Update – Burn program will be conducted on our lands!

Posted on by heathersthomson

*Update* The burn program was postponed but will resume October 30th until November 30th , weather permitting.

We will be conducting a burn program to burn slash piles for reforestation and hazard abatement on the N1A, K3N and Treaty Settlement Land tenures (see the map below) when weather conditions permit between September 21 and October 9, 2015.

The main focus areas of the burn program will be:
• Along the Bamfield Mainline at the Spencer Mainline junction
• 2.5 km East of Sarita lake off the Central Mainline
• At 8 km along the Central Mainline
• 2.4 km East of the Bamfield Mainline and Sugsaw Mainline junction
• West of Sugsaw lake
• South of Pachena Lake
• 4.5 km of Pachena Bay off the Klanawa and Somerset Mainlines

Please click on the image to enlarge it!

2015HFN_BurnPlan_Map

Weather conditions need to be ideal in order to carry out the burn to ensure that the smoke does not create hardships on any people or wildlife in the vicinity. Optimum burning conditions are also needed to reduce the chance of a fire’s escape. This means that the burn program make take place over multiple days spread throughout the time period stated above.

Burning of piles is an important part of reforestation of Huu Ay Aht Lands as these areas occupy plantable spots that are replanted once burning is completed. The burning treatment is also important in removing potential fire hazards within the tenures. Burning is not done without all risk considered as Resource Managers need to have a sound understanding of fire behavior and its short/long term effects on the environment.

Download the notice here:

Burn plan public notice 2015.pdf

Contact information:
Marina Rayner
Assistant Forester
Meridian Forest Services Ltd
PH: 250-586-0200 ext. 207
FX: 250-586-0201
Email: mrayner@meridianforest.ca

Mark the People’s Assembly in your calendars

Posted on by heathersthomson

More citizens attended last year’s Huu-ay-aht First Nations People’s Assembly than ever before. They sent a clear message that the Assembly is important to them, and so this year Executive Council decided to make it even better by adding a day.

This year the People’s Assembly will take place on November 20 and will run until November 22. This will give citizens more time to celebrate their culture, socialize and meet up with friends and family, while still allowing time for the business that must be done.

Following the success of last year’s Assembly, Huu-ay-aht First Nations also decided to continue to cover the cost of transportation and accommodations to its citizens. It is important to the Nation that its citizens gather in one location, and therefore it will continue to help make that affordable by paying for a two-night stay and the cost off travel to get to Port Alberni. In order to qualify for this gift, citizens must register in advance. The deadline for filling out a registration form is the end of October. You can register by filling out the online form or calling the Port Alberni Government Office (250-723-0100) and Helen Robertson will help you fill in the form.

People’s Assembly Registration Form (PDF)

This year the focus will be on Huu-ay-aht’s culture, with many opportunities to celebrate together and learn and celebrate cultural practices.

More details will be available closer to the date.

Attend our “Healthy eating on a budget” session!

Posted on by heathersthomson

As part of our efforts to make the Nation stronger by improving your standards of living, we would like to invite you to our “Healthy Eating on a Budget” workshop. Have fun with us, share tips, make friends and learn more about buying better ingredients, planing your meals, etc.

Remember that we have the Fresh Food Box and the Food Fish programs to support you, as well.

Please contact Kristen Young, Community Health and Social Development Coordinator, for more information:
kristen.y@huuayaht.org
Office: 250.728.3414
Ext: 208

Healthy Eating on a budget poster

Join a committee and move the Nation forward!

Posted on by heathersthomson

The Huu-ay-aht Executive Council would like to add members to the following committees:

  • Citizen Development (Education)
  • Citizen Development (Social)
  • Economic
  • Finance
  • Infrastructure

They will  provide input, guidance and recommendations to Executive Council, as required by the Treaty and our Legislation.

Honoraria will be provided for the successful applicant. Meetings may take place via conference call or alternate media. You can join more than one committee.

To submit your name to be considered for appointment, please  download this form, fill it out and send it to the Acting Executive Director, Karen Haugen (karen.h@huuayaht.org):

Huu-ay-aht Committee Application Form (.PDF)

Deadline, Sept. 18th, 2015.

 

Malahat LNG deal increases feasibility of Sarita project

Posted on by heathersthomson

Huu-ay-aht First Nations is encouraged by the Mutual Benefits Agreement announced this morning by Steelhead LNG and the Malahat Nation.

Through working with the Malahat Nation, Steelhead LNG continues to show its commitment to including input from First Nations communities from the onset of their projects.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations remains committed to proceeding with the project as long as the 11 conditions outlined by Ḥaw̓iiḥ Council are met by Steelhead LNG.

Since Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Steelhead LNG first announced their Opportunity Development Agreement, the biggest challenge for the LNG project at Sarita Bay is the expense of the pipeline route. While the route is still being investigated, the floating liquefied natural gas project at Bamberton will make pipeline development more feasible for both the Sarita and Malahat LNG projects. The development of the Malahat LNG project also enables Steelhead to market LNG and attract potential customers for Sarita LNG earlier than would otherwise be possible, which also increases the project’s viability.

“We support what our partners are doing and stress that it does not take away from what is happening between Steelhead and our Tribe,” explains Huu-ay-aht’s Elected Chief Councillor Robert Dennis. “Both projects will continue moving forward, with the Sarita Bay project now in the feasibility phase.”

Huu-ay-aht continues to work closely with Steelhead LNG and is committed to keeping its ḥaw̓iiḥ and citizens informed throughout the process. Huu-ay-aht’s elected chief stresses how committed the Nation is to moving forward in the direction given by the citizens at the People’s Assembly in 2014.

“We are in the process of building a strategy for our community that will help us continue to build a strong and bright future for our Tribe,” Dennis says. “Throughout this process, we will continue to focus on what will benefit Huu-ay-aht citizens.”