Huu-ay-aht First Nations is awarded one elk annually. It has traditionally been awarded to a Huu-ay-aht citizen through a draw or random lottery.
This year, the allocation is being awarded directly to Ed Johnson Sr., on recommendation of the Ḥaw̓iiḥ Council. Ḥaw̓iiḥ wanted to recognize that Ed won the elk draw in 2013, but he decided not to hunt the allocation due to a large number of poaching incidents that happened in the vicinity.
“Ḥaw̓iiḥ has made this decision out of respect for one of our harvesters who put aside personal gain to care for the animal resources in our ḥahuułi,” explains Tayii Ḥaw̓ił ƛiišin (Derek Peters). “We hope that citizens respect this decision and supports Ed.”
Since 2013, the incidences of poaching have greatly decreased in our ḥahuułi, with no intense poaching reported in recent years. Citizens are encouraged to report elk sightings to the Anacla Government Office. All hunters are reminded to report their harvests to the Huu-ay-aht’s Natural Resources Department.