Last year’s provincial funding for Indigenous food security has benefited several Nuu-chah-nulth nations and individuals, allowing them to build on projects and businesses that support local communities.
In a May 24, 2025 statement, MLA Josie Osborne said the funding, which comes from the province’s New Relationship Trust, helps to strengthen Indigenous food security in the Mid Island – Pacific Rim.
In 2024, eight Nuu-chah-nulth nations or Nuu-chah-nulth-owned businesses received amounts ranging from $94,975 to $250,000 to support projects relating to food production.
Ahousaht First Nation and Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (Ahousaht Ha’wiih-owned) each received $250,000. The First Nation received funding for a traditional foods harvesting project while MHSS received funds for a separate food project.
The ministry statement says Huu-ay-aht First Nation received $250,000 from the program to support a seafood processing upgrade. Elected Chief John Jack said the funds were used to support food sustainability for his nation in three different ways.
A portion of the fund was used to support Huu-ay-aht’s food fish program, which supplies home-use seafood to its members, both local and urban. In addition, the program collects and stores food for gatherings. The food security grant was used to support three areas of the nation’s food fish program, ensuring that members receive the highest quality home-use fish and that residents of Anacla are able to sustain themselves in the event of a disaster.
Because of its remote location on the west coast, the home community of Anacla faces many extended power failures, prompting leadership to make plans for supporting the community in the event of a disaster. A portion of the provincial funding went to the installation of a backup propane generator at the House of Huu-ay-aht.
The House of Huu-ay-aht is a gathering place with kitchen facilities built high above the tsunami inundation zone. It is a place people can gather in the event of an emergency. To build on this concept, Huu-ay-aht used another portion of their funding to convert a shipping container into a walk-in freezer.
In an extended power failure, the propane generator would be used to keep the nation’s food supply in the freezer safe. Jack says the freezer and back-up generator will support the nation.
Government agencies urge people to prepare themselves and their families for disasters because, in the event of a major event like an earthquake or fire, it may take emergency workers 72 hours to get to your location. You can look online for emergency preparedness advice including how to build a 72-hour emergency kit.
For Huu-ay-ahts in Anacla, the emergency generator and stocked walk-in freezer is capable of sustaining the community for the recommended 72 hours. For those citizens living away from the community, Huu-ay-aht has replaced the refrigeration unit on their five-ton truck used to transport home-use fish.
Not only does this assure that urban Huu-ay-aht citizens receive still frozen fish, but, according to Jack, it allows them to deliver more delicate seafood, like prawns, when they’re available.
“There is some seafood you can’t just transport on ice,” said Jack, adding that freezer truck is necessary to assure the highest quality food is delivered to citizens.
Jack says Huu-ay-aht is grateful for the grant. The work done with the grant benefits the nation in several ways. Not only does it enhance food security for nation, but it also helps to deliver the healthiest food support for members.
In terms of cultural support, the grant allows Huu-ay-aht to continue with the ability to provide traditional foods to families in their times of need and at community gatherings.
Other recipients of the 2024 round of Indigenous food security funding were Hupacasath First Nation, with $150,000 for their maple syrup production. Stevie Dennis of Ahousaht, an owner of Naas Foods, received $150,000 for his kelp business in Tofino.
Toquaht Nation received $94,975 for food processing facility planning while the Uchucklesaht Tribe Government used their $167,600 grant for cold fish storage and transportation. Ucluelet First Nation received $185,000 for their community garden.
“It is so rewarding to see such a wide range of Nuu-chah-nulth-led projects receiving funding to strengthen traditional and local food systems,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island–Pacific Rim, in a press release. “From food harvesting and seafood processing to community gardens and aquaculture, these initiatives are deeply rooted in culture, sustainability, and self-determination. This funding is so important to not only support food security and sovereignty, but also economic development and community well-being across Nuu-chah-nulth territory."
According to the provincial government more than 100 projects have been given funding since 2023.
“This is part of the BC NDP government’s commitments to reconciliation, increased Indigenous participation in agriculture and food systems, and supporting Indigenous-led food sovereignty,” stated the province.
