A nearly 50-year tradition may not happen for what would be the fourth year in a row, though this year COVID-19 is not the culprit.
The first BC Elders Gathering was held 47 years ago in Sto: Lo Nation and hosted by the Coqualeeza Elders. A totem pole was carved to serve as a record keeper, with the places and dates of each subsequent Gathering being inscribed at the base of the pole as they occurred.
Maht Mahs gymnasium filled with family and friends late Saturday morning, Nov. 12, welcoming the new babies into the community.
Soon the gym was filled with the sound of drums and song, laughter and conversation. Some children chased each other playing tag while others played with toys and read books.
“It really comes from an old teaching of honoring the life of a person,” said Trevor Little (Nawe-thleet), teacher at Haahuupayak.
Considered “the most harmful form of debris to sea life”, the DFO plans to improve the reporting of lost and discarded fishing gear in the coming years, with millions set aside for collecting equipment left from commercial operations.
“When you are a knowledge keeper you gotta share it at every opportunity, and don’t expect anything back except maybe a cup of tea,” John ‘Smitty’ Jacobson advised his nephew, Dave Jacobson before his passing in 1986.
John Jacobson was born September 16, 1922, to George and Nellie Jacobson of Ahousaht. From an early age he was taught to be a knowledge keeper and he collected as much information as he could, from family genealogy, cultural teachings and songs to art and classical music.
On Nov. 8 the Pacific Rim School District (SD 70) hosted the inaugural Board of Education meeting, bringing together community members and representatives from across the district.
The evening was woven with Tseshaht cultural protocol alongside the formal proceedings of the board, which carried several motions that signify SD 70’s commitment to Indigenous learners.
Tseshaht member Ed Ross (Nasimius), was in attendance at the meeting, and was one of the singers at the event.
Strategic Natural Resource Consultants (SNRC), a successful professional consulting firm specializing in natural resource management, has been purchased by the Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nation. Owning majority interest in the business will allow the nation to better manage their natural resources along with contracting services out to others.
“We are a small nation, for sure, but we have big ideas,” said Chief Councillor Simon John.
Two Nuu-chah-nulth nations are in Stage Five of the six-stage treaty process as the BC Treaty Commission celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Both Pacheedaht and Ditidaht entered into the treaty process in 1996 with other Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. Over the years they left the main table and entered negotiations together with the federal and provincial governments. Today, they are each negotiating treaties on their own.
Robert Joseph, Ditidaht’s technical negotiator said, “We’re moving along pretty good now, in general terms.”
When their “ABC News” class shut down at the end of last year, Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) principal Rob Souther saw a problem. The school was having difficulty getting information to students on a regular basis, and that was causing a growing hole in school unity and community.
Souther approached teacher Rajan Gill to see if there was anything they could do to fix the communication problem in a way that involved the students. And thus, a new journalism course at the school was born.
In an effort to keep more Indigenous children out of the foster care system, a transitional living facility is coming to Port Alberni to support mothers and their young ones.
After closing the gas pumps for upgrades on Sept. 12, Tseshaht Market celebrated their grand re-opening in partnership with Western Nations as their new fuel supplier, on Saturday, Oct. 29.
With their previous contract coming to a close, Tseshaht Market found Western Nations, supplied by Federation Co-operatives Limited, to be a brand well aligned with their values and aspirations.