General

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) fully supports the recommendations outlined in the Calls to Action section of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report released on June 2, 2015.

Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations had two residential schools within their territories (Christie Indian Residential School and Alberni Indian Residential School), and hundreds if not thousands of Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations citizens attended other residential schools across Canada. Many faced mental, physical, spiritual, and sexual abuse while they attended these schools.

A Hupacasath member who led the fight against the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act has accepted the Green Party nomination in the newly aligned federal riding of North Island/Powell River.

Brenda Sayers earned a national reputation in the two-and-a-half year court battle to force Ottawa to overturn the contentious treaty. It would allow China to sue Canada for any financial losses resulting from any environmental regulations enacted after FIPPA goes into law.

The 2015 salmon season is starting off with worrisome signs for all coastal first nations thanks to an almost snowless winter and a very dry spring season.

As a result, water levels in rivers up and down the coast are low and warmer than usual. These are not favorable conditions for returning salmon.

Luke Swan Jr., Ahousaht Interim Fisheries Manager, says about four boats leave Ahousaht every day to do some home-use fishing. They return with an average of seven salmon each.

“It’s not as good as in previous years,” said Swan.

Qwaya Sam is feeling a little sad these days. A work that has challenged him, delighted him and taught him many lessons is coming to an end.

“I want to stay an extra day. I don’t want to let it go,” he told Ha-Shilth-Sa. But that’s what will happen with a ceremony that will wake up the 32-foot totem pole he has toiled over with many talented carvers during the past many months.

Dr. Ralph Nilson removed curls of shaved cedar from his suit pocket and placed them on the podium. They were collected during visits to the carving shed of Arthur Vickers, without the artist’s knowledge, Nilson joked. They normally sit in a bowl on his desk at Vancouver Island University; an attachment to the reclaimed old growth cedar Vickers used to create a convocation suite, with 24-karat gold leaf designs, for the graduates of the school. A masterpiece, said the VIU president, which will inspire for generations.

It was a proud day for the Canadian Coast Guard and the Nuu-chah-nulth nations as the newest Coast Guard Ship was dedicated in memory of Ditidaht Ha’wilth Toot apoolth, retired CCG seaman.

Sheila Charles was all smiles as she smashed a bottle of champagne over the bow of the newly-christened M. Charles M.B., which was named after her grandfather, Martin Charles. Her father Clifford Charles, also a retired Coast Guard seaman, stood nearby with the rest of the family, beaming with pride.

Parks Canada has money to spend on goods and services and they’re opening the door to First Nations to cash in.

“Big money goes out and not much of it goes to Aboriginal business,” said Sheldon Wickstrom, First Nations program manager, Parks Canada. He said there are various reasons why this happens, one of which is the lack of capacity in aboriginal communities to meet the need.

Parks Canada has been working on ways in which to support aboriginal businesses and they hosted the forum, Doing Business with Parks Canada and other Federal Departments.

The theme of the 2015 First Nations Spring Festival , held May 14 at Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS), was Always Learning.

The night’s performances came from schools across School District 70, as well there were displays of student art and projects on First Nations and a feast of nibbles from dried salmon and fish heads to bannock.

Does Huu-ay-aht First Nation need the consent of Tseshaht First Nation to proceed on the $30-billion Steelhead LNG project proposed for Sarita Bay?

It’s an interesting question; one of many that Tseshaht members put to Huu-ay-aht representatives last night at a community information session held in the great room of the Tseshaht administration building.

Former NHL superstar Theoren Fleury brought his message of pain and redemption to youth at Alberni Athletic Hall on May 8.

Fleury was accompanied by Kim Barthel, whom he describes as the “Wayne Gretzky of therapists,” and who is co-author of “Conversations With A Rattlesnake,” the second book in his journey of recovery from a life fraught with trauma and addiction.

The speakers were introduced by Barthel’s husband Bob Spensely, who let the audience know it was going to get gritty. On Fleury’s accomplishments: