Port Alberni is the Salmon Capital of the World, and this fact has just been confirmed by the Mayor of Campbell River, Charlie Cornfield.
The mayor, whose community has claimed the title in the past, admitted publicly Aug. 4 that Port Alberni’s salmon status reigns supreme.
Cornfield made the monumental admission at the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council golf tournament, held to raise funds for the organization’s Tlu-piich Games. The Games bring together the Nuu-chah-nulth communities up and down the West Coast of Vancouver Island in athletic competition.
Mayor Cornfield participated in the tournament, but lost one of his treasured custom clubs on the course. It was found by Tseshaht Chief Councillor Les Sam, who colluded with Port Alberni’s economic development manager Pat Deakin to hold the club for ransom.
It was decided that Cornfield could either dance for the club’s return, according to Nuu-chah-nulth custom, or he could finally admit the error of Campbell River’s ways.
As the mercury had hit the mid-30 mark, Chief Sam thought that further exertion would be ill-advised, so he opted to hold out for the statement from the mayor.
Cornfield looked longingly at his lost stick and said “I love that club.” And with a sigh he reluctantly said the words everyone was waiting to hear.
“Port Alberni is the Salmon Capital of the World,” Cornfield stammered, finally putting to rest any confusion over the matter.
By Debora Steel
