Today, Thursday, February 26, Elected Chief Councillor Sayaač̓atḥ, John Alan Jack, addressed the Parliamentary Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs. His message was clear: it’s time for a Modern Treaty Commissioner (Bill C-10).
After 15 years of the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, federal implementation remains inconsistent. By implementing a Modern Treaty Commissioner, we hope to provide impartial oversight across the whole federal government. Bill C-10 ensures that the thousands of obligations in the Maa-nulth Final Agreement are met.
“Together, we can deliver the results that modern treaties were meant to enable and enoble.” — Chief Councillor Sayaač̓atḥ, John Alan Jack.
Members of Huu-ay-aht First Nations Executive Council attended the B.C. Cabinet & First Nations Leaders’ Gathering in Vancouver this week.
Chief Councillor Sayaač̓atḥ, John Jack, Councillor n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ, Stephen Rayner, and Councillor ƛicitatḥ, Edward R. Johnson met with members of the BC Cabinet as they continue to advocate for the long-term health and well-being of Huu-ay-aht.
Productive conversations were held with the Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma, the Minister of Children and Family Development Jodie Wickens, the Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon, the Minister of Forests Mackenzie Leine, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Kreiger and many more.
Executive Councillor’s Edward R. Johnson, ƛicitatḥ and Stephen Rayner, n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ receiving a Premier’s Award on behalf of Huu-ay-aht First Nations along side other partnering Nations (Photo provided by Wendy Norris).
On November 21, 2023, Huu-ay-aht First Nations was awarded, alongside other Nations, a Premier’s Award for the work done on Bill 38.
The Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Awards are given annually to honour exceptional accomplishments and contributions in various areas.
Huu-ay-aht was awarded in the leadership category by Jennie Ireland, Executive Director of the Ministry of Child and Family Development. The Premier’s Awards celebrate British Columbia’s creativity, innovation, and dedication and the public service employees who make it possible.
In 2022, British Columbia, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, drafted Bill 38 (Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Services Amendment Act), resulting in historic changes to its provincial child and family service legislation.
Bill 38 amended the Adoption Act and the Child, Family and Community Service Act to align both acts with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, aiming to recognize, uphold, and reduce barriers to Indigenous jurisdiction over Indigenous child and family services in B.C.
Notably, the 1996 passage of the Child Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) in B.C. replaced the colonial-era Family and Child Service Act, which had been in force since 1980, marking significant amendments since then.
The goal of this bill was to rework jurisdiction and allowing Indigenous Nations to have say over child welfare in communities. It aimed to grant Huu-ay-aht and other Indigenous nations the authority to determine how families facing challenges would be supported and how Indigenous children would be cared for, with the goal of avoiding the removal of children from Indigenous families.
The Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Award presented to Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Photo by Amanda-Lee Cunningham).
“This is a historical event for Huu-ay-aht First Nations and all First Nations involved” says Councillor Edward R. Johnson “This collaboration with the Province, brings us one step closer to creating change for future generations”.
Councillor Edward R. Johnson explains that with the collaborative work on Bill 38, it is working towards our main priority of keeping Huu-ay-aht and all Indigenous Children healthy, safe, and connected to their family, home, traditions, and culture.
The Indigenous Child Welfare system is a work in progress, Councillor Edward R. Johnson explained he was honoured to participate in the process of Bill 38, but also looks forward to contributing on future amendments that recognize and uphold inherent Indigenous jurisdiction over Child and Family Services in British Columbia.
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.
Executive Council Members and Speaker, Angela Wesley at the Swearing-in Ceremony at the House of Huu-ay-aht on July 4, 2023 (photo by Amanda-Lee Cunningham).
It was a beautiful sunny day in the Ḥahuułi (traditional territory) of Huu-ay-aht First Nations as everyone gathered for the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected executive council on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. The day began at the Pachena River, where Executive Council, Ḥaw̓iiḥ Council (Hereditary Chiefs), and guests took part in a cultural ceremony, Oosimch (Spiritual Bathing), and yax̣šiƛ (brushing). It was followed by the swearing-in ceremony at the House of Huu-ay-aht.
On Saturday, June 17, 2023, Huu-ay-aht citizens of eligible voting age placed their vote, and the newly elected council is as follows:
Chief Councillor John Jack
Councillors Edward R. Johnson Brad Johnson Stephen Rayner Stella Peters Evan Cook
Ḥaw̓iiḥ Council has appointed Theresa Nookemus as the Ḥaw̓iiḥ representative for Executive Council.
Before the Executive Council pledged the Huu-ay-aht oath, speaker, Angela Wesley started the ceremony with two council members receiving traditional names, John Jack and Brad Johnson.
Huu-ay-aht speaker and knowledge holder, wišqii (Robert Dennis Jr.), gave Chief Councillor John Jack his traditional name, Sayaač̓atḥ (sa-yaa-chut), meaning “house on the bluff”. Huu-ay-aht citizens, Larry Johnson, gave Executive Council member, Brad Johnson his traditional name, Wiiheyakchikk, meaning “close to shore”.
Ḥaw̓iiḥ council is interested in all Huu-ay-aht people having a traditional name. As Executive Council begins their four-year term, Ḥaw̓iiḥ felt it was important that they all have a traditional name.
Following the naming ceremony, the speaker, Angela Wesley and Executive Council pledged the Huu-ay-aht oath.
From left to right: Councillor Brad Johnson, Evan Cook, Stephen Rayner, Chief Councillor John Jack, Speaker, Angela Wesley, Ḥaw̓iiḥ Councillor Theresa Nookemus, Councillor Stella Peters, and Edward R. Johnson (photo by Amanda-Lee Cunningham).
As part of the ceremony, Huu-ay-aht Women (Youth and Elders) stood in front of the newly elected council members and asked them questions. Council members stood holding a cedar rope, and this rope symbolizes that they will carry the questions and the pledge they took to support these Huu-ay-aht women everywhere they go.
Huu-ay-aht Women (Youth and Elders) stood before Executive Council asking them questions during their swearing-in ceremony on July 4, 2023.
Huu-ay-aht Youth, Natalie Clappis asked, “do you swear to make decisions and choices that will continue to benefit now and future generations?” and “Do you swear to create opportunities to hear Huu-ay-aht youth’s input ?”
Huu-ay-aht Citizen, Kiana Mio asked, “Do you swear to lead by example in the protection of woman, children, two-spirited, and men of Huu-ay-aht from sexual, physical, emotional and spiritual harm?” and “Do you swear to invest in strengthening social safety and preventative measures to ensure prosperity and wellness for all of Huu-ay-aht community?”
Huu-ay-aht Elder, Deb Cook shared her story as a residential school survivor, and with her story, she asked,
“Do you think that council and staff should protect all citizens from physical, mental, and spiritual abuses?”
“I’d like to see zero tolerance from all Huu-ay-aht citizens. A big ask is that the nation be a substance abuse-free community”
“Can you build and create a wellness/healing center or utilize existing buildings?”
“Can programs be made for our children, youth, and young adults like music, sports, crafts, cooking, to name a few?”
“All Huu-ay-aht citizens or anyone who was convicted of a crime against women and children should be identified and should not be allowed near anyone they offended or allowed in Huu-ay-aht community”
Angela Wesley stood with the women and had two words for council, harmony and unity.
“I want to see us happy and living together as a community” said Angela.
Angela shared a reminder that her uncle Robert Dennis Sr. always says, “There is no “I” in team, but Together Everyone Achieves More”.
The ceremony continued with speeches, singing and dancing, and snacks.
In their new roles, the elected executive council will have priorities and expectations as leaders of their portfolios. Chief Councillor John Jack will work with council members to determine their portfolios and announce them as soon as possible.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations welcomes the newly elected council for their four-year term, 2023-2027.
To see the swearing-in ceremony in full, the live stream can be viewed here: click here
