The 2016 Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Gathering will be held in Nanaimo and will be hosted at the Nanaimo Entertainment Centre March 29-31.
They have special guests Duane Howard and Inez Jasper attanding this year.
Please register with Coral Johnson at the Port Alberni Government Office. You can reach her by phone 250-723-0100 or by email at Coral.j@huuayaht.org.
Following today’s storm which is expected to deliver 40-80mm to the South Coast mountains, a stronger surge of sub-tropical moisture will reach the South Coast of BC beginning Wednesday morning. The “Atmospheric River” will deliver heavy rain to the Coast Range and strong southerly winds to exposed coastal sections. Currently, Environment Canada is expecting 80-180mm of rain over the mountains between Wednesday morning and Thursday evening. As indicated by the red shading in the below image, the heaviest amounts are expected along the western side of Vancouver Island, the North Shore Mountains extending northwards to Squamish and eastwards to the Fraser Valley, as well as the Sunshine Coast extending up to the Central Coast. The strongest winds are expected Wednesday evening with the passage of the front. The highest winds can be expected along coastal areas exposed to southerly winds including the headlands of Vancouver Island and over the Strait of Georgia.
Given the strong southerly circulation, freezing levels will rise to approximately 2500m early Wednesday morning. This will result in a rain-on-snow event below 2500m.
If you have any questions about our preparedness plans for Anacla, please contact Amelia Vos (amelia.v@huuayaht.org) at 1.888.644.4555 / 250.728.3414
Weather Event Impacts:
Potential localized urban flooding and power outages.
Weather Event Estimated Start Time and Duration:
Wednesday morning through Thursday evening.
Confidence Level:
HIGH Weather models are now in good agreement with the onset and the amounts of this rainfall event. Please monitor the latest forecasts and warnings. Heavy rainfall warnings are issued for the following criteria:
Recommendations:
Ensure culverts and storm drains are free of debris. Prepare for potential power outages. Monitor forecasts and alerts for updates.
For updates and alerts:
Environment Canada Forecasts: www.weather.gc.ca/forecast/canada/index_e.html?id=BC
Environment Canada Alerts: www.weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=bc
BC River Forecast Centre Flood Warnings & Advisories: http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings/index.htm
Environment Canada Weather Blog:
www.avalanche.ca/weather
Matt MacDonald
Acting Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
Prediction and Services Directorate – Operations West
Meteorological Services of Canada
Environment Canada
Here is a brief update for the citizen dividend payment cheques.
Also included below are the dates for the January Community Engagement Sessions.
To authorize someone to pick up your cheque, you need to complete this form and bring it to the pick-up location.
The Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses has agreed to issue a cheque to Huu-ay-aht First Nations representing a share of profits from the Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses. In turn, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Executive Council has decided to share those profits with each Huu-ay-aht Citizen in the amount of two hundred & fifty dollars ($250.00).
See the attached Public Notice for full details on how citizens can pick up their cheque: Public Notice on the Payment
By Heather Thomson
Although still small in size, the message Davin Powell brought to his chief was not.
Davin came to Huu-ay-aht’s Port Alberni Government Office and asked if he could speak to Elected Chief Councillor Robert J. Dennis Sr. He had something on his mind, and he wanted to bring the concern to Chief Dennis’ attention and ask the leader of his nation for advice on how he can be part of the solution.
“We should only take what we need,” he explained, “If we take way more there won’t be any more for us in the future.”
His words were quiet but had the strength of a future leader. He explained to Robert that he is concerned about all animals and that it makes him sad to see so many killed.
“I want it to be peaceful between humans and animals. It makes me sad when it isn’t.”
He said, as a young native boy, he is concerned when he sees more animals being killed than need to be. He explained that this concern was the driving force behind his idea to go speak to the chief.
“Everything is one,” he said.
Chief Dennis was happy to receive such wise comments from one of Huu-ay-aht’s younger citizens. He said it was brave of him to ask permission to come voice his worries.
Robert explained that what Davin is describing is what his ancestors called Hišuk ma c̓awak – or Everything is Connected. He explained that Huu-ay-ahts for hundreds of years have shared similar concerns about the world that surrounds them.
Robert reassured Davin that he would take his concerns to executive council. He asked Davin why he was suddenly so concerned. Davin said he first started thinking about his connection to nature when his “Poppa Robert” (also the chief) explained to him that you must always return the bones of the fish back to the river.
“I thought, at that time, we need to take care of everything.”
His next question for the chief was “how can I help?”
Robert explained that the best way to help is to share his concerns with his fellow citizens. So if you see Davin and want to know more, stop and ask him what he thinks. You might be surprised by the answer.
![Robert and Davin]](https://i0.wp.com/huuayaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/robert-and-davin.jpg?resize=648%2C432&ssl=1)