President’s Message

Hello everyone.

Hoping you are enjoying some summer weather and getting in your fish for the winter.

It’s graduation time and I really congratulate all our Nuu-chah-nulth that are graduating from all levels of education and certifications. Sadly we had to put off our NTC graduation and scholarships ceremony due to the closure of Highway 4 into PortAlberni as we wanted all our grads to be able to attend and hold all of you up together. We will do it in October and we can celebrate in style at that time. The fire of note, then out of control fire on Cameron Bluffs above Cameron Lake, occupied a fair amount of my time this past 19 days. I was constantly on calls about the status of the fire and the road conditions and detour. The communication with the various provincial departments was very good and leaders were able to learn important information as well as bring up concerns and have questions answered. It was well coordinated. Important issues were to ensure that our eight nations from PortAlberni to Ucluelet and Tofino had enough fuel, food and other necessary supplies. It was also important to ensure the detour route was safe and monitor when the road would be on open. Josie Osborne, MLAfor this area, had regular calls and got answers to any questions we might have.

The fire continues to smolder - not open flames - and has been downgraded to a controlled fire. So the highway opened up on Friday to one lane alternating traffic and closed down a few hours later due to high winds. It did open again until around 7 a.m. Saturday to traffic. They think it will be single-lane traffic for up to two weeks as they monitor the fire and any debris falling. They hope by mid-July it will be normal traffic.

Issues like this fire open up many questions that need to be answered. Like when will PortAlberni get an alternative road out of town. This has been an important question being asked for over 30 years and the federal and provincial governments have not wanted to put the kind of money we need into that road. In these days of climate emergency they need to do this.

Also, how prepared are we for emergencies with supplies and an evacuation plan if we ever needed it?

I also think a lot about the destruction of habitat for elk, deer, bears and other animals, medicinal plants and other things. How do we deal with that? It was devastating watching the smoke come over Kuthkachu (Mt.Arrowsmith) and into the valley.

It was a long 18 days not being able to leave the valley except via an up-to-fourhour detour on bumpy, dusty and windy roads. Of course, members of Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht use those roads all the time, so we understand the toll those roads have on vehicles.

Other than that, I have been involved in clean energy. There will be a call for power in the spring so this is an opportunity for First Nations to build clean energy projects.A$140-million-dollar fund has been established to help offset the costs of clean energy if it is more than other power. The province is looking for big projects as well for 2028 when they need more power. Initiatives for transmission grids owned by First Nation companies are also being pursued.

I also attended the First Nation Summit meetings virtually. There were many issues discussed, but one dealing with

Métis and their claim to rights that infringe on First Nations rights was a topic and motion passed for governments to relook at the issue. There were also calls to not have government consult Métis on certain subjects as they do not have land and resources, etc.

Of course Summer Solstice happened on the same day as National Indigenous Peoples Day, many celebrate in different ways and took the time to educate nonIndigenous people on our rights, history and issues.

The federal government tabled in Parliament an action plan for implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.As you know UNDRIP recognizes many rights of Indigenous people, including the right of self determination, the right to our territories and of making decisions over our territorial lands and resources.

This action plan was done over two years. Originally the government had proposed three years, but First Nations across the country asked for two years as it is way past time for the government to be recognizing and implementing our rights. It was a quick turn around, but the action plan is in and it has a lot of broad, general principles. We find it lacking in fisheries and other things.

Nuu-chah-nulth put in a comprehensive paper of what we wanted and so far it looks like not a lot was included. The minister says it has to apply to all 633 First Nations and can’t be too specific. ‘But how does that help us?’I asked him. He really didn’t have an answer. We had a group of Nuu-chah-nulth gather to help make recommendations to the government on health, education, children and families. There were great discussions on what we need in our communities.

I attended the ceremony for Martha Martin, releasing her children Chantel and Mike’s ashes into the Somass River. Martha finally felt able to do that. It has been a hard three years for her as she has tried to find justice for her daughter.

You remember she was shot five times by a police officer in Edmundston, New Brunswick. There were never any charges against the officer and the only thing that came out of it was recommendations from an inquiry. It is hard to see the justice system work against our people and we still see work in making changes.

There are always many issues to work on, our rights to advocate for, and I always honoured to represent the Nuuchah-nulth

Cloy-e-iis

Judith Sayers