Attend the B.C. Young Aboriginal Fishers Conference!

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The Native Fishing Association (NFA) is pleased to invite you to attend the first annual BC Young Aboriginal Fishers to be held on January 26-28, 2016 at the Radisson Hotel, in Richmond, BC.

This conference is for active fishermen under 40/45 years old that are trying to build fishing careers and/or fishers that have experience on a vessel and are looking at becoming more involved in the industry. So, share this with your family and friends.

Conference Focus

The conference will bring together fishermen from around the province with the goal of creating a space to network with peers and share information about ways to build successful and diversified fishing operations to navigate today’s changing industry. The NFA would also like to receive input and guidance from you on how government programs are working and where we, as a community-based organization, can best put our resources to support you.

Agenda

The Agenda is being developed based on feedback that the Native Fishing Association (NFA) received from interviews with some young fishermen. The conference will focus on the opinions and ideas of early-career fishermen like yourself through panel and peer group discussions. The participants will:

  • Meet and discuss with fellow peers ways in which to diversify fishing skills and experiences
  • Discuss interests, reflections, and/or concerns regarding the industry.
  • Work together to build partnerships and/or economies of scale.

Registration and travel reimbursement 

Please contact the NFA if you are interested in attending at 604-913-2997 or reception@shoal.ca

They invite you to consider first any agencies that might be able to support your travel costs for this professional development opportunity. Huu-ay-aht has some funding available through the Education department. If there are none, the Native Fishing Association have travel reimbursement applications available now. Please feel free to contact Natasha at 604-913-2997 or licencebank@shoal.ca for more information.

Head Office: Suite 110-100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2
Tel: 604-913-2997 Fax: 604-913-2995

Prince Rupert Branch: Tel: 250-624-3888 Fax: 1-888-652-5077
http://www.nativefishing.ca

Huu-ay-aht First Nations efforts
Larry Johnson, President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Development Corporation (NSDC),  and  Annie Merritt, our Employment and Training Policy Analyst, are working with a group of other local organizations to develop and promote an Aboriginal Apprenticeship in Commercial Fishing program this year. There will be a full article on the upcoming program in our next issue of Uyaqḥmis.

 

 

 

Watch the video “Renewing Our Historical Greatness For Our Children”

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Ha-kuum Irene Hominiki Peters has shared with the Nation the video “Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Renewing Our Historical Greatness For Our Children”, produced by Brenco Media Inc.  in 2007,  as a way of reflecting upon the challenges that 2016 will bring.

Angela Wesley, member of the Operating Board of Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses, circulated it among the members of the Executive Council and stated “Our vision has remained strong and consistent through the generations and it’s a thrill to see our Huu-ay-aht presence and economy in our territories coming to life.  As we’ve been saying, it’s going to take hard work and togetherness to make this happen as it won’t happen overnight.  We are on solid ground though and Team Huu-ay-aht is well equipped to make this happen … great days ahead in 2016.”

Watch more videos here!

Councillor Connie Waddell

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Connie Waddell (nee Nookemis, traditional name Nanaa-aqs) is the daughter of Rose and Clifford Charles. Her grandparents are the late Martin and Cecilia Charles, Edward and Mable Nookemis, and Joe Edgar. Her grandmother Frances Edgar still resides in the Ditidaht community.

Connie grew up in Bamfield, B.C. She left for high school and to further her education, plus gain some work experience. She has worked as a waitress, caterer, chambermaid, guide on a whale watching boat, dispatch for floatplanes and, finally, for the Department of Indian Affairs in their Health Department.

She returned to Bamfield in 1992, where she had her son Myles and purchased the Bamfield General Store. She became the sole proprietor in 1994 and sold it in 1999. That year, she became the Tourism Manager with Huu-ay-aht Natural Resources.

This job was mostly managing the Pachena Bay Campground and working on the plans for Kiixin. The Nations’ heritage site was a rewarding project that involved a great team of Huu-ay-aht citizens. This position took her through two summers before becoming the Director of Tribal Operations and then Executive Director for her Nation.

Connie participated in the administrative behind the scenes of the Treaty negotiations. It was a hectic, challenging and exhausting, but a very rewarding part of her career. The next step is as an elected Councillor, holding the Finance, Capital and Infrastructure portfolios.

“I have been very fortunate in my life, as many significant milestones happened for me in our community of Anacla. I graduated in 1987 and my family hosted a dinner at our old community hall, which the whole village attended,” she said. “I was the first person to receive the Eddy Bamfield bursary and it was also my very first speech.”

Her son grew up in his community with all of his family around him. Together they built a house there where they lived full time, until it was time to leave for Grade 7. Pachena beach is also where Connie married her husband Mark Waddell.

She is very proud to be a Huu-ay-aht Citizen working for the people.

 

One week for the People’s Assembly 2015

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Did you know that last year’s event broke the previous turnout record? In 2013, approximately 138 eligible voters attended the event in two locations. Charlie Clappis, General Manager for Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses, had initially predicted 170 eligible voters for 2014. In the end, more than 300 citizens of all ages participated in the two-day gathering.

On Saturday morning, November 21, you are invited to have breakfast and, as the Nations’ ancestors used to teach, also internalize the messages offered by a keynote speaker (TBD).

Read more about the event here.

Only 10 days to the People’s Assembly 2015

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This is the best time of the year for the Huu-ay-aht as family and friends get ready to keep the Nation moving forward. Let’s share our culture, give input to the Four-Year Action Plan and be active in the economic development of the community.

Remember that the People’s Assembly starts on Friday, November 20th, at 1:00 p.m. (Barclay Hotel, Port Alberni).

Weekend Program – Day #1 – Friday, November 20, 2015
Ballroom
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Open House; This is an informal open house where citizens can discuss their concerns or ideas with government leaders, committee representatives and staff in advance of the formal proceedings on Saturday and Sunday. You will be able to visit committee booths and hear what is happening. Sign-in registration will be at that time.

Find the agenda and all the updates here:

The People’s Assembly 2015