MHSS Newsletter February 2023

MHSS

FEBURARY

2023

ISSUE

07

COMMUNITY 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 6 STEWARDSHIP 11 JOB POSTING 14

COMMUNITY MHSS

Elders Gathering On February 22nd and 23rd, ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haw’ił hosted a two day gathering for our elders at Long Beach Lodge to meet to address a number of important and pressing topics, including language revitalization, economic development, social issues, continuance of ʕaḥuusʔatḥ traditions and values, traditional law, governance composition, reconciliation, residential school experiences, the healing of intergenerational trauma, and approaches to addressing substance abuse. ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Haw’ił m̓ukʷina, Hašeʔukmis, ʔeʔqatiʔis and hanuukʷi were present. Of our elders, Richard Atleo, Greta Charlie, Louie Frank Sr, Chester and Lorraine John, Betty Keitlah, Harold and Vera Little, Bill Morris, Tim Sutherland and Andy Webster, were all in attendance. Elder escorts include Taras and Lorraina Atleo, Quinn Atleo, Liz Little, Bill Morris, Howard Morris. N̓aasʔałuk, Sabrina Campbell and Marla Kaloucokovale were present to represent the

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Elected Chief and Council. MHSS Staff Anna Atleo, Jaiden George and Janessa Swan were also present.

Many of the topics discussed presented a number of challenging questions that our community has grappled with for a very long time. The most significant problems that we face as a people propagated, of course, from colonization and the intergenerational legacy of the residential school system. Two of our elders reminded us of this in sharing their own personal experiences attending residential school.

Looking back at the traditional teachings that guided our people prior to colonization, we discussed the urgent need to decolonize - to unlearn what was taught and to ground our present and future in the traditional teachings of our people. Despite covering some very difficult topics, it was a very special thing to gather together with our cherished relatives, family members and knowledge keepers, to put our minds together, comfort one another, and inspire one another. The energy in the room at the end of the second day was that of powerful unison, and

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the foremost sentiment was that of moving forward together in the same direction for the betterment of the future of our community.

On the evening of the second day, we brought our elders to the Shore Pier Event Space to treat them to some čamus and entertainment, in celebration of both Chester John’s 81st birthday and the important work we had done. The elders had a very good time dancing and singing along with an Elvis impersonator (David Thibault), who we brought in for the occasion! It was heartwarming to spend time with everybody, and we look forward to hosting another elders gathering in the near future.

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ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Culture, History and Linguistic Knowledge Preservation & Documentation Project The instigating event that led to this gathering - and one of the primary topics of discussion at the elders gathering - was the beginning of a new MHSS-led project aimed at documenting the knowledge of our elders for future generations.

MHSS was established to exercise and invest in stewardship and the sustainable management of the resources of ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii in such a manner so as to balance ʕaḥuusʔatḥ cultural values, ecological integrity, and the social and economic wellbeing of the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ people. A key component of achieving this goal (and thus one of our primary functions) is cultural, historic and linguistic knowledge preservation, documentation and dissemination, which we are invested in undertaking for both future ʕaḥuusʔatḥ generations and for the education of the general public.

The residential school system, and its intergenerational legacy, together with the ongoing colonization of ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii and musčim, has led our people to be denied access to our language, culture and traditions for over five generations. This has severely eroded our ability to share and pass on ʕaḥuusʔatḥ knowledge and in many ways has erased our visible presence from the haḥuułii as we were forced onto postage-stamp-sized reserves within our vast lands. The ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Culture, History and Linguistic Knowledge Preservation & Documentation Project is part of a larger, ongoing process aimed at intervening in this process and rebuilding ʕaḥuusʔatḥ’s capacity to practice and teach our language, culture and traditions. The project will make use of an array of digital media, and consists of two components: Filmed Interviews with ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Elders and an ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii Interactive Map.

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The filmed interviews will be recorded for the purposes of preserving our history and cultural knowledge concerning our traditional teachings and the composition of our governance. They will also consist of questions focusing on the current state of the nation and ways in which we can heal and move forward in a good way. The contents of these interviews will be stored in Kwusen Community Knowledge Keeper (CKK), and will not be accessible to the general public.

As part of the filmed interviews, we will also be asking location-specific questions. These filmed segments will be integrated into an ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii Interactive Map. This map is intended to give visitors and Nation members alike access to a significant online learning resource and knowledge bank that will provide historical, cultural and linguistic information regarding our Nation’s village sites, harvesting grounds and places of cultural, historic and spiritual importance. Community access to such a vast archive of traditional knowledge will be an

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invaluable educational tool for our youth and community members. It will allow for an increased knowledge of traditional village sites, harvesting grounds, and culturally and spiritually important places.

It will allow for an increased knowledge of traditional village sites, harvesting grounds, and culturally and spiritually important places.

Regarding visitors, we feel it is immensely important that guests recognize and have an awareness of where they are. Land acknowledgements, which have now become widespread, serve the purpose of giving recognition to the Nations whose lands people meet upon. Though important, they do little to geographically orient or inform visitors of where they are in a manner that is not generalized.

Thus, we intend for the map to relay to visitors not just the generalizing statement that they are within the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii, but relay also: “these are our villages; these are our culturally important places; this historic event happened here. This place is not a wilderness (literally defined as an uncultivated,

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uninhabited, and inhospitable region), rather, it is full management plan developed jointly by MHSS and BC to the brim with culture, history, and meaning.

Parks that gives Ahousaht owned business exclusive access to the park at certain times of the day when The interviews with our elders are slated to other commercial operators are restricted. All Ahoubegin in March 2023, with a projected project comsaht people can continue to access the park. pletion date of January 2025.

Maatsquii Dock Update

Tourism Relief Funding

Two new docks at the Maatsquii property on Meares Island will be installed in March (weather permitting). The two docks are: the smaller dock on the north west of the property that we use to access the property and the Lone Cone Trail; and the old pier at the south east end of the property, the original dock, will also be replaced in anticipation of a future development at the site. We have hired a general contractor for the dock installation The allotted funds awarded are primarily and employment opportunities to help with the going towards the construction of a guardian cabin installation will be available. If you have a good work at Hot Springs, out of which there will be year-round ethic please reach out to Brian at pimltd@telus.net. monitoring of the trail and springs by the MHSS Experience working on a barge is an asset, but not guardians team. We hope to develop cabins through- necessary. out our territories in the future.

We are pleased to share that MHSS was awarded $300,000 by the government of Canada’s British Columbia Tourism Relief Fund. This source of funding was created to help tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.

Student Packages for Gift Cards

Hot Springs

In order to occupy the cabin at Hot Springs, and to enforce new regulations that are being introduced to Maquinna Park, we will be hiring new year-round MHSS stewardship guardian positions.

This work will involve maintaining a respectful and professional presence throughout the hahoulthee on behalf of the haw’ił, working on salmon restoration and enhancement projects, monitoring and collecting data. Interested applicants are encouraged to send resumes to Assistant General Manager, Anna Atleo at annaatleo@mhssahousaht.ca.

Our 2023 batch of gift cards for university students are now ready to be sent out! We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and initiative of our young community members who are furthering their education at a post-secondary institution. If this sounds like you (a hard working student enrolled in a post-secondary institution, funded

by Ahousaht Education Authority), expect gift cards to be coming your way in the near future. Keep up the good work - we’re proud of you!

In other news, we would like to relay that the hours of operation at Hot Springs will be changing mid-March, in alignment with the new visitor-use WWW.MHSSAHOUSAHT.CA

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AHOUSAHT NATION ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF AHOUS ADVENTURES - AN ECO AND CULTURAL ADVENTURE TOUR COMPANY OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE AHOUSAHT NATION

February 23, 2023

TOFINO, BC- the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Haw’ił (Hereditary Chiefs of the Ahousaht Nation) are pleased to announce the official opening of “Ahous Adventures” on May, 1 2023. Ahous Adventures, an eco and cultural adventure tour company owned and operated by the Ahousaht Nation, will offer an exciting variety of excursions within Ahousaht haḥuułii (territorial lands, waters and culture) including hot springs tours, whale watching, and bear watching.

Ahous Adventures invites visitors to explore Ahousaht territories through the lens of the people who have lived on and stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial. The additions of Ahousaht’s Indigenous culture, language, history and storytelling is a unique tour experience in the region. We believe by openly sharing Ahousaht knowledge, locals and visitors can deeply connect with the true spirit of this remarkable ecosystem.

We hope our guests will feel called to honor the sacredness of the territories and seek to experience a guest-host relationship that is rooted in traditional Ahousaht values of respect and reciprocity. Visitors can offer the gifts of openness, patience and respect to Ahousaht in return.

Ahous Adventures is managed by the Ahousaht Haw’ił through the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Enterprises Inc. (MHEI) and Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS). Ahous Adventures assets include the adventure centre and retail space at 368 Main St, Tofino, BC V0R2Z0, a mechanic shop, staff accommodation and a growing fleet of five, 12-passenger vessels. MHEI led the purchase of assets from former tour company, Ocean Outfitters in February 2023. Ahous Adventures is core to Ahousaht’s economic development plans in the tourism sector - a sector the Ahousaht have been historically marginalized from - with the intent to build a sustainable conservation economy, further the Ahousaht self-determination, create training, employment and mentorship opportunities for Ahousaht community members, and partnerships with non-Ahousaht businesses and crown governments.

Operating in tandem with the Tofino Wilderness Resort (purchased by MHEI in 2022), the two businesses will connect visitors to Ahousaht led tourism offerings and destinations in the haḥuułii, including Lone Cone Mountain, the Wildside Trail, Nismaquin Park (Maquinna Marine Park), culture and healing programs, and more.

For further information about Ahous Adventures, please contact Corene Inouye, Ahous Adventures General Manager, at adventure@mhssahousaht.ca, 250-726-8596 and visit www.ahousadventures.com. For further information Ahousaht MHSS stewardship programs visit www.mhssahousaht.ca and for more information on Tofino Wilderness Resort visit www.tofinowildernessresort.com.

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A Conversation with Ahous Adventures New General Manager, Corene Inouye

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various marine-tourism related positions, eventually leading to a family move to Tofino in 2010 for an opportunity as General Manager for Jamie’s Whaling Station, which successfully lasted for 10 years. ṕiʔačit: What aspects of your past work experience are you bringing into this new role?

CI: It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve been working in tourism for 25 years! I still feel very young at heart and have a lot of energy to bring to this role!

I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with some amazing people throughout my career, and my connections within the marine tourism and hospitality industry are plentiful. I was a board member with Tourism Tofino for 8 years, as well as 2 terms with Tourism Vancouver Island (now 4VI). I spent a lot of years intently listening and learning from business owners and fellow managers, and I’ve become increasingly confident in my leadership style, and in expressing my voice, my personal values and ideals, to help inspire and grow more leaders in this industry and beyond.

ṕiʔačit (MHSS): To start off with, tell us your name and a bit about yourself! What is your history and background, including your past work experience?

Corene Inouye (CI): My name is Corene Inouye. I grew up in Steveston, BC, which used to be the largest commercial fishing harbour in Canada. My first work experience at 15 was as a deckhand aboard my father’s gillnetter “Tranquility”, on the Fraser River and in Barkley Sound. Right out of highschool I ended up working in an office role with the Steveston Harbour Authority for 5 years, which led to a management opportunity with my sister, Nadene, who started her own whale watching company, ‘Orca Spirit Adventures’, in Victoria, BC. That involved my first move to the Island back in 1996.

Several years later, a change in life circumstances (including having two children), was followed by

ṕiʔačit: When you first heard of the position, what excited you about the prospect of joining the team in a leadership position? Now that you’re starting to settle into the role, what are you most excited about?

CI: One of the main reasons I wanted to join this organization is that it closely aligns with my personal values that have changed and grown over time.

An opportunity to work with Indigenous peoples, especially in this region, is very meaningful to me. I want to become a better ally and advocate, and if I can utilize my years of experience and skills to be of service, then I’m grateful for the opportunity and will do my very best. Another attraction for me is the larger vision, including the Tofino Wilderness Resort.

To hear about the healing retreats that are planned for the resort really inspires me.

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In 2020 I journeyed through a medicine wheel and that experience helped to connect me with indigenous healing practices and a deeper personal relationship with the forest, ocean, animals, mountains and the spirit realm. The health and wellness of mother earth and all of its inhabitants is of growing importance to me, and I hope both my learning and leadership will translate into more eco-initiatives through Ahous Adventures and the resort. ṕiʔačit: One of the goals that we have with Ahous Adventures is to mentor Ahousaht community members into positions at all levels of operation from boat drivers and guides to management. Can you talk a bit about this?

CI: As a leader, I love to encourage and support members of the community by offering opportunities to grow skills and experience. It is very rewarding to witness people living out their dreams and creating lifelong careers. When Hasheukumiss mentioned mentoring Ahousaht community members, I knew right away that creating mentorship programs for all positions (in the office and on the water) would be a meaningful and fulfilling part of my work here. I’m very excited, especially for Ahousaht youth, to have access to more diverse job opportunities in Tofino that are secure and that offer fun, adventure, and personal growth and development. ṕiʔačit: One of the most exciting aspects to me is the growth component - it’s not even just creating jobs, it’s creating careers. I think it’s so important that people know that these aren’t just positions they go and apply to and that’s the job that they’re going to do - there’s so much room for internal growth, moving up, doing more - it can be a longterm journey. These are potentially very fulfilling career opportunities.

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were possible. I also want Ahous Adventures to grow a strong reputation, where people feel valued and supported, and want to work here for many years to come. ṕiʔačit: What is going to make Ahous Adventures unique in comparison to the many other wildlife tour companies in Tofino? The idea of being a bridge and sharing this knowledge, this whole really big body of local and cultural history and language is a big one.

CI: Yes, the added elements of indigenous culture, language, history and storytelling is what will set us apart from other eco-tours in this region. I believe by openly sharing this knowledge, visitors to the region will more easily tap into the true spirit of this remarkable place. Perhaps visitors will feel called to honor the sacredness of these lands/ocean/people and better understand that a guest-host relationship needs to be rooted in reciprocity. ṕiʔačit: Reciprocity and rooting things in exchange is a big one. We have an opportunity to foster a deeper connection.

CI: Yes, a much deeper connection. By sharing Ahousaht stories and traditions, the culture is strengthened and will become better known and understood.

The openness, patience, and respect of visitors are gifts that they can offer in return. Reciprocity and regenerative tourism supports the local economy, helps better protect the environment, increases understanding and fosters unity. Regenerative tourism requires a fundamental shift in how visitors experience the places they ‘vacation’.

ṕiʔačit: To touch a bit more on those thoughts colonization and residential schools took a toll on all indigenous communities, and our community is no exception. The Nisga’a nation, as just one example, CI: Yes, I agree! I love helping to build the confidence is investing in tourism of their territory, creating of team members over time, and exposing them to new branding that invites visitors to “reawaken their opportunities they may never have thought spirit.”

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I think that people in our community who may be feeling uprooted or a little lost in regard to our cultural roots and connection to the land will, I hope, find purpose and reconnection in this opportunity, and on the larger scale with what we’re trying to do across all the different businesses and opportunities we’re working on in putting culture back at the forefront of things. I think that this movement for us will have a similar effect to what the Nisga’a are experiencing.

CI: Yes, one hundred percent ! As I mentioned previously, I am learning more each and every day and I feel the call to become a stronger ally and advocate for indigenous peoples. When we know better, we do better! I have made a personal commitment to make more of a difference, to be of service and to offer support when and where I can.

I first realized that there was this latent potential and desire for Indigenous tourism in our territories when I went to New Zealand in 2016. The Māori have set such an excellent example for all of this.

They’ve been at the forefront of establishing Indigenous tourism in a major way. They’re a huge success story that other indigenous peoples can point to and say, “they did it and so can we.” That’s another exciting thing about what we’re doing here - we’re trying to build this up in such a way that we can be that nation that other nations can point to and say “we can do this too.” We’re at a turning point in history right now, and I think it’s fair to say that Indigenous tourism is definitely our path forward in investing into ourselves and our community.

CI: Starting this spring, we will need a full team of small vessel operators, marine mechanics, front desk/customer service agents, baristas, marketing, administration and finance. Additionally, we will also be commissioning artists to produce handmade works (such as carvings, paintings, silk-screened clothing, jewelry, knitwear, etc) to sell in the gift shop. We strongly encourage emerging and established artists in the community to reach out about this opportunity!

CI: The path forward is very inspiring. I believe it is beneficial to learn from the nations that have already started on this path. The vision is coming together for Ahousaht peoples, the right supporters are coming together, things are falling into place and prayers are being answered! ṕiʔačit: Going back to the idea of “not just a vacation destination”, when people are wondering what they can do in terms of reconciliation, this is a very tangible thing that they can do: honor and learn about the histories and cultures of the original inhabitants of the lands they now occupy. To come participate in guided experiences like what we’ll be offering, to become educated and to support us that’s tangible action.

ṕiʔačit: To put this on the community’s radar, what kind of jobs will be available at Ahous Adventures?

ṕiʔačit: When will more information be available regarding job opportunities? Who should interested applicants send their resumes to?

CI: Job ads will be posted (initially through Facebook, Indeed and Go2HR), and resumes with cover letters and references can be emailed to: adventure@mhssahousaht.ca ṕiʔačit: As somebody who has tons of experience working in the wildlife viewing tour industry, what kind of work environment does this work entail?

CI: A strong team environment - supportive, caring and reciprocal in nature, with safe operations at the forefront. Similar to my past team(s), I’m definitely eager to grow our work environment so we feel like a family, as cliché as that sounds. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, is of great importance to me. And I am a strong proponent of women in this industry! I would love to help facilitate more women

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finding a passion for working on the ocean. Looking back at my history at both Jamie’s and Orca Spirit, I have a lot of pride in the number of women we supported to confidently get behind the wheel of a boat ! Whether we are at the helm of a boat or a company, we can use our voices and our spirits to lead with care and confidence! ṕiʔačit: That’s wonderful - thanks for your time!

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and awe-inspiring experience upon opening. This is an objective that necessitates an extended timeline leading up to opening, but will ultimately afford us the capacity to complete infrastructure upgrades, refine resort programming (including cultural experiences), and facilitate employee training.

As always, we will continue to provide updates as construction progresses.

MHSS, Ahousaht Haw’iih, and Ahous Adventures General Manager Corene Inouye would like to extend a warm welcome to musčim interested in joining the Ahous Adventures team, and encourage applications from both qualified individuals and youth interested in mentorship opportunities!

Tofino Wilderness Resort Construction Update & Opening Dates

Renovations at the Tofino Wilderness Resort are continuing to progress. In the time elapsed following the previous update, much work has been done. All materials got barged out in early January, and progress throughout the month has been focused on replacing the longhouse deck. Other efforts have been directed towards layout and excavation work, building forms and placement, concrete pouring, beam line placement, and joist and frame installation. Tyler Hubner is generously assisting with the cutting of 2x6 planks to be installed on the top of the deck.

Regarding opening dates, it is with careful deliberation and thought that MHSS and the Tofino Wilderness Resort team have made the decision to postpone the opening of the resort until May 2024.

Though we are very excited to welcome guests into our haḥuułii, to host them and to give them a life changing stay with us, we want to ensure that we are able to deliver a fully realized WWW.MHSSAHOUSAHT.CA

STEWARDSHIP MHSS

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Tofino Fish Enhancement River Donation & Counts

We are pleased to share that the hatchery in Maaqtusiis is operating and underway as a partnership between Ahousaht Fisheries and MHSS. We expect enhancement to improve fisheries security for Ahousaht in the long-term.

MHSS has also recently made a donation of $10,000 to Tofino Fish Enhancement to go towards restoration efforts. We are in full support of the good work that Doug Palfrey and his team are doing, and look forward to working with the Tofino Hatchery on expanding enhancement throughout Ahousaht territory guided by the expert knowledge of Ahousaht fishermen.

Updated river counts from late last year provided by Tofino Fish Enhancement - relayed below- indicate that Suuha returns in particular are extremely low in our haḥuułii - so low that Doug Palfrey describes the situation as a “crisis state” for Suuha. All Ahousaht fishers should be mindful of these low numbers and not target Suuha in inside waters if possible.

Chinook

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Coho

Chum

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Pink

Sockeye

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JOB POSTING

Ahous Adventures in Tofino, BC, is seeking qualified Small Vessel Operators/Marine Naturalists for 12-passenger zodiacs and covered cruisers for the 2023 season. Full-time, part-time and year-round positions are available, with start dates ranging from March 15-June 15, 2023.

Qualifications include: local marine knowledge of the area, Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), Marine Emergency Duties A-3 (MED A-3), Radio Operators Certificate Marine (ROC-M) and Basic Marine First Aid. Indigenous knowledge/storytelling is an asset, however, interpretive training will be provided.

The guiding principles of Ahousaht Nation that are values we also seek in applicants wanting to join our team, include: Everything is one, Respect one another, Teach one another, Care for one another, Help one another. In addition, being passionate about local marine wildlife and the environment, having exemplary communication skills, the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and an interest in indigenous allyship, are all essential qualities.

Ahous Adventures is an eco and cultural adventure tour company owned and operated by the Ahousaht Nation. We will offer an exciting variety of excursions within Ahousaht haḥuułii (territorial lands, waters and culture) including Hot Spring Cove tours, whale watching and bear watching.

Please submit a cover letter and resume by email to info@ ahousadventures.com, or by mail to PO Box 1172, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0. A full job description is available upon request.

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