Ha-Shilth-Sa November 21, 2019

INTERESTING NEWS Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Vol. 46 - No. 22—November 21, 2019

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Smudging trial underway in Nanaimo A Port Alberni mother challenges SD70 over whether Indigenous cleansing ceremonies should take place in public schools Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Huu-ay-aht First Nations photo

On Nov. 14 Premier John Horgan travelled to Anacla to meet with representatives from the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, the City of Port Alberni, the ACRD, Western Forest Products, Mosaic and MLA Scott Fraser,.

Premier directs ‘action group’ to upgrade Bamfield Road Two months after the UVic tragedy, Horgan travelled the logging road to meet stakeholders in Anacla on Nov. 14 Anacla, BC — Significant improvements are coming to the logging road that Anacla and Bamfield residents rely on.

This was the message given when Premier John Horgan travelled the 78-kilometre passage for a meeting in the Huu-ay-aht village of Anacla on Nov. 14. While there Horgan directed staff with B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to formulate an “action group” to plan upgrades for the road, according to a press release from the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. Bamfield Main serves as an essential road linking Anacla and Bamfield to Port Alberni and other Vancouver Island communities. Part of the road is also used by residents of the Ditidaht First Nation’s community by Nitinaht Lake.

Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. said his nation is optimistic the dirt and gravel road will be chip sealed, which is a process of solidifying through the use of asphalt and fine aggregate.

“Together we have the tools we need to make significant upgrades to the road.

We have met in a respectful way, and it is clear we are all committed to take the necessary steps to reach our nation’s top goal of chip sealing the Bamfield road,”

said Dennis in the release. “By visiting our community, the premier has a better understanding of how important it is to ensure this vital link is safe for all who travel the road.”

For decades the Huu-ay-aht have been lobbying for the road to be upgraded, and in November 2018 representatives from the First Nation and the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District met with Minster of Transportation Claire Trevena and Scott Fraser, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim and minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Chip sealing the road was discussed, but with an estimated cost of $50-75 million, no commitments were made - although an engineering study had begun by the time the latest tragedy occurred on Bamfield Main Sept. 13.

Biology students Emma Machado and John Geerdes, both 18, died when their bus fell down an embankment partway down the logging road. They were on a two-day trip to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre with a group of other University of Victoria Students, a trip the university has undertaken for the last 18 years.

On the month after the tragedy, UVic followed through with plans to send another group on a trip to the Marine Sciences Centre – but this time Bamfield Main was avoided. On Oct. 25 the group of students travelled by chartered bus from Victoria to Port Alberni, then boarded the MV Frances Barkley for a three-hour boat ride down the Alberni Inlet to Bamfield.

Inside this issue...

Cellular service comes to Ahousaht...........................Page 2 Call to bring back the seal hunt..................................Page 5 Simon Lucas potlatch............................................Pages 8-9 ‘Accidental’ residential school death....................... Page 11 Examining killer whales with drones.......................Page 15

“UVic will consider information from external investigations by the RCMP and Transport Canada, along with its own review, to inform decisions on future trips,” wrote Denise Helm, the university’s director of media relations and public affairs, in a statement sent to Ha-Shilth-Sa. Since Bamfield Main opened in the 1970s the Huu-ay-aht have also lost eight members on the rugged passage, including Tayii Ḥaw̓ił Art Peters. Peters’ grandson Tayii Ḥaw̓ił ƛiišin, Derek Peters, was present at the recent meeting in Anacla, where he said the premier honoured the nation’s elders and the sacred principles of ʔiisaak (Utmost Respect), ʔuuʔałuk (Taking Care of….), and Hišuk ma c̕awak (Everything is One). The Huu-ay-aht showed their appreciation to the premier by giving him the traditional name Yačuk ma tašii (Yatsuk ma tashii), which means “he who walks the path.”

MLA Scott Fraser also attended the meeting, as did ACRD director Bob Beckett, Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions, Western Forest Products and Mosaic. The road is owned by forestry companies that use the area, a complication that provincial officials have said has delayed improvements.

Back in 2008 a report from Roger Harris, B.C.’s forest safety ombudsman, issued a warning about the public regularly using a road that was originally intended for industrial use. The ombudsman recommended a new public highway designation for resource roads like Bamfield Main.

“As with many communities’ relationships with their logging roads, the Bamfield logging road is far more important, valuable and useful now to that community than when it was first constructed,” wrote Harris.

Nanaimo, BC — The trial between Candice Servatius and School District 70 (Alberni) began Nov. 18 in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Nanaimo, with an examination of practices that some believe will determine the extent that Indigenous culture is presented in the classroom.

Servatius, a Port Alberni mother, is challenging SD70 on allowing the practice of Indigenous cultural ceremonies like smudging and the recitation of First Nations prayers in school.

SD70 says they are mandated by the province to include Indigenous culture in the curriculum and they deny that the activities that took place in the classrooms in 2015 were not religious, but cultural.

In 2015 Candice Servatius had two children attending John Howitt Elementary School in Port Alberni. In September that year she was alerted by letter from the school that JHES would be hosting a “Traditional Nuuchah-nulth Classroom/Student Cleansing” performed by a Nuu-chah-nulth member in the school’s classrooms.

When she called to ask questions about the event she learned that it had, in fact, already taken place and that both her children had been involved – against their will, according to Servatius. The mother claimed that when her daughter asked to not take part in the smudge ceremony she was told it would be rude to decline and that everyone must participate.

Counsel for Servatius argue that the school imposed the ceremony on the children, who are being raised according to Pentecostal Evangelical Christian faith, and therefore infringed on their right to freedom of religion in the school. They say their client’s belief system is different from what they were subjected to; “they are not believers in Nuu-chah-nulth spiritual practices.”

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Page 2— Ha-Shilth-Sa—November 21, 2019

Ahousaht celebrates cellular service with new tower Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Maaqtusiis, BC – The people of Ahousaht love their mobile communications devices as much as any other Canadian, but back home in the village, service is virtually non-existent.

According to Canadian Cellular Towers Map, there are at least nine service towers in Tofino and one in Hot Springs Cove, a distance of about 36 kilometres as the crow flies. Ahousaht, on Flores Island, lies in between the two communities with its population of about 1,000.

For this reason, there is the occasional hot spot where a weak cellular signal can be found, usually on a beach. These are often weak signals coming in from the towers in Tofino.

“There is a low tower next to the T-bird Hall and the houses out at (lot) 363 that get signal,” said Ahousaht resident Iris Frank. “It’s funny to see the surprise on my visitors when they get a text or their data turns on; their phones light up with notifications.”

Frank has cellular service because she was given a cell phone booster. The device was worth $1,000 at the time it was gifted.

Now, the community of Ahousaht is excited to see the construction of their own TELUS cell tower nearing completion.

The new tower will not only allow residents and their visitors cell phone service, but also high-speed wireless voice, text and internet service.

TELUS has been working with Ahousaht leadership for more than a year to build the new cell site in Ahousaht, investing more than $500,000. They anticipate that service will be up and running by the end of 2019.

“Perhaps most critically, this new wireless coverage means residents can call for help in the event of an accident or medical emergency, and access previously unavailable services such as consulting with a physician through the Babylon by TELUS Health app,” said Shaye Draper, TELUS General Manager for Vancouver Island.

According to the company, the Babylon by TELUS Health app complements

Submitted photos

Scott Fraser, B.C.’s minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, stands with Chief Councillor Greg Louie and workers installing a new cellular tower that is expected to be in operation next month. existing healthcare services across the province, particularly for people living in rural areas. By downloading the free app to your device, the user will have access to a symptom checker and can schedule a live video consultation with a licensed physician from the comfort of their own home, potentially saving thousands of dollars in travel expenses.

“Indigenous communities throughout British Columbia need to have access to technologies to fully participate in the digital age,” said Scott Fraser, B.C.’s minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, who was in Ahousaht Nov. 12 to meet with leadership about the Ahousaht residents try out their cell new tower. “People living in Ahousaht phones with MLA Scott Fraser on Nov. will be connected to cellular service and 12. Full cellular service won’t be availimproved internet access for the first able until a tower is completed in Detime. Better access means community cember. Currently sporadic reception members will benefit from digital tools can be caught through nearby towers that can increase health services, educain Tofino and Hot Springs Cove, left. tion and employment opportunities.”

Service is expected to launch sometime in December.

Water taxi hits rocks during trip to Ahousaht, five sent to hospital Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Ahousaht, BC — A routine water taxi trip between Tofino and Ahousaht became a frightening experience for over a dozen passengers, when the vessel hit rocks Saturday evening.

BC Emergency Health Services received a call at 7:38 p.m. on the foggy, rainy night of Nov. 16 after a water taxi collided with rocks. Sources from Ahousaht say it occurred near Monks Island at a rocky location that is normally indicated at night by a blinker, and that the water taxi was the MV Hakoom.

Greg Louie, the First Nation’s chief councillor, said 13 to 15 people were aboard the boat.

“It was a rough night. Winds and high waters,” he recalled. “It was quite scary for the passengers that were on the boat.”

A Canadian Coast Guard vessel was dispatched, but a boat from Ahousaht reached the scene first, according to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. More help followed from Vancouver Island.

“Two ambulances were dispatched,”

said BC Emergency Health Services in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “One paramedic crew attended with the Coast Guard to retrieve five individuals, while the other paramedics met the rescue team at the dock. All five patients were cared for and transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”

The remaining occupants were transported to Ahousaht aboard the local vessel that came to help.

Those on board said they were lucky the water taxi didn’t flip, and following a family practice, some passengers burned their clothes after the accident and gave away jewellery.

Exactly two weeks before the Nov. 16 accident another boat collision occurred near Tofino, sending a family of four to different hospitals. On the evening of Nov. 2 that vessel also hit rocks at Deadman’s Island during a trip to the Tla-oqui-aht community of Opitsaht on Meares Island. Two males were reported to have sustained serious injuries and transported to hospitals in Victoria and Vancouver.

Updates on their condition have not been disclosed.

credit

Eric Plummer photo

A boat collided with rocks on the evening of Nov. 16, resulting in five being sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A boat from Ahousaht was the first to respond, followed by a Coast Guard vessel.

November 21, 2019—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 3

Does Indigenous cleansing in school violate Christian religious rights? Day 2 of trial cross examines witnesses Nuu-chah-nulth education worker takes the stand to explain a smudging practice held in three classrooms in 2015 Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Nanaimo, BC — On day two of a trial that delves into Indigenous content in the public school system, Candice Servatius, the mother of two students attending a Port Alberni elementary school in 2015, took the stand on the morning of Nov. 19.

Servatius alleges that her children were forced to participate in a cleansing ritual and heard a “religious prayer,” which she says violates her and her children’s religious freedom.

Jay Cameron, legal counsel for Servatius, noted that in the letter sent home with students Sept. 14, 2015, the word “cleansing” was used four times. When asked what the word cleansing meant to her she replied that it indicates that something is unclean and, in her religion, Jesus’s blood is the only way one can be cleansed of sins.

She went to say that she raises her family in Christianity, a belief in God. Servatius said she is not against her children learning about Nuu-chah-nulth culture by talking about it and perhaps showing them, “but once you light it up and walk around the room it’s not a demonstration anymore,” she said.

Nuu-chah-nulth Education Worker Sherri Cook was called to the stand to testify about the letter that went home with the children and about the events of Sept. 16, 2015. Her role with John Howitt Elementary was to introduce Nuu-chahnulth culture into the classrooms, and the smudging practice was undertaken to “refresh the energy” after the preceding school year, which included at least one bullying incident, said Cook.

She entered the courtroom wearing a black and red buttoned blanket-style shawl and she carried an eagle feather – which became the focus of a portion of the cross examination that morning.

Denise Titian photo

The trial over Indigenous smudging in the classroom ends Friday, Nov. 22, but a decison is expected weeks afterwards.

When asked by Cameron what her personal experiences with smudging is, Cook answered that it is not a traditional practice of the Nuu-chah-nulth but was adopted from other First Nations.

She noted that spiritual practices have evolved over time and that some First Nations incorporate Christianity into their belief systems as a result of what they took out of residential schools.

“What people do depends on the individual’s preference and the family preferences,” she said.

When asked about why she carried the eagle feather she answered, “it reminds me that I need to be true to myself, and it is a symbol of the Nuu-chah-nulth belief

Profound impacts expected Con�nued from page 1

Servatius and her lawyers are seeking an order prohibiting religious practices during mandatory school time. This includes “religious or spiritual rituals, cleanings, ceremonies and prayer.”

Nuu-chah-nulth leaders stated that smudging is a cultural practice, not a religious one. The district’s superintendent said that the school is committed to “teaching and learning about different cultures and traditions,” and in fact all B.C. schools have a mandate to integrate Aboriginal content into curriculum.

In addition to lawyers representing the plaintiff and defendant, there was also counsel representing the Attorney General of British Columbia and the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council.

During the first day of the trial counsel on both sides argued over the admissibility of certain evidence. The plaintiffs retained Pastor John Cox as an expert witness hired to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the claims of both Servatius and SD70.

The defence lawyers argued that Cox’s report should not be entered into evidence, stating that because he is a Christian pastor, his report is “blatant advocacy” for Servatius. The lawyer argued that, in effect, Cox’s report dismisses Nuuchah-nulth beliefs in favour of Evangeli-

cal Protestant Christianity, making his expert opinion biased.

The judge ruled that the report submitted by John Cox would be allowed.

In an era of reconciliation and governments recognizing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, NTC President Judith Sayers said that educating non-Indigenous people of cultural practices is expected.

“If this case goes against being able to teach our culture, this will be a big step backwards,” she said. “If the petitioner wins, this will have profound impacts on the ability of [Nuu-chah-nulth] to teach our culture in the schools. It is a proven fact that our NCN children do better in school when they have the opportunity to learn about our language and culture and way of life.”

Servatius is being represented by Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, free of charge. The organization’s long list of active cases include advocating for a pro-life group’s right to raise its flag in a public square in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and a challenge to the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s teaching of gender-neutral identity.

The trial will continue throughout the week of Nov. 18 – 22 in at the Nanaimo Court House.

of hishukish tsawalk, that everything is connected.”

Cameron asked several questions about smudging and spirits, at one point asking Cook if the elder performing the smudging saw spirits that day.

“I have no idea,” Cook answered, adding that she is not a trained expert in smudging.

She testified that three classrooms were smudged that day using sage smoke and that the walls and doorways were smudged, or fanned in sage smoke. She said that some people complained that the smell was too strong and those children waited out in the hall while doors were opened to air the rooms of smoke.

Cook testified that the lesson was done in the English language except for two or three Nuu-chah-nulth phrases, like hishukish tsawalk (everything is one). The phrase is common in SD70 schools and can be seen over a doorway of at least one school, according to Cook.

Children were given the opportunity to ask questions before and after the demonstration.

Following a break Cameron asked Cook if she had discussed her testimony with anyone or if she had said something to

the Sheriff. Cook denied talking about her testimony but made a statement, which the judge allowed, about what she had said during the break – she talked about her feelings. ”My parents lost too much due to residential school, they were taught to worship an unfamiliar God,” she said, adding that her mother knows very little of her culture, and that she has learned her Huuay-aht traditions from her father’s side.

Cook stressed that she would never force religion or a spiritual practice forced on a child in school.

“We’re being questioned about our culture like it’s good versus evil,” she said, adding that there is no such thing as hell in Nuu-chah-nulth culture.

“We believe in gratitude for everything, for being on earth, for the animals that sacrifice their lives so we can eat,” said Cook. “Our culture is not a religion. It is a way of life.”

The trial continues throughout the week with staff of SD70 , including teachers, the principal and the superintendent taking the stand. Closing arguments will take place during the last two days.

A decision from the judge is not expected for several weeks.

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Page 4— Ha-Shilth-Sa—November 21, 2019

DFO scientists and environmental groups disagree on sustainable herring levels off Vancouver Island This year a brief commercial harvest caught one quarter of the stocks on the east coast of Vancouver Island Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Vancouver Island, BC — Amid concerns from environmental groups of dwindling herring stocks off Vancouver Island, biologists monitoring the species are observing gradually improving populations.

In late October a collection of advocacy groups called for the immediate closure of the herring fishery in the Strait of Georgia – the only region on the B.C. coast that held a commercial harvest this year. On Oct. 29 the Sea Sheppard Conservation Society, Conservancy Hornby Island and the Association for Denman Island Marine Stewards cited “years of excessive quotas” off the island’s east coast that has resulted in a “dwindled” population. Herring are a keystone species in the Pacific, supporting salmon and other fish higher up in the food chain.

“If DFO is serious about protecting endangered chinook salmon and southern resident killer whales, the first step should be to protect what is left of their food supply,” said Ian McAllister, executive director of Pacific Wild, in a press release from Sea Sheppard. “Shutting the herring fishery down to let stocks recover should be the first course of action.”

Almost 123,000 tonnes of herring biomass of forecasted in the Strait of Georgia this year. Commercial vessels were permitted to cast their nets over less than two weeks in the spring, ending by the first week of April. This brief harvest focused on catching females carrying eggs, as herring roe is in high demand in Japan and China. Most of the fish caught are fed to livestock or ground into feed for aquaculture.

Harvest quotas were estimated to catch 20 per cent of the biomass, but the amount of fish in the Strait of Georgia ended up being on the low end of predictions from Fisheries and Oceans Canada,

As seen from a float plane, herring spawn off the coast of Parksville in the spring. resulting in 25 per cent of the biomass being harvested. This is still within sustainable levels, says the DFO. “For 2019, the forecasted range for the Strait of Georgia was 67,000 to 221,400 metric tonnes and the median was 122,921 tonnes,” wrote a DFO spokesperson in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “The most recent data from the scientific surveys indicate that in fact, spawning biomass in the Strait of Georgia was closer to the bottom half of forecast range, resulting in a harvest rate of 25 per cent in 2019.”

Based on DFO’s spawn index, a measure of the procreating biomass of herring taken from dive surveys, Strait of Georgia numbers over the last decade peaked in 2016, with this year representing less than half of this high figure. But herring are a particularly difficult species to

predict, with fluctuating population levels from one year to the next.

“Pacific herring forecasts are highly uncertain because factors such as environmental conditions and predation can vary from year to year,” said the federal department. “DFO has tested and implemented a harvest strategy that has a high probability of conserving the stock over the long term, despite the uncertainly associated with the variability of the stock.”

The west coast of Vancouver Island hasn’t supported a herring fishery in 14 years. Jim Lane, the central region biologist with Uu-a-thluk, said that Nuu-chahnulth fisheries have advised the federal department to keep nets out of the water in 2020. Although DFO scientists have recommended to keep the west coast fishery closed, a final commitment is yet to come from the department.

DFO photo

“I’d be surprised if they opened it up on the west coast of Vancouver Island,” said Lane.

Since a historically low spawn index of 2,464 tonnes was recorded in 2010, annual assessments have increased – albeit with fluctuations. This year’s spawn index is 17,030 tonnes – down from the 28,107 tracked in 2018, but a slight increase from the 2017 number.

“Herring can go from very little to a massive amount,” said Lane.

Nuu-chah-nulth fisheries and the DFO have yet to agree upon what level stocks need to reach to sustain a commercial harvest, but Lane noted that it’s unlikely there will be enough herring on the west coast of Vancouver Island to carry a fishery in the next few years.

Ocean plastics cleanup begins for migrating salmon Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Tofino, BC — In what many consider to be a disastrous year for salmon on the West Coast, an organization specializing in pollution mitigation is moving quickly to ensure that the few fish expected to reach Clayoquot Sound can migrate to the region’s rivers.

A stock assessment bulletin released by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in early November shows stocks within Clayoquot Sound to be a small fraction of counts over the last 12 years. During what is normally the peak period for coho migration, counts across the region ranged from one third of the previous 12-year average to being almost non-existent.

Counts for other salmon species were also significantly lower than average.

“Across the board, chinook, coho, sockeye and chum salmon populations in Clayoquot Sound have crashed,” states the CRS in a press release, a Tofino-based group that specializes in emergency spill response, habitat remediation and pollution clean up.

A grim picture was presented when the

DFO photo

Sockeye and other salmon species have shown particularly low returns to Clayoquot Sound this fall.

DFO released its State of the Canadian Pacific Salmon report in August. That document detailed that stocks are facing extinction on some areas, while declining in others – due in part to human-caused climate change. The report stressed the need for Canada to cut down on carbon

emissions.

“The planet is warming and the most recent five years have been the warmest on record,” wrote DFO scientist Sue Grant in the salmon report.

In Clayoquot Sound, the CRS is pointing its finger at logging, pollution and

marine industry.

“Ocean plastics and petroleum-based toxins from both international and domestic sources have filled migratory corridors with pollutants that are killing all forms of wildlife, including salmon,”’ stated CRS founder Capt. Josh Temple in the group’s press release. “For decades we have watched wild salmon disappear from our local rivers while marine-related industries grow and prosper. With returns in 2019 plummeting to extinction levels it’s not time to do ‘something’, it’s time to start panicking.”

CRS projects have included dismantling an abandoned fish farm in Clayoquot Sound, a harbour and community clean up in Ahousaht, as well as collecting ocean plastics to protect Rafael Point’s wildlife on Flores Island. On Nov. 18 the Coastal Restoration Society began contaminate and pollution removal operations in Clayoquot rivers.

“It’s absolutely critical that we remove pollutants in advance of the spring 2020 juvenile salmonid migration,” said Temple. “We need to move quickly, literally every single salmon counts.”

November 21, 2019—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 5

Consulate General of PRC Vancouver photo

Hereditary Chief Ray Jones Jr. of Haida Gwaii, second from left, and Thomas Sewid, far right, meet with officials at the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver in early November.

Frustration builds for pinniped harvest proponents ‘We need every First Nation to send a letter of support,’ says seal hunt advocate, cites population control needs Mike Youds Nuu-chah-nulth support. We just haven’t seen anything in writing.”

Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor He said PBMM is working “on a limited basis” with DFO to see First Nations obA First Nations group pressing for a tain licenses to sell seal and sea lion parts coastwide commercial harvest of seals harvested under their existing food, social and sea lions has partnered with taxiderand ceremonial rights. He feels, however, mist FurCanada and met with Chinese that the effort will be wasted unless they consular officials to explore market ophear from First Nations soon. portunities.

Archie Little, a Nuchatlaht councillor, All the same, a Kwakwaka-wakw said there has been discussion on the consultant and eco-tourism operator who issue. has spearheaded the initiative says he’s “We met with Roy Jones of Haida frustrated by a lack of formal support Gwaii. We met in Nanaimo a year ago from coastal First Nations. and we gave full support,” Little said.

“We definitely have a response (from Little isn’t sure that a commercial harDFO), but there are a bunch of hurdles,” vest is the solution to finfish decline, yet said Thomas Sewid of Pacific Balance he is certain something must be done.

Marine Management (PBMM). “One of “There’s lots to this and it’s not just the greatest roadblocks right now is First seals and sea lions,” he cautioned, citNations participation. We need every ing the Nuu-chah-nulth philosophy, First Nation to send a letter of support.” hishuk’ish tsawalk, everything is conFor the past 18 months, PBMM has nected. “We need to step back a bit to promoted potential for an Indigenous focus on what we need to do. Things commercial fishery of seals and sea lions have moved so far out of balance.” (collectively known as pinnipeds) above Roger Dunlop, Uu-a-thluk northern and beyond food, social and ceremonial region biologist, said that fly-over deteccatches. PBMM supporters point to a tion of pinniped numbers would improve population explosion of pinnipeds taking understanding of population trends. a huge bite out of declining wild salmon Ocean productivity across all species has stocks. fallen 20 percent due to climate warming First aligning under the banner of the while people are not harvesting seals and Pacific Balance Pinniped Society, the sea lions as they once did, he noted. group began lobbying DFO and building “The question you’ve got to ask is support two years ago before First Nation which species is guilty,” Dunlop said. members broke away to form PBMM. “You can’t just go out, like this group is Sewid has teamed with Roy Jones Jr., a saying, and reduce them.”

Haida hereditary chief, and said he has Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation has widespread support from First Nations received DFO approval for funding to along the B.C. coast. track seals, which have been increasing “We have all the bases covered for First Nations to step up and get a new industry in numbers in rivers along the Island’s northwest coast. That work may take going,” Sewid said. “We’ve had a lot of

place this winter.

“There’s definitely interest,” Dunlop added. Another key question, from a Nuu-chah-nulth perspective, is sustainability. “Now we have to find money to fly around and count them.”

“We’ll probably work with DFO collaboratively and figure out what to do,” he added.

Dunlop agrees that there has been a major resurgence of pinnipeds since they were officially protected and slaughter was halted in 1970. UBC fisheries scientist Carl Walters identified the population concern years ago, he said.

Evaluating the PBMM proposal, Walters presented data last spring showing a tenfold increase in seal populations and a threefold increase in sea lions in B.C. waters. Walters suggests the only way to effectively determine the impact on salmon would be an experimental reduction in pinnipeds to see if chinook rebound.

DFO seems more interested now in the possibility of a pinniped commercial harvest, Dunlop noted.

“The question is, politically, does the public want to tolerate it or not,” he asked.

Harbour seals are most concentrated in the Salish Sea while First Nations along the Island’s northwest coast are faced with another population explosion, that of sea otters. The species was reintroduced in the late 1970s without Indigenous consultation and have an impact on shellfish beds. There are about 5,000 sea otters now along the west coast, yet they remain listed as a species of concern. DFO will not allow more than a minor harvest for cultural purposes until the species is reestablished coast-wide, Dunlop said.

Asked for an update on the pinniped proposal, a DFO spokeswoman said the department is working with academic partners and U.S. counterparts to convene a second expert workshop “to summarize what is known about potential impacts of pinniped predation on salmon, with a focus on the Salish Sea.” Seal and sea lion populations grew exponentially in the 1970s and ’80s, but growth rates began to slow in the 1990s according to DFO biologist Tucker Strahan of the pinniped research program based in Nanaimo. Steller sea lion populations continue to increase. California sea lions have increasingly over-wintered in B.C. waters in the last 30 years and number about 10,000.

Many who fish along the coast argue that the situation is out of control with pinnipeds taking a greater share of dwindling fish stocks, often interfering with fishery activities. Conservation groups counter that a pinniped harvest would not benefit wild salmon.

Sewid is well aware of politics that make the proposal contentious. If they can’t secure a commercial harvest, he expects more pinnipeds will be illegally shot by fishermen.

“We have a salmon disaster and we have a herring disaster and yet they can’t get anyone who wants to pick up a gun and shoot a sea lion,” he said. “I see us shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Little feels it is time for Nuu-chah-nulth leaders to strategize on the issue.

“It’s huge and we haven’t done anything about it,” Little said. “I think the chiefs should get together with a solution and a plan, not just to talk about it.”

Page 6— Ha-Shilth-Sa—November 21, 2019 Ha-Shilth-Sa newspaper is published by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council for distribution to the members of the NTC-member First Nations, as well as other interested groups and individuals.

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Manager/Editor/Reporter Eric Plummer (Ext. 243) (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 eric.plummer@nuuchahnulth.org Reporter Denise Titian (Ext. 240) (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 denise.titian@nuuchahnulth.org Audio / Video Technician Mike Watts (Ext. 238) (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 mike.watts@nuuchahnulth.org Editorial Assistant Deborah Potter (Ext. 286) (250) 724-5757 - Fax:(250) 723-0463 deborah.potter@nuuchahnulth.org

DEADLINE: Please note that the deadline for submissions for our next issue is December 6, 2019 After that date, material submitted and judged appropriate cannot be guaranteed placement but, if material is still relevant, will be included in the following issue.

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

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LETTERS and KLECOS Ha-Shilth-Sa will include letters received from its readers. Letters MUST be signed by the writer and have the writer’s full name, address and phone number on them.

Names can be withheld by request. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted.

We reserve the right to edit submitted material for clarity, brevity, grammar and good taste. We will definitely not publish letters dealing with tribal or personal disputes or issues that are critical of Nuu-chah-nulth individuals or groups.

All opinions expressed in letters to the editor are purely those of the writer and will not necessarily coincide with the views or policies of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council or its member First Nations. Ha-Shilth-Sa includes paid advertising, but this does not imply Ha-Shilth-Sa or Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council recommends or endorses the content of the ads.

NTC’s first registered dietician educates on diabetes Stresses the need for kids to drink water, rather than sugary energy drinks or pop Tofino, BC — November is Diabetes Awareness month, and it is estimated that 25 per cent of B.C.’s Indigenous people will develop Type 2 diabetes, compared to 10 per cent of non-Indigenous people.

It is also known that Indigenous people will be diagnosed around 14 years earlier than the former.

These statistics are provided from Rachel Dickens, who is the central region’s certified diabetes educator, as well as the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s first registered dietitian.

“Diabetes is a complex condition,” Dickens says, “it can be caused by stress, food choices, family history, sedentary lifestyle.”

She also mentions how history can play a factor in diabetes, stating how the stress of colonization and residential schools could be a cause as well.

“It means our body has a hard time processing sugar,” she explains.

Sugar doesn’t always mean sweet sodas, either. It could be in the form of cereal, bread, or pasta.

“It causes the sugar in our body to thicken, and slows down the blood flow to important parts of our body, like fingers, legs, or the heart,” she adds.

Dickens started with the NTC in July, and has worked hard to connect with the five central regions nations, Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ. Dickens is able to travel out to the communities to consult about medications or insulin, and can bring out the necessary tools for monthly screening tests and blood sugar levels. This allows Indigenous people with diabetes in rural communities to cut the cost of travel to doctors and hospitals in larger towns.

Her client base is mostly adults, but recently she had started attending different girls’ groups to educate on diabetes.

Dickens pushes the importance of water, and how to make it more appealing for youth so they can avoid the unhealthy, sugary drinks such as energy drinks and pop.

Dickens also has weekly groups in Ahousaht and Hitacu, open to anyone with diabetes or who has close family and friends with the condition. There, she

Submitted photo

Rachel Dickens began her role at the NTC’s central region office in July. talks about healthy meal prepping with affordable recipes, and shares knowledge on new medications.

As a registered dietitian, Dickens is also available to talk about healthy eating, meal prepping, and nutrition. If there is anyone in the central region who would like advice and support on diabetes, or

Legal Information

COVERAGE: Although we would like to be able to cover all stories and events, we will only do so subject to: - Sufficient advance notice addressed specifically to Ha-Shilth-Sa. - Reporter availability at the time of the event.

- Editorial space available in the paper.

- Editorial deadlines being adhered to by contributors.

anyone without diabetes, they can consult Dickens about a healthy lifestyle. Her department is still very new, so it is fluid, flexible and ready to mold to the communities’ needs.

Rachel Dickens can be found at the NTC office in Tofino, at (250) 725-3367.

Ha-Shilth-Sa belongs to every Nuu-chah-nulth person including those who have passed on, and those who are not yet born. A community 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 45th year of serving the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.

We look forward to your continued input and support.

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November 21, 2019—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 7

Province applies for court to drop Nuchatlaht case If it proceeds, a trial on the First Nation’s title over northern Nootka Island is expected to held held September 2020 Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor British Columbia — As the Declaration of the Rights of First Peoples Act progresses through the legislature, a small Vancouver Island First Nation fighting for territorial recognition is calling on the province to show its reconciliatory stance in the courtroom.

The Nuchatlaht First Nation is preparing for a B.C. Supreme Court trial that would test its territorial right to approximately 20,000 hectares on the north section of Nootka Island. Western Forest Products currently holds the provincially recognized forestry tenure to this area off Vancouver Island’s northwest coast, but it’s also within the Nuchatlaht’s traditional territory. The 164-member First Nation seeks the court’s official recognition of their territory and an injunction to halt WFP’s logging in the remote area.

The Nuchatlaht’s application was heard over five days in court Oct. 7-11, but now the province has made a submission for the upcoming trial to be adjourned. If approved, this would mean the court would drop the trial, which is expected to take place September 2020 in Vancouver.

On Nov. 5 Nuchatlaht Tyee Ha’wilth Jordan Michael brought the matter to David Eby, B.C.’s Attorney General. In a signed letter Michael cites a component to Bill 41, legislation that is currently being passed through the provincial legislature in Victoria, which “put the honourable conduct of litigation at issue.”

If passed, Bill 41 would make B.C. Canada’s first province to pass into law the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This declaration includes an article stating that “Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.”

Eric Plummer photo

Tyee Ha’wilth Jordan Michael, pictured in the front centre with Nuchatlaht members in Oclucje, is calling on B.C.’s attorney general to follow the province’s commitments by acting honourably with respect to the First Nation’s title case.

“We are happy to face resistance to our assertion of rights based on principle, but we do not think the Crown is acting honourably when the main impediments to justice are caused by Crown lawyers unreasonably forcing great cost and delay upon us, for no principled reason,” wrote Michael.

“As this matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment,” responded the Ministry of Attorney General to questioning from the Ha-Shilth-Sa. If the case goes to trial, its outcome hinges on how it can be proven that the Nuchatlaht exclusively occupied the northern part of Nootka Island since

1846, which is the date the British Crown asserted sovereignty over the area.

Part of the Nuchatlaht’s case for continual occupation is evidence that Michael is the direct descendent of a man who is documented to have met the American sea captain John Kendrick in Tahsis Inlet in 1789.

“The Nuchatlaht exists today and is the continuation of, and successor to, the Nuchatlaht in 1846,” reads the First Nation’s statement of claim, which was first filed to the B.C. Supreme Court nearly three years ago.

But the province argues in its court documents that northern Nootka Island’s

“steep and densely forested upland areas, and steep, rocky, exposed shorelines” would have prevented continual and exclusive occupation.

“The Nuchatlaht, prior to and at the date of sovereignty and at all material times, was comprised of loosely affiliated, small, localized family groups, some of which were territorially displaced from areas outside of the claim area by other Indigenous peoples, and did not exclusively occupy the claim area,” reads the province’s statement of claim.

Meanwhile, Western Forest Products’ claim argues that its activities on Nootka Island are “in the public interest” and for “the economic development of British Columbia.”

If it goes to trial, the Nuchatlaht case is expected to lead the way for a more streamlined process for First Nations gaining Aboriginal title without spending hundreds of days in court. The case relies on criteria set out by the Tsilhqot’in decision that came after over 300 days in court, resulted in the Supreme Court of Canada declaring the Aboriginal title of a “semi-nomadic” group of First Nations over their territory in central B.C. Destined to guide the Nuchatlaht case, the Tsilhqot’in decision set out criteria for Aborginal title: exclusivity in an area, occupation of the region and the historical continuity of occupation.

Now the Nuchatlaht are looking for the province to respect their claim in accordance with the historic Supreme Court of Canada decision and the developing First Peoples Act. “We expect the government to respond to that historic claim honourably, respectfully, and in the spirit of Tsilhqot’in and UNDRIP,” reads Michael’s letter.

“Unfortunately, that is not happening.

The Crown lawyers of B.C. continue to make our case far more expensive than it should be, using every possible tactic of procedural delay.”

Cathedral Grove traffic improvements continue to move forward Options under ministry consideration include more parking, centre median barriers and a pedestrian overpass Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Port Alberni, BC — Traffic and pedestrian safety improvements for Cathedral Grove continue to move forward following two rounds of online and face-to-face consultations in Port Alberni and Parksville.

B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) is now analyzing feedback received during the first two rounds of consultations, as well as input from Indigenous communities and local governments, and is moving forward with detailed engineering on solutions to improve safety and capacity for visitors at the park.

During the first two rounds of engagement, the ministry received more than 1,500 responses from park users, area residents and environmental groups on potential options to improve safety and access to Cathedral Grove.

Options the ministry is exploring for improvements at Cathedral Grove include adding capacity to the existing parking lots on Highway 4. The ministry is also looking at adding centre median

Karly Blats photo

Each year half a million people come to see Cathedral Grove’s old growth giants. barriers, roadside barriers along some of the existing parking area to prevent unsafe crossing, and constructing vehicle movement along and across the highway.

In addition, the ministry is exploring the option of expanding the trail network to allow visitors to walk safely from their

vehicles to the grove, constructing Uturn facilities east and west of Cathedral Grove to enable drivers to safely turn around and constructing a pedestrian overpass near the parking lot over Highway 4.

The next phase of the Cathedral Grove

Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Study will include engineering design work to refine the scope and costs. The ministry will present details of the preferred options once engineering work is complete.

One of the most frequent comments during the engagement period was the need to balance pedestrian and vehicle safety with the protection of rare old-growth trees, the ministry stated in a news release.

“No old-growth trees will be removed to accommodate the proposed improvements,” states the release.

The engagement summary, available on the government of B.C.’s website, states each year roughly 500,000 visitors from around the world come to experience the old growth trees and scenery, most arriving by vehicle and parking along Highway 4.

In late 2018, the MoTI initiated a discussion on how to address safety concerns at the existing Cathedral Grove park access while continuing to protect inherent environmental, social, and cultural values of the area.

A complete engagement summary report is available online: https://engage.gov.

Page 8— Ha-Shilth-Sa—November 21, 2019

Linus Lucas sings with family and fellow Hesquiaht members, as the nation opens the floor for a potlatch that began on Nov. 9 in the memory of Lucas’ father.

Simon Lucas potlatch packs Maht Mahs ‘We want to see what your children can do’, said the late Hesquiaht leader, who directed his family members that a potlatch be held two years after his death in 2017 Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Port Alberni, BC — In the quintessential convergence of Nuu-chah-nulth people, hundreds funnelled into Maht Mahs over a weekend in mid-November for a cultural event held according to directions given by a Hesquiaht leader in his final days.

On Nov. 9 and 10 a potlatch took place on Tseshaht territory in Port Alberni in memory of the late Dr. Simon Lucas. Lucas’ son Linus recalls instructions from his father two years ago.

“While he was getting ready to take his trip home, he told us two years from the day he passed we should do a memorial for him – but he instructed us, ‘Continue singing from this day’,” said Linus.

“Since he passed we haven’t stopped singing.”

The family kept singing, sometime several times a week, honing a collection of songs that would lead off each of the potlatch’s two days. As they expected

events to run late into the night, the Lucas family followed a tradition their father instilled in them by bathing in an outdoor body of water at daybreak.

“When we were preparing for a potlatch he always got us out to do that first thing in the morning,” said Linus, adding that the practice is done “to say thank you to our creator, to allow our creator to give is a good day. One of things we found when we first did it is it kept us energized throughout the whole day.”

Participants came to Port Alberni from across Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Terrace and Seattle, ranging in age from newborns to 98-year-old Hilda Hansen, who travelled from Kyuquot.

The Lucas family received vast donations of food, including salmon, deer, 1,000 pounds of halibut and 1,000 pounds of elk.

“My dad taught us to be generous with all other people, and because of that, because of our sharing, people have been giving us, just kept giving us food,” said Linus.

Next to the performance floor sat a framed picture of Dr. Lucas, with the quote “Don’t ever forget that every day you learn something” next to his image.

When he passed Sept. 16, 2017 at the age 77, Lucas left a history of advocacy for Nuu-chah-nulth culture and Aboriginal rights. After the potlatch ban was lifted he contributed to the resurgence of Nuuchah-nulth culture in the late 1960s.

Lucas was also instrumental politically in the advancement of First Nations rights. He joined the West Coast Allied Tribes 1958 when he was still a teenager, and helped launch the West Coast District Council of Indian Chiefs in 1973, which later became the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

It was the early formation of this organization that pushed for the closure of the Alberni Indian Residential School that stood for generations on the Tseshaht reserve. The Maht Mahs is one of the buildings that remains from AIRS, although what was originally intended as a gymnasium for the assimilationist institution has

for years been a central destination for Nuu-chah-nulth events. The Simon Lucas potlatch illustrated this, as participants filled the facility wall to wall, the gym vibrating with human activity.

“One of the things he asked us to do is tell nations we want to see what your children can do, because he was really proud of what his grandchildren were able to do,” recalled Linus. “It was more about identity for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; to allow them to be able to express and tell people who they are and where they’re from. It’s our hopes that nations will be able to see that and instill the same practices.”

Such an influx of people to Port Alberni generated concern over finding accommodation. But in the week proceeding the potlatch rooms opened up when a large hockey tournament was cancelled due to an ammonia leak at the local arena due to a crack in the refrigeration system.

“He wanted them here, and that’s why they’re here,” Linus smiled.

November 21, 2019—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 9

Eric Plummer photos

After generations of leadership for his nation and Nuu-chah-nulth, Simon Lucas passed on Sept. 16, 2017 at the age of 77.

“It’s the final piece to say to say goodbye to my dad.

We’re just following his instructions to the tee.”

People came to Maht Mahs from across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, representing all Nuu-chah-nulth nations.

The second day of the potlatch continued into the night, ending near daybreak.

As the sun went down on Nov. 10 participants lined up outside Maht Mahs, then entered the hall in an extended paddle dance as drummers sang.

Page 10— Ha-Shilth-Sa—November 21, 2019

Seasoned journalist honoured by Langara College Sam Laskaris Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Vancouver, BC - Hupacasath journalist Wawmeesh Hamilton was among those honoured by his alma mater in early November.

To mark its 49th year, officials from Vancouver’s Langara College, which is located on 49th Avenue in Vancouver, decided to honor 49 distinguished Langarans. Those recognized at a ceremony at the school Nov. 6 included distinguished alumni, community partners as well as current or former employees.

Hamilton, who is an associate producer for CBC Radio Vancouver as well as a contributing writer for CBC Indigenous and CBC Radio, took Langara’s one-year Journalism program, starting in 2006. In recent years Hamilton, a member of the Hupacasath First Nation, has specialized in writing about First Nations people and Indigenous issues.

When he completed his Master of Journalism degree from the University of British Columbia in 2015, Hamilton had plenty of Indigenous topics to write about. For starters, Idle No More was still a hot topic. So too was the national issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. And then the final report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada came out in 2015.

“Those thrust Indigenous issues and communities very atop the news agenda,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton knew for a few months that Langara College planned to recognize him.

“I got a call in the summer stating I had been nominated and that I was going to be honored,” he said.

A total of 185 individuals were nominated for the award.

Hamilton, 54, has lectured on Indigenous issues at Langara College the past two years. He’s now lobbying the school to start a course focusing on Indigenous issues.

Hamilton is not sure who nominated him for his Langaran award but he believes it must have been someone in the school’s Journalism department.

Though he did not enroll in Langara’s Journalism program until he was 41, Hamilton fell in love with the field long before that. While in the Philosophy

Langara College photo

To mark its 49th year, Langara College recognized the achievements of 49 graduates, including Wawmeesh Hamilton. program at Vancouver Island University back in 2000, Hamilton took an Introductory to Journalism class one term. He was hooked early on in that class.

“It found me,” he said of journalism, which would end up becoming his career.

“I sopped up every lecture. That became my obsession and my passion. It still is.”

Because of his solid reputation of reporting on Indigenous issues in recent years, many have suggested to Hamilton that he should branch out and go into communications or media training.

“I wouldn’t be a fit,” he said. “If you open my head up you’d find a notepad and a pen.”

Hamilton said he is disappointed that his parents died before he began his journalism career. His father Cliff died when Hamilton was just six.

“I have very few memories of him,” Hamilton said. “But I remember him reading newspapers and National Geographic magazines and Life magazines.

He would read them intently page to page. That was the effect someone’s journalism was having on him.”

Hamilton’s mother Jessie was also an avid reader.

“She would read in her quiet times,” Hamilton said.

And he also praised his late stepfather Arnold Thomas, who was illiterate, for where he is today.

“He was the biggest advocate in my life to get the best education that I could,” he said.

Hamilton also said another individual who was instrumental in his life path was Betty Pletcher, who was a teacher at

Vancouver Community College, where he took an English course.

“She took me aside one day after class,” Hamilton said, adding Pletcher asked him what he was interested in doing. “I told her I hope to get my business degree and move home and help my people. She told me you don’t have a business mind. You have a creative mind and you should be a writer.”

Dr. Lane Trotter, Langara College’s CEO and president, welcomed the opportunity for his school to honor 49 Langarans this year.

“The 49 recipients are ambassadors for the college, and represent the impact that Langara has had in the community,” he said. “It’s our pleasure to celebrate their achievements and our contribution to their success.”

Phrase of the week - Pukmiičiƛ Pronounced ‘pook mee chilth,’ this is when someone has turned into a wild man of the woods.Supplied by čiisma.

Illustration by Ivy Cargill-Martin

November 21, 2019—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 11

Remembering lost souls: Child hanging death ruled accidental at Alberni Indian Residential School in 1969 Recent healing event resurfaces Mitchell Joseph tragedy, who is buried in an unmarked grave in Port Alberni Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni, BC — At the Alberni Indian Residential School in 1969, a headstrong nine-year old boy misses his family. His grandparents live so close that all the lonely little boy has to do is sneak away unnoticed, cross the ‘Orange Bridge’ and walk two kilometers down River Road to the comfort of home. And he did it, often.

This is the story of Mitchell Joseph, a Hupacasath boy sent to Alberni Indian Residential School where he stayed until his death in 1969.

Fifty years later, those who knew the boy recall the tragedy the Joseph family suffered. Everyone knew Mitchell ran away every chance he could, and sometimes police would pick him up in places as far away from the school as Cherry Creek.

Perhaps he didn’t want to be seen in the open on the wide street next to the river.

Maybe he tried to find a less open route home.

A pair of sisters from Ahousaht couldn’t make it to the Reclaiming Lost Souls of AIRS Healing Event hosted by Tseshaht First Nation in late September. But a HaShilth-Sa story about it triggered painful, haunting memories of Mitchell Joseph for the sisters.

Norma Tom (nee Charlie) and Flo Charlie were senior girls at AIRS back in May 1969. As such they were sometimes required to supervise the younger children.

“I remember seeing him that morning, before breakfast,” Norma shared.

On May 26, 1969, Mitchell ran away yet again and was returned to AIRS by the RCMP. “Mrs. Williams was a mean ass, oh my God!” said Flo. “When she’d lose it – it was bad.”

The sisters recalled that little Mitchell ran away quite often, and took cruel punishment from the supervisor.

“The day he ran she really hit him around and belittled him,” said Flo, referring to Mrs. Williams.

Later that day an Ahousaht boy came running for help. Randy Louie, now deceased, was the same age as Mitchell.

He tried to find someone to help save Mitchell.

The Charlie sisters remember running downstairs to see what was wrong. They saw Mitchell’s lifeless body hanging by his neck from the towel dispenser; the type that had a continuous sheet of fabric looped through a wall-mounted device. It was too late to save him.

“In my heart I knew it wasn’t right – there was no stool or chair under this boy, I felt he was left hanging there,” said Flo. The coroner ruled the death an accident that occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. on May 26, 1969.

Two weeks later an inquiry into the death of Mitchell Joseph found that the death was attributed to accidental hanging and recommended that towel facilities at Alberni Indian Residential School be improved. It is not known whether or not the towel dispensers at AIRS were replaced.

A subsequent inquiry took place involving another death of an AIRS student three years later. The results were similar.

In November 1972, David Edwards of Ditidaht died in a motor vehicle accident

United Church of Canada archives

The Alberni Indian Residential School closed in 1973, after the institution operated in various forms for nearly a century on Tseshaht land. Pictured are boys at the school in the 1960s. at Cameron Lake. According to Clyde Wale, who is an AIRS survivor and was also in the accident, the boys were roused from their sleep by a female supervisor who said they were going on a picnic at Parksville.

It didn’t make sense because it was night time in November. Wale recalled the chaos of the accident, with bodies flying everywhere as the bus they were in tumbled over the road. He said they hit the rock wall.

David Edwards, was eight years old at the time of his death. The coroner’s report indicates that he was thrown out of the bus, suffering fatal head injuries. The accident occurred Nov. 11, 1972 at about 7:45 in the evening. It didn’t mention a picnic.

The inquiry that followed less than two weeks later ruled the death an accident, “and that no blame attaches to anyone.”

“The jury recommend (sic) that the driver of any passenger vehicle belonging to the Federal Government and used in connection with the Indian Affairs Residences be required to have a Class 4 license,” reads the Inquiry report, dated Nov. 23, 1972.

John Thomas, the boy’s father, signed his son’s death certificate. He brought his son home to Nitinaht Lake for burial.

The Charlie sisters, traumatized by what they witnessed, recalled being isolated from the other children with instructions not to speak of what they saw. The sisters say the memories are painful and they block some of them.

“It’s so hard to talk about,” said Norma.

“It just hurt so much to see him and it still gets me. I’m sorry, I’m just nothing but tears.”

Dora Armstrong (nee Unger) works for Hupacasath First Nation. Back in the ‘60s she lived on River Road next door to the

Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre photo

Joseph family.

“He was such a darling boy; priceless, a cutie pie,” she shared.

Dora recalled playing with the Joseph siblings…Nelson, Susie, Andrew and Stewart.

“Susie died in a car accident…they are all gone now except for Stewart and another sister,” she told Ha-Shilth-Sa. Even the house that Mitchell ran to is gone. It has long since been replaced by cheap DIA prefab houses.

The Charlie sisters honoured the mem-

ory of Mitchell Joseph during a canoe journey dedicated to his memory.

“We dedicate our Tribal Journey paddles to something significant,” said Flo, adding that they met with members of the family and Hupacasath community several years ago.

According to Mitchell Joseph’s records, he was laid to rest at an ‘Indian Cemetery’ in Port Alberni. He likely lies close to his beloved grandparents – never to be taken away again.

Page 12— Ha-Shilth-Sa—November 21, 2019

Deborah Potter photo

Heather Wesley (from left), Melinda Sinclair, Jos-lyn Jackson, Amelie Duquette, Martina Martin, Arthur Edgar, Nicole Rollans at the completion of the Full Circle Youth Life Skills & Wellness program.

Teaching youth to live healthy in different ways Deborah Potter Ha-Shilth-Sa Staff Port Alberni, BC — After two months, Full Circle Youth Life Skills & Wellness has come to an end.

The pilot youth group was organized by the combination of two NTC services, Child & Youth and Teechuktl Mental Health, with Melinda Sinclair, Nicole Rollans and Amelie Duquette.

Promoting life skills and holistic practices, the program’s activities focused around the wellness wheel: the mind, body, spirt and emotions. They spent a day exploring the benefits of Nuuchah-nulth culture, another day learning about budgeting and expenses, as well as the importance of home cooked meals.

Sinclair also made a point to explain to the youth the many resources the tribal council has.

“I think it’s important for our youth to know what services (NTC) has to offer,” said Sinclair, who is a child and youth counsellor with Teechuktl. “Education, NETP, cultural support, it’s all very important.”

There was a consistent seven youth who attended the weekly group meet-ups, ranging in age from 16-24 years old.

“The youth should know that they have a whole community behind them, supporting and cheering them on,” said Rollans, a child and youth counsellor

with CYS. By the end of the program, each client was gifted completion bags, which included sage, Epsom salts, candles, some city passes, and a small carved wooden paddle, which Sinclair explains as “if you have your paddle, you are always moving.”

On top of their completion bag, each client received a new blender, after a successful nutrition session the youth experienced, learning about the benefits of real fruit smoothies and home cooked meals.

One client was even gifted a crockpot to begin making affordable, healthy meals.

When asked what the youth got the most out of over the eight-week program, Joslyn Jackson said, “Budgeting, definitely.”

“I’m moving in to my own place pretty soon,” she continued. “It’s a good skill to have.”

“Learning about the NTC services, brushings especially,” Heather Wesley added.

“I grew my public and group speaking skills,” Arthur Edgar shared.

By the end of their last group meeting, Sinclair had brought in an intuitive tarot card reader, River Readings, for personalized tarot readings for the youth.

“It’s important that they learn to be healthy in different ways,” Sinclair said to Hashilthsa, “From mental health, life skills, holistic wellness. It’s all connected and important.”

Community&Beyond Urban Gathering (Vancouver) December 5th, 2019 Cultural Ceremony, Information Sharing, NTC Updates, Sharing a Meal together ,Singing and Drumming (bring your drum).

2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Hastings room @ PNE, 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC For more information, contact Ruby Ambrose or Jennifer Gallic (250) 724-3939 ; 1 (888) 624-3939 Urban Gathering (Seattle) December 6th – 7th, 2019 Pershing Hall, American Legion Post 160, 3618 SW Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98126 Friday, December 6th 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday, December 7th 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM For more information, contact Ruby Ambrose or Jennifer Gallic (250) 724-3939 ; 1 (888) 624-3939 Feed our People (Port Alberni) December 11th, 2019 Alberni Athletic Hall, 3727 Roger St Doors open at 11am, meal will be served at 12:00pm noon.

Everyone is welcome!

Urban Gathering (Nanaimo) December 12th, 2019 Beban Social Center (Lounge C), 2300 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo BC 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM For more information, contact Ruby Ambrose or Jennifer Gallic (250) 724-3939 ; 1 (888) 624-3939

Urban Gathering (Victoria) December 13th, 2019 Victoria Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagra St, Victoria BC 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM For more information, contact Ruby Ambrose or Jennifer Gallic (250) 724-3939 ; 1 (888) 624-3939 Urban Gathering (Campbell River) December 17th, 2019 Thunderbird Hall, 1400 Weiweikum Rd, Campbell River, BC 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM For more information, contact Ruby Ambrose or Jennifer Gallic (250) 724-3939 ; 1 (888) 624-3939 Memorial Potlach May 16, 2020 Lake Cowichan We the Livingstone family are now planning a Memorial Potlach for our Father and Hereditary Chief Sha e’ Lum, Cyril Edward Livingstone.

Bring your drums and regalia. All family and friends are invited. Location: Lake Cowichan Arena, 311 S Shore Rd, Lake Cowichan, Contact Lake Cowichan First Nation at (250) 749-3301 for information.

Acknowledgements from family Michael Olebar Nov. 5, 1968 – Nov. 24, 2012 Dedgio Jack April 28, 1963 – Nov. 30, 2013

November 21, 2019—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 13

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Page 14— Ha-Shilth-Sa—November 21, 2019

Eric Plummer photo

On Nov. 13 members of the B.C. Family Liaison Unit came to meet Lisa Watts (second from the right) at the NTC’s Teechuktl Mental Health office in Port Alberni.

Pictured are Sgt. Ron Palta and Wayne Clary of the RCMP, with fellow unit member Freda Ens.

Beyond the National Inquiry, specialized unit connects with family members of victims Units created across Canada along with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Port Alberni, BC — The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls concluded in June when the 1,200-page report was presented to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But despite a $53.8 million federal investment and testimony from 2,380 people across Canada, unanswered questions remain for the loved ones of victims.

This is particularly true for Nuu-chahnulth families. As of its annual general meeting in late September, the Nuu-chahnulth Tribal Council has heard reports from the families of 52 women and girls who have been killed or went missing since the 1960s.

A recently surfaced case involves a former student at the Alberni Indian Residential School who is only remembered as “Bunny”. She never returned to her home community, said Lisa Watts, who specializes in supporting the loved ones of missing and murdered victims at Teechktl Mental Health.

“She was known to the kids as Bunny,” said Watts of the mysterious case. “She

just never came back, so they don’t know what happened to her.”

On Nov. 13 a specialized team passed through Port Alberni, amid their ongoing meetings with the families of victims.

The B.C. Family Information Liaison Unit is one of many created in every province and territory to compliment the national inquiry by connecting families with information about the status of investigations or documented information related to the loss of their loved ones, such as coroners reports.

The liaison units were created to bridge a historical gap in trust between Indigenous families and the police, said Freda Ens of the B.C. unit.

“There’s a lot of lack of trust, especially in more remote communities,” she said.

“Whether it’s police, the Ministry of Children and Families, anything like that there’s that lack of trust because when you go back to our residential schools, it was the police who helped the Indian agent take the children away.”

Over the last three years, the B.C. unit has visited at least 75 families, working to connect them with information about their lost loved ones. In many cases the

children of victims have sought information, as the tragedies occurred when they were too young to understand the details.

Information from cases was often murky when English wasn’t the first language spoken by an Aboriginal family, said Ens. “Especially in our ones that are going back to the ‘60s, there may have been a language barrier when there was court happening,” she said. “Maybe the parents that were involved may not have understood enough to let the other family members know what happened in court.”

Wayne Clary of the RCMP’s E Division Major Crimes Section works with the B.C. family liaison unit. He’s found that the trauma of suddenly losing a loved one to homicide has affected a family member’s ability to understand details of a case.

“In dealing with families, this is all very traumatic for them, and they don’t retain and digest the information when you’re in trauma,” said Clary.

“By and large most of the cases are historical and concluded, and hence why we see generations of families who have come forward now,” added Sgt. Ron Palta, also an E Division member who works with the liaison unit. “We’re able to at least dispel a lot of rumours. It’s been hugely rewarding in that way.”

But some of the cases are still open, with persons of interest who are being tracked by investigators years after a death. This affects how much information police can disclose to families. Palta has seen prosecutions derailed when reasonable doubt is proven in court if a defendant or witness gains information about a case through public knowledge.

“When we go and speak to people, witnesses, to figure out who knows what about the case…if they’ve heard information circulated, it taints their story,” he explained. “Evidence that comes forward for the prosecution has to be pure in the sense that only the killer knows - or the people responsible for it know that information - so if we put it out in the public realm, then community knows. That’s problematic.”

“The first time the information is heard in public is in the courtroom, that’s the kind of way that we run our business,” noted Clary.

A paramount concern for instigators is obtaining enough evidence to press charges, a standard that is higher in B.C. than most other provinces, said Clary.

“There’s cases where we know who did it, we’re close but we can’t charge,” he admitted. “We’ve used every investigational technique at our disposal, we still can’t get it. So this is what we’re left with.”

“The longer a case goes, the more difficult it is to resolve for a variety of reasons - but that’s even more reason to maintain a commitment with the community, because it’s information from the community that needs to come forward,” said Palta. “Someone who knows something has to come forward to the police to advance these cases.”

The B.C. Family Information Liaison Unit will continue to receive federal funding until March 2020, and its operations beyond this point are yet to be determined by Ottawa. Those seeking information can contact the unit at 1-888355-0064 or BCFILU@gov.bc.ca.

November 21, 2019—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 15

Scientists use drones to track endangered orcas Data will inform conservation and recovery efforts for dwindling population of southern resident killer whales Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) are using aerial drones to get a unique perspective into the underwater behaviour of northern and southern resident killer whales off the B.C. coast.

During phase one of a five-phase research project, the rare footage was filmed in collaboration with the Hakai Institute to help researchers determine if endangered southern residents are getting enough of their preferred prey, Chinook salmon, to meet their nutritional needs.

The insights will inform conservation and recovery efforts for the population that has dwindled to under 75 individuals.

“Essentially we’re trying to determine whether there’s a shortage of food for southern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea and in order to answer those questions we’re conducting a comparative feeding ecology study on northern residents who are apparently in healthier conditions,” said Sarah Fortune, a postdoctoral fellow at the Marine Mammal Research Unit. “We’re comparing [northern residents’] feeding behaviour and prey field with the southern residents, and so what this entails is a series of different technologies that are documenting the behaviours of the whales aerially and also underwater.”

The northern population has increased significantly since the 1970s, and is now estimated at more 300 individuals.

Fortune said in addition to a highquality drone, researchers are also using a vessel equipped with multi-frequency echo sounders that are used to document at what depth salmon are found and in what numbers.

“Basically while we’re recording the behaviour of the [whales] we’re simultaneously recording the prey field and so we can overlay the two data sets and we can answer questions - like how successful at foraging are northern residents compared to southern residents,” Fortune said.

The team spent three weeks in late August and early September monitoring pods of northern and southern resident killer whales and their prey.

The first images from the trip were of southern resident killer whales, feeding on salmon in the Salish Sea between UBC and the Fraser River. More images were captured of the much larger population of northern resident killer whales in Johnstone Strait off Vancouver Island’s northeast coast, and off Calvert Island in the central B.C. coast.

Fortune said scientists in Canada and the United States have used drones to capture footage of southern and northern resident killer whales in the past. But what is new about her team’s study is they’re using drones to video record the feeding behaviours of the whales, while simultaneously recording information about the depth of the fish in the water columns and the abundance of fish.

“We’re relating whale behaviour, fish behaviour, fish abundance and distribution,” she said. “With present data we’re not able to quantitatively determine whether the lower foraging success of say southern residents is directly a function of lower prey availability or potentially less accessible prey.”

Fortune said the study will help answer a conservation oriented question of whether there’s sufficient Chinook

Andrew Trites / UBC photo

Southern resident killer whale J31 and her three-month old calf J56 near the Fraser River in August 2019. The calf was observed over two days carrying a fish in her mouth — although calves only drink milk during their first year of life. salmon to support a healthy southern resident population.

“The government has been taking precautionary action for southern residents and in order to ensure that the right measures, or the best measures are being implemented we need to be able to have data to support a particular factor,” Fortune said.

Late last year, federal Fisheries and Oceans managers suggested a closure to a large fishing area at the entrance to Barkley Sound in order to preserve prey for the endangered southern resident killer whale.

According to the DFO, the greatest threats to resident killer whales are reduction in prey availability, contaminants and acoustic and physical disturbance. Exposure to toxic spills, interactions with fisheries and aquaculture and climate change are other human-related threats that may negatively impact the southern resident killer whale population.

Many commercial and sport fishers on Vancouver Island were largely opposed to a closure, saying it would negatively affect their livelihood.

During Fortune and her team’s study, they also collected environmental data like water temperature and salinity and used hydrophones and traditional tagging methods to gather data on individual whales.

“A key part of this puzzle is figuring out where their prey is,” said Mei Sato, a research associate at MMRU in a press release. “We used hydro-acoustics to eavesdrop on the fish and gather information about the number and depth of Chinook salmon available to killer whales in the area.”

Over the coming months, the team will analyze their data and try to build a comprehensive picture of resident killer whale feeding behaviour.

The project is part of the federally-funded Whale Science for Tomorrow initiative, with additional funding and support from the Province of British Columbia, the Pacific Salmon, the Hakai Institute and Vancouver Whale Watch.

Keith Holmes / Hakai Institute photo

A southern resident killer whale swims past a school of salmon near the Fraser River.

Andrew Trite / UBC photo

UBC research team members launching the drone to track killer whales.

Page 16— Ha-Shilth-Sa—November 21, 2019

Top right photos by Allison Vincent, left photo by Denise Titian

A rainstorm rolls onto Kyuquot territory (top right) to the shores of Aktis and Spring Islands, by Allison Vincent.

A foggy morning in Port Alberni (left) by Denise Titian.

Scenes from Nitinaht Lake in late October (middle and bottom right). A young owl takes shelter from marauding crows in the rafters of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s main office in Port Alberni.

Photos by Denise Titian