Nora Martin

This week an Agreement in Principle is being heard in court to finalize a settlement for former students of Indian day schools.  

From April 29 to May 3 former students of the Opitsaht Day School gathered in Ty Histanis, Opitsaht and Port Alberni for updates on the class action lawsuit and to share their experiences.

The Opitsaht Day School was built in 1957 and closed in 1971. Children usually began attending Grade 1 or close to their sixth birthday.

With marijuana now legalized, Teechukl Mental Health addictions counselor Natalie Ocean facilitated group discussions about the effects of usage at Ty-Histanis and Opitsaht on April 23 and 24.

She explained that there are two types of marijuana: sativa and indica. Sativa, which most people prefer, can be like a stimulant and usually causes an increase in energy and a feeling of euphoria, while indica is a depressant and causes mellowness and sleepiness.

Marijuana has many street names such, as weed, joint, pot, 4:20, reefer and cannabis etc.

Simon Tom jr. took his mother Margarete Tom's advice by taking a job overseas to teach English at a primary school.

Sponsorship for the 25-year-old’s trip was provided by Victoria-based Videa International Youth Internship Program, the International Aboriginal Internship Program and Global Affairs Canada. The programs covered Simon's travel, accommodation and food while in Africa.

Tla-o-qui-aht Ha’wiih, the First Nation’s members, their allies, Clayoquot Action and Friends of Clayoquot Sound joined forces on Jan. 16 to support the Wet'suwet'en Nation.

A Canadian Coast Guard ship that studies centuries of natural history on the West Coast made stops in communities in October.

Peter Chandler, an oceanographer and project manager at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, worked to organize the PromoScience Expedition to the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Natural Resources Canada team was motivated to bring science to young people to inspire them.

Tla-o-qui-aht- Joe David, 72, met with the Tofino District Council Members and offered to carve a totem pole in honour of the Ha waiih (hereditary chief).

What inspired Joe to carve the totem pole Is the fact that within the town of Tofino there is a lack of Tla-o-qui-aht art work displayed. With every year over one million tourists visiting Tofino, David saw the importance of sharing the history of Tla-o-qui-aht through the expression of art.

After the Ha waiih donated the log, Joe began preparation and cleansing of the 15-foot totem pole in May, completing it August.

Carving on the Edge Festival has commissioned Gisele Martin, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation artist, and Fanny Aisha, a muralist from Quebec, to paint a mural depicting Tla-o-qui-aht history and culture.

Helene Descoteaux, Carving on the Edge Development and Project Coordinator has helped set up this project. Additional Sponsorship for this project has been provided by Clayoquot Biosphere Trust and BC Arts Council.

Sixteen former students of Tlucha Children’s Centre and the Opitsaht preschool sang and danced in celebration of the grand opening of a new centre for young ones on May 3.

Grace George acknowledged and thanked the students for taking time during recess to learn the song and dance.

Elmer Frank, elected chief of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, welcomed members, visitors and guests to the event. He acknowledged NTC Vice-President Andy Callicum for attending the ceremony.

Gary Martin, 21, of Tla-o-qui-aht said “the toughest job I ever had was carving a dugout canoe, everything has to be exact.”

Joe Martin, master carver of Tla-o-qui-aht, began teaching Gary how to carve the 16-foot dugout in January of this year. Joe is pleased with Gary’s work ethic and said he is a hard worker.

Fifteen students from the Ucluelet, Mowachaht/Muchalaht and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations are taking an 11-month Early Childhood Care and Education certificate program at the repurposed Tlucha Children’s Center in Esowista. There are 13 woman and two men in the class, including eight of the students from Tla-o-qui-aht.