Ahousaht closed to visitors

Active cases in the First Nation village rise to 18, prompting leadership to close the community to non-residents

By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

Maaqtusiis, BC – An ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 has pushed the start day of Ahousaht’s elementary and high schools back to the second week of October. On Friday, Sept. 24, Ahousaht administration issued an update stating that there were 18 confi rmed cases in the village of Maaqtusiis, with an additional four cases away from home. One of those cases was reported to be hospitalized. On Monday, Sept. 27, the First Nation reported 19 active cases in the village with another 8 members testing positive for COVID-19 away from home. For this reason, Chief Councillor Greg Louie announced that Ahousaht is closed to non-residents until further notice. Both elected and hereditary leadership extended condolences to the family of Mark Jack, who passed away on the weekend. They noted that the decision to close the village came after the passing of the elder and former councillor. Louie said they would make exceptions for family members that are already enroute to the village that are not experiencing fl u-like symptoms. The secondary school principal issued an announcement stating that the Ahousaht Education Authority is taking the advice of B.C.’s medical health offi cer and extending the school closures until Oct. 8. Free food distribution started shortly after the pandemic began, to help people access food without risk of exposure to the virus. But that ended several months ago. The nation continues to off er food purchase service where people can make a grocery order, pay for it, and have it delivered to the village. The grocery is being restricted to window service to help prevent unnecessary person-to-person contact. The Ahousaht General Store is off ering to deliver ordered groceries to Mattie’s Dock to further help people avoid unnecessary trips out of Ahousaht. Ahousaht administration is working on

Photo by Courtenay Louie A rising number of COVID-19 cases in Ahousaht has delayed the start of the community’s schools and prompted leadership to bring back a no-visitor policy. Ahousaht residents were among the fi rst in B.C. to receive immunization for COVID-19 in early January, aligning with the province’s prioritization of First Nations due to how the coronavirus has disproportionally aff ected these remote communities.

getting two or three trailers for people that need to isolate. For now, if a person has tested positive the entire household must isolate together for the duration of the quarantine period, said Louie. The First Nation is concerned about residents that are partying. Louie says they receive reports from members concerned that partyers are mingling and going from house to house. “People need to stay home and we need the cooperation from family members,” said Louie. He asked them to monitor their family members and bring them home. “If you need support, call Cha chum hiyup at 250-670-9558 for support if you need it,” Louie implored. “We have children under the age of 11 who are not vaccinated and we have people whose immune systems are severely compromised.” Ahousaht administration is delivering food care packages to those that are isolating in the community, but they don’t have the names of people that tested positive. Swan noted that people can email eoc@ahousaht.ca if they are in need of food and cleaning supplies. That includes members living away from home. Those needing support must provide proof of positive test result. Of its population of approximately 1,000, Ahousaht has vaccinated 508 adults in the village, 428 of whom are fully vaccinated. A further 57 youth ages 12-17 are at least partially vaccinated. On Friday, Sept. 24, there were 5,979 active COVID cases in BC, with 660 active cases reported by Island Health. From Sept. 9 – 22, 73 per cent of active COVID patients that required hospitalization were not vaccinated. Eight per cent of hospital cases were partially vaccinated and 18.1 percent were fully vaccinated. The BC Centre for Disease Control advises people that the two doses of Pfi zerBioNtech or AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD provide very good protection against the Delta variant, especially against severe outcomes.

Court rules against extending Fairy Creek injunction

By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor

Port Renfrew, BC - In the aftermath of a court injunction that generated over 1,100 arrests in Pacheedaht territory this year, the First Nation is reiterating an earlier request, asking protestors to leave the Fairy Creek area. A six-month court injunction prohibiting people from blocking logging or road building in the forest near Port Renfrew expired Sept. 28, and the B.C. Supreme Court denied an application from Teal Cedar Products to extend the court order for another year. The forestry company, which holds tenure over Crown land in southwestern Vancouver Island, had applied for an extension to continue police enforcement against the blockades. But in late September Justice Douglas Thompson denied this request, citing the infringement of civil liberties over the half year of police enforcement around Fairy Creek, an area considered to be one of the few watersheds on Vancouver Island untouched by industrial logging. Teal Cedar’s application to extend the injunction was disputed by the Rainforest Flying Squad, a collective of old growth activists who have held blockades in the Fairy Creek area since August 2020. “Methods of enforcement of the court’s order have led to serious and substantial infringement of civil liberties, including impairment of the freedom of the press to a marked degree,” wrote Thompson in his judgement. “And, enforcement has been carried out by police offi cers rendered anonymous to the protesters, many of those police offi cers wearing ‘thin blue line’ badges. All of this has been done in the name of enforcing this court’s order, adding to the already substantial risk to the court’s reputation whenever an injunction pulls the court into this type of dispute between citizens and the government.” In the middle of the confl ict, which has become one of Canada’s largest acts of civil disobedience, lies the Pacheedaht, a small Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation with vested forestry interests in their territory. With the Fairy Creek clash at its peak, the Pacheedaht and neighbouring Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations issued the Hišuk ma cawak Declaration in June, a document signed by hereditary and elected leaders asserting authority over their lands. “Together we declared that from now on, our First Nations will decide what is best for our lands, our waters and our resources from the sustainment and wellbeing of present and future generations of Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht and Pacheedaht people,” stated Pacheedaht Chief Councillor Jeff Jones after the court injunction expired. “The PFN reiterates our previous request that all protestors vacate Pacheedaht First Nation territory and allow our community to continue with the governance and stewardship responsibilities in our ḥ ahahuułi (traditional territory).” Along with the Hišuk ma cawak Declaration, the three First Nations demanded a two-year deferral of all old-growth logging in the Fairy Creek and Central Walbran areas, time required for the communities to undertake forest stewardship management plans with their members. The provincial government quickly responded by agreeing to this two-year deferral, but protests continued through the summer out of concern that old-growth logging was occurring in other parts the region north of Port Renfrew. “While we continue to conduct this important work, and while the old growth logging deferrals remain in eff ect, we respectfully reiterate our request that all protestors vacate PFN territory to allow us to conduct this work in peace,” stated Chief Jones. “We also request that the protestors take this opportunity to rethink their protesting strategy with a view to ceasing all disrespectful, damaging and illegal activities.” Teal Cedar Products plan to appeal, but in the meantime police enforcement will be driven by complaints, said Sgt. Chris Manseau of RCMP media relations. On Oct. 1 this resulted in another three arrests after a report of people blocking workers from forestry roads into the Fairy Creek watershed. “When police arrived, eff orts were made to negotiate with the group to allow industry vehicles to pass through,” stated an RCMP press release. “Several individuals refused and three were subsequently arrested for mischief and obstruction.” “Our numbers in the area have dropped down signifi cantly,” said Manseau, noting that offi cers had been brought in from across B.C. to enforce the injunction. “Members that are now in the area are going to follow up on any complaints in the vicinity looking at their powers under the Criminal Code.”

Photo by Melissa Renwick Police enforcement of a court injunction north of Port Renfrew generated over 1,100 arrests, including 110 individuals who were arrested more than once. Pictured are police at a blockade in May, shortly after enforcement began.

Provincial funding designated for helping those whose past trauma has been triggered by discoveries at sites

By Melissa Renwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Victoria, BC - The provincial government is allocating $1.5 million to address the need for culturally safe and traumainformed support for residential school survivors, their families, and communities. Dispersed between three Indigenous service providers, the funding is part of the $12 million BC Residential School Response Fund that was promised after the remains of 215 children were revealed at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in May. With the funding, the Indian Residential School Survivor Society will be enhancing their 24/7 cultural support line through added counselling and cultural support staff . Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society will be providing more in-person health and cultural support. And the Métis Nation British Columbia will add resources to its Métis Counselling Connection Program, such as providing 10 free counselling sessions for Métis participants. “It’s so important for Indigenous people to have access to the supports that they can trust,” said Murray Rankin, minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “Supports that understand the impact of the residential school system.” Leading up to Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30, Rankin said it’s a time to acknowledge Canada’s “true history” and honour the strength and resilience of those who attended residential schools. “This is a time of reckoning in British Columbia and across Canada,” he said. “We must ensure as a government, as a society and as individual British Columbians that we stand with Indigenous people and recognize the truth of our colonial system. This truth has long been known. It was well documented by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We will continue to put communities and survivors at the centre of our response – to listen and to respond to what they need.” Following the news from Kamloops, the ministry said Indigenous service providers have seen a signifi cant increase in demand for mental health and cultural wellness support. Angela White, executive director of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, said that in the days following the discovery, their call line was “inundated with over 500 to 600 calls” between the working hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Similarly, KUU-US Crisis Line Society executive assistant Cindy McAnerin said the Port Alberni-based organization doubled their call volume after the children were found.

Photo by Melissa Renwick In the spring the Best Western Plus Tin Wis resort in Tofi no set up a memorial to remember the 215 children who were found buried at a site near the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The resort invited community members to visit their totem pole and leave a pair of shoes or a stuff ed animal. Colette Trudeau, Métis Nation British Columbia senior director of operations and administration, said it’s imperative to have Indigenous-led support so those seeking services aren’t being further traumatized by someone who “doesn’t truly understand.” “It’s about having someone on the other line who’s Indigenous, who understands their lived experience, has cultural competency associated with having these types of conversations and that empathy that comes with these conversations,” Trudeau said. While the provincial funding has come at a “critical time,” Sonia Isaac-Mann, who is the First Nations Health Authority’s vice-president of Community Health and Wellness, Programs and Services, said it doesn’t go far enough. “There is still much more that needs to be done to provide culturally safe health and wellness supports for those directly impacted by the Residential School system, and to support the intergenerational impacts that the Residential School system continues to have on B.C. First Nations and their communities,” she said. The Indian Residential School Survivors Society’s 24-hour crisis line is available at 1-866-925-4419.

Pension cuts not aff ected by day school se" ements

Continued from Page 1

“A person’s GIS entitlement is re-calculated at the beginning of each payment cycle, which runs from July to June, and is based on the previous year’s income,” Rodenburg added. She went on to say that every year in July seniors have their GIS adjusted to refl ect changes in their net income. “This ensures the benefi ts go to the most vulnerable seniors,” she said. In order to qualify for GIS, you must be Canadian, age 65 or over and collecting OAS. If you’re single, widowed or divorced, your maximum annual income is $19, 248. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, your combined maximum income is $25,440 if your spouse receives OAS and $46,128 if they do not receive OAS. MP Blaikie objects to the claw back. Seniors received these funds in an extraordinary circumstance and now their incomes are decimated, he said. “We’ve asked the government to consider the CERB extraordinary income and not count it in the GIS calculations,” said Blaikie. “All seniors on GIS live in poverty,” he noted. “There’s going to be a lot of homeless seniors, and this doesn’t serve anybody.” According to Service Canada, if a senior applied for and received the CERB or CRB and it caused a reduction of the GIS portion of their monthly pension cheque, the reduction will remain in place until July 2022, after the next tax season. But there’s a chance that pensioners affected by the cutback may have their GIS recalculated. “GIS clients who received CERB benefi ts delivered by Service Canada under the Employment Insurance Act may be able to have their GIS benefi t paid based upon their estimated income for the current calendar year rather than based upon their actual income from the 2020 calendar year if their pension income has reduced or their employment income has ceased due to retirement,” says Service Canada. They go on to say that this is not the case for CERB and CRB delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency. People who received the CERB or CRB benefi ts under the Employment Insurance Act and wish to have their GIS benefi ts recalculated based on their estimated income for the current calendar year are advised to contact the Old Age Security call centre at 1-800-277-9914. But Blaikie said the government seems determined to cling to the claw back. Now that the election is over, Blaikie is waiting on a cabinet shuffl e. He plans to continue to pressure the Liberal government to stop the claw backs on Canada’s most vulnerable citizens. As for settlements received through the Federal Indian Day School class action lawsuit, seniors can rest easy knowing that their pension is safe in this case. According to the Federal Indian Day School website, payments from the Settlement Agreement provides that there should be no impact on benefi ts, including social assistance, OAS, and CPP. “The Canada Revenue Agency makes it clear that litigation damages for personal injuries are not taxable income. Further, they will not impact social benefi ts,” reads the Federal Indian Day School website. That includes the Canada/Quebec Pension, Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). “Litigation payments for personal injury, including psychological harm, are exempt from the Canada Revenue Agency’s defi nition of income,” continues the website. “The OAS pension is a monthly payment available to seniors aged 65 and older who meet the Canadian legal status and residence requirements. Low-income seniors are also eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement which is added to OAS. Neither will be impacted.” The federal government announced that they will increase the Old Age Security (OAS) pension by 10 per cent for seniors 75 years of age and over as of July 2022. In addition, they will give eligible seniors a one-time taxable grant payment of $500. To qualify, the elder must be born before June 30, 1947, and be eligible for the Old Age Security pension in June 2021.

Beatrice Sam

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Homeless count reveals majority of the valley’s unsheltered are long-term residents

Karly Blats Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor

Port Alberni, BC - Port Alberni’s 2021 homeless count shows a drop in the number of individuals who identify as homeless, but of those, a signifi cant increase was reported in people who identify as Indigenous. Marcie DeWitt, Alberni-Clayoquot Health Network coordinator, told Port Alberni city council on Sept. 27 that this year’s 24-hour homelessness count recorded 125 individuals who identifi ed as homeless, both sheltered and unsheltered. This is down from the 2018 24-hour count that saw 147 homeless individuals. “[A]lthough we did see a decrease in our numbers, we saw a big increase in the vulnerability of the individuals that were counted, so that was one of the most notable things that jumped out at me when looking at the summaries from both years,” DeWitt said. She added that individuals that identifi ed as Indigenous went up from 48 per cent in 2018 to 65 per cent this year. That is compared to 17 per cent of the general population who identify as Indigenous. The 2021 tally included a night and day count done by service providers and outreach workers. Volunteers weren’t available this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DeWitt explained that the night count consisted of counting anybody who might be in a sheltered bed, at a hospital, shelter, jail, detox facility, transition house or at any of the community housing partners. During the day, outreach workers would go to areas that are known to have homeless individuals gather, service organizations and to any programs that are actively seeing clients. Sheltered homeless individuals are defi ned as people who do not pay rent and don’t have a place of their own where they could expect to stay for more than 30 days. Unsheltered homeless individuals are those living outside, including in alleys, doorways, parkades, tents, parks, vehicles or couch surfi ng. Data coming from this year’s count showed 11 per cent of those who identify as homeless have been experiencing homelessness for under six months and 73 per cent for one year or more. Ninetyfi ve per cent of individuals that identifi ed as homeless have been living in the community for at least a year and 73 per cent of those had been in the Alberni Valley for 10 or more years. This year’s data saw an increase in seniors, up to 18 per cent from 10 per cent in 2018. Nine per cent of respondents identifi ed as youth (under age 25) and 74 per cent were adult (age 25-54). Fifty-seven per cent of respondents reported they experienced homelessness for the fi rst time as a youth and 60 per cent had been in foster care, a youth group home or under a youth agreement. Fifty-fi ve per cent of respondents disclosed substance use issues as a reason for housing loss, 41 per cent said not enough income, 25 per cent disclosed mental health issues and 25 per cent reported an issue with a landlord. “We saw an increase in reported amount of health concerns, so 58 per cent in 2018 reported that they had two or more health concerns and then in 2021 we saw 81 per cent of individuals presenting with two or more health concerns,” DeWitt said. “We saw a lot less people who had employment income and a lot more individuals that had been looking at income assistance and disability benefi ts.” The top fi ve reported health concerns by respondents were addictions issues at 88 per cent, mental health issues at 61per cent, medical conditions at 50 per cent, physical disabilities at 44 per cent and 33 per cent of individuals reported a learning disability. Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions said what stood out to her most about the data was the percentage of today’s homeless population that either grew up in the foster care system or was homeless for the fi rst time in their youth. “It really highlighted for me how important it is to be investing in our young people and looking for opportunity to prevent homelessness 10 years earlier than we kind of often think of taking care of homeless people today,” Minions said. “I think we really need to be proactively investing in the young people in this community as a way to really prevent the homeless challenges of the future.” Later during the meeting, city council allocated $44,500 in funding from the Union of BC Municipalities to increase programs for young people at the Gyro Youth Centre. DeWitt working on a poverty reduction action plan for the Alberni Valley. She said some recommendations she has to help combat the homelessness issue include having more diverse programming and looking at ways the city and service providers can bring diff erent approaches for individuals. “We do need a diversity of services to meet peoples’ needs, our current services don’t meet everybody’s needs,” DeWitt said. “And then looking at the ways we’re supporting our whole population, so really looking at our early interventions, how we’re supporting youth, how we’re supporting families as well. We can’t just look at emergency housing, we also have to look at housing for those individuals that are working. How do we keep people in their houses, how do we help them move from rental into ownership?”

Photo by Karly Blats A makeshift tent is set up outside the Wintergreen Apartment building on Fourth Avenue.

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 47th year of serving the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. We look forward to your continued input and support. Kleco! Kleco!

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