Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN) continues to explore the Stackabl modular housing initiative, which aims to address housing needs while also creating broader economic opportunities for the Nation.
Over the past two years, HFN has been working closely with Stackabl Homes BC to understand better the technology, supply chain, and long-term potential of modular housing. This has included delegations to China, internal due diligence, and engagement with various government organizations and agencies. As part of their commitment to the project, Stackabl has covered the costs associated with the China delegations, allowing HFN to participate in this important due diligence work without placing a financial burden on the Nation. In addition, Stackabl has opened offices in Vancouver and Nanaimo and provided a job opportunity to one of the Huu-ay-aht citizens.
A key milestone has been reached: the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has approved Stackabl Homes BC’s manufacturing and technology partners. This makes them the first offshore Canadian manufacturing unit to obtain CSA-A277 certification, allowing them to manufacture housing for the Canadian market. In early June, Huu-ay-aht returned to China for a follow-up visit to understand the manufacturing process further and explore opportunities to integrate Huu-ay-aht forestry resources into the supply chain.
The project is gaining strong interest across the region, with active discussions underway with multiple stakeholders, institutions, and First Nations on Vancouver Island regarding potential affordable housing projects. A CSA-certified demonstration unit with BC Step Code 4 is planned for installation in Port Renfrew in August, helping to showcase the product and support engagement with communities, governments, and partners.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations is currently working on a pre-feasibility study, which is expected to be concluded by November 2026. This study will analyze the supply chain, demand, product viability, and cost before stepping into a full feasibility stage that could support a joint venture between HFN and Stackabl Homes BC. By exploring the viability of bringing housing manufacturing directly to HFN treaty settlement lands, this initiative ultimately aims to unleash the wealth of our nism̓a (land) and create sustainable jobs for citizens.
While still in the early stages, this initiative has the potential to support housing development, create jobs, and contribute to long-term economic growth in the region.
Citizens and visitors watching FIFA game at the House of Huu-ay-aht on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (Photo by Huu-ay-aht Communications).
The fusion of culture and the global excitement of soccer brought Anacla together with neighbouring communities on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for a monumental FIFA World Cup Watch Party and Community Day.
Tuesday’s festivities were among many other watch parties and community events since June organized by the 2026 Alberni Valley Indigenous-Led Soccer Community Celebration, a historic regional festival funded by the Province of British Columbia through a $90,000 grant from the 2026 Community Event Support Fund. The initiative represents a powerful partnership between the Hupačasatḥ, c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht), and Huu-ay-aht First Nations, aimed at creating a lasting sports legacy and bringing Truth and Reconciliation to life through soccer.
The morning kicked off at the Upper Anacla Field with an energetic soccer clinic led by Sam Hodgetts from Ditidaht First Nation. Around 15 eager young participants from the communities of Nitinat, Anacla, and Bamfield took to the field to sharpen their skills and run through drills.
By midday, the action shifted to the House of Huu-ay-aht. Attendees were treated to a warm welcome ceremony and a barbecue lunch prepared by Sarah Johnson. While lunch was served, citizens, community members, and visitors connected with hands-on cedar bark weaving lessons.
In the afternoon, the House of Huu-ay-aht transformed into a world-class sports arena for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup match between Switzerland and Colombia.
Equipped with chairs and community spirit, Huu-ay-aht Citizens gathered with visitors from Nitinat, Bamfield, Port Alberni, and Pachena Bay Campground.
The viewing experience was brought to life by Five Acre Co. Staging and Productions Services, who installed a massive 8×14-foot screen paired with a superior, stadium-quality sound system. The immersive audiovisual setup delivered an electric atmosphere, leaving attendees feeling as though they were at the game.
The Switzerland-Colombia match went to extra time, remaining scoreless after 120 minutes before moving to penalties. Ruben Vargas struck the winning penalty to secure a 4-3 shootout victory for Switzerland, advancing the team to the quarterfinals.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations would like to raise our hands to the event organizers at the 2026 Alberni Valley Indigenous-Led Soccer Community Celebration, the Province of British Columbia, Sam Hodgetts, Sarah Johnson, Five Acre Co., and all attendees. Your hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed, and it allowed our communities to celebrate together.
If you are looking for a place to watch the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the Alberni Valley Indigenous-Led Soccer Community Celebration will host the game at The KCC (4090 Hollywood St.) in Port Alberni. Doors open at 10 a.m.; the game starts at 12 p.m. The event is free and for all ages, with food, beverages, and the community coming together!
On a pathway to jurisdiction over our children and families, Huu-ay-aht First Nations Child and Family Wellness department recently wrapped up a vital series of community engagements spanning from Anacla to Vancouver.
Held during the final week of June, the five distinct engagement sessions provided Huu-ay-aht families and citizens with critical updates on the nation’s independent legislative path and milestones achieved alongside federal and provincial partners. The focus was on the Yaaʔak̕ap (to embrace) Child and Family Wellness Act, Huu-ay-aht’s own foundational child welfare legislation, as well as the historic yaaʔak̓apʷin (we are embracing) shared interest agreement.
Director of Child & Family Wellness, Kerry-Ann Collinge and Executive Councillor and Child & Family Wellness Portfolio Holder, Edward R. Johnson, at the Nanaimo Community Engagement on Thursday, June 25, 2026 (Photo by Communications).
A Proven Model: “Bring Our Children Home”
These recent community updates represent a journey that began nearly a decade ago. In 2016, after years of systemic challenges under federal and provincial family services, Huu-ay-aht’s Executive Council appointed an independent Social Services Panel. The panel’s 2017 report outlined 30 comprehensive recommendations aimed at prevention, healing, and keeping families together instead of separating them.
In 2018, the Nation declared a public health emergency due to the high number of children in provincial care. Following this, it secured essential funding from both Canada and British Columbia to implement its practice framework developed from the 30 recommendations.
The shift from a reactive child protection model to the Huu-ay-aht community-driven, life-span prevention approach has shown remarkable results. With the specialized “Bring Our Children Home” model, 72% of Huu-ay-aht First Nations children in care have been successfully reunited with their families and community. This achievement has been further supported by the opening of the ʔumʔiiqsu Centre and Childcare Centre in Port Alberni in 2025. This innovation was based on recommendation 26 out of the 30 recommendations made in 2017. The Indigenous-led residential and childcare facility is designed to provide comprehensive support, allowing families to thrive and heal together.
The yaaʔak̓apʷin Agreement and Provincial Education Tour
A significant milestone on the path to sovereignty was achieved on December 16, 2025, when the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) signed the yaaʔak̓apʷin agreement. This agreement officially came into effect on March 16, 2026, and ensures that the Nation has a greater role and genuine involvement in child welfare planning and decision-making.
Following its implementation in March, Huu-ay-aht First Nations launched an extensive educational campaign, delivering nearly 10 presentations between March and June to MCFD Directors of Child Wellness Operations and frontline social workers across the province. Designed to educate the ministry on best government-to-government practices and define exactly how to work with Huu-ay-aht children and families, the presentations saw immense engagement, with the largest session drawing over 130 attendees.
With this crucial educational phase successfully completed, MCFD and Huu-ay-aht leadership have officially returned to the negotiating table to map out Phase 2 of the agreement. This next phase aims to further align operations and structural planning, with completion projected by the end of summer 2026.
Activating the Yaaʔak̕ap Act: Concurrency and Accountability
As Huu-ay-aht navigates these provincial alignments, the Nation is preparing to fully activate its own legal framework. While passed by the Huu-ay-aht Legislature in May 2023 under then-Chief Councillor Robert Dennis, the Yaaʔak̕ap Child and Family Wellness Act includes a specific activation protocol: it is not formally in force until the Executive Council passes a resolution bringing it into effect. To prepare for this operational transition, the government enacted the Huu-ay-aht General Legislation Amendment Act, 2026, on March 31, 2026, signed by Chief Councillor John Jack and ḥaw̓iiḥ Councillor Theresa Nookemus.
Once fully brought into force, the Yaaʔak̕ap Act will operate concurrently with provincial and federal child welfare laws throughout British Columbia, applying to Huu-ay-aht children both on and off treaty lands. To support this wide-reaching implementation and permanently resolve existing geographic limitations, the Nation is actively pursuing key treaty amendments with Canada and British Columbia. All service providers, including provincial social workers, will then be legally bound to comply with the Act’s strict provisions.
A central priority of the legislation is shifting authority away from sudden apprehensions toward strict court-ordered accountability. Except in situations of immediate danger, provincial agencies must secure a court order before removing a child from their home, providing the Huu-ay-aht government with advance notice and a formal legal right to intervene, respond, and offer family support services first.
Furthermore, the Act sets strict standards for cultural continuity. Huu-ay-aht children in care will have legally protected rights to access traditional foods and cultural community events. Non-Huu-ay-aht foster families and social workers will be required to demonstrate verified cultural competency and knowledge of Huu-ay-aht values, with the Nation retaining the legal right to petition the courts to change a child’s placement if these cultural standards are not met. To ensure institutional accountability, the Act establishes an independent, non-administrative Child Services Officer who will provide oversight and report directly to the Executive Council.
Navigating the Next Five Years
The June community engagements mark an important milestone for Huu-ay-aht as it embarks on the next significant phase of self-determination. Leadership and staff are currently collaborating with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) on a comprehensive five-year federal legislative review of Bill C-92, which is titled “An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families.” This bill, passed in 2019, affirmed the inherent jurisdiction of Indigenous communities over child welfare.
Ensuring that citizens are well-informed through these conversations allows community voices to influence upcoming relationships directly, coordination table agreements, and the broader prevention strategy for 2026–2031 by grounding modern legislative pathways in ancient sacred principles, ʔiisaak (greater respect), ʔuʔaałuk (taking care of), and Hišukma c̕awak (everything is one). Huu-ay-aht citizens and staff continue to build a sovereign system of care. This system aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for the next generation, fostering a deep connection to their culture.
Timeline of Key Milestones:
2011: Huu-ay-aht becomes a Modern Treaty Nation under the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, establishing the right to self-government.
2015: Huu-ay-aht and Usma signed Protocol Agreement
2016–2017: The Independent Social Services Panel is formed, delivering 30 recommendations focused on prevention and family unity.
2018: Huu-ay-aht secures $4.2M in federal funding alongside provincial support to launch its proactive Social Services Project.
2018: Huu-ay-aht & BC Housing begin conversations regarding ʔumʔiiqsu Centre
2020: Federal Bill C-92 comes into effect, legally recognizing Indigenous jurisdiction over child and family services across Canada.
2022: B.C. passes Bill 38, the Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Services Amendment Act. This Act, along with Bill C-92, upholds the inherent rights of Indigenous communities to provide their own child and family services. B.C. became the first province in Canada to recognize an inherent right of self-government specifically in provincial legislation.
2023: The Yaaʔak̕ap Child and Family Wellness Act is officially passed by the Huu-ay-aht legislature.
2025: The ʔumʔiiqsu Mother Centre opens its doors. In December, the historic yaaʔak̓apʷin agreement is signed with MCFD.
2026: The yaaʔak̓apʷin agreement takes effect. Huu-ay-aht launches a province-wide government-to-government training tour for MCFD staff members.
2026 (Current): June multi-community engagements wrap up as leadership enters Phase 2 negotiations with MCFD, targeting operational alignment by the end of summer.
Executive Councillor n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ, Stephen Rayner, brought the opportunities of Huu-ay-aht nism̓a (traditional land) to the forefront at the Indigenous Resources Opportunities Conference (IROC) alongside Premier David Eby, MLA A’Aliyah Warbus, and leaders from across the sector.
The Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference (IROC) is a significant, Indigenous-led event that promotes Indigenous economic participation in British Columbia’s natural resource sector. Now in its 10th year, IROC 2026 brought together First Nations leaders, government representatives, resource developers, and industry partners for three days of keynotes, panel discussions, and opportunities for relationship-building.
Together, these leaders are committed to fostering respectful collaboration and creating a strong future through responsible development
Premier David Eby and Executive Councillor n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ, Stephen Rayner at the IROC (Photo provided to Huu-ay-aht Communications).
On Wednesday, June 10, Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN) Government staff from Port Alberni and Anacla gathered at the House of Huu-ay-aht to learn about the Nation’s journey to Treaty.
‘Treaty 101’ was prepared and presented by Huu-ay-aht citizens, speaker, and BC Treaty Commissioner, Angela Wesley. Angela shared valuable information about how HFN became the self-governing Nation we know today, outlining the core motivations behind the historic decision and the foundational goals that continue to guide the community.
During the presentation, Angela highlighted that the path to a modern-day treaty was a deliberate choice by Huu-ay-aht citizens. While legal battles and court cases yielded some victories over the years, the litigation process ultimately proved too costly in time and money.
Recognizing that HFN could not fully achieve its long-term goals under the restrictions of the Indian Act, the Nation was already preparing to govern itself. The Treaty was voted on by citizens as the logical next legal step toward true independence, aimed at improving the lives of all Huu-ay-aht People, no matter where they live, while protecting and stewarding HFN lands and natural resources for years to come.
The presentation also highlighted historic growth and autonomy Huu-ay-aht achieved since the Treaty was officially implemented. Angela shared several remarkable milestones that underscore the power of self-governance:
Expanded Territory: The Nation has added 800 hectares to its land base since 2011.
Territorial Control: Huu-ay-aht now controls, manages, or jointly controls 91% of its traditional territory.
Financial Growth: Since implementation, financial investments have undergone a massive transformation, increasing by up to 32 times. As well as increased Federal funding for the Nation by 102%.
These milestones reflect the strict criteria the Treaty had to meet to serve the Nation effectively. It needed to:
Assert the inherent right to self-government within a modern context.
Recognize and protect both land and sea rights.
Provide the necessary tools to empower communities socially and economically.
Serve as the foundation for an ongoing, living relationship.
On behalf of Huu-ay-aht First Nations Government and all the staff in attendance, we send a sincere thank you to Angela for taking the time to present and for so generously sharing her knowledge, history, and insight. Sessions like ‘Treaty 101’ play a vital role in ensuring that staff remain deeply connected to the Nation’s mission, grounded in its history, and fully equipped to support Huu-ay-aht citizens as the journey of self-governance continues to unfold.
Huu-ay-aht Staff at the House of Huu-ay-aht participating in Treaty Training (Photo by HFN Communications).
