The Tseshaht Elders Committee is halfway to its goal of purchasing a new 24-passenger bus, thanks to a donation from the Tseshaht Fisheries Department.
The donation took place on Oct. 19 during the regular monthly band meeting in the Tseshaht Great Hall. Tseshaht Chief Councillor Hugh Braker and Fisheries manager Andy Olsen presented the committee with a cheque for $60,130 raised through the sale of communally caught sockeye over the past two seasons.
“Two years ago, there was a decision to set aside some of the fish,” Braker explained. “Andy identified the fisheries that could be accessed – primarily sockeye.”
Braker said the 2015 sockeye season proved better than expected, which allowed for a greater contribution than the previous year.
The new bus is expected to cost about $135,000. It will be used for regular events such as excursions, elders’ luncheons and for travel to the annual B.C. Elders Conference. Two Tseshaht members have the required Class 1 driver’s license to operate the vehicle.
“It’s a good example of the band stepping up for the elders,” Braker said.
