General

Several First Nations of British Columbia have signed a joint declaration to protect herring in their territories.  The statement of solidarity is based upon their common interest in protecting, restoring and the long-term sustainability of ocean resources and ecosystems in their territories.

Additionally, costly legal battles and confrontations with Canada (represented by DFO) and some First Nations such as Nuu-chah-nulth, Haida and Heiltsuk First Nations have made the need for a united front on this issue a top priority.

Hupacasath First Nation (HFN) is saddened by the current situation on ʕiił-či-y̓ak (Dog Mountain). The name ʕiił-či-y̓ak derives from the traditional use of dogs to chase muwač (deer) down the mountain. Once down the mountain, the deer were shot for food.

Hupacasath Nation has used Dog Mountain for thousands of years and continues to access the mountain regularly as it is home to a number of Hupacasath sacred sites. Unfortunately the archaeology sites in the area cannot be saved.

Ahousaht Ha’wiih hosted a grand opening celebration of their newest economic development venture, Lone Cone Hostel & Campground on a bright and sunny June 26.

Lone Cone Hostel and Campground is located on Meares Island at the old Ahousaht village site called Matsquiaht.

In more recent times it was the site of Christie Indian Residential School, which ran from 1900 until 1983.

During the mid-1980s, a fire burned the main building to the ground, leaving only a few outbuildings.

Hupacasath First Nation and the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce are inviting the public to Victoria Quay for a very special Sunset Street Market on Canada Day, July 1.

The Sunset Street Market takes place each Wednesday evening through early September from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and features an average of 30 to 35 vendors, according to Hupacasath communications director Jolleen Dick, who has organized the market each summer since 2012.

“We held the first event last week (June 24), but this one is going to be special because it falls on Canada Day,” she said.

About half a dozen residential school survivors took part in a walk on June 23 to raise awareness about the residential school system and its legacy and to honor other survivors. They started on Highway 4 at the Tofino highway junction and walked nearly 20 km to their Esowista home, where they had lunch on the beautiful beach.

Tsawout First Nation has accepted a $50,000 contribution from the New Relationship Trust to host the 39th Annual B.C. Elders Gathering.

NRT chair and Tseshaht Chief Councillor Tapoo'scho'ah Hugh Braker presented Tsawout Chief Elected councillor Harvey Underwood with the cheque at a June 26 press conference at the Tsawout office in Saanichton.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Hereditary Chiefs and the delegates of the Council of Ha’wiih Forum on Fisheries are saying #ENOUGHALREADY to the federal government for stalling and outright refusing to work to implement the Nuu-chah-nulth’s Supreme Court of Canada’s court-affirmed right to fish and sell fish from their territories.

And now they are looking for the public’s help to put pressure on the federal government to get this work done with a petition and online #ENOUGHALREADY social media campaign.

Breaking: Press Statement from Hupačasath First Nation (HFN):

Hupačasath First Nation has successfully encouraged other stakeholders to halt fishing in the Somass River system. HFN has been concerned about the escapement and well-being of the fish in their waterways and advocated the fishing in the river be closed.

In Hupačasath’s last communal fish plan they compromised and reduced their allowable catch by 2000 fish to encourage sustainability of the resource.

The four men running for the position of regional chief of the BC-Assembly of First Nations made a last ditch appeal to the voters June 24 in Vancouver. After criss-crossing the province visiting communities to speak about their platforms, a final candidates’ forum was held at the end of Day 1 of the BC-AFN gathering. Voting is today.

The election is to replace outgoing regional chief Puglaas, Jody Wilson-Raybould, who is stepping aside a few months before her scheduled end of term to run in the next federal election under the Liberal Party banner in Vancouver-Granville.

Eleven members of Nuu-chah-nulth Nations took to the stage at the Alberni District Secondary School’s auditorium on June 18 for the 2015 VAST graduation ceremony.

A total of 45 students completed the School District 70 Alternative program, of whom 21 were of aboriginal heritage.

Huu-ay-aht grad Sylvia Dennis was chosen to welcome the guests to the event. Dennis thanked Tseshaht and Hupacasath on behalf of School District 70 for hosting the alternative programs in their traditional territories.