Huu-ay-aht First Nations is a self-governing, modern treaty Nation whose lands are located in the Barkley Sound region on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, at the entrance to Alberni Inlet.  The lands and waters making up our traditional territories (ḥahuułi, pronounced “ha-houlthee”) have been occupied by us since time immemorial. Today, Huu-ay-aht citizens number close to 900 and primarily reside around the village of Anacla, the Nation’s principal community close to Bamfield, as well as in Port Alberni, the closest population centre.  The balance of our citizens live across Vancouver Island, in the Vancouver area, and beyond.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations is a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and one of the five First Nations signatories to the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, the first modern-day treaty to be concluded on Vancouver Island.  The treaty came into effect on April 1, 2011, when the five Maa-nulth First Nations’ laws came into effect, marking a new era of ownership and self-government. Today, our Nation operates under a “made in Huu-ay-aht” Constitution, which supports the laws and policies that establish how the Huu-ay-aht government makes decisions on behalf of its citizens. As a result of the treaty, Huu-ay-aht First Nations has full ownership and jurisdiction over more than 8,200 hectares of land within our territories and continues to have rights throughout our ḥahuułi.

With full control over these undisputed lands owned in fee simple, our Nation is able to govern the lands under our own laws. Seeking to leverage this strength, Huu-ay-aht First Nations Council and Hereditary Chiefs (Ḥaw̓iiḥ) have been actively seeking opportunities to engage in responsible and sustainable economic development in order to forward the Huu-ay-aht vision of working together to establish a healthy, prosperous, and self-sustaining community.  Maintaining their historic role as caretakers of the lands, waters, and resources of their ḥahuułi, the Huu-ay-aht Ḥaw̓iiḥ work closely with Elected Council to ensure that all development considerations are informed and guided by the long-held principles of ʔiisaak (respect), ʔuuʔałuk (taking care of), and hišuk ma c̕awak (everything is connected).  Furthermore, Huu-ay-aht citizens themselves contribute to the governance of the Nation through regular People’s Assemblies, which employ a “direct democracy” model.

Building on a rich history, Huu-ay-aht  First Nations is working to build a bright future for generations to come.

5 thoughts on “About Us”

  1. A few weeks ago we did a walking tour with Stella Peters. I was so impressed by her story. To be honest, I didn’t know that the native population of what is now Canada, suffered so much from the people from Europe. I’m from Holland. Maybe that is one of the reasons why it touched me so deeply. I’m glad that now I know this story…I tell it to everyone who wants to hear it.
    I wish the people of hue ay aht all the best en hope to visit you in the near future for a second time. With my children, so they can also hear this story.

  2. I believe my mother was born of this band.
    Her name was Hazel Peters.
    I would like to receive information about how to register and to get information about her.
    Sincerly
    Katharine Chilcote

  3. I wish you all the best in your working to build a bright future for the new generation. We were very impressed by the walking tour into the past of your tribe with Stella Peters in 2017.

    1. Thanks for the positive feedback. We are happy to be offering it again this year.

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