NEWS/EVENTS
NEWS/EVENTS
NEWS UPDATES
Happenings in the community:
Remote Beach Tsunami Clean Up in Tofino, BC – May 11, 2013
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Atleo River Air Service, Ahousaht First Nations and Long Beach Lodge Resort team up for Flores Island Wildside Beach Clean Up
April 16, 2013, Tofino, BC – Volunteers are needed to help teams from Clayoquot Wilderness Resort and the Ahousaht First Nations clean up tsunami debris that is washing up on the remote beaches around Clayoquot Sound, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
Atleo River Air Service has spotted areas from the air that need cleaning up and will be providing access to remote areas via water taxis from Tofino’s Method Marine Dock at 380 Main Street with daily departures from Tofino between 9 and 11 a.m., returning between 4 and 6 p.m.
The Japanese government estimates that about 1.5 million tonnes of debris was washed out into the Pacific Ocean in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan. Much of that is believed to remain in the ocean. The most recent predictions by the Japanese government suggested that the majority of the floating debris had reached the West Coast of North America by last August. Subsurface debris – heavier objects not being propelled by wind – could start to reach this coast this June.
“We want to do a clean up now before the bigger debris arrives and before our high season kicks into gear and we are all too busy,” says John Caton, managing director of Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, an award winning sustainable wilderness resort, which regularly takes guests on hikes around Flores Island. “With the aid of volunteers we want to help maintain a delicate ecosystem and the incredible beauty of the Wildside Trail on Flores Island.”
Volunteers need to register no later than May 9, 2013 by contacting Kathy MacRae at 250-726-8556 or via email a kathy@wildretreat.com. The Flores Island Wildside Beach Clean Up day will include water taxi’s from Tofino to Flores Island and return, a traditional welcome ceremony by the Ahousaht First Nations and a West Coast salmon BBQ. Please register with MacRae.
Brian Cant, Tartan Group: 250-592-3838 or brian@tartangroup.ca
Kathy MacRae, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort: 250-726-8556 or kathy@wildretreat.com
Wildside Trail set to host the second annual TRAIL RUN
Race showes the beaches and landscapes along the Walk the Wild Side Trail.
http://www2.canada.com/westerly/story.html?id=36669c9c-0cae-45e5-af92-b02ceae6bd11
SATURDAY JUNE 22nd AT 9:00am
This year’s run will start from the community of Ahousaht, continuing through nine beaches and our beautiful Westcoast forest. The total length (return) of the run will be 22km. And we will have shorter lengths for all levels of runners/walkers.
http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=8986
Please email us if you have any questions. wildsidetrail@gmail.com
February 4, 2013
NOTICE: Matsquiaht Property – Formerly Known as Kakawis
Attention,
The Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Holdings Inc. as of Friday, January 11th, 2013 has purchased and holds the deed to the property formerly known as “Kakawis”. Ahousaht Hereditary Chiefs, and Ahousaht Chief and Council are pleased to announce their support of this purchase made on behalf of the Ahousaht people.
The intention of the purchase is to develop the property for the social, economic, and cultural benefit of Ahousaht, Nuu-chah-nulth, and all other people.
Ahousaht Hereditary Leadership, Ahousaht Chief and Council, Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Holdings Inc. will in partnership be hosting a feast to celebrate the purchase and acquisition of the property on Saturday, February 16th 2013 at 12:00pm (noon and transportation from Tofino will be available to bring people home for the feast.)
The name of the property will formally be changed at the feast to move beyond the legacy of residential school, and pay respect to the territories. The new/old name of the property will be “Matsquiaht” which pays homage to the original peoples of this specific area. The Ahousaht family of Frank August are the recognized people who hold title to this area.
A delegation was sent to our neighbors and relatives, the Tla-o-qui-aht, to invite them to our celebration and all Nuu-chah-nulth are invited to attend and witness this momentous occasion and celebration.
Many thanks to those that worked diligently on making this amazing opportunity for our people a reality. We look forward to celebrating this success.
On behalf of the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Holdings Inc. and Ahousaht Hereditary Leadership
For information on purchase please contact Tyson Atleo Tyson.Atleo@ahousaht.ca
Click here to print: Kakawis Purchase announcement Feb 4 2013.pdf
Council Meetings
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MEMO from Ahousaht Administration (from December 12, 2012):
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2013 next REGULAR SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETINGS:
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April 9
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April 23
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May 7
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May 21
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June 4
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June 18
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July 9
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July 23
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August 6
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August 20
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September 3
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September 17
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October 8
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October 22
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November 5
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November 19
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December 3
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December 17
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If you would like to schedule any other meeting(s) with Council please do not hesitate to contact Ina Dick or myself. Ina’s email is Ina.Dick@ahousaht.ca or we can be reached by calling the office.
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Thank you, Molina (Molina.Dick@ahousaht.ca)
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Click this link to print the entire list: Council Meeting memo.pdf
Tourism
Aauuknuk Lodge is NOW OPEN!
Aauuknuk Lodge is an ecologically sustainable, ecotourism operation.
We provide quality service and comfort to our guests along with a cultural experience that exposes visitors to the rich culture and history of Ahousaht First Nation.
The Aauuknuk lodge has 24 rooms; 24 double beds, single/double occupancy, it has a full operational kitchen, lounge, Men’s and Ladies shower/washroom and a coin operated laundry room.
For reservations please email: office@aauuknuklodge.com
Walk the Wildside Trail
The Wildside office is now open and getting ready for the new season! And getting ready for the 2013 RUN.
RUN on the WILD SIDE
SATURDAY JUNE 22nd AT 9:00am
This year’s run will start from the community of Ahousaht, continuing through nine beaches and our beautiful Westcoast forest. The total length (return) of the run will be 22km. And we will have shorter lengths for all levels of runners/walkers.
http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=8986
Please email us if you have any questions. wildsidetrail@gmail.com
June 21, 2012
RESOURCES:
The following documents will be added to the Resources page on the www.ahousaht.ca website for membership review. Please be advised that many of the documents are undergoing improvements at this time. Once improvements and recommendations for changes have been drafted, many documents will be released to membership for approval:
-Ahousaht Chief and Council Code of Ethics
-Ahousaht Chief and Council Portfolio Structure
-Ahousaht First Nation Strategic Plan
-Community Consultative Group Tri-partite Agreement
-Ahousaht Hawiih Declaration
-Ahousaht First Nation Personnel Policy
-Ahousaht First Nation Election Code
-Ahousaht First Nation Organization Chart
MEMBERSHIP:
As of June 30, 2012 our membership clerk Gena Swan will become an independent Indian Registry Officer. Gena proactively sought early release of her probationary period, but INAC did not provide a response to her request.
As of June 30, 2012 Gena will be able to issue membership cards on her own, without authorization from the Vancouver IRA office. She plans on travelling to cities along with the food fish delivery to provide Indian Registry services.
BOUNDARIES:
As many of you may be aware, Ahousaht is currently undergoing a process to define our territorial boundaries. A small amount of funding support was received from the BC Treaty Commission to support Ahousaht’s work in protecting our territorial boundaries.
A work plan has been established to collect Ahousaht research information in preparation for upcoming meetings with Tla-o-quiaht First Nation to ensure that the Tla-o-quiaht treaty does not encroach on Ahousaht First Nation territories.
CATFACE:
As was stated at the 2012 Ahousaht First Nation AGM, the Catface Working group is actively pursuing the completion of a comprehensive Communication Plan to engage membership on the Catface Mine project. The Communication Plan is currently being reviewed by a professional communications firm based out of Vancouver who has done extensive work with other First Nations involved with mining (both in favour and not in favour). The firm will soon be providing an updated draft to the Catface Working group.
AHOUSAHT HAWIIH DECLARATION:
At a recent meeting between Ahousaht Hawiih and Hawiih representatives, and Chief & Council, it was identified that Ahousaht must draft a new Declaration of Sovereignty Over Ahousaht Hahoulthee. A working group was created and tasked to develop a new declaration. To date, a first draft has been produced and is available in the resources section on the www.ahousaht.ca website.
The development of a new declaration is a stepping-stone to move forward with the development of land use planning documents and constitution at a later date. These efforts will help guide Ahousaht down the path of self-determination.
It was identified by membership at the AGM that the development of constitution is a priority for the nation. The development of a new declaration has been the first step in pursuit of this priority.
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PROGRAM APPLICATION:
Ahousaht and Tla-o-quiaht recently received notification that a join Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP)application was successful. Council representatives are currently in positive negotiation with Tla-o-quiaht to allocate funding from the proposal to ongoing Ahousaht activities with a focus on Traditional Food Planning and Fisheries.
BC CLEAN ENERGY APPLICATION:
Ahousaht First Nation recently submitted a BC CLEAN ENERGY FUND application and is currently awaiting approval of the project. Support from the fund will allow Ahousaht to explore opportunities for economic development in the clean energy sector.
INTOXICANT BY-LAW UPDATE:
Please visit the resources section at www.ahousaht.ca to view a newsletter focused on the Intoxicant by-law.
Membership Services Update
Ahousaht First Nation is very pleased to have taken on the responsibility of providing Indian Registry Services (membership services), to Ahousaht First Nation members. Previously, membership services were provided to Ahousaht members by NTC.
The current budget for membership services is small, and does not allow for a membership clerk to be hired full-time. Until the time that Ahousaht can identify or negotiate additional funding for membership services, the membership clerk, Gena Swan, will be working part time.
A need has been identified for the membership clerk to travel and deliver membership and status card services to Ahousaht First Nation members living away from home.
The membership clerk will be travelling from Ahousaht to Vancouver (through Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Victoria) for 1 week in the near future and at that time will provide membership and status card services to Ahousaht members living away from home. Dates will be posted on this website and through facebook (via Muschim Voice).
At the moment, the membership clerk is currently awaiting a picture printer that will allow status cards to be printed on location. Once this printer has been received, a one-week trip will be scheduled.
Gena Swan, the Ahousaht First Nation part-time membership clerk, has researched locations for Ahousaht members to obtain status cards while membership services are being developed (Locations to obtain Status Cards.pdf):
Nanaimo Office:
668 Centre Road, Nanaimo
Vanessa Dennis
$20 Must have own picture
By appointment only, phone 250-740-2359
Songhees Office:
1500-C Admirals Road, Victoria
Michelle Sam
$20 on FRIDAYS only 9am-2:30pm (except lunch hour)
Please call ahead of time 250-386-1018
Campbell River Office:
1400 Weiwaikum Road, Campbell River
Christine Smith
$15 THURSDAY and FRIDAY only
By appointment only, phone 250-286-6949
Ucluelet Office:
100 Hittatsoo Road, Ucluelet Reserve
Christina Klotz
$10 Please call ahead of time 250-726-7342 EXT 209
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
British Columbia Region
1138 Melville Street, Suite 600, Vancouver
Phone: (local) (604) 775-5100
Phone: (toll-free) 1-800-567-9604
The membership clerk is collecting data on all the requests that are made for membership services. We will be able to use this data in the future to secure more funding for the position. We encourage members to contact the membership clerk with any inquiries. Gena Swan 250-670-9531 gena.swan@ahousaht.ca
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AHOUSAHT MEMBERSHIP - Thursdays and Fridays ONLY at the band office. Contact: Gena Swan via email at gena.swan@ahousaht.ca
ATTENTION AHOUSAHT
RE: Catface Mine Project Communications Plan
Since November 2011, Ahousaht First Nation has been in the process of developing a comprehensive communications plan with the objective of ensuring all Ahousaht membership has access to, reads, hears or sees the project information and to ensure their questions, concerns and opinions are collected and shared, with Imperial Metals and the Ahousaht leadership, to help determine future decisions.
A meeting was held on April 30th with members of Council and the Catface Working Group. Following membership comments received at the recent Ahousaht AGM and via electronic sources, the date set for 1st draft completion of the Communication Plan is May 4th.
The Communication Plan will be designed to ensure that all Ahousaht membership living both within and away from the territories will have access to unbiased information, including information on potential impacts and benefits, and will be equipped with an opportunity to have their voices play a major role in the decision making process.
Ahousaht is committed to moving forward in full-disclosure, to ensure the process is transparent to all membership. Information will be made available in a variety of places including on Facebook, this website, quarterly newsletters, community meetings and other medium.
Please await the release of the Communication Plan.
Please submit your comments and questions via the MuschimVoice form on this website. Click here
Vancouver Office
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Councillor Tyson Atleo is also available in Vancouver. A donation of HiVE office space made by Rain City Strategies has now allowed for Tyson to be available for requested meetings at HiVE Vancouver. Please email Tyson Atleo for his Vancouver office schedule. Click here for Ahousaht First Nation contact information.
Click here for the NEW BC Highways Hwy 4 Sutton Pass Road Condition Camera
This page is updated continuously. If you have information you would like added to this page please contact us via the MuschimVOICE form on this website
or email to Tyson Atleo at tyson.atleo@ahousaht.ca
