as electric.

“Totem’s been, by far, the funnest crowd, function, [and] tournament… I’ve ever played basketball,” said St. Onge. “It’s crazy how much love is in

the gym every night for the team, [and] for the town.”

Brooks said that the crowds lift their spirits.

“They’re playing for each other, but they’re aware of how muchADSS athletics means to the community,” said Brooks. “Everyone wants nothing but the best for the boys and they just feel it, and it pushes them forward.”

The Senior Boys North Island Playoffs, which will name the qualifiers for Islands, will be hosted atADSS from Feb. 16 - 18.

“This team, they deserve to be ranked provincially,” said Brooks. “We’ve gone from believing we can be to knowing we are.”

Senior girls place

ADSS senior girls, defending Totem and the court in a fierce game against Belmont

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

PortAlberni, BC – TheADSS senior girls basketball team took home third place at their Totem tournament, after giving it their all.

“The girls played hard,” said Steve Sperger, coach of theAlberni District Secondary senior girls basketball team, reflecting on the Jan. 6 game against Belmont. “They worked all game long, gave their best effort.And that’s all I can ask really, as a coach.”

Sperger said that the team is disappointed. They had won the Totem title last year, and aimed to win it again, he continued.

“We couldn’t find our offensive opportunities as well as [Belmont] did,” said Sperger. “Defensively, I thought our girls just worked hard and gave it everything.”

“Today was definitely a challenge... we played [Belmont] last year so we had an idea of what we were up against,” said Hannah Rust, a Grade 12 student atADSS and captain of the senior girls basketball team. “It was a pretty physical game today. So I think we’re gonna have some bruises tomorrow.”

ADSS senior girls first played Kwalikum on Thursday, Jan. 5, winning 48-44. In their second game they fought tooth and nail, ultimately losing to Belmont 56-40. In their final game against Nanaimo District Secondary the senior girls won 55-44 to place third overall in the tournament.

After facing theAlberni squad, Belmont went on to play in the finals against Pacific Christian, winning 56-49.

Rust said that playing in Totem is an “unforgettable experience”.

“As a senior it’s kind of bittersweet this year, just because it is our last year,” she said. “The school culture here is just amazing, I don’t think you could find anything like that anywhere else.”

Natalie Clappis, Grade 12 student at ADSS and captain of the senior girls basketball team, said that Totem will be a memory she will have for the rest of her life.

“We know our bench is cheering for us. But when the crowd’s screaming and roaring for us that just makes it 10 times better,” said Clappis.

Sperger said that he is proud of the hard work and effort.

“We’re not just building athletes here. We’re building people,” said the coach. “You can see that growth and development as a group, how they’re coming together and how they’re working together to create goals for themselves and beat challenges with each other.”

Photos by Alexandra Mehl

TheAlberni senior boys squad opened their tournament by beating Ballenas from Parksville 107-61 on Jan. 5 (above) followed by a 95-74 win against Stelly’s the following day.

TheADSS senior boys team won the Totem tournament after defeating the Carihi Tyees 59-51 on Jan. 7.

Senior girls place third at Totem

girls, defending Totem and Vancouver Island champions, leave it all on erce game against Belmont on Jan. 6, coming away with a 2-1 record

Initiative Reporter

ADSS senior girls home third place at after giving it their hard,” said Steve SpergDistrict Secondary ecting on Belmont. “They gave their best can ask really, as a team is disappointed. title last year, and continued. offensive oppor[Belmont] did,” said thought our girls gave it everything.” challenge... we year so we had an against,” said student atADSS girls basketball physical game today. have some bruises

played Kwalikum winning 48-44. In fought tooth and Belmont 56-40. In Nanaimo District girls won 55-44 to tournament. squad, Belmont nals against Pacific

Totem is an “unbittersweet this our last year,” she here is just amaznd anything 12 student at senior girls Totem will be a for the rest of her cheering for s screaming and makes it 10 times proud of the hard

building athletes here. said the coach. and development coming together together to create beat challenges

Totem Spirit: Dance team member Sophia Bill vies for the tournament award

Students

at the Alberni District Secondary rallied the community together with school spirit during the 67th Totem contest, including an exuberant Tseshaht youth

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

PortAlberni, BC - ForAlberni District Secondary School, Totem is an annual basketball tournament that ralliesADSS and the broader community together with school spirit.

Sophia Bill of Tseshaht First Nation was in the running for Totem Spirit, a competition that reflects school spirit. Bill is a Grade 12 student atADSS and a member of the dance team.

Totem Spirit is a competition of the “ultimate school spirit,” reads theADSS Totem tournament website. The candidates, representing their respective school teams and groups, assisted with the tournament and rallied the school together to create the special and cheerful atmosphere thatADSS experiences each year at Totem. This year Totem Spirit was awarded Bill’s fellow dance team member Jayden Blake, who received the recognition at the end of the tournament on Jan. 7.

The dance team brought school spirit to Totem 67 with performances between games and at halftime. They also “cheer on the crowd” and the basketball teams throughout the tournament, said Bill.

Bill was excited about the atmosphere cultivated during the tournament, which took place Jan. 5-7.

“You don’t really have that anywhere else,” she said.

“I’ve actually attended Totem my whole life. So, [running for Totem Spirit] seemed like the perfect way to top off my experience at Totem for my final year,” said Bill. “If I didn’t do it this year, and I didn’t run, I might regret that decision in the future.”

Bill’s family has lived in PortAlberni for many years and has regularly attended the tournament. Her family is also involved in the event: Bill’s mother is the current ADSS cheer team coach, and her father is a formerADSS basketball coach, Bill explained.

“I kind of grew up around it all the time,” said Bill.

Bill said that running for Totem Spirit was a rewarding experience for her.

Besides Blake, Bill’s competition for Totem Spirit included Pallas Cote-Wallin, Vanderlyn Dennis, Jordan Maczulat,Alex McDowall, and Macee Norlock.

This year the dance team is also welcoming many new additions.

“We have a team of a lot of Grade 8s this year,” said Bill. “I think that’ll be really cool to see them all experience [Totem] for the first time.”

Bill’s mom registered her in dance at a young age, and ever since then she has been in love with all forms of the art.

“I love it all. Ballet is really… beautiful and I love that,” said Bill. “Tap is really fun, and jazz has so much energy…Jazz is kind of what you’re going to see at Totem.”

“[Dance has] taken over my whole life. So, the dance team seemed like just another way to do what I enjoy doing,” she added.

Bill has been on the dance team for five years, and this is her final season.

“Which is kind of bittersweet,” she said.

Photo by Alexandra Mehl

Sophia Bill andAlberni’s dance team excited the crowd throughout the Totem basketball tournament.

Sophia Bill

Tla-o-qui-aht basketball teams seek success at JANT

First Nation prepares to send three squads to the upcoming contest, which will be in Nanaimo, March 19-24

By Sam Laskaris Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Tofino, BC - Cindy Ross is hoping experience her players gained at the 2022 JuniorAll-Native Tournament (JANT) will pay off at this year’s event.

Ross is the head coach of the Tla-o-quiaht Qu?usin’mit, a boys’under-17 squad that is expected to fare well at the 2023 tourney, scheduled for March 19-24 in Nanaimo.

Snunymuxw First Nation will play host to the event, which will feature Indigenous squads from across the province competing in both girls’and boys’divisions at the under-13 and under-17 levels.

Ross’charges had some success at last year’s event in Kelowna. Her team ended up winning the consolation championship.

“It was the first year for this team there and it gave them a good base,” she said. “They know how hard this tournament can be.”

Ross is hoping her club can register vic-

tories early on and keep winning matches on the championship side of the tournament this time around.

“We have average height but we’re very quick,” Ross said.

Knowing what to expect should be a huge plus, Ross added.

“It’s going to mean a lot,” she said of the experience garnered at the Kelowna tourney.

There’s no doubt the Tla-o-qui-aht squad will have a veteran and experienced team at this year’s event.

“We only lost two players to graduation,” Ross said, adding the club will have nine returnees on its roster. “And we’ll lose five players this year.”

Key members of the Tla-o-qui-aht squad include guards Jeffrey Tom II andAnthony Robinson as well as forward James Ortiz-Castro.

There is no qualifying tournament to enter the JANT. But the Qu?usin’mit side has fared extremely well in the two events it has entered thus far this season.

For starters, it ended up with a fourth-

place finish at a tournament, which included 12 participating teams, in Port Alberni in October.

And then last month the Tla-o-qui-aht side entered an event hosted byAhousaht First Nation. Ross’club ended up playing in two separate divisions at that tourney. It captured top honours in its under-17 grouping.And team members then managed to more than hold their own competing against some adults in the men’s division.

The Tla-o-qui-aht club ended up placing second in the men’s grouping. There were five teams that participated in the men’s division.

Ross is hoping members of her Tla-oqui-aht squad will be able to play again collectively before heading off to the JANT.

But the team does not have any upcoming games scheduled at this point.

“Tournaments over here just seem to pop up so we’re hoping that there will be at least one more for us,” she said. “But it’s hard sometimes to get to these

events.”

Ross’11-player roster features five individuals that are members of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. The other half dozen players on the team are members of other First Nations, but they do have some Tla-oqui-aht ancestry, making them eligible to suit up for the Qu?usin’mit squad.

Besides having played together at the 2022 JANT, Ross added many of the players on her team are rather well acquainted with each other.

“Amajority of them play at the same high school team,” she said.

That would be Ucluelet Secondary School. Tla-o-qui-aht’s roster includes a pair of players who toil at the high school junior ranks while the other nine are all senior players.

Meanwhile, the Nuu-chah-nulth contingent at the 2023 JANT will include two other Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation clubs.

The TFN Wolfpack will be competing in the boys’under-13 division.And the TFN 1st Ladies are registered in the girls’under-17 category.

Photo by Cindy Ross

Players that represented Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation at the 2022 JuniorAll-Native Tournament are hoping for success at this year’s tournament in Nanaimo.

Mineral claims violate Declaration Act: Eha esaht

First Nation seeks a judicial review as mining tenures in its territory increase, pointing to DRIPA obligations

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Vancouver, BC - In what is considered the first legal test of B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act, the Ehattesaht/Chinehkint and Gitxaala First Nations are challenging the province’s system of granting mineral claims.

DRIPAwas passed by the province in November 2019, legislation that tasks British Columbia to align its laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The tenet of “free, prior and informed consent” to use or profit from Indigenous territory is an integral part of the historic legislation, but over the following three years mineral claims continued to be granted under the provincial regulatory system without any consultation to local First Nations, according to separate petitions filed to the B.C. Supreme Court in by the Ehattesaht and Gitxaala in late 2022.

B.C.’s Mineral TenureAct currently allows claims for specific areas through an online registration system and payment of a nominal fee. Consulting with or informing First Nations who call these areas home is not required as part of this regulatory process – an omission that the Ehattesaht claim violates the province’s duty to consult under Canada’s 1982 ConstitutionAct and B.C.’s Constitution Act (DRIPA) from 2019.

The Ehattesaht assert that mineral legislation and regulations are “constitutionally inapplicable” without consulting the First Nation before exploring and mining in its territory.

“UNDRIP reinforces the Indigenous and Aboriginal rights and title of Ehattesaht, including the rights of ownership, use and benefit or resources and territory and the need for free, prior and informed consent to resource use in Indigenous territory,” states the petition by the First Nation’s legal counsel.

According to documents filed to the B.C. Supreme Court, the First Nation’s concerns go back to 2018, when exploratory mining took place in its territory under a registered mineral title granted to Forest Crystals, which undertook some digging to target certain crystals.

“Ehattesaht objected to the impact of Forest Crystals’activity in the territory,” stated the First Nation’s petition. “At a point, the physical works being carried out by Forest Crystals exceeded that which they were authorized to do without another exploratory permit.”

In May 2021 the Ehattesaht proposed that the province develop an agreement with the First Nation under the new DeclarationAct, but no deal was made. Now the First Nation seeks a judicial review of how mineral claims are issued.

Kasari Govender, B.C.’s human rights commissioner, has been granted the task of intervening to help inform the case.

“Akey part of my mandate is to promote compliance with international human rights law in B.C., including UNDRIP,” said Govender in a press release.

“I believe this litigation is critical to that mandate and to the future of human rights – and specifically Indigenous rights – in this province.”

In its response to the First Nation’s petition, the province stated that the online system for registering mineral claims does not bring an obligation to consult First Nations. The “DeclarationAct provides a process aimed at achieving consistency of the laws of British Columbia with the UN Declaration,” but it does not “give independent legal force to the articles of the UN Declaration,” states the province’s submission to the court.

Potential for a mining resurgence

From January 2020 untilApril 2022 a total of 32 mineral claims were registered in Ehattesaht territory, issued to GMR Global Mineral Resources Corporation, Almehri Mining and Privateer Gold, companies that are listed as respondents in the case.

Privateer Gold is currently advertising a resurgence of mining potential in the areas around Zeballos, which is in Ehattesaht territory and right next the First Nation’s main village of Ehatis.

“Since the Zeballos gold mines closed, no single party has consolidated the Zeballos claims and applied modern exploration technology to determine the extent of the gold quartz vein systems,” states the company’s website. “Privateer Gold has now established the basis for districtlevel gold quartz vein systems that extend far beyond the gold veins mined 70 years ago. The timing for this new find could not be better.”

Currently bearing the slogan the “Golden Gate to the West Coast”, the Village of Zeballos was established on the lucrative potential of its surrounding gold reserves. According to information published by the village, an “instant” town was built in 1938, after prospectors discovered

reserves in the nearby hills earlier in the decade.At the time there were no roads or railway lines into the area, leaving prospectors and miners to rely on steamers and boats to transport minerals down the coast.

“In the beginning, the miners carried sacks of ore out on their backs down the narrow, slippery trails, through the mud and windfalls of Zeballos River,” stated the village on its website. “From there ore was transported downstream in a flat bottom boat to the mouth of the river where it was again backpacked over land to the beach.”

The Zeballos Gold Camp encompassed several small mines, but the need for personnel and supplies during the Second World War slowed activity.

“When the war came in 1939, many of miners left to fight in the armed forces and the mines began to close,” reads the site. “By 1942 they were all shut down.”

Over the following years the price of gold wasn’t enough to make mining near Zeballos profitable. The village’s records state that attempts were made at gold mining operations in the 1970s and ‘80s, but these didn’t last. Besides gold, an iron mine operated from 1962-69.

The caretaker of crystals

But this in only one part of the history of mineral exploration and use in the area. Besides the traditional hunting, trapping, fishing, harvesting and trading in its territory, the Ehattesaht had cultural uses for quartz crystals “which hold a great spiritual significance to Ehattesaht people,” according to the First Nation’s court documents.

The First Nation identifies its traditional territory, or Ha-Hahoulthee, being the area between Kyuquot Channel and Mozino Point on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Ha-Hahoulthee encompasses land, water, air and resources in the area, but also ownership, governance and stewardship responsibilities held by Ehattesaht Ha’wiih “for the benefit of members, current and future”, according to the petition.

The filing states that for many years the First Nation has witnessed the exploitation of resources in its Ha-Hahoulthee “without Ehattesaht’s consent and without recognition of Ehattesaht’s prior use and ownership.”

“Individually and cumulatively, resource development activities negatively affect the environment and animals on which Ehattesaht rely for the exercise of their Aboriginal rights,” continues the petition. “Gold mining is closely associated with the presence of quartz. Crystals are of central cultural and spiritual significance to Ehattesaht; and, according to their cultural and legal system, Ehattesaht are the caretakers of crystals in the HaHahoulthee.”

Photo submitted by Village of Zeballos Gold prospecting around Zeballos began in the 1930s, activity that quickly establish a town that, by some accounts, grew to 1,500 residents, which is several times larger than the village’s current population.

Health Corner

NTC nursing welcomes new registerd dietician

My name is Michael Wesley, I am a registered dietitian (RD), I am very excited to be joining the Nuu-chah-nulth tribal council health team under the nursing services. My role will involve working with community health and nutrition, I will be providing services virtually and visit some of the communities throughout the year.Additionally, I will be working alongside Rachel Dickens, RD CDE. In this role, I hope to contribute to developing sustainable ways that address health concerns related to nutrition within communities.

Alittle bit about me: I am from the Gitxsan nation, I was born and raised on a reserve called Gitanmaax. I am also a husband, my wife and I have been together for 20 years. I am also a father of two boys who are 7 and 5 years old. My boys have been with me from the start of my dietetics journey. I have completed my degree majoring in dietetics at UBC in the class of 2021.

Prior to pursuing dietetics, I worked in a variety of trades including carpentry, heavy equipment operating, and welding. I left trades because I found purpose to address health issues through nutrition. I am motivated to work in this field as many people in my home community are dealing with health issues that have a strong relation to food.Although I found meaningful purpose in my work, during this journey I have developed my ultimate purpose as a father. Providing for my boys and raising them with values that I have learned throughout my life is what drives me to move forward.

I have many values that guide me and my practice, one is respecting and recognizing the value of Indigenous culture for health benefits. My approach to being a dietitian is integrating Indigenous knowledge and dietetics education to provide holistic approaches to health.

My professional interests as a dietitian include understanding diabetes, chronic inflammation, men’s health, and food sovereignty.Amongst other things, I am passionate about maintaining my health through nutrition and fitness. One way I do this is playing in all-native basketball any chance I get as it is one of my favorite ways in which Indigenous culture has evolved into our lives today and how it brings nations together.

I hope this provides you with some insight on who I am and my role as a dietitian. With that, I hope to see you at any sessions I am involved with. I will be available to contact through your local health centre.

In loving memory

– In loving memory of Nessie (mama) Wa s, who leÅ us Jan. 18, 1976

Memories don’t fade away, they just grow deep

For the one we loved but could not keep

We hold our tears when we speak your name

But the ache in our hearts remains the same

No one knows the sorrow we share

When the family meets, and you’re not there We laugh, we smile and we play our parts Behind it all lies broken hearts

Unseen, unheard, you’re always near

So loved, so missed, so very dear

Just as you were, you will always be Forever treasured in our memory.

-Forever loved, remembered and missed - - by all your family.

Le!er

to

editor Book review: Beliefs and The Marrow Thieves

By Adam Randall Touchie Yuułuʔiłatḥ Student Writer

The book, The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline is a book I emotionally connect with. I am an indigenous man who is trying to relearn my own language after many communities, my own included, survived an attempted genocide through residential schools. The characters in, The Marrow Thieves, are trying to survive another genocide in the future as the government attempts to kill and rob them of their bone marrow. Yet, the family sticks together strongly by sharing stories, their belief of dreams and relearning their language together.

We share stories for many reasons; to find connections with others or to teach morals, lessons, and beliefs. The family in the story is incredibly close and trust each other. Therefore, they are willing to tell each other their stories. Wab, who survived by herself with no help when she was younger, later told the entire family, trusting them. Other ways stories are used in the book is to share beliefs. Minerva, the elder of the family, shares a story of Rogarou.Adog humanoid “that haunts the half-breeds but keeps girls from going on the roads at night where the men travel,” reads The Marrow Thieves, on pg.66.

Beliefs and stories from elders are incredibly important to hold on too. With so much loss, holding onto and sharing stories helps us move forward in challenging times. Finally, Story is bits of history told by their other elder, Miig. He shares lessons in history so that the family can remember what happened, so they can help prevent the same mistakes from happening again.

Dreams are arguably the most important thing in, The Marrow Thieves. It is why the protagonist, and his family are being chased.And also motivates the characters to continue on. Miig tells Frenchie in the second chapter how dreams get caught in the webs of their bone marrow in chapter 2, The Fire.

As well, dreams of their language destroy the machine meant to extract

their dreams and marrow. Minerva was the first to destroy the machine with this method. Minerva passes on in the future but, Isacc, Miig’s husband is found and dreams in the language.

The characters in, The Marrow Thieves, hold on to the small bits and pieces of their language religiously. With how the residential school system destroys culture we can find an understanding in this grabbing at whatever language they can find. It is why Frenchie in chapter 4, Magic Words, reacts so extremely to Rose knowing the language.

“Uh-oh. ‘Nishin? What the hell is that?’ ‘Oh nothing, just a little of the language,’” reads The Marrow Thieves, on pg. 38.

It is another motivation for characters to keep on moving forward as well to communicate secretly via written language. Much later when they are searching for a rebellion group to aid them in getting Minerva back, they find written language. Markings on a tree, most likely to indicate a specific location and complete gibberish to those who wish to find them.

The Marrow Thieves is a book that touches on incredibly harsh content. Yet, it concludes with a hopeful ending of revitalization. With healing and growth, to fight against an oppressive force with their identity, motivations, and beliefs. Finding hope in dreams, learning through passed on teachings and relearning a language with few fluent speakers.

WATTS

Employment and Training

Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’First Nations

Job Posting - KCFN HR Manager

Summary: The HR Manager maintains and enhances the organization’s human resources by planning, implementing, and evaluating employee relations and human resources policies, programs, and practices. The HR Manager will report to the Director of Operations. Must be willing to travel between the Campbell River and Houpsitas office.

View full job description at ww.hashilthsa.com/careers-training

Deadline toApply: Jan 23, 2023 at 4:00pm Please send your cover letter and resume to tracym@kcfirstnations.com or mail or drop off: KCFN Office 1250 C Ironwood St., Campbell River V9W 6H5

Indigenous knowledge prioritized at COP15

By the end of the international event 196 countries had agreed on targets to protect the global biodiversity

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Montreal, QC - After years of negotiation, and a two-week meeting in Montreal, 196 countries came to an agreement on the future of global biodiversity. With 23 targets aiming for 2030 and four goals set for 2050, the global community will work towards protecting and restoring biodiversity across the globe in partnership with local Indigenous communities.

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), formal advisors to the Convention of Parties (COP), published a press release celebrating the strong recognition of Indigenous rights within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The framework identifies goals and targets, such as globally cutting food waste in half, conservation management for 30 per cent of the world’s land, ocean, inland water, and coastal areas, phasing out of industrial subsidies that harm biodiversity, reduction of excess nutrients, as well as the risk of pesticides and chemicals.

“Indigenous Peoples and local communities are happy that finally we are here,” said co-chair of the IIFB, Lucy Mulenkei in the press release. “With most of the recommendations that we had submitted and negotiated already reflected, we leave Montreal happy and ready for the implementation journey. We are glad we never gave up even when times were tough.”

“For us… it’s a very important tool and as Indigenous people we need to use it,” said Viviana Figueroa ofArgentina’s Omaguaca-Kolla Indigenous peoples, in an interview with Ha-Shilth-Sa.

Figueroa said that this is a big achievement.

Seven of the twenty-three targets in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework recognize Indigenous peoples.

“The international community [is] recognizing, specifically, Indigenous people are contributing to the conservation of biodiversity,” said Figueroa.

“For us, this was very important because it has an impact,” said Figueroa. “The Convention on Biodiversity [is] a treaty that is signed by 196 countries.”

Eighty per cent of the world’s biodiversity is protected by Indigenous peoples, according to COP 15 participants.

“Now it’s very clear, if a country has Indigenous people’s populations, Indigenous peoples in their territories, they will need to work with them,” said Figueroa.

On Dec. 7 Justin Trudeau announced that 800 million dollars will be distributed to four Indigenous-led conservation groups to help implement conserving 30 per cent of land and water by 2030 and establish a partnership withAboriginal people in Canada.

“Indigenous Peoples have been caring for the lands and waters of Canada since time immemorial. First Nations, Inuit, and Metis have unique relationships with nature and knowledge of responsible stewardship as a way of life,” reads the press release announcing the Canadian government’s intention to partner with Indigenous communities in the pursuit of conservation. “By working together and supporting Indigenous Peoples in protecting more nature across the country, we are continuing to listen to their voices and helping ensure the world we leave to future generations is safe and healthy.”

“We still have a journey, a journey that Indigenous Peoples and local communities have always taken. We will move forward to ensure the implementation of the GBF is a success,” said Mulenkei in a IIFB press release.

“International documents are an international instrument,” said Figueroa. “It [has] legal weight.”

TSESHAHT MARKET GATEWAY TO THE PACIFIC RIM

Hours of operation - 7:00 am - 10:00 pm Phone: 724-3944

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Photo supplied by International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity Lakpa Nuri Sherpa and Lucy Mulenkei, both co-chairs of International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, speak at COP15 in Montreal in December.

Significant changes in store for Long Beach Airport

ACRD and Tla-o-qui-aht work on plans to regularly engage in the future development of the west coast facility

By Jessie Levene Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Long Beach, BC -At its Dec. 14 board meeting, theAlberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) passed resolutions on initiatives aiming to increase local Indigenous influence at the Long Beach Airport.And the Board also announced that it will be applying for a provincial government grant aimed at more fully developing the 835-acre airport site.

TheACRD Board of Directors will be working with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to co-create a three-year Memorandum of Understanding, developing an agreement for the future of Long Beach Airport “that will support reconciliation and partnering efforts and provide mutual benefit to both parties,” according to the board’s Dec. 14 meeting agenda.

In support of achieving the objectives of this MOU, theACRD will be providing $27,500 in annual funding. This funding will be created by an increase in airport fees at Long Beach, with passenger fees being raised from $5 per passenger to $7.50 per passenger.

Tla-o-qui-aht Lands Manager Saya Masso presented to the board in June 2022, explaining the significance of the airport land from the First Nation’s perspective.

The airport’s creation story is fraught for Tla-o-qui-aht, Masso explained, because the land used for the airport is on their traditional unceded territory; this land was appropriated by the Canadian government for an airbase in the early 1940s.

At the time, Tla-o-qui-aht leadership supported the development of the airport, but with the understanding that the lands and its assets would be returned at the end of the Second World War once the threat of a Pacific invasion was over. The government, however, did not stay true to their word, operating the airport until 2000, at which point it was transferred to theACRD.

The plans for the MOU draw on the example of the 2017 Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement. This 30-year agreement outlines the “Social, Economic, Environment and Governance” pillars in the evolving relationship between

YVR and Musqueam. The Tla-o-qui-aht and Long BeachAirport MOU could include various measures such as land acknowledgements, displaying the names of Tla-o-qui-aht Ha’wiih in the arrivals area, and that theACRD and the First Nation meet regularly to ensure that the airport is meeting the needs of both parties.

“TheACRD has a high-level vision for the airport”, said Daniel Sailland,ACRD chief administrative officer, “but nothing is actionable without TLQFN and the recognition of the historical significance of those lands, which the airport currently doesn’t have. So, now we know better, how can we do better?”

At the same Dec. 14 meeting, theACRD board also approved a two-year position for an airport project coordinator.According to Sailland, this position is not linked so much to the MOU with TLQFN.

“It’s a more operational position, although maybe at end of the two-year term that will look different,” he explained.

Although there are no Indigenousspecific hiring policies currently in place at theACRD, Sailland explained that the ACRD has recently done an inclusivity project, and that he believed over time and with the creation of the MOU there

will likely be policies that point in that direction, like in the YVR Musqueam Agreement.

Also on Dec. 14, theACRD board passed a resolution to direct staff to submit a grant application for the province’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). This funding, if successful, will go towards the creation of the Long BeachAirport Land Use and Development Plan Project.According to the B.C. government website, REDIP is a new grant launched by the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. The province is investing up to $33 million into the program this year to support projects that promote economic diversification, resilience, clean growth opportunities and infrastructure development.

At the Long BeachAirport, if theACRD is successful in their application, according to Daniel Sailland, the grant would allow long-term joint planning with Tlao-qui-aht, other West Coast First Nations and partners like Parks Canada.And this grant is particularly linked to the businesses operating out of Long Beach. “Right now at the airport, there are only short-term, one to three-year leases,”

Sailland explained, “but theACRD wants other opportunities to use the airport’s substantial lands. The airport is pretty huge, with three runways, but a lot of that space that is not currently used. There are a number of small periphery businesses, but not a lot of permanent infrastructure or buildings, and the temporary shortterm structures that are there match the investments of a three-year lease.”

The REDIP grant would therefore give the opportunity for theACRD to create longer and more ambitious infrastructure projects at the airport – to invest in water, power and septic capabilities, and to generate revenue and add to economic job opportunities.

Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic is still casting its shadow on transportation plans in the region. When asked if all these measures indicate that theACRD is expecting more air traffic at Long Beach in the near future, CAO Sailland said that before the pandemic numbers were up at the airport.

“But these measures are all about addressing unmet needs first and planning collaboratively together,” Sailland said.

And when questioned if theACRD was investing is other forms of transit, Sailland explains that in fact theACRD had, until very recently, firm plans on expanding transit to Vancouver Island’s west coast. However, at the September 2022 Union of BC Municipalities annual convention, theACRD learned that because the pandemic has stalled demand for transit and affected its revenues, there was now no extra funding for their transit plans, and that the province had prioritized funding for larger transit expansions.

However, theACRD has nonetheless re-started the West Coast Transportation Working Group, who are now actively looking into non-provincially funded opportunities. This is important, Sailland explains, because of how transit can alleviate the rising cost of living.

“By this summer we are hoping to have some options for a summer 2024 rollout,” Sailland said. “We are always open to more provincial funding, but unfortunately there is currently no indication of if or when it will return.”

Photo submitted by Tofino-Long Beach Airport

Located between Ucluelet and Tofino on Tla-o-qui-aht territory, the Long Beach Airport encompasses an 835-acre site that accommodates small aircraft.