Ahousaht 659 Maaqtusiis
HOME
A total of 2,400 proud Ahousaht members live in the village of Maaqutusiis, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver and many other locations all over the world.
A quiet, culturally strong place to live, Maaqutusiis is located on the
southeastern tip of Flores Island, a half hour boat ride north of Tofino.
Visitors can enjoy a 30 minute water taxi ride from Tofino Main Street Dock to Ahousaht. Please use Ahousaht owned and operated Water Taxis
(see our INFO page for list of water taxis)
HEADLINES
Ahousaht Emergency Response Facebook Page - All updates relating to COVID outbreak will be posted on this page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1640786029488365/
Ahousaht takes steps to minimize exposure to COVID 19
The health and safety of the Ahousaht community is of utmost concern to the Ahousaht Leadership. We have many elderly and young community members who are vulnerable and are susceptible to illness. Understanding that COVID 19 is a virus that is new to humans and easily spread through respiratory droplets and from surfaces exposed to the virus, Ahousaht will be restricting visitors to the village of Ahousaht as follows:
1. Meetings with consultants will be conducted via video conferencing and/or teleconferencing;
2. Groups slated to visit the community to reschedule to a later date;
3. Community gatherings will be cancelled or postponed for the time being (including cultural and sporting events);
4. Recommend community members restrict travel to essential travel outside the village only;
5. Recommend family/friends support elderly to minimize exposure (i.e. shopping, pick up prescriptions and other necessities);
Steps taken within village:
1. Education and Awareness
a. Managers, Principals met with their respective teams to share information about the virus;
b. Community meeting:
i. Presentation about virus and handed out information packages;
ii. Adopted recommendations from Health organizations:
1. Hand washing, hand sanitizing
2. Coughing/sneezing into tissue/sleeve
3. Social distancing (3-6 feet between self & next person);
4. Avoid handshakes, hugs and kissing;
2. Hand washing and sanitizers in public spaces;
3. Re-sanitizing cleaning of public workspaces throughout the day;
4. Plan to carry on local program and service delivery;
We are monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.
Should you have questions contact us at 250.670.9563 or info at ahousaht.ca
~
Ahousaht members are eligible to receive up to $69,468 to build a new home in Maaqtusiis
and up to $65,000 for a renovation of an existing home. See Housing page or Housing Dept for more info.
~
Pacific Blue Cross sign up forms and information is on our Health Page
~
New Cemetery surveying and design nearing completion. Rock has been crushed for roads and paths.
Waiting on dryer weather to begin laying out roads and more.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1640786029488365/
Ahousaht takes steps to minimize exposure to COVID 19
The health and safety of the Ahousaht community is of utmost concern to the Ahousaht Leadership. We have many elderly and young community members who are vulnerable and are susceptible to illness. Understanding that COVID 19 is a virus that is new to humans and easily spread through respiratory droplets and from surfaces exposed to the virus, Ahousaht will be restricting visitors to the village of Ahousaht as follows:
1. Meetings with consultants will be conducted via video conferencing and/or teleconferencing;
2. Groups slated to visit the community to reschedule to a later date;
3. Community gatherings will be cancelled or postponed for the time being (including cultural and sporting events);
4. Recommend community members restrict travel to essential travel outside the village only;
5. Recommend family/friends support elderly to minimize exposure (i.e. shopping, pick up prescriptions and other necessities);
Steps taken within village:
1. Education and Awareness
a. Managers, Principals met with their respective teams to share information about the virus;
b. Community meeting:
i. Presentation about virus and handed out information packages;
ii. Adopted recommendations from Health organizations:
1. Hand washing, hand sanitizing
2. Coughing/sneezing into tissue/sleeve
3. Social distancing (3-6 feet between self & next person);
4. Avoid handshakes, hugs and kissing;
2. Hand washing and sanitizers in public spaces;
3. Re-sanitizing cleaning of public workspaces throughout the day;
4. Plan to carry on local program and service delivery;
We are monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.
Should you have questions contact us at 250.670.9563 or info at ahousaht.ca
~
Ahousaht members are eligible to receive up to $69,468 to build a new home in Maaqtusiis
and up to $65,000 for a renovation of an existing home. See Housing page or Housing Dept for more info.
~
Pacific Blue Cross sign up forms and information is on our Health Page
~
New Cemetery surveying and design nearing completion. Rock has been crushed for roads and paths.
Waiting on dryer weather to begin laying out roads and more.
Upcoming Events
APRIL 2020
April 6, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
April 10, Good Friday, Offices Closed
April 13, Easter Monday, Offices Closed
MAY 2020
May 5, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
May 18, Victoria Day, Offices Closed
JUNE 2020
June 9, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
June 22, Ahousaht Day, Offices Closed
JULY 2020
July 1, Canada Day, Offices Closed
July 7, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
AUGUST 2020
August 3, BC Day, Offices Closed
Summer Break - no Chief and Council Meeting scheduled.
SEPTEMBER 2020
September 7, Labour Day, Offices Closed
September 8-9, Chief and Council Meeting and AGM Planning Session, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
Annual General Meeting September 15-17, 2020 Ahousaht Thunderbird Hall
Available via streaming - details to come
OCTOBER 2020
October 6, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
October 12, Thanksgiving Day, Offices Closed
NOVEMBER 2020
November 3, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
November 11, Remembrance Day, Offices Closed
Third week of November, First Nations Leadership Gathering (Province of BC)
DECEMBER 2020
December 8, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
December 25, Christmas Day, Offices Closed
December 26, Boxing Day, Offices Closed
JANUARY 2021
Second week of January, Gathering Wisdom, Vancouver
Third week of January, ISC/INAC Our Gathering, Vancouver
FEBRUARY 2020
February FAMILY DAY
April 6, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
April 10, Good Friday, Offices Closed
April 13, Easter Monday, Offices Closed
MAY 2020
May 5, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
May 18, Victoria Day, Offices Closed
JUNE 2020
June 9, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
June 22, Ahousaht Day, Offices Closed
JULY 2020
July 1, Canada Day, Offices Closed
July 7, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
AUGUST 2020
August 3, BC Day, Offices Closed
Summer Break - no Chief and Council Meeting scheduled.
SEPTEMBER 2020
September 7, Labour Day, Offices Closed
September 8-9, Chief and Council Meeting and AGM Planning Session, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
Annual General Meeting September 15-17, 2020 Ahousaht Thunderbird Hall
Available via streaming - details to come
OCTOBER 2020
October 6, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
October 12, Thanksgiving Day, Offices Closed
NOVEMBER 2020
November 3, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
November 11, Remembrance Day, Offices Closed
Third week of November, First Nations Leadership Gathering (Province of BC)
DECEMBER 2020
December 8, Chief and Council Meeting, Ahousaht Boardroom and/or Video Conference
December 25, Christmas Day, Offices Closed
December 26, Boxing Day, Offices Closed
JANUARY 2021
Second week of January, Gathering Wisdom, Vancouver
Third week of January, ISC/INAC Our Gathering, Vancouver
FEBRUARY 2020
February FAMILY DAY
DepartmentsAdministration
Manager of Administration - Anne Atleo Assistant Manager - Traci Swan 250-670-9563 or toll free 1-800-991-1433 Finance
Manager of Finance - Noreen John 250-670-9563 or toll free 1-800-991-1433 Housing
Manager of Housing - Caroline Atleo 250-670-2452 Chachumhyiip
Manager of Chachumhyiip - Julia Atleo Assistant Manager - Alice Atleo 250-670-9558 or toll free 1-855-670-9558 |
Fisheries
Manager of Fisheries - Micheal 'Luke' Swan 250-670-9535 Community Infrastructure
Manager of Community Infrastructure - Alec Dick Assistant Manager - Greg Hayes 250-670-9585 Social Development
Manager of Social Development - Robert Atleo Assistant Manager - Ivey Campbell 250-670-9558 or toll free 1-855-670-9558 Executive Director / Finance Director
Rob Bullock 250-670-9531 |
Twitter:
@AhousahtAdmin
(click on photo for picture description)
Ahousaht Projects
HOUSING
Sixplex 1, 2, & 3: ($3 million+)
The first of three six unit rental buildings was completed and moved in September 1, 2018. The project came in UNDER budget and provided safe, new living for 19 people. The second and third six-unit modular rental buildings are being shipped to Ahousaht (as of February 2019). These new sixplexes will feature a screw pile steel sub-structure, mold and water proof construction, built by a First Nation owned organization and paid workers from Ahousaht.
The 12 new units will consist of:
2 five bedrooms/two bath
3 four bedrooms/two bath
3 two bedroom/one bath
4 one bedroom/one bath
All units will be ground floor only (no second storey).
Location of the new six plexes will be beside and across the streets from the first six plex. Estimated completion May 2019.
Teacherage: ($750,000)
A four unit rental home complex was built and moved in summer 2018. This project also came in UNDER budget. These four units were built to provide housing for teachers working at the schools.
CMHC Houses ($1.1 million)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has approved four new houses to be built. Financing through All Nations Trust was finalized in January 2019. Home renters will be expected to maintain mortgage payments to Ahousaht, after which the home ownership will revert to the renter.
BC Housing Project ($10 million)
BC Housing approved Ahousaht's proposal to buy land and build a large multi family housing project in Port Alberni and Maaqtusiis. A budget of $10 million has been set aside for Ahousaht to begin the process of hiring a development consultant to work with BC Housing, Port Alberni, contractors, architects and Ahousaht.
Community Safe Home ($200,000)
Funded mostly by USMA/NTC in partnership with Ahousaht, a community safe home will soon be constructed. Designed to house women and children in need, this home will be the centre piece for developing a larger children in care program in Ahousaht.
UTILITIES
Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) ($21 million)
The treatment plant design has been completed. Final approval for the $21 million project is due to be received from Ottawa ISC. Final construction bids are due February 28, 2019. Contractors will be building a mini camp of homes, cabins, trailers near the lodge. The camp is dry - no exceptions.
Solid Waste Inflow & Infiltration ($1 million)
As part of the WWTP a new outflow will be built into the waters east of the village.
Anderson Creek Water Line ($1 million)
Work began September 2018 on replacing the water line from the dam down to the estuary west of the village. This project was completed in January 2019 and UNDER budget.
Roads and Drainage ($1 million for phase one)
ISC has committed $1,010,000 to Ahousaht for fiscal year 2018/19 . This will fund the first phase of paved roads and improved drainage in the village. Once the additional funds have been received Ahousaht will work with Associated Engineering to begin phase one.
High Speed Internet ($1 million)
Cabling started in the fall of 2018 and finally completed with the subdivision getting hooked up in Februrary 2019.
Higher speeds were attained by fall 2018. Community will begin paying for service
Waste Transfer Station ($2 million)
Work started in January 2019 to redevelop the waste transfer station.
Main Dock Lease Sign Off and Repairs (est $500,000)
The Main Dock officially became Ahouaht's in January 2019. The lease allows Ahousaht to hire a Harbour Master funded through DFO, maintain the dock (top and bottom), and ensure it is clean and safe at all times.
Cell Towers (funding provided by Telus)
Site survey of Maaqtusiis took place in March 2019. The intent is to set up one to two micro cell towers to provide cell signal coverage in the village and in the water ways to and from Ahousaht.
COMMUNITY
Chachimhyiip Expansion and Seismic Update
FNHA has provided funding to NTC to begin work on retrofitting, upgrading and repairing Ahousaht's
medical and health centre to today's safety standards.
Chachimhyiip New Health Services Plan
updated details coming soon!
Youth Centre Upgrades and Staffing
Funds were recently committed by NTC/USMA to provide upgrades and repairs to Ahousaht's youth center
with potential funding for ongoing Youth workers including weekends and evenings
Community Clean Up
Several community clean up initiatives have taken place. Water front cleanup around the main dock, derelict abandoned boats are being dismantled.
Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP)
Phase 3 is now underway with Traci Swan working with elders, youth and the entire community.
Old Cemetery
Large boulders and rocks have been placed along the waters edge to slow down erosion.
New Cemetery
Work has begun to ready the new cemetery for use. Hazelwood worked to remove and pile wood into burnpiles. This readied the area for site survey that will help determine the costs of making this area ready for use. Erosion containment will be a key component for long term use.
Thunderbird Hall Upgrades
Two separate funding programs, roads & drainage and Ahouaht's O&M, have been tasked to shore up the flooring, reduce as best as possible the water ponding underneath, and all other needed repairs.
Volunteer help from the community would be appreciated.
Spiritual Place Church Site
The Catholic Diocese is in the process of raising the final amount required to provide Ahousaht a new church on the old site. May 4th - fundraiser hosted by Bishop Gary Gordon will take place in Victoria, BC
Community Resource and Adult Learning Centre
Plans are in the works with an architect and potential funders.
Donate to Ahousaht
Ahousaht is a registered donee in Canada. Charitable receipts will be issued for donations of $50 or more.