Huu-ay-aht First Nations is proud to help our citizens connect with great jobs.  The following companies have good relationships with Huu-ay-aht First Nations and have taken steps to embody the principle of ʔiisaak (respect) in providing work and learning opportunities for Huu-ay-aht citizens.

Please contact Huu-ay-aht’s Employment and Training Coordinator (at 250-723-0100) to get the conversation started about working in any of the following areas.  We can help you to learn about a company’s hiring process, what kinds of skills they look for, and in some cases, may be able to put you in touch with mentors who already work in the industry.

See below for more information about working with:

  • Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation
  • Meridian Forest Services
  • Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Development Corporation
  • NCN Cannery Limited Partnership

Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses

Where they operate: Operations are focused primarily on Treaty Settlement Land, at or near Anacla.  HDC also has an office in Port Alberni.

What they do: Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation includes a variety of businesses.  Historically, forestry has been a major focus, but with the purchase of several new businesses in Bamfield, including The Market, The Pub, The Float House, and Gas Bar, hospitality and tourism is another area of growth for the companies. Additional employment opportunities are available at HGB’s campground, doing West Coast Trail maintenance, gravel and fisheries.

For more information about working here: www.hfndevelopmentlp.org


Meridian Forest Services

Where they operate: Meridian offices in Port Alberni and Coombs, but conduct their fieldworkers work across the mid-island region including Huu-ay-aht Treaty Settlement land and crown tenures.

What they do: Meridian is a forest management company that specializes in all phases of forestry and engineering.  In the past, they have employed Huu-ay-aht as forestry technicians who assist with a range of fieldwork activities including cutblock and road design as well as assisting with cruising, silviculture site plans and forest health surveys.

For more information about working here: http://www.meridianforest.ca/career-opportunities


Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Development Corporation (NSDC) and St. Jean’s Cannery

Where they operate: NSDC is based out of Port Alberni, and skippers and deckhands who fish their licenses typically fish off the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

What they do: NSDC has six shareholding Nations, including Huu-ay-aht. They manage commercial fishing licenses and quota and keep a data base of deckhands and skippers who are available to fish these licenses. They also offer marine safety training to commercial fishermen within the NSDC Nations. Their affiliate NCN Cannery LP owns the majority share of St. Jean’s Cannery (see NCN Cannery Limited Partnership).

For more information about working here: If you have training to work on a boat (i.e. SVOP, MED A3, ROCM, MBFA) and would like to be added to NSDC’s pool of deckhands who are contacted when work opportunities with skippers arise, contact Kathy Happynook at 778-421-2112.


NCN Cannery Limited Partnership

Where they operate: In November 2015, NCN Limited Partnership purchased St. Jean’s cannery. This means that the business now offers seasonal employment opportunities in the plant and warehouse in Nanaimo and Richmond, BC.

What they do: St. Jean’s Cannery employs individuals in a range of positions from packing and shipping of product to marketing and administration.  Many staff begin in seasonal entry level positions in the plant or warehouse and then work their way up within the company over time with support and training from the business.

St. Jeans and NSDC in the news: http://www.cheknews.ca/historic-nanaimo-business-bought-first-nations-183153/

For more information about working here: Contact Kathy Happynook at 778-421-2112

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