Accolades and contracts are pouring in for Thunderbird Spirit Water.

The company offers both still and sparkling water products is 100 per cent owned and operated by Uchucklesaht Tribe Government, a Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation from southwest Vancouver Island.

Thunderbird Spirit Water was a nominee for the best Indigenous business at the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards last month.

Nanaimo’s Petroglyph Development Group ended up winning in this particular award category. 

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Huu-ay-aht and B.C. Corrections was recently signed at the First Nation’s Port Alberni office, opening the lines of communication between the parties to help citizens reintegrate back into the community after incarceration. 

Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Sayaacath, John Jack, said that the First Nation has been meeting with provincial and municipal governments to talk about community safety. 

“We have discussions around the types of ways that we can work with one another,” he said.

On Monday seagulls could be seen divebombing into the ocean near the base of Catface Mountain, the waters near the shore a milky hue.

The birds were tapping into a current of excitement spreading through Nuu-chah-nulth territory, as herring continue their late-winter tradition. This reproductive activity entails each female laying thousands of eggs that stick to underwater rocks, silt and kelp, awaiting the milky spawn from male herring that turn portions of the Pacific into a lighter aquamarine blue.

Ucluelet RCMP are investigating after five new homes in the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ community of Hitac̓u were vandalized on Feb. 23.

Photos shared on social media by Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government (YG) show smashed windows, doors knocked in and fire damage to a stove and microwave. 

YG president Charles McCarthy expressed grave disappointment for the “senseless damage”. 

“Repairs will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, which will delay occupation of these houses for our community members,” said McCarthy in a news release.

Living in a small, remote community can make it hard to get fresh fruit and vegetables in a pinch. Add to that road closures due to wildfires or storms, making access to grocery stores tough for residents of Anacla and Bamfield. It also makes bringing in fresh produce equally difficult for the local grocer.

Huu-ay-aht Elected Chief Sayaacath (John Jack) said that the nation runs one small grocer in Bamfield and if it doesn’t have what you need, you’d have to drive 90 minutes to Port Alberni to the nearest grocery store.

On Feb. 26, Indigenous Services Canada announced $1.55 billion in federal funding to ensure First Nations children have equal access to essential government services.

The funding, which supports and renews the Jordan’s Principle, is earmarked to last until March 31, 2027.

The federal government stated in a media release that: “the renewal provides immediate stability for families and enables communities to deliver services with confidence as efforts to reform Jordan’s Principle in partnership with First Nations leadership and families continue.”

Commercial and recreational fishers could be facing more of a squeeze this year, as DFO considers adding to restrictions on salmon harvesting in areas used by southern resident killer whales.

Nuu-chah-nulth representatives are appealing for tensions to ease before this year’s recreational fishing season opens, as a campaign continues to warn anglers that their right to fish is “under threat” by upcoming revisions to B.C.’s Salmon Allocation Policy.

At the mouth of Jordan River in Pacheedaht First Nation territory on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the tide is pushing. Heat from a February sun warms the face as sets of friendly waves roll in under the backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. Parking at the day-use area of this regional park is squeezed on this fine Friday away from the screen.