Panel of Inquiry Report

Please note that the information in the Panel of Inquiry Report contains content that may be triggering. Please reach out for support if needed.

Report of the Panel of Inquiry

Statement of Executive Council on the Inquiry Panel Report

Request for Service Form – Quu’asa

Supports Available

Huu-ay-aht Child and Family Wellness Department250-723-0100
Huu-ay-aht Cultural Team – Cory Howard Sr. or Mel Edwards250-728-3414 or 888-644-4555
Teechuktl Mental Health250-724-3939
Quu’asa Wellness250-724-5757


24-hour crisis supports

Vancouver Island Crisis Line1‑888‑494‑3888
1-800-SUICIDE(1-800-784-2433)
Call if you are considering suicide, or are concerned about someone who may be at risk of suicide.
Mental Health Support310-6789
Emotional support and resources for mental health and substance use disorders
Kuu-Us Crisis LineAdults/Elders 250-723-4050
Child/Youth 250-723-2040
Toll Free: 1-800-588-8717
Metis Line: 1-833-638-4722
Indian Residential School Survivor and Family1-800-721-0066
First Nations & Inuit Hope or Wellness Help Line1-855-242-3310



Greetings to all from Sandy and Jen!

We are returning to Port Alberni from the afternoon on Sunday, January 22, 2023 to January 24, 2023 at noon to meet privately and confidentially with anyone who is willing to share their stories and/or information with us.  As you know, the Panel of Inquiry has been set up to look into misconduct by public officials and we hope that more people will come forward to us with information to assist us in our inquiry. 

We have arranged to meet with people in a private space, away from government offices and are available during the day and into the evenings to accommodate those with work and family commitments.  We can assist with arranging emotional and/or cultural support for anyone who wants/needs it to assist them in coming forward. We can also assist with any other supports that people may need to assist them in meeting with us. We want to reassure everyone that the names of anyone who speaks to us and any information that we receive will remain strictly confidential.

 Please reach out to us directly either by telephone or email:

Please reach out to us by phone or email:

Sandy Cunningham:
scunningham56@gmail.com | cell:  604-362-3207

Jen Dehoney:
jendehoney@gmail.com | cell:  604-671-8652


Mid 2022, Huu-ay-aht First Nations Executive Council directed that an inquiry be conducted into allegations of abuse of power committed by members of the government.

Executive Council approved terms of reference for the panel that will be appointed to conduct the Inquiry that includes both a mandate and outlines the powers of the Inquiry panel (these terms can be found on the Nations’ Public Notice page.)

After the Inquiry is completed and the panel has provided their report to the Huu-ay-aht government, the report will be made public according to the terms of the posted Inquiry Panel Terms of Reference.

The Inquiry panelists held two initial introduction meetings in both Anacla (October 5, 2022) and Port Alberni (October 6, 2022), inviting community members to learn more about the panelists and the inquiry process.

Questions can be directed to the Inquiry Panel at hfnpanel22@gmail.com .



HFN Inquiry Public Notices

All Public Notices are posted on our official Public Notice Page. This list only contains Public Notices pertaining to the inquiry panel and investigation as a courtesy please visit the official page for the most up to date Public Notice releases.

Report of the Panel of Inquiry – Posted May 17, 2023

Statement of Executive Council on the Inquiry Panel Report

Public Notice – Inquiry Panel – EC and HC Statement – November 4, 2022

Public Notice -Inquiry Panel – Inquiry Panel Response to Resignation – November 2, 2022

Public Notice -Inquiry Panel – Notice of Resignation – October 28, 2022

Inquiry Panel Terms of Reference

Retirement Notification – May 6, 2022

Huu-ay-aht Statement on Allegations Involving Members of Executive Council

Recent Inquiry Panel News

Inquiry Panel Letter – April 3, 2023

Inquiry Panel Update February 14, 2023

Inquiry Panel Notice January 22, 2023

Inquiry Panel Notice January 8, 2023

Inquiry Panel Notice December 2022

Inquiry Panel Working Group

Inquiry Meet and Greet Events

Panelists

Sandra Cunningham, QC

Sandra Cunningham is a member of the Mitha Law Group who specializes in workplace investigations in the public and private sectors. She was Crown Counsel for 30 years, where she focused on serious crimes such as murder, sexual exploitation and human trafficking. She was also a policy drafter and analyst in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault for the Ministry of Justice. Sandy has extensive experience in workplace investigations, including allegations of sexual misconduct and involving systemic issues leading to abuse and has worked internationally on projects to strengthen the criminal justice systems in Guyana, South America, and Ethiopia with an emphasis on violence against women. Sandy will take on the role of lead investigator.

Jennifer Dehoney
Jennifer Dehoney

Jennifer Dehoney is a member of the Missanabie Cree First Nation and is also of Irish descent. Most recently Jennifer’s work has been as a founding board member and team lead at Kilala Lelum, an Indigenous health and healing centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. She is a former pediatric physiotherapist, a certified health & wellness coach and has a masters degree in counselling psychology. Jennifer has over 18-years experience working with Indigenous communities in clinical, research and decolonizing-systems work and has been facilitating anti- Indigenous racism workshops for healthcare, education and non-profit teams for the past 5- years. Jennifer was honoured to work with Huu-ay-aht as the coordinator for the social services project panel and the social services project implementation task force.