Five staff members of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations emergency management team recently joined forces with neighbouring nations and local partners for an intensive Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Essentials training session.
The course, hosted by the c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht) First Nation, brought together personnel from Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Hupačasath First Nation, the City of Port Alberni, and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) Emergency Program to build skills and practice emergency management protocols together.
Delivered by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), the training focused on the core fundamentals of how an EOC functions to support frontline departments during a crisis. Participants explored site support operations utilizing the standardized Incident Command System (ICS) management structure. This framework defines key roles, such as operations, planning, logistics, and finance, ensuring that all can collaborate seamlessly when a disaster strikes.
Nations and Organizations participating in EOC training (Photo by Tseshaht First Nations).
On Tuesday, May 5, Huu-ay-aht First Nations honoured Red Dress Day – the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Persons (MMIWG2S+). The day brought together not only Huu-ay-aht citizens but also residents of Port Alberni and Bamfield, drawing an estimated 100 participants across two locations. Attendees arrived dressed in red, each finding their own way to wear the colour in support of healing and transformation.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation Anacla Government OfficeHuu-ay-aht First Nation Port Alberni Government Office
The gathering opened with a cultural song, grounding the day in tradition and collective mourning. Speaker Rowena Keitlah took time to share personal stories and grief, creating a safe space for the community to sit with the weight of this day together, honouring those who are no longer here and the families still waiting for answers. Throughout the event, attendees crafted red-dress beads and participated in a colouring activity. At the same time, a BBQ lunch featuring hot dogs and hamburgers brought neighbours together over shared plates and conversation. The strong turnout across both the Anacla and Port Alberni locations reflected the depth of community commitment to honouring MMIWG2S+.
To learn more about MMIWG2S+ and the National Inquiry, visit www.mmiwg-ffada.ca.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN) is preparing to welcome a new Vertical Hydroponic Farming unit to Anacla, with delivery expected in mid-May. Led by HFN’s Economic Development team in strategic partnership with Simon Fraser University (SFU), the project represents a major step toward local food sovereignty. This initiative was made possible by securing close to $700,000 in funding from several key partners, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Island Coast Economic Trust (ICET), BC Hydro, and the BC Government.
The project utilizes specialized technology from Growcer, a leader in modular farming, which is providing the unit along with the essential training and technology transfer required for success. Once operational, the Growcer unit will enable the year-round local growth of fresh produce, such as leafy greens and vegetables. This is a vital resource for the community, where access to fresh, affordable food is often limited by distance and transportation challenges.
Currently, work is underway in Anacla to prepare the site and ensure the necessary systems are in place before installation. Simultaneously, SFU is supporting Huu-ay-aht in developing a business plan, training materials, food safety protocols, and hiring processes to get the project up and running. Launched as a pilot, this initiative serves as a social blueprint for the future, allowing HFN to test operations and explore how the project can evolve into a long-term social enterprise that creates local jobs and ensures lasting food security for Huu-ay-aht citizens.
Inside a hydroponic vertical farming unit (Photo provided by Growcer).
Members of Huu-ay-aht First Nations celebrated a significant milestone on Dec. 16, 2025, by signing a child and family services agreement, known as the yaaʔak̓apʷin (we are embracing) agreement, with the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development.
ANACLA, B.C. – OCTOBER 10, 2023– Today, Huu-ay-aht First Nations hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Bamfield Main Road at Kilometre 76 to mark the completion of the Bamfield Main Road Reconciliation Project. Following, was a celebration at the House of Huu-ay-aht.
This project started back in 2020 with Huu-ay-aht and the Province sharing the same vision of creating a safer route between Bamfield and Port Alberni, and today both partners have made it a reality. Providing mitigation towards a safe route is one substantial task completed.
The Bamfield Main Road is an active industrial road. It supports multiple users from industry to residents living in the Bamfield and Ditidaht area and the growing number of visitors. Over the years, the Bamfield Main, known as a dusty gravel road, has put many road users at risk and in some cases taken their lives. Everyone will play a role in continually being a diligent driver for the safety of everyone on the road.
Although the chip seal is complete, our next task is to collaborate on a strategy for maintaining the chip-sealed road and preparing for the economic growth that will come. Working together with partners we will work diligently to ensure the proper steps are taken to secure this investment and vision.
A project of this size does not happen without strong partnerships and the many workers involved. Huu-ay-aht extends their utmost respect (ʔiisaak) and gratitude to everyone who contributed and the individuals who worked hard and long hours to complete this project.
B.C. supported the project with $25.7 million in 2020, and an additional $10 million in 2023.
Quotes
“Completing the Bamfield Road Reconciliation Project was a top priority for Huu-ay-aht. Working in partnership with the Province of BC, C̓̓awak ʔqin, and Mosaic, together we have made this a reality. We wanted to provide a safer and more reliable route for everyone who travels in Huu-ay-aht territory. With this upgrade, we begin building a strong, self-reliant community and economy for Huu-ay-aht citizens and everyone in the region. We are grateful to everyone who has supported Huu-ay-aht in reaching our vision.”
– Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor, John Jack
“The leadership shown by Huu-ay-aht from the outset of this project has been so inspiring. Their perseverance and resolve got them through wildfires, pandemics, rising costs and floods. The result is that the Bamfield Main Road is now much safer. This work will have a lasting impact for everyone: community residents, local businesses, and the forestry and tourism industries alike. It will support economic growth and economic recovery for years to come.”
– Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Murray Rankin
“There are many people to hold in our hearts with remembrance and gratitude as we celebrate this moment. The road is the main transportation link between Port Alberni and the communities of Bamfield and Anacla, and it is used for medical, emergency and community access for Huu-ay-aht First Nations members, Bamfield residents, workers, and visitors. These improvements will make the trip to and from Bamfield and Anacla a safer one, bringing peace of mind to everyone who travels that road.”
– MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim and Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation, Josie Osbourne
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Cutting the cedar ribbon at kilometre 76 on the Bamfield Main Road. Left to right: Huu-ay-aht Councillor Edward R. Johnson, Mosaic, CEO Rob Gough, Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor John Jack, Former Minister Scott Fraser, Former Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr., MP Gord Johns, Western Forest Products, Seanna McConnel, Huu-ay-aht ḥaw̓ił Jeff Cook, Huu-ay-aht Councillor Brad Johnson and Stephen Rayner.
