Following the completion of a landmark $49-million upgrade to the Bamfield Road in 2023 and the increase in travellers to the region, Huu-ay-aht First Nations is now calling on the Province of British Columbia to take the next critical step: officially redesignating Bamfield Main Road to recognize its regional and provincial significance. On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Huu-ay-aht Executive Councillors ƛicitatḥ, Edward R. Johnson, and Wiiheyakchikk, Brad Johnson, met directly with Minister of Transportation and Transit Mike Farnworth to discuss the proposed redesignation and long-term vision for the road.
Left to Right: Huu-ay-aht Executive Councillor Edward R. Johnson, Honourable Mike Farnworth, and Huu-ay-aht Executive Councillor Brad Johnson following their meeting on Tuesday, July 14, in Anacla (Photo provided to Communications).
The four-year collaborative infrastructure project, funded jointly by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, the Province of British Columbia, and key partners, transformed the once-treacherous logging route into a safer link between Port Alberni and Anacla (Bamfield, B.C.). The initiative gained urgency after numerous tragedies along the road, including the 2019 bus crash that claimed the lives of two University of Victoria students, as well as the loss of two residents near Sarita.
Following construction, Huu-ay-aht submitted a comprehensive Bamfield Main Road Completion Report and maintenance assessment to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Data collected in 2024 highlights the route’s vital role in regional travel, recording average daily traffic counts of 554 vehicles in the summer and 185 vehicles in the winter, with passenger vehicles accounting for 89% of all traffic year-round.
Redesignating the route as provincially significant would secure dedicated funding to protect safety gains and drive economic development across tourism, forestry in the area, and marine research at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.
“The investments made through reconciliation have demonstrated what is possible,” Executive Councillor Edward R. Johnson shared. “Now is the time to build on that success, protect the gains already achieved, and establish a long-term pathway for safe, reliable access and sustainable economic growth.”’
To ensure coordinated oversight following their meeting with Minister Farnworth, Executive Councillors Edward R. Johnson and Brad Johnson recommended re-establishing the Bamfield Main Road Working Group. This body would bring together the Province, First Nations leadership, local governments, and forestry industry partners to manage ongoing safety priorities, such as maintenance at Mt. Underwood and Sarita.
Huu-ay-aht has requested that the Ministry initiate formal discussions on both redesignation and reconvening the working group in the coming months to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Bamfield Main Road.
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.
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 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
