Winter Solstice

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

Letter from qiic̓qiic̓a

tikʷat̓iʕas (Ti-kwa-ti-us) Winter solstice literally means when the sun sits ever so briefly. The shortest day. From here on, all we can do is grow with the growing days. A spiritual time for the Huu-ay-aht people. Traditionally the time when potlatch belongs. 

Potlatch is a Chinook Jargon word (that means “to give”) and it derives from the nuučaan̓uł language it is a winter ceremony and the spirit of giving in this time transcends cultures throughout the world. Huu-ay-aht was no exception it was this time when our Ancient Spirit thrived the most.  

What does it mean to be Huu-ay-aht? It means we’re literally the people of resilience. In our existence over the millennia’s, we have shown resiliency in the face of natural disasters such as earthquake and tsunami. We have shown resiliency in the face of hunger and famine often the aftermath of said disasters. We have shown resiliency in the face of even war and conquest. 

Our next great story is going be one of the Huu-ay-aht showing resiliency in the face of colonialism. In this season of giving reflect on the principles of ʔuuʔaałuk, ʔiisaak, and hišukma c̓awaak. Reflect on all that we’ve overcome to be where we’re at today. Be thankful, be kind and be generous those are foundations of potlatch, integral in maintaining The Ancient Spirit of the Huu-ay-aht. 

Culture is more than song, dance, and ceremony. It’s also in our valued principles be cultured. Happy Solstice.

Open Burning Restriction Notice

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

View Official Notice here.

Open Burning Restriction Notice

December 19, 2023

Open burning restrictions are now in effect. As highlighted below, both Open Fires category A & B are closed as of November 15. Open burning will resume in March 2024. Campfires are currently permitted (see definition below for more information). Huu-ay-aht First Nations follows the provincial and regional burning bylaws, which can be referenced on the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District website under Bylaw NO. R1032.

“Category A Open Fires and Category B Open Fires are permitted only: i. when the ventilation index is rated as ‘good,’ as reported by Environment Canada’s Ventilation Index; ii. between March 1 and April 30 inclusive and between September 15 and November 15 inclusive, unless otherwise prohibited by the Province.”

Important: it is unlawful and dangerous to our lands and people to burn prohibited materials within our Treaty Settlement Lands (TSL) Hahuuli; this includes garbage, plastics, demolition waste, treated wood, construction waste, furniture, and appliances, etc. (See definition below for a complete list of prohibited burning material).

For more information contact Amelia Vos – Lands & Natural Resources Operations Manager 250-728-3414, email: amelia.v@huuayaht.org

Respectfully,
Karen Haugen
Executive Director
Huu-ay-aht First Nations

Definitions:

“Category A Open Fire” means an open fire that is: a) limited to vegetative debris with a diameter less than 10 cm; and b) burns material in one pile not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width, or burns stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 ha.

“Category B Open Fire” means an open fire that contains vegetative debris with a diameter of 10 cm or more significant or includes stubble or grass over an area 0.2 ha or greater.
“Debris” means disturbed or undisturbed vegetative matter targeted for management or disposal by open burning.

“Demolition Waste” means any materials resulting from or produced by the complete or partial destruction or tearing down of any structure.

“Prohibited Materials” includes tires, plastic, polystyrene foam, rubber products, drywall, demolition waste, domestic waste, construction waste, paint, particular waste, animal organic waste, biomedical waste, hazardous waste, tar, tar paper, treated or painted wood products, furniture, appliances, carpets, railway ties, asphalt products, battery boxes, petroleum products, fuel and lubricant containers or any other material which may produce black smoke or noxious odours.

Bylaw:
ACRD Burning Bylaw

Oomiiqsu (Aboriginal Mother Centre) Update – December 19

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

WORK COMPLETED:

  • First floor framing 
  • Continue floor joist
  • Backfill side of building
  • Form play area retaining walls

UPCOMING WORK:

  • Finish framing floor
  • Install floor sheathing
  • Layout second floor walls
  • Back framing on first floor.
  • Pour play area retaining walls
  • Finish installing RWL
  • Backfill south side of property
  • Backfill and sidewalk prep on north side of property
  • Excavate for parking retaining walls
  • Layout mechanical and plumbing

Oomiiqsu (Aboriginal Mother Centre) Update – November 20, 2023

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

WORK COMPLETED:

  • Pour slab for main building
  • Pour added retaining wall
  • Excavated for play area and back retaining walls
  • Excavated for hydro and RWL
  • Started basement under slab plumbing

UPCOMING WORK:  

  • Install basement under slab insulation and VB
  • Install hydro conduit to PMT and electrical room
  • Install storm sump
  • Install below grade RWL
  • Finish perimeter drain
  • Start framing
  • Form back retaining walls

Huu-ay-aht GST Termination Agreement in effect as of November 13, 2023  

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

A historical change has taken place for Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN) Citizens regarding taxation exemptions on Treaty Settlement Lands as of November 13, 2023. The termination of the Huu-ay-aht FNGST agreement (which was slated to take effect December 31, 2023), officially ceases to exist and is no longer in effect. The HFN government has taken necessary steps to make the exemption available again to citizens in a timely manner.  

What this means for Huu-ay-aht citizens is, Huu-ay-aht will return to the original taxation exemption status prior to the Maa-nulth treaty which came into effect April 1, 2011.

Specifically, both GST and PST will remain exempt for HFN Citizens and the December 31 FNGST will NO longer take effect.

In 2022, Canada changed its long-standing policy that required modern treaties to phase out the tax exemptions in Section 87 of the Indian Act. On effective date the Maa-nulth Treaty required the sales, income, and property tax exemptions phased out. The sales tax exemptions ended in 2019, and the income and property tax exemptions are scheduled to end December 31,, 2023.        

However, through negotiations with the Federal and Provincial Governments modern treaty nations may now choose to maintain the exemption for as long as they want and take up direct tax jurisdiction when or if they choose to.

This amendment puts tax jurisdiction back into the hands of treaty governments.

It gives Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN) government the flexibility to choose when to draw down taxation authority as part of the self-governance and self-determination HFN has under treaty.