General

Haahuupayak School was born to deal with the systemic problem of racism in the public school system.

“Our kids were labelled as soon as they walked through the door,” said Richard Watts, one of the five original board members of the Haahuupayak Society, which is gearing up to celebrate 40 years of delivering culturally-relevant education to the Nuu-chah-nulth children of the Alberni Valley.

“As soon as anything happened, they went down to Special classes.”

The site of the Tseshaht winter village of Tlukwatkwuu7is was the scene of an unveiling ceremony hosted by the Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) and the City of Port Alberni on July 21.

Known informally as the “Somass Strip” development, Thursday’s opening marks the second phase of an initiative to create public access along the Port Alberni waterfront, starting at Harbour Quay and proceeding along historic Tseshaht territory along the foreshore.

Tseshaht elected Chief Councillor Cynthia Dick gave a brief welcoming address.

A total of 16 teams teed off at Alberni Golf Club on July 21 for the Sixth Annual Swing Fore Tlu-piich fundraising tournament.

The event has become one of the main sources of funding for the annual Nuu-chah-nulth Tlu-piich (Summer) Games, said coordinator Richard Samuel.

“The Games are in their 34th year. They were revived in 2009, and they’ve been going strong ever since. Last year we had 2,000 Indigenous People participating.

“This is the sixth annual golf tournament. It has been growing and growing.”

A star-studded expedition to protest the B.C. salmon aquaculture industry has no plans to visit Nuu-chah-nulth territory on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society announced the six-week tour, called Operation Virus Hunter, at a press conference in Vancouver on July 18. On hand were Island-born actor/activist Pamela Anderson, celebrated scientist Dr. David Suzuki, as well as fish farm opponents Alexandra Morton and Sto:lo Chief Ernie Crey.

Summer-time fun! Days to walk the beach, sit by the fire to roast marshmallows, sing, hit the drums or watch the kids play tag or go swimming. There are so many opportunities to get out and enjoy the evening sunsets or each other’s company. And now, there’s more.

Cha ma piis is a cultural program aimed at teaching people language, seafood harvesting and cultural activities. It means tostand with dignity, respect and humility.

In Ahousaht et al vs. Canada, the Trial Judge found that economic trade in fish happened regularly, in substantial quantities, and was integral to Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations cultural practices.

Today, Nuu-chah-nulth Nations collaboratively work with stakeholders at West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) Roundtables in Barkley, Clayoquot, Nootka and Kyuquot communities with the goal of ensuring that all groups can fully attain their salmon allocations, which provide food, social, ceremonial, and economic benefits.

Representatives of a specific claims tribunal have travelled to Ahousaht First Nation this morning to get the lay of the land. The group spent the last two days at Tin Wis in Tofino hearing testimony about lands that were removed from Ahousaht's use by the Crown, granting them instead to the Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1904.

It would have been about 10 in the morning July 11 when experienced fishing guide, 44-year-old Neil Sherwood, fell overboard during a charter in an area called the Whales Tale, near Kyuquot.

The only other person aboard was an 82-year-old man who didn’t know how to operate the boat or its sophisticated electronics.

By all accounts the weather was bad and it wasn’t long before the guest lost sight of Neil.

The Canada Day long weekend began for Ahousaht on June 30, when the locals welcomed home canoes carrying children in foster care.

The canoes landed on the front beach and each child was blanketed before joining family members.

According to a grandparent, the kids in care came home to Ahousaht to take part in the weekend-long annual Sports Days. There were plenty of hugs and tears of joy as the children joined their extended families.

Hundreds of people filled the Maaqtusiis School Gym to witness 14 graduates receive their high school diplomas. The grads entered the gym on the arms of escorts, taking their seats on the beautifully-decorated stage.

Principal Joe McHale acted as Master of Ceremonies and welcomed everyone after an opening prayer from elder Betty Keitlah.

Speeches were made by local education champions Rebecca Atleo and Pam Frank. Each encouraged the graduates to continue on their learning journey and reminded them of the opportunities available at post-secondary institutions.