Huu-ay-aht Youth Honoured with Indigenous Role Model Award

Posted on by kiaralc

On Thursday, April 16, marked a significant milestone for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations community as Gaige Manson was formally recognized at the Semá:th First Nation Longhouse. The son of the late Timothy Manson and grandson of Marleen Nookemus, Gaige was named one of only ten students in the Fraser Valley to receive the prestigious Indigenous Role Model Award. This honour follows a highly competitive selection process involving over 100 student applicants, with each recipient earning a $1,000 scholarship to support their future endeavours.

Gaige Manson is recognized as an Indigenous Role Model (Photo by Abbotsford School District).

To earn this distinction at Yale Secondary, Gaige had to meet a rigorous set of district-wide standards that emphasize cultural connection, academic focus, and community service. Throughout his four years of high school, he demonstrated great commitment to his heritage by enrolling in language classes every single year. Beyond the classroom, he was a visible leader on his rugby team and an active participant in school culture, embodying the “Lion Pride” and inclusive spirit expected of the district’s top student mentors.

Gaige’s path to this award was solidified by a comprehensive video application that showcased his resilience and his reputation as an “overall good human” with strong marks. His leadership extends into the school’s Link Crew and various Indigenous clubs, where he has acted as a positive motivator for younger students. His ability to balance the physical demands of athletics with the academic discipline required for graduation made him a standout candidate during the rigorous review process.

With high school graduation on the horizon, Gaige has already mapped out a clear and practical path for his professional life. He plans to transition his dedication and hands-on work ethic into the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) plumbing program. By pursuing professional training and working toward becoming a certified plumber, Gaige intends to turn his technical interests into a sustainable career, continuing to serve as a role model for Huu-ay-aht youth by proving that dedication to one’s roots and one’s future go hand in hand.

Looking for support with post-secondary, trades, or training? Contact Education, Employment, & Training Manager, Brent at brent.r@huuayaht.org or 250-723-0100.

Honouring the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Persons with Community Gathering

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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 Office
Huu-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.

Cultivating Food Security: Huu-ay-aht First Nations Launches Vertical Farming Pilot in Anacla

Posted on by kiaralc

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).

For more information:

December Uyaqḥmis (Page 2)

West Coast of Vancouver Island Natural-Origin Chinook Salmon Stock Assessment in 2024

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

The 2026 Fisheries and Oceans Canada research report on the West Coast of Vancouver Island’s natural-origin Chinook salmon highlights a direct partnership with the Huu-ay-aht First Nation.

Through the dedicated monitoring and assessment efforts of the Huu-ay-aht team since 2017, the Sarita River Chinook has emerged as a vital ecological indicator for understanding natural-origin juvenile Chinook production and population dynamics within the Stock Management Unit.

The team has conducted comprehensive assessments of juvenile salmon out-migration and return migration in the Sarita River, employing active management and mark-selective fisheries to improve the stock’s proportional natural influence.

This collaborative research, supported by Huu-ay-aht fisheries management, provides critical insights into smolt survival rates and life-cycle bottlenecks that are essential for shaping future conservation and rebuilding strategies for the region

View full research report: Here

Update for Huu-ay-aht Citizens: Education Programs

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

Huu-ay-aht First Nations Government has decided not to renew our participation in the NTC Graduation & Scholarship Program.


Why?
Huu-ay-aht already offers our own graduation and scholarship programs—and they are more inclusive and provide greater support to our students.

• Our program recognizes all Huu-ay-aht graduates (Dogwood, Adult Dogwood, Evergreen, and post-secondary)
• NTC’s program is limited to SD70 students and has had low participation from our citizens
• Only a small number of Huu-ay-aht students have received modest NTC scholarships in recent years
• NTC programs have also created confusion and overlap with our own supports.

What this means
By stepping away from the NTC program, we can invest more directly into our own students.

This means:
• More support for all Huu-ay-aht learners (K–12 and beyond)
• Stronger and more consistent recognition and scholarships
• A program that is designed specifically for our citizens

This decision is about focusing on our own programs and better supporting Huu-ay-aht students.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Brent Ronning, Education Manager, at brent.r@huuayaht.org or 250.723.0100.