General

The Port Alberni Friendship Center Society members elected six new board members at their annual general meeting held Sept. 29.

The election followed a community dinner and board reports on exciting new expansion plans for PAFC.

Elected to the Board are Marie Samuel, Brittney Johnson and Wally Samuel for two-year terms. John Barney was elected to a one-year term seat.

A second ballot was carried out to fill two youth director seats. Charlotte Wishart was elected to a two-year term seat while Danielle Sam was elected for a one-year term.

People concerned about child welfare gathered at Maht Mahs Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 to explore ways in which to better meet the needs of Nuu-chah-nulth families and children.

T`at`atnaaluk – Taking Care of the Children forum, hosted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, was open to everyone and included many Nuu-chah-nulth chiefs and councils, Ha’wiih, social workers, Usma and Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council staff. Also in attendance were community members, foster parents, children in care, youth, and elders.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Disability Access Committee is hosting the 16th annual Health Ability Fair on Oct. 7 and 8 at Alberni Athletic Hall.

The theme of this year’s event is “Wik-ay-its-tsa-wa-chink ­– You are not alone,” and over two days, features an amazing range of presentations to improve the physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural well-being of Nuu-chah-nulth people and communities.

“This year’s agenda looks exciting,” said NTC President Deb Foxcroft. “We’re incorporating our traditional wisdom, knowledge and teaching into healing and supports.”

The topics of discussion at last night’s all candidates forum, hosted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and Hupacasath First Nation at the House of Gathering, varied widely.

The knowledge of the five candidates on First Nations concerns was tested; broadly on national approaches taken on issues like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action, to the very specific concerns of Nuu-chah-nulth peoples, including advancing their court-proven commercial fishing rights.

USMA Nuu-chah-nulth is hosting a pair of recruitment workshops in Ucluelet and Tofino on Oct. 6 for those interested in becoming foster parents.

The first session takes place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Ucluelet Community Centre, then at 1:30 p.m. through 3 p.m. at Tofino Community Hall (341 Arnet Road).

While the focus is on placing Nuu-chah-nulth children, the campaign is also reaching out to the wider community, according to USMA Resource Worker Amber Severinson.

Nuu-chah-nulth members and supporters can participate in the campaign by doing the following:

Visit www.enoughalready.ca and sign the petition.

Share the campaign message on social media or via email.

Update: Sept. 18, 2015 at 3:02 p.m.

The Ahousaht Ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs) have now met the final demand made by a small group of protestors occupying a salmon farm floating system within the Ahousaht territory.

“After much discussion and communications with Ahousaht people and Cermaq Canada, the Ha’wiih and Chief & Council support the indefinite removal of Yaakswiis as a potential replacement fish farm site,” reads a letter to Ahousaht members.

A citizen-led, non-partisan group of volunteers will be set up at Port Alberni’s Fall Fair Sept. 10 to Sept 13 to help people understand how the voting process will work in the upcoming federal election and to check that individuals are registered before the big day Oct. 19.

The 2015 Carving on the Edge festival is quickly gaining momentum and promises a full Labour Day long weekend of activities featuring first nation artists.

Organizer Norma Dryden says the big events begin tonight, Friday, Sept. 4, with a presentation by Tla-o-qui-aht’s Marika Swan.

UPDATE: Sept. 3, 2015 at 10:16 a.m.

In a terse news release issued late Sept. 2, Compliance chairman Jim O'Rourke announced that Compliance president Stephen Elli had "resigned as an officer of the company to pursue another opportunity." O'Rourke advised that Ellis would "continue on as an advisor and aid in an orderly transition until his successor is appointed." There is no mention of the contentious letter or any indication of what direction the company might pursue in the Raven Coal project.