Nora Martin

June 16 marked a preschool graduation celebration for 14 Tla-o-qui-aht children ages four and five.

Carol Frank, education coordinator, organized the event which was held at the Tin Wis Conference Centre.

Throughout the school year the children are taught the Tla-o-qui-aht language and to start the graduation off the teachers and the students said a prayer in the Tla-o-qui-aht dialect.

This year’s celebration included a potluck style lunch. The graduates entered the hall though the kitchen, dressed in their blue robes and hats.

Harvesting cedar for basket weaving requires knowledge, skill, physical wellness, and to know when and where to pick, and not to over harvest in one area.

It is not good to venture out on your own and it's not good to strip a cedar tree of all its bark. Stripping the tree completely of its bark  will kill the tree.

Tla-o-qui-aht member Ann Barker, 56, begins her day early in the morning by having her favourite cup of coffee, does her household chores and sets out for her walk.

 The sun, bright and warm, is a delight for Ann, but she walks no matter what the weather conditions may be. It’s a relief to finally get some sunny weather, but Ann will walk whether it is raining, snowing, freezing or hot.

Updated May 11, 2016 at 1:50 p.m.

On May 3, Ritchie Tom looked out his window and didn’t notice much smoke, but about an hour later, he noticed it was getting a lot smokier and decided to turn on his scanner.

The notice sent out stated that a voluntary evacuation had been suggested for residents of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta. Then an hour later the evacuation suggestion became an order. It was mandatory now for him and his wife Christy to evacuate. They rushed around gathering their important documents, and they managed to pull together a small suitcase of clothes.

Upon arrival to the village of Ahousaht, the first thing you hear and see are the many species of birds there. And what better way to welcome home a great leader, late Nelson Keitlah, who passed away on Sunday, than to hear the soothing sounds of the ravens, eagles, crows, wrens and robins singing for him.

Nelson Keitlah’s funeral was held at his home on May 4. Officiating the service was Rick Lindholm. After the opening prayer, Cliff Atleo Sr. read the eulogy.

Nelson was born and raised in Ahousaht. His parents were late Agnes and Alfred Keitlah.

Huge waves came crashing against the shore as the five- and six-year-old boys from Wickaninnish Elementary School took turns learning how to surf.

The boys were determined to learn. They jumped up and ran into the ocean followed by surf instructors, enthusiastic and excited to catch a wave.

Parents and friends lined the shore, happily watching the little tykes, who took turns riding the incoming waves.

“Some days I feel so helpless and frustrated to watch my family member go through pain, knowing there is not a single thing I can do to help,” said a member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation about the suffering.

Tla-o-qui-aht has had a lot of losses recently, and some individuals and families are dealing with terminal illnesses at this time as well. So Naomi Seitcher, the Nation’s Human Services manager, traveled by boat to Opitsaht, a reserve across the water from Tofino, to set up the hall for a departmental staff debriefing session.

A meeting was held March 15 and March 16 in Tofino to welcome home delegates representing the Clayoquot Action Society members who traveled to Norway in February to exchange information on farmed salmon in British Columbia, and express their opposition to salmon farms in Clayoquot Sound.

Among the delegates were John Rampanen from Ahousaht First Nation and his son Qwy atseek, age 13. Dan Lewis and Bonnie Glambeck, founders of the Clayoquot Action Society, were also delegates.

Cecilia Arnet, 78-year-old Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation member, brings a wealth of practical knowledge, skills and understanding about living, and is very creative and innovative in her art work and gardening.

Throughout her life she has worked at a variety of jobs and has achieved a great deal. Cecilia is a happy, outgoing lady and is respectful, friendly to all people and has a lot to offer.

Cecilia’s parents are late Barney Williams Sr. and Cecilia Williams (nee Chipps) of Opitsaht. Cecilia has six children and many grandchildren.

On March 13, Tla-o-qui-aht members gathered at načiqs (Nachaks), also known as Monks’ Point, to witness and accept the draft Declaration of Reconciliation from the District of Tofino. Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne and representatives of the district were present at the ceremony.

Tofino had purchased the land at Monks’ Point to ensure it was preserved. It becomes a park, for the use and benefit of the greater community. It has, however, been used by Tla-o-qui-aht people since time immemorial, acknowledges the declaration.