Supports Available to Huu-ay-aht citizens on February 21, 2023

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

On February 13, 2023, Tseshaht First Nations announced they will be publicly releasing the Phase 1 findings from research and scanning through the ʔuuʔatumin yaqckʷiimitqin (Doing It for Our Ancestors) project on February 21, 2023 at 1 p.m. The announcement will take place at the Maht Mahs Gym (5000 Mission Rd., Port Alberni) and it will be live streamed.

Huu-ay-aht Child and Family Wellness have created a space for Huu-ay-aht citizens who attended the Alberni Indian Residential School or those affected, to view the announcement and have support available as needed.

The live stream of the announcement will be shown at both of the Huu-ay-aht Government Offices, and Huu-ay-aht support workers will be available during this time.

Port Alberni and Anacla Government Office

12:30 – 4 p.m.

čamas, coffee, tea will be served

Please reach out to the Huu-ay-aht Child and Family Wellness Team for support at 250-723-0100.

For full press release from Tseshaht First Nations: click here

Supports Available to those affected by residential school

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society: 1-800-721-0066

Indian Residential School 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419

Huu-ay-aht Cultural Support

Cory Howard Sr. or Mel Edwards: 250-728-3414

Quu’asa Services

David Zryd (Clinical Counsellor): 250-724-3939
or 250-720-5999 – in Anacla on Wednesdays

Cherie Elliott (Resolution Health Support Worker – Residential School Survivors):
250-724-3939 or 250-731-6645

Richard Watts (Resolution Health Support Worker – Residential School Survivors):
250-724-3939

Other Supports

First Nations Health Authority Counsellors – please call Shannon at 250-723-0100 for contact info for counsellors in your area or visit:

https://www.fnha.ca/benefits/mental-health

Vancouver Island Crisis Line (24/7):
call 1-888-494-3888 or
text 250-800-3806 (6 p.m. – 10 p.m.)

KUU-US Crisis Line Society (24/7): 1-800-588-8717

BC Crisis Line Suicide Prevention (24/7): 1-800-784-2433

BC Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789

Huu-ay-aht invites families to a three-day Thrive Together, Family Life Workshop

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

Huu-ay-aht Child and Family Wellness team invites Huu-ay-aht families (and those caring for Huu-ay-aht children) to learn and grow with Brad and DeeAnna Dennis as they present the Thrive Together Family Workshop over three days (March 27-29, 2023).

Brad and DeeAnna Dennis have invested over 20 years in developing a thriving family life by interweaving their Christian faith in Creator God with Huu-ay-aht teachings. This process has involved decolonizing their Christianity, learning from their Huu-ay-aht ancestors and using the tools they have developed in their professional practice as mental health professionals with children and families. Their workshops are designed to meet the needs of people with various learning styles. So they use stories, interactive exercises visuals, and scientific research.

Journey with Brad and DeeAnna through topics including; healthy roots of self care, strong trunk of marriage & community, and fruit bearing relational parenting.

When: March 27 – 29, 2023

Where: Port Alberni Government Office (4644 Adelaide St.)

Time: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

This workshop will be held over 3 evenings. Dinner, accommodations for 3 nights, and childcare will be provided.

For questions, please contact Chris Pearson at christine.p@huuayaht.org or 250-723-0100.

To register, please click the link: Thrive Together Workshop Registration


Huu-ay-aht Citizens will receive $300 distribution

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

Elders will receive direct deposit on Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Citizens will receive direct deposit Thursday, December 15, 2022
Cheques will be mailed out Thursday, December 15, 2022

To ensure you receive your distribution on time, if you wish to have it direct deposited, please get your direct deposit form in as soon as possible. Also, make sure your current mailing address is up to date.

If you do not already have your direct deposit set up with the Nation, the deadline for direct deposit application is: Wednesday, December 14,2022

If your address is not up to date, please update it by Wednesday, December 14, 2022.

How to update your address?

  • Fill out form here: https://huuayaht.org/forms/change-of-address-form/
  • Call the Port Alberni Government Office at 250-723-0100 and speak with Jordan, records clerk (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
  • Visit one of the Huu-ay-aht Government Offices (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

How to set up direct deposit?

  • Visit one of the Huu-ay-aht Government Offices to get form (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

If your address is up to date you do not need to fill out a form again.
If you have direct deposit set up with the Nation, you do not need to submit again.

Please Note:

  • Distribution for minors will be deposited in to trust fund account
  • Under the Distribution Administration Policy, any citizen owing to the Nation, their distribution will go towards the owing until paid off.
  • Cheques will not be available for pick up at any of the government offices. They will be direct deposit or by mail

Huu-ay-aht wants to hear from citizens by taking part in the Hišuk ma c̕awak Integrated Resource Management Plan (HIRMP) Survey

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

Huu-ay-aht people have managed and protected the lands since time immemorial. The impacts of colonization have led to outside influences taking over that role. Huu-ay-aht has made considerable steps to regain the right and privilege of management of the lands through treaty, acquiring crown tenures, and now partnerships with major tenure holders (C̕awak ʔqin Forestry).

The Hišuk ma c̕awak Integrated Resource Management Plan (HIRMP) is a Huu-ay-aht led initiative in partnership with C̕awak ʔqin Forestry and Mosaic Forestry Operations to create a new system of land and resource management that takes a look at the entire ḥahuułi (traditional territory) instead of the western approach of addressing land management by tenure.

Huu-ay-aht is most concerned with managing the lands in a sustainable way for the next 7 generations and in accordance with our sacred principles of ʔiisaak (respect), ʔuuʔałuk (taking care of) and Hišuk ma c̕awak (everything is one). With this in mind Huu-ay-aht is looking for citizen feedback – this survey provides information about the current state of affairs and what work is being done related to the various values, and to solicit citizen input to identify priorities & focus areas for the HIRMP.

The questions contained in this survey have been designed to inform the Huu-ay-aht First Nations’ Government about citizens’ priorities and concerns around the management of the lands. Community feedback will be used to adjust how various areas are being managed moving forward.

The videos and survey have been designed so you can watch and answer the questions for one, a few or all of the topics. Feel free to review and provide feedback at once or over a few sittings. The survey will run for two months and citizens should expect an update of resource management by Spring 2023.

** All of your answers are strictly confidential. Your name and email are for verification purposes only and will not be used or shared for external purposes.**

View survey here: HIRMP survey

For more details about HIRMP, please visit the HIRMP page here: HIRMP Page

Huu-ay-aht Welcomes a New Education Coordinator

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

Huu-ay-aht First Nations welcomes Vanessa Sabbas to our Education Department in her new role as an Education Coordinator. Vanessa has moved from the Deputy Law Clerk position at Huu-ay-aht First Nations, supporting our K-12 Huu-ay-aht students.

Vanessa Sabbas

Vanessa’s responsibilities as an education coordinator include the following:

  • The administration of our education programs for K-12 students, including school supplies and scholarship recognition programs.
  • Collaborating and working in partnership with the Indigenous Education Teams in our SD70 (Pacific Rim) schools for the success of our Huu-ay-aht students.
  • Building relationships with education teams in other school districts to support the success of our Huu-ay-aht students, wherever they may attend school.
  • Providing outreach to Huu-ay-aht students, wherever they may attend school, and working with caregivers, school administrators and education teams to identify supports that students may require for success (e.g. tutors, recreation opportunities, counselling, computer hardware/software).
  • Supporting educators at the Bamfield Community School, now a K-12 school in SD70, to incorporate Huu-ay-aht language and cultural lessons within the curriculum.

Brent’s responsibilities as Manager of Education, Training and Employment continues to include the following:

  • Working with post-secondary students to achieve success. Including degree programs, diplomas, certificates, trades and apprenticeships, and adult-basic education.
  • Overseeing all of Huu-ay-aht First Nations’ education and training programs.
  • Building and fostering Huu-ay-aht First Nation’s relationships with North Island College, Vancouver Island University, Camosun College, the University of Victoria, the University of BC, and other educational institutions our students may attend.
  • Overseeing agreements like the Local Education Agreement with SD70 for the Bamfield Community School, and working with funding bodies like the First Nations Education Steering Committee.
  • Overseeing bus transportation for the Bamfield Community School as part of our Local Education Agreement with SD70.
  • Supporting Huu-ay-aht citizens in their employment initiatives, from resume support to work gear that might be necessary for anyone beginning new employment for the first time.

Questions and comments about Huu-ay-aht First Nations’ Educational support opportunities can be sent to education@huuayaht.org or at Huu-ay-aht First Nations Education, Training & Employment page.