Huu-ay-aht Declares Support for Trudeau Government Leadership on Economy, Environment and First Nations Reconciliation

Posted on by heathersthomson

Thursday, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations declared its support for the Trudeau government’s leadership on the economy, environment, and long-term reconciliation with First Nations.

One year into its term, Trudeau’s government has had to make some tough decisions in advance of longer-term reconciliation with First Nations being achieved. As a coastal community potentially impacted by these decisions, Huu-ay-aht First Nations leadership has completed a review of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain and Northern Gateway pipeline decisions made earlier this week, as well as the decision to formalize an oil tanker ban on the north coast of British Columbia.

“These decisions are never easy,” said Tayii Ha’wilth Tliishin (Head Hereditary Chief Derek Peters). “Huu-ay-aht respects everyone’s right to their own opinion. That said, it is the responsibility of governments to enable economic development while protecting the environment, in both the short and the long term.”

In our view, the Trudeau government is on its way to successfully achieving principled resource development and effective environmental stewardship in a manner consistent with our three core traditional values of iisaak, hish-uk tsawak, and uu-a-thluk.

“I am happy to see Prime Minister Trudeau and his government being proactive in consulting and working with First Nations,” Tliishin continues. “I am also happy to see the hereditary and elected leaders of our Nation work together to support our Nation.”

While short-term decisions on projects such as Trans Mountain and Northern Gateway are being made, work must continue on the longer-term goal of reconciliation, where First Nations will one day co-manage their territories with industry and government as their partners.

“Everyone must recognize that Canada is in a time of transition with the economy, the environment, and with First Nations reconciliation,” said elected Chief Councillor Robert J. Dennis Sr. “A nation-to-nation relationship will take considerable commitment and time. We must not let respectful differences in the short term stand in the way of our mutual long-term goal of ensuring that First Nations take their rightful place in this country.”

The Huu-ay-aht First Nations look forward to working together with industry and all levels of government to advance reconciliation and achieve the important balance between pursuing prosperity for all Canadians and protecting the land, sea, and resources that form the basis of that prosperity.

Huu-ay-aht Core Values

The concept of iisaak can be interpreted as meaning “greater respect and respect with caring.” It is the public demonstration and acknowledgment of respectful interaction between individuals, groups, communities and generally between the human world and the natural world. The is the value most concerned with ensuring First Nations are meaningfully involved in projects such as these.

The concept of hish-uk tsawak can be interpreted as meaning “everything is one.” It is the acknowledgment and appreciation for the wide and deep interconnectedness, interdependence and reciprocal relationship between all things in the human and natural worlds. This is the value most concerned with ensuring a comprehensive and evidence-based approach is taken in considering the positive and negative impacts of these projects.

The concept of uu-a-thluk can be interpreted as meaning “taking care of (present and future generations).” It is the need of government to consider the generations-long interest of the Nation and its people in addition to more immediate desires. This is the value most concerned with an approach that balances the needs of today with the needs of the future.

Further Information

The Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN) is an indigenous community located on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It is a part of the Nuu-chah-nulth culture group, formerly called the Nootka. The HFN is a party to the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, a modern treaty that grants its five member-nations constitutionally-protected self-government as well as ownership, control and law-making authority over their lands and resources.

Website: http://www.huuayaht.org/

Embedded Video Available: https://youtu.be/9nrji5O9d5g

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District issues flood warning

Posted on by heathersthomson

Highway 4 west of Port Alberni is currently closed. A detour is in place on McCoy Lake Road/Stirling Arm/Faber Road due to flooding. Expect approximately 20 minute delays.

For up-to-date information, go to http://www.acrd.bc.ca/ the most recent press release is attached: ACRD press release –november-9-2016

Flood Warning: Somass River (Upgraded)

Flood Watch: Salmon River near Sayward (Upgraded)

Flood Watch: Central Vancouver Island (except the Somass River) (Maintained)

Flood Watch: Courtenay (Puntledge) Rivers (Maintained)

High Streamflow Advisory: East Vancouver Island (Downgraded)

High Streamflow Advisory: North Vancouver Island and West Vancouver Island (Maintained)

The River Forecast Centre is upgrading to a Flood Warning for:

  • Somass River including the Sproat River and surrounding tributaries and creeks near Port Alberni,

The River Forecast Centre is upgrading to a Flood Watch for:

  • Salmon River near Sayward

The River Forecast Centre is maintaining a Flood Watch for:

  • Central Vancouver Island except for Port Alberni;
  • Courtenay (Puntledge) Rivers

The River Forecast Centre is downgrading to a High Streamflow Advisory for:

  • East Vancouver Island including the Browns River, Tsolum River, Oyster River, and surrounding unregulated streams in the Bowser, Courtenay and Campbell River areas

The River Forecast Centre is maintaining a High Streamflow Advisory for:

  • West Vancouver Island including Tofino Creek, and surrounding creeks and tributaries
  • North Vancouver Island including Zeballos River, Gold River, and surrounding creeks and tributaries

 

Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts an additional 52 mm of rainfall for Port Alberni, 35 mm for the Salmon River near Sayward and 10 – 30 mm for the rest of Vancouver Island for today. Detailed weather outlooks for the next few days, provided by the Meteorological Service of Canada, are accessed at the Avalanche Canada weather blog. Weather alerts for the region are accessed at the Environment and Climate Change Canada Weather Alerts website.

Responding to these forecast additional rainfall amounts, the current river levels are expected to rise further tonight and peak tomorrow morning into tomorrow afternoon.

The Somass River continues to rise and Highway 4 along the Somass River in Port Alberni is currently reported as flooded as are low-lying areas adjacent to the river. It is expected that the Somass will continue to rise until tomorrow evening. The Salmon River near Sayward is currently rising rapidly. For the unregulated rivers on the rest of the Vancouver Island, the situation is stable and some of the river levels are receding. The rivers are expected to peak tonight or tomorrow morning with the additional forecast rainfall. A summary of the river conditions includes:

  • Salmon River near Sayward (08HD006) is flowing at 1433 m3/s, which is between the 20-50 year return period flow, and is expected to peak tonight.
  • The Sproat River near Port Alberni (08HB008) is recording a flow of 265 m3/s, however there may be a problem with the gauge. The Water Survey of Canada is attending to the gauge today.
  • Ash River below Moran Creek (08HB023) is flowing at 221 m3/s, and will continue to increase overnight.
  • The estimated flow in the Somass River near Port Alberni is approximately 640 m3/s.
  • Courtenay River at 5th Street Bridge (08HB083) water levels of 3.648 m. The level is expected to fluctuate due to contributions from the Comox reservoir.
  • Tsolum River near Courtenay (08HB011) is flowing at 130 m3/s, and will continue to recede.
  • Oyster River (08HD011) is flowing at 160 m3/s, and is expected to peak tonight.

At this time, significant storm surges are not expected. However, tide levels are expected to increase later this week. Further details are available at the Storm Surge BC website.

The public is cautioned to stay clear of rivers during rain events due to quickly flowing water and potentially unstable riverbanks.

The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will provide an update on Wednesday.

A High Streamflow Advisory means that river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected.  Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

A Flood Watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull.  Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.

A Flood Warning means that river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.

More Winds Expected for West Coast

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Issued at 10:16 AM PDT Monday 24 October 2016

Wind warning in effect for:

  • West Vancouver Island

Strong winds that may cause damage are expected or occurring.

Winds will reach 80 km/h this evening and ease by early Tuesday morning.

An intense low off the Oregon coast will move northward to lie west of Vancouver Island this evening. The low will slowly weaken tonight but not before giving strong winds to West Vancouver Island.

Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to pacificstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports to #BCStorm.

 

Where are we at with the proposed LNG project at Sarita Bay?

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We are carrying out the 2014 People’s Assembly decision to explore the possibility of a LNG liquefaction and export facility at Sarita Bay.

We are currently in active negotiations with Steelhead to negotiate agreements, which would define the nature of our relationship with Steelhead throughout the project. If an agreement is reached, the final decision whether or not to support the proposed Project will be made by Citizens in a referendum vote.

Learn more here: LNG Updates 2016