MHSS Newsletter Winter 2024

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COMMUNITY 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 12 STEWARDSHIP 16 STAFF PROFILE 18 JOB POSTINGS 21 MAP 24 WWW.MHSSAHOUSAHT.CA

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Tyee Ha’wilth Maquinna Lewis George helps Santa Claus gift presents to Ahousaht children during the December 7 holiday dinner at Tin Wis in Tofino. (Steller’s Jay Media Photo)

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DINNERS

• Nanaimo - Friday, Feb 9th (Coast Hotel) We Haw’ił’ and Council are committed to main- This round of discussions were focused on Reconciliation Negotiations with British Cotaining transparency with all musčim. Please lumbia and Canada. They were facilitated by come speak with us at community dinners our Chief Councillor n̓aasʔałuk and Ayla Brown when they are on so we can work together to overcome challenges. Bring your questions and (Robinson). Margaret Dick (Ahousaht Community Health), Albert Frank (Cermaq Canada), concerns!

Ren Louie (Ahousaht Community Homelessness In February, the following community dinners Coordinator) were also in attendance to answer were held: questions alongside members of Council and • Ahousaht - Monday, Feb. 5th (Thunder Bird Haw’ił’.

Hall) • Port Alberni - Tuesday, Feb. 6th (Best West- Our reconciliation discussions are organized into six paddles: ern Barclay Hotel, 4277 Stamp Avenue) (1) Language and Culture • Victoria - Wednesday, Feb. 7th (Songhees (2) Community Infrastructure and Housing Wellness Centre, 1100 Admirals Road) • Vancouver - Thursday, Feb. 8th (Best West- (3) Health and Social Development (4) Natural Resource Management ern Premier Chateau Granville, 1100 Granville (5) Economic Development Street) (6) Governance, Recognition and Accountability.

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The February meetings were focused on questions related to (2) Community Infrastructure and Housing and (5) Economic Development.

People in attendance provided their responses to the following questions, which we will summarize in our next newsletter for all to see. Please take the time to consider these questions for yourself and share them with leadership.

What are the issues in accessing safe and affordable housing?

What solutions can be implemented to ensure housing options are available for all Ahousaht musčim, regardless of location?

What community facilities do we need? What are the impacts of not having these community facilities?

What economic opportunities do you want to see for Ahousaht to build a sustainable future?

What role can the community play in supporting diverse economic initiatives? How do you want to be involved in the initiatives?

How can we address the poverty resulting from colonization? How can we promote economic wellness for all?

Please contact Crystal Frank at reconciliation@ ahousaht.ca with any questions regarding the reconciliation negotiations.

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COMMUNITY BULLETINS MAAQUTUSIIS HAHOULTHEE STWARDSHIP SOCIETY

Ahousaht Joint Leadership Statement Regarding 2024 Canoe Journeys February 6, 2024

On behalf of the Ahousaht Hawiih (Hereditary Chiefs) and Ahousaht Chief and Council (collectively “Ahousaht Leadership”) we issue this statement regarding the announcement for Ahousaht to host the 2024 Canoe Journeys.

Hawiih ƛakišwaya (John Keitlah) will not be opening Ahousaht beaches for the 2024 Canoe Journeys.

Ahousaht Leadership will not be hosting the 2024 Canoe Journeys and we expect all organizing committees to respect this decision.

We recognize and appreciate the cultural and healing value that the Canoe Journeys offer our people and deeply respect the honour of hosting. However, the announcement was made without consulting Ahousaht Leadership - this was a violation of our traditional protocol.

Further, Ahousaht and the surrounding region, including the District of Tofino, are not prepared to host the 2024 Canoe Journeys. Ahousaht and Tofino currently lack the necessary infrastructure (ex. parking, accommodations, food services, washroom facilities, medical and security services, etc.) to effectively and safely host the volume of canoe families that participate in Canoe Journeys. Ahousaht are currently in the development stages of several key infrastructure projects that are due to be completed in the coming years.

With an adequate and inclusive planning process Ahousaht Leadership will work with the organizing committee to consider hosting the Canoe Journeys in approximately 5 years. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your respect for our declaration.

On behalf of Chief and Council,

On behalf of Ahousaht Hawiih,

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COMMUNITY NOTICE to AHOUSAHT MEMBERSHIP November 28, 2023 RE:

Haw’ił’ Governance over Aquaculture Operations within Haḥuułii

We Haw’ił’ (hereditary Chiefs) of ʕaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht Nation) are pleased to share this community notice with ʕaḥuusʔatḥ musčim (people) about our governance over, and advancement of economic reconciliation with, aquaculture companies operating within our Haḥuułii (Ahousaht lands, waters and resources).

I.

Haw’ił Sacred Obligation to Protect our Territory

Our Nation has used, occupied, managed, and protected our Haḥuułii since time immemorial. The Ahousaht Hahoulthee Declaration, which is based on our traditional and ancestral ʕaḥuusʔatḥ law, confirms the K"ʷaaʔuuć (the Creator)’s grant of control and responsibility over Haḥuułii to Haw’ił’.

Pursuant to that responsibility, we Haw’ił have an obligation to maintain the lands, waters, and resources for the economic, social, and cultural needs of current musčim and our Nation’s future generations.

II.

Governance over and Benefits from Aquaculture Operations

Through the exercise of our ʕaḥuusʔatḥ law and governance authority, including our rights to selfgovernance and self-determination, and following extensive consultation with our traditional advisors, elders, lawyers, and biologists, we Haw’ił have entered into a precedent setting protocol agreement with Cermaq Canada that greatly improves on and strengthens the historic relationship with the fish farming industry. Through this 5 year protocol agreement, we Haw’ił have secured important environmental requirements and benefits (approximately $6M annually for the term of agreement) from this aquaculture facility operator in our Haḥuułii. For any future agreement, we will continue to ensure that environmental and socio-economic outcomes are continuously improved and expanded on. To ensure benefits flow through to our Nation and musčim, we have allocated funding secured under that agreement as follows: ●

Food Fish and Enhanced Food Security – We are actively using funding secured through our protocol agreement to provide musčim with food fish and enhance their food security. This is currently valued at more than $250,000 annually and is expected to continue growing exponentially as our community grows. These services include food fish purchase and distribution, stockpiling food fish and other foods in Tofino, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver (for winter distribution), hosting weekly Elders’ dinners, Maaqtusiis Secondary School cooking and elder distribution programs, regularly distributing foods to those in need in our communities and providing foods to various parties and events. There are no other sources of funding for food fish distribution and food security currently. Cermaq also contributed over $700,000 to food security beyond the protocol agreement requirements during COVID and Cameron Bluff closures when no other partner or Crown government was willing to do so.

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Management of Sea Lice & Pathogens – Through our active monitoring and implementation of strict legally enforceable environmental requirements, we have succeeded in ensuring that Cermaq maintains average sea lice counts in its aquaculture facilities well below 1.5 sea lice per fish during the out-migration window (February – July which is longer than DFO’s period) and below 2.5 for the remainder of the year; a standard more stringent than that set by Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Our biologist team (whose salaries are also covered, in part, through the protocol agreement funding) actively manage the following: auditing of sea lice counts to compare the count data (from which to date no discrepancies have been found), thereby increasing the frequency of sea lice counts; actively monitoring and identifying solutions to farm infrastructure quality and activities (such as spills or marine mammal incidents or mortality events); ensuring that smolts released into our Haḥuułii are pathogen free (we are

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MMHHSSSS || 22002244 also expanding our pathogen testing program to detect others not currently tested for); demanding investment in new technologies and other improvements to meet our environmental concerns (i.e., successful semi-closed pen program, more space for fish with no increase to biomass, fresh water treatments that drastically reduces chemical sea lice treatments and increases overall fish health, etc.); drastically reducing the need for pesticide treatments (for example, NO PESTICIDE treatments were used in the last year); requiring and implementing an area based management model that makes sea lice mitigation efforts more efficient; and enforce a strict penalty system for non-compliance (i.e. if sea lice thresholds are exceeded we reserve the right to de-activate problem sites). These Ahousaht specific restrictions significantly exceed the requirements set by DFO that apply to other fish farm operations in Canada and are being continuously improved upon by Cermaq. Below are the sea lice counts for the last year (this is publicly available data):

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Provision of Essential Community Services – We are also actively supporting essential community services through funds generated from our protocol agreement, including covering costs for funerals (i.e., $1600 per family for funeral not including other contributions to the casket, meals, transportation, etc.), subsidizing our community fuel station and Ahous Hakuum water taxi (with plans underway to increase investments in both to continue providing services), emergency family donations, and providing regular donations and gifts to community, sports and cultural events (i.e., Christmas dinners, school celebrations, gifts, hardship funding, etc.).

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Land Back Initiatives – We have also been actively purchasing large properties as they become available within our Haḥuułii, and thereby restoring ownership to our Nation over our lands. This includes securing lots that are available today through borrowed funds (enabled through our protocol agreement) that we could lose access to if we have to wait to receive funds pending from other sources with higher interest rates. Properties we have purchased include Matsquiaht on Meares Island and the Tofino Wilderness Resort. At the Matsquiaht property, in consultation with residential school survivors and other First Nations, we plan to develop an important new cultural centre and museum at the former residential school location – this critical healing centre will commemorate the 22 Nations whose children were sent to that former institution, while

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M H S SM H|S S2 0|2 42 0 2 4 providing valuable cultural story-telling and sharing opportunities. We intend to purchase more property as funds are increased and are currently looking at others to prevent people from purchasing and developing or clear cutting these without our consent. ●

Expanding Economic Opportunities and Infrastructure – We are also using the funds secured through our protocol agreement to purchase business ventures that will both generate income for our Nation and also provide employment and contract opportunities. Major purchases include the new Ahous Adventures tour operation that will be expanded over time and welcomes guests to our Haḥuułii in responsible and culturally respectful ways, and the Tofino Wilderness Resort that we are currently working on transitioning to a healing centre for our people and a cultural space for our governance, and improvements to the Matsquiaht dock infrastructure that will allow us to develop that property in the future. These economic investments to date have exceeded $15M and are focused on healing for our people and exercising our governance in the Haḥuułii. This work is not over and will require significant effort in the next many years to ensure Ahousaht has a diverse economy where people can have meaningful work opportunities in the Haḥuułii. We are also currently seeking to provide secure power to Maaqtusiis, the Tofino Wilderness Resort, and other Ahousaht reserve sites through an electrification program in partnership with Cermaq.

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Salmon Enhancement and Restoration – Our wild salmon stocks have declined primarily due to overfishing and mismanagement of fish by DFO and forests by British Columbia. Our protocol agreement provides the funding to purchase the first of many new fish hatcheries that we are using to successfully release thousands of smolts into our priority watersheds. These enhancement efforts will help provide a stable fish population for our community to harvest for commercial, food fisheries, and sports fisheries in the future. We also are conducting restoration and clean up activities throughout the Haḥuułii in partnerships with Reddfish and Coastal Restoration Society which will help clean, rebuild and stabilize critical fish and wildlife habitats.

There are no other consistent sources of funding for this work that is estimated to cost in the billions of dollars over time with 9 of our 18 priority watersheds being not recoverable due to historical logging. We are actively negotiating with crown governments to increase funding for this work, however, until such a time that stable funding is provided from other sources, we have to fund the work ourselves to get our people on the land actively restoring our Haḥuułii and enhancing our fisheries.

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Expanding Other Aquaculture Opportunities – Our Haḥuułii waters and people are well suited to expanding other diverse aquaculture opportunities and we are currently exploring sable fish, expanding our successful kelp farm, farming shellfish such as oysters and geoduck, and establishing clam gardens. We have explored land-based aquaculture that are simply not economically viable in our Haḥuułii and come with significant climate concerns. Land-based fin fish aquaculture is not being explored further at this time due to viability and climate issues.

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Developing Significant Employment and Contract Opportunities – Our expanding economic opportunities are also creating important new employment opportunities for our musčim, which helps enhance self-sufficiency of our members while supporting their families. A recently socioeconomic analysis project underway estimates that the protocol funding and agreement directly enable or support up to 100 jobs annually and increasing and of which a significant majority are available to our community members.

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Guardian Program – Protocol funding supports the MHSS Ahousaht Guardian Program that protect, monitor and care for the Haḥuułii. The guardians monitor the ecological changes and harvesting of resources in the Haḥuułii to understand the impacts, they restore and enhance priority watersheds, support all programs, establish a presence in the Haḥuułii, and currently manage Maquinna Marine Park (i.e., hot springs) that will soon be re-named Nismaquin Park.

We have also negotiated exclusive access to hot springs for Ahousaht businesses. The guardian

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program priorities include: river restoration and enhancement, monitoring fishing and fish counts, water quality and temperature monitoring, hatcheries and enhancement, research protocols, Wildside Trail, Lone Cone Trail, Hot Springs, kelp farm management, Ha’oom Fisheries engagement, Reddfish partnership, Coastal Restoration Society partnership, implementation of the MHSS Stewardship Fee program, Cermaq and other industry monitoring, Cedar Coast Field Station partnership, general patrols, territorial signage, junior guardian program establishment, knowledge keeper program. We are always looking to add new guardians to our team. ●

Elder Knowledge Keepers and History Program – We have also used protocol agreement funding to continue gathering and interviewing our elder knowledge holders to ensure we capture Ahousaht history, language and knowledge and digitize this information for future generations.

We hope to expand our support for language and knowledge revitalization programming as time goes on. This information once digitized will be made available to our broad community and schools to access.

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Legal and Business Advisory Funding – The protocol agreement funding also supports Haw’ił’ with a budget for legal, accounting, and business advisory services to ensure that we are receiving the best quality advise for implementing our rights and advancing our interests.

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Land Use Vision Implementation – The protocol agreement funding supports our efforts to implement the Ahousaht Land Use Vision which will ensure Ahousaht secures a new forest tenure to provide forest harvest and milling opportunities in the Haḥuułii including new protected area that will generate carbon credits for climate benefits.

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Hawiih Governance – Funding from the protocol agreement also supports the strengthening of our hereditary government where no other funding support exists. This support allows Haw’ił to participate in a variety of diverse dialogues with regular honoraria and travel expenses related to implementing our governance, title and rights, maintaining a strong relationship to Chief and Council, participating in negotiations with crown governments and industry, capturing our history and advancing other initiatives. We believe strongly in our hereditary system and are doing what we can to ensure that it is health and supportive of community needs.

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Fisheries Rights – The protocol agreement funding supports our efforts to continue negotiation and implementation of our fisheries rights and interests. It provides a foundation for us to continue to re-build a commercial and FSC fishery for Ahousaht.

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Future Youth and Education Programming – We hope that in the near future we can supporting expansion of on-the-land youth programming and scholarship and education opportunities for our students.

The above is only a small list of the significant benefits we have secured with Cermaq through the protocol agreement, whereby they have sought our consent and are actively working on maintaining it for the continued operation of their infrastructure and operations within our Haḥuułii. To be clear, there are NO direct payments or bonuses received by any Haw’ił or staff in relation to the protocol.

III.

Exercising our Governance Rights

Ahousaht has used, occupied, managed, and protected our Haḥuułii (Ahousaht territorial lands, waters, and resources) since time immemorial. On behalf of our musčim, we Haw’ił have declared sovereignty over our Haḥuułii by way of the Ahousaht Hahoulthee Declaration. The Ahousaht Hahoulthee Declaration, which is based on our traditional and ancestral ʕaḥuusʔatḥ law, confirms the Haw’ił’s incontestable and indisputable sovereign control over our Haḥuułii, as granted by the Creator. Ḥaw’ił rights to this responsibility granted by the Creator have never been extinguished or ceded, and are recognized by Ahousaht elected Chief and Council.

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As title holders, Ahousaht has the inherent and constitutionally protected rights to decide how our Haḥuułii is used, including deciding whether or not to authorize the operation of aquaculture facilities therein. Any denial or challenge to this right by crown governments or other stakeholders would (i) adversely impact our constitutionally protected Ahousaht title, rights and interests (“Ahousaht Rights”), (ii) prevent us from exercising our Ahousaht Rights, including our governance rights, and (iii) adversely impact our economic benefits and opportunities derived from our Ahousaht Rights.

Ahousaht reserve the right to renew the aquaculture licenses and operations within the Haḥuułii provided that those operators meet or exceed Ahousaht’s environmental and socio-economic expectations and regulations and does not acknowledge any transition plan that does not uphold Ahousaht rights as described above.

IV.

Community Engagement

We Haw’ił’ are committed to maintaining transparency with our musčim, and will continue invitations to a community dinners which we host from time to time in Maaqtusiis, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver. Just like we have done with members such as Lenny John, we welcome members to conduct site tours and meet with our biologist to verify information and provide first-hand experience of Cermaq operations and data. We are securing an office in Maaqtusiis that will be for MHSS and Cermaq, and that will increase community engagement by providing easy access for musčim to come and speak with us about their questions and concerns, and means by which we can seek to address any of their challenges. We are looking to build an office for our guardian program at home in Maaqtusiis as soon as possible.

In the meantime, should you have any questions regarding our governance, including over aquaculture operations within our Haḥuułii, please contact Hashekumiss (Richard George) at hasheukumiss@mhssahousaht.ca.

Hašeʔukmis

hanuukʷi

mukʷina taayii ḥaw̓ił

tupmuuł

ƛakišwaya

?ikaatius

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Cermaq and MHSS hosted a community dinner on Dec. 18 at Maaqtusiis Gymnasium, and the turnout was great! Clockwise from left: Little Kobe Swan is all smiles after receiving a big Christmas gift, Albert Frank presents Jonathan John with the stunning main door prize, and Ahousaht leaders kick things off with a drumming circle. (Anna Atleo Photos) 10

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From top left: Tyson Atleo and Troy John unload gifts for the Dec. 14 MHSS Elders Luncheon, Doreen Sam having a laugh with son Mike, and the MHSS team celebrate the year’s end at Tin Wis. (Anna Atleo Photos)

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AHOUSAHT TO WITHDRAW FROM NTC HEALTH SERVICES

By Denise Titian for the Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper (Dec. 14, 2023) Ahousaht, BC ­- The 2023 Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Annual General Meeting ended with an announcement from Ahousaht chief and council, stating that they plan to disengage from NTC’s health-specific programs so that the First Nation can directly manage these services on their own.

Elected Chief n̓aasʔałuk (John Rampanen) thanked the other Nuu-chah-nulth nations for standing together over the years and helping Ahousaht get on their feet. He said the nation will begin to transition into a new model of health delivery services in 2024.

“Ahousaht leadership is also currently engaged in pathways to reclaim jurisdiction over Health, Justice, Child & Family Services as well as Education. Jurisdiction in these respective areas will provide Ahousaht with greater autonomy over all aspects of these respective areas,” he told HaShilth-Sa. The move, he said, would allow Ahousaht more authority and access to the health services its people need. In addition, it would save administration costs at the NTC level.

“It is estimated that the administrative fees gleaned off the top of health funds intended for Ahousaht total eight per cent for FNHA [First Nations Health Authority] and 12 per cent for NTC. This means that an estimated 20 per cent of health funds allocated specifically for Ahousaht is not reaching our Nation,” Rampanen wrote in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. Direct funding to Ahousaht, he noted, will bypass the 12 per cent NTC administrative costs and also provide Ahousaht direct communication with FNHA, provincial and federal agencies to access health care services.

Ahousaht is the largest Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation with a list of more than 2,200 registered members, with slightly less than 40 per cent living in its main village on Flores Island, and a growth rate at 2.6 per cent annually.

Located on remote Flores Island, about a 40-minute water taxi trip from Tofino, travel in and out of the community can be difficult and expensive. Residents access most health services in Tofino, Port Alberni and beyond.

The village has two wellness centres, and a medical centre is in the works.

“Ahousaht people know what Ahousaht needs,” said Rampanen.

And he assured that those living off reserve would not be forgotten.

“This will enhance and strengthen our nation – all Ahousahts matter, no matter where they live,” he added.

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Ahousaht Chief Councillor n̓aasʔałuk (John Rampanen) speaks at the end of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Annual General Meeting with Ha’wiih and members. The delegation announced that Ahousaht plans to disengage from NTC’s health-specific programs so that the First Nation can directly manage these services on their own. (Eric Plummer Photo)

services for several years. Doing so would allow Ahousaht to develop a direct funding arrangement with the First Nations Health Authority, providing “greater self-determining control over health funds intended specifically for our nation as well as more flexibility and authority over how health funds are allocated and used by Ahousaht,” he wrote in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. Currently, Ahousaht shares health services at the NTC level with other Nuu-chah-nulth nations and resources are spread thin, according to a statement from the First Nation’s chief and council.

While Ahousaht works to build services into Ahousaht, they are also thinking of their neighbors with smaller populations.

Rampanen says a planned medical centre to be built in Ahousaht would not only meet the needs of residents, but could potentially be accessed by neighbors to the north, like Hesquiaht, cutting their travel time and expenses.

“We would not want to see smaller nations negatively impacted by Ahousaht,” he said.

Ahousaht is in negotiations for the opening of a medical centre/nursing station. To have this service would significantly reduce medical travel expenditures.

Ahousaht is developing a network of health care services that includes counselling and other wellness programs already offered at their holistic center called Chachum Hii Yup Tiicmis. The recently acquired Tofino Wilderness Lodge will be used in the off-season as a healing and wellW W W .WMWHWS.SMAHHSOSUASHAOHUTS.ACHAT . C A

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being centre. Revenue generated at the lodge during the eight-month tourist season could be reinvested back into healing and well-being programs.

Rampanen says Ahousaht members will likely not see any significant changes in their access to health care over the next few months, because the change will be introduced gradually. Plans are in the works for enhanced elder care supports both on and off reserve.

“We heard that loud and clear, that more elder support is needed,” said Rampanen, adding that he doesn’t know what that support will look like, yet.

Ahousaht assures membership that disengagement from the NTC program will not disrupt any current health services for Ahousaht.

“We anticipate that the quality and level of direct service to and for Ahousaht people will only be enhanced and strengthened,” said Rampanen.

Ahousaht leadership is developing a plan and acknowledge that some health services from the NTC may need to be retained until Ahousaht is in a position to fill those roles from within.

The disengagement from NTC Health Services is set to begin April 1, 2024, however, this will be an ongoing process. Rampanen says that work will continue as the First Nation’s leadership identifies, develops, and implements Ahousaht-specific health services.

Ahousaht leadership will engage with membership to gather input as they further develop their health care plan.

“At the end of January 2024, there will be a series of at-home and urban reconciliation engagement sessions hosted,” said Rampanen. “This will kick-off an ongoing series of communityoriented dialogues to update and hear from Ahousaht employees and community members.”

Ahousaht Leadership has also brought on board a health strategist, Margaret Dick, to support with this initiative.

Rampanen says Ahousaht has put a lot of consideration into this decision and Ahousaht leadership wish to thank member Nuu-chah-nulth nations for helping Ahousaht “get on their feet”.

“This is a testament to the leadership, and we would like to express our gratitude to them,” he said.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

We are happy to announce that we are 90 per cent through with the $2 million renovations at Tofino Wilderness Resort. We look forward to hosting our musčim at this special healing facility in the spring. These photos were taken by Ed Samuel, our resort operations manager, in January 2024.

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STEWARDSHIP

The MHSS Stewardship Fund garnered a grand total of $208,640 in 2023. (Steller’s Jay Media Photo)

AHOUSAHT STEWARDSHIP FUND

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the individuals and businesses who made generous contributions to our stewardship program in 2023! A few companies to note include: • Atleo River Air Services • Wildside Adventures • Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge Pacific Wild • Vancouver School Board TREK program • Outward Bound Wildside Adventures • Redd Fish Restoration Society • Vancouver School Board TREK program • Pacific Wild • Redd Fish Restoration Society • Outward Bound • Champion Adventures • Champion Adventures • Coastal Current Adventures • Coastal Current Adventures • Inter-Island Excursions Ltd. • Inner Guide Expeditions • Jamies’ Whaling Station • Hello Nature • Paddle West • Kelly Aspinall, Charter Tofino • Tofino Sea Kayaking • Tofino Water Taxi 166 1

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The funds brought in through the Stewardship Fee Program help carry out the Stewardship Program, which includes: salmon enhancement, watershed restoration, a variety of monitoring and patrolling initiatives.

Reconciliation is now truly happening with the BC Government thanks to the new access conditions at Nismaquin Park (formerly Maquinna Marine Park). The revenue garnered from our Stewardship Fund has been transformative, and we’re happy to see such a positive response from tourism operators and visitors. We really feel that businesses are being proactive with taking care of the land by supporting this initiative.

WATERSHED PROJECTS

Our MHSS biologists and Guardians continue to work closely with Redd Fish Restoration Society to restore our river systems from the damage created by commercial logging. We are replanting cedar trees where the clear-cutting took place and we continue to monitor and maintain the second growth in three watersheds: Atleo, Huuʔinmitis (Bedwell), and Waʔuus (Crype).

Completed in Atleo as of June 2022: Landslides & Roads - Landslide inventory - Road deactivation prescriptions - Stream crossing assessment - GIS map of high risk areas Forests - Riparian forest restoration plan underway - 19 ha of thinning dense second-growth - Brush and planted 7.04 ha - Planted 9,700 conifers River -Historical air photo and channel change analysis, - Assessment of several potential side- channels - 2012 Fisheries habitat assessment Completed in Huuʔinmitis (Bedwell): - Terrain stability assessment (TSA) conducted by Onsite Engineering Ltd. (OEL), - Historical air photo and channel change analysis - Fish habitat assessments for Penny Creek - Flood frequency analysis and hydraulic modelling conducted by BGC Engineering Ltd., Planted 2,940 trees - Completed 5 beaver dam analogues Check out Page 24 of this newsletter for our 2023 Stewardship Tracking map.

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STAFF PROFILE

ALBERT FRANK Hawiihnulth (he who stands with the Chief) Senior Reconciliation Advisor Cermaq Canada & MHSS “I’m just proud to be Ahousaht.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Ahousaht. Both my parents are Ahousaht (Father is Lynn Edwin Frank and mom is Tiisma). I moved away in 2008 to help further my wife’s education at VIU. Her name is Francine Frank and she is from the Swann family in Manhousaht territory. Since then we’ve moved back twice, but still maintain a place in Nanaimo. We have four kids, three biological and we adopted our granddaughter when she was one-and-a-half; she’s almost 10 now and calls me dad.

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What’s your background in terms of education and experience?

I graduated with my Grade 12 in Ahousaht and started out with forestry a week after I graduated.

I went into camp and did that for five years and then got into aquaculture when things slowed down.

The forestry company put me through eight months of school and I became a silviculture surveyor for four years. We did a lot of plotting out maps and flagging for workers to go tree planting. Things really slowed down with too many work stimulations; we couldn’t work when it was too dry, we couldn’t work when it was too wet. We went to 10 months a year of work to maybe one month a year. The waiting was tedious so I left that and went into aquaculture.

I was in aquaculture for four years until they made me assistant manager for operations. I couldn't advance anymore in operations so I switched to productions, which is growing fish. I was a year and a half into that and they made me assistant manager and two years after that I became a site manager until 2022 then I started my new position as senior reconciliation advisor.

How do you help maintain our protocol agreement with Cermaq Canada?

I keep the ties clean between Ahousaht Hereditary and elected. I keep Cermaq in line in regards to the protocol agreement. I have a super wife, she makes it work for me. She has the kids in daycare because I work from home.

I do a lot new hiring too for the saltwater facilities and the processing plant. We built up our numbers. The year before I started there were about 18 First Nations from Ahousaht, now I think we are 30.

Are there any words of wisdom you would like to extend to the community?

It’s a fun job if you make it fun. There are great benefits that come with it, good pay and retirement plan. Health benefits was a big one for me. You get full benefits. My wife and kids get put on the benefits with no extra cost. Today that’s really key because the status card doesn’t really pay for anything anymore.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Even if you don’t want to make it a career, we can get you steps to where you want to be.

We offer courses and online courses, like rigging course so you can work on a barge. When you are done your probation period you can start getting your tickets for forklifts.

I also have a private Facebook page for Ahousaht members called ‘Senior Reconciliation Advisors’.

It’s for people that have Ahousaht status.

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Interview with Albert Frank continued...

We’re always looking for workers. The hardest part is trying to convince them that camplife is worth it. Camp is a lot better today than when I started. Everybody has wifi, satellite, nice living conditions, snacks, drinks, food, big screen TV, the new sites have small TVs in all bedrooms. The rotation is eight days in camp and then six days off, it’s like mini-vacation.

I’m just proud to be Ahousaht and anybody can do it. I fill out records from the saltwater and the way things are going nobody is going to break my feeding record. We have Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and in 2014 mine was the shortest cycle in the saltwater. I grew my fish from 80 grams to six kilos in 16-months. I had a kilogram per smolt of 5.18. Nobody has ever come close to that other than myself. You shoot for 20-months, 22-months is the latest, 16 is the shortest.

I had the perfect environmental year. I had no plankton issues, no oxygen issues. I had an oxygen barge that was provided oxygen for my fish. Everyday was just so perfect. There was no sea lice issue. The fish kept eating, eating and I kept feeding.

Aquaculture isn’t as bad as some people say it is. Why would I destroy my own backyard? There is false information on social media. I see what’s going on as a site manager and now as upper management. Any form of treatment that goes through the farm needs to be approved by MHSS and the elected chiefs.

What would you do if you didn’t work in aquaculture?

Some kind of carpentry or something. I’ve always been a trades guy.

THANKS for the interview, Albert!

In our next Staff Profile, we will talk to Ed Samuel, the onsite operations manager at Tofino Wilderness Resort. Stay tuned!

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JOB POSTINGS Reconcilia)on Administra)ve Assistant

(Tofino, BC)

Cermaq Canada is currently seeking a highly skilled and experienced Reconcilia8on Administra8ve Assistant to provide high-level administra8ve support to our Senior Reconcilia8on Advisor. The ideal candidate will be extremely organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing a wide range of responsibili8es. The Reconcilia8on Administra8ve Assistant will play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and effec8veness of our execu8ves by handling tasks with precision and professionalism.

Cermaq is a world leading salmon farming company. We have a team of more than 3500 employees across Chile, Canada and Norway. A team commiKed and proud to grow superior seafood for a global market. At Cermaq, you become part of a meaningful, developing, and diverse workplace. We offer a wide range of job opportuni8es where you will be able to grow and learn in a sustainable and rapidly developing industry. We support our employees’ personal development and make it possible for you to realize new ideas and ini8a8ves. Our culture is informal and commiKed. We are smart people in rubber boots. We care for each other, for the environment, and for our communi8es.

Responsibili)es: 1. Calendar Management: •

Coordinate and schedule mee8ngs, appointments, and travel arrangements for the Senior Reconcilia8on Advisor

•

Manage and priori8ze the execu8ve's calendar to ensure op8mal use of their 8me.

2. Communica8on: •

Act as a primary point of contact between the Senior Reconcilia8on Advisor and internal/external stakeholders.

•

DraV, proofread, and edit correspondence, emails, and documents.

3. Task Coordina8on: •

Priori8ze and manage mul8ple tasks simultaneously, following through on issues in a 8mely manner.

•

Coordinate and execute special projects and assignments as directed.

4. Informa8on Management: •

Organize and maintain files and documenta8on, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.

•

Conduct research and prepare background informa8on as needed for mee8ngs and presenta8ons.

5. Mee8ng Support: •

Prepare mee8ng agendas, take minutes, and distribute follow-up materials.

•

Ensure mee8ng rooms are set up and equipped with necessary resources.

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JOB POSTINGS 6. Travel Arrangements: •

Asist in coordina8ng domes8c and interna8onal travel i8neraries, including flights, accommoda8ons, and transporta8on.

7. Confiden8ality: •

Handle sensi8ve informa8on with the utmost confiden8ality and discre8on.

Requirements: •

Proven experience as an administra8ve assistant or in a similar role.

•

Excellent organiza8onal and 8me-management skills.

•

Strong communica8on and interpersonal abili8es.

•

Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

•

Ability to an8cipate needs, make decisions, and work independently.

•

Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy.

•

Ability to travel by automobile, plane, and boat.

Working Condi)ons: •

This is a full-8me posi8on located in our Ahousaht or Tofino office. Flexibility in working hours may be required based on the needs of the Senior Reconcilia8on Advisor.

•

We provide company paid benefit upon hire, including 5 sick days per year and 3 weeks’ vaca8on.

How to Apply: For more informa8on about this opportunity please visit our careers page at www.cermaq.ca, apply via Indeed, or email your resume and cover leKer sta8ng “Reconcilia8on Administra8ve Assistant” in the subject line, to: careers.canada@cermaq.com

Cermaq Canada is an equal opportuni1es employer who provides a workplace that is free of discrimina1on.

Cermaq Canada has a progressive view of reconcilia1on with Indigenous peoples. Although wholly commi=ed to hire the best candidate available, we strongly encourage applica1ons from Indigenous peoples for this role.

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest; however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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JOB POSTINGS

Small Vessel Operator/Marine Naturalists

Ahous Adventures is seeking experienced Small Vessel Operators/Marine Naturalists for 12-passenger zodiacs and covered cruisers for the 2023 season. Full-time & part-time positions are available, with flexible start dates between March 1 – June 1, 2024.

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.

Our experienced crew will lead an exciting variety of excursions including Hot Spring Cove tours, whale watching and bear watching. The guiding principles of Ahousaht Nation are values we also seek in applicants wanting to join our team: 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, the highest standards of safety and professionalism, exemplary communication skills, and an interest in indigenous culture and allyship, are all essential qualities.

Starting wage rates, depending on experience, range between $30-45 per hour.

Submit your application: ahousadventures.com/jobs/

Adventure Center Customer Service/Barista

Ahous Adventures is seeking Adventure Center Customer Service & Barista staff for the 2024 season, with flexible start dates between March 1 – July 1, 2024. Full-time, part time and year-round positions are available.

The guiding principles of Ahousaht Nation are values we also seek in applicants wanting to join our team: Everything is one, Respect one another, Teach one another, Care for one another, Help one another. In addition, you understand how to create a great customer service experience, have a focus on quality and take pride in your work, can keep cool and calm in a fast-paced, energetic work environment and can maintain a clean and organized workspace. An interest in indigenous culture and allyship is also an essential quality.

Wage rates, depending on experience, range between $19-23 per hour. Staff accommodation in Tofino may be available!

Submit your application: ahousadventures.com/jobs/

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