Nation hosts Community Engagement Sessions to open discussion on proposed LNG project

Posted on by heathersthomson

The Council of Ḥaw̓iiḥ and the Executive Council would like citizens to attend the upcoming Community Engagement Sessions in their area.

These meetings will mark the beginning of the next phase of community discussion about the proposed LNG project in Sarita Bay. In the coming months, Huu-ay-aht will be offering regular updates as Steelhead LNG and the Nation continue to explore the project. The Nation will work to engage the public in a number of ways, including meetings, Huu-ay-aht’s website and social media sites, gatherings and discussions with elders, youth, and families, printed material, and another film project.

The upcoming Community Engagement Sessions will take citizens back to basics on the project, and then it will move into more technical and up-to-date information on the project.

The Council of Ḥaw̓iiḥ and Executive Council members want to know your feelings, thoughts, concerns, hopes, and ideas and top priorities. This project will not move forward without input from citizens.

The Community Engagement Session will be at the following locations:

Anacla – June 13, 2016, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – House of Huu-ay-aht

Port Alberni – June 13, 2016, 5 to 8 p.m. – Hupacasath House of Gathering

Nanaimo – June 14, 2016, 5 to 8 p.m. – Oliver Woods Community Centre (6000 Oliver Road)

Victoria – June 20, 2016, 5 to 8 p.m. – Paul’s Motor Inn

Vancouver – June 22, 2016, 5 to 8 p.m. – Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Please click on the link for the full schedule and locations: Invitation to Community Engagement Sessions

In the coming weeks, you will receive a letter from the Council of Ḥaw̓iiḥ and Executive Council, as well as an invitation to the Community Engagement Sessions, including the date, time, and location of each meeting. If you have any questions, please contact us at 250-723-0100 or email communications@huuayaht.org.

See related material: Invitation to CES  and  Letter to citizens

Come to our Community Engagement Sessions

Posted on by heathersthomson

UPDATE: Victoria’s Engagement Session has been changed to today, December 18, 2015. They will be held at the Uptown Community Room in the Uptown mall, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and the meeting to follow.

Our Executive Council has identified Economic Development as a top priority for the Nation.

First thing in the new year, we are holding Community Engagement Sessions in Anacla, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver.

This will be an opportunity to share with citizens the financial plan moving forward in the morning. They will also unveil the Nation’s Economic Development Report and Plan in the afternoon.

čuu kʷaač (Join us!)

January Community Engagement Sessions

Elections 2015 on June 20

Posted on by heathersthomson

The Election Act sets out the process for electing the Chief Councillor and elected Councillors on the Huu-ay-aht Council. Beginning in 2011, general elections are held on the third Saturday in June every four years. That makes this year an election year, and the vote is set to take place on June 20.

Executive Council appointed Kit Spence the Election Commissioner on April 9, 2015 – the first step in the election process. On May 4, 5 and 6, Spence will speak at a special round of community engagement sessions focused on the election process. These will take place in Anacla, Port Alberni and Vancouver, respectively. These sessions will be non-political event and will offer citizens an opportunity to get information from the elections commissioner prior to the election.

The nomination period runs from Monday, May 4 at 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, May 14.

Any eligible voter can run for a seat on Council, including the Chief Councillor position, as long as they meet the criteria detailed in the Elections Act. A candidate can run for both Council and Chief Councillor, but if elected they can only hold one seat

All candidates must submit the nomination package to the Election Commissioner during the nomination period. In the package, the candidate must collect 10 nominees and include a certified copy of a current criminal record check, dated within 90 days of the election. Other information that must be submitted with the nomination package include one form with basic information on the nominee and a second one that contains a colour photograph and solemn declarations of a nominee. Huu-ay-aht citizens who are eligible to vote are encouraged to do so. In order to qualify, the citizen must be 18 years of age by June 20, 2015, and they must meet all the criteria set out in the Elections Act.

More details on the election are available in the Elections Act (www.huuayaht.org) under the “Our Government” section on the Huu-ay-aht website and under the Election 2015 tab (http://huuayaht.org/government/elections-2015/). Please review this section regularly for the most current 2015 Election information.

Engaging the Community

Posted on by heathersthomson

It is time for the next round of Community Engagement Sessions.
The February sessions were successful, with lots of citizens attending and gathering information on the rebranding project and our new logo and tagline, changes in legislation. That part of the presentation was a follow up on what has happened since the People’s Assembly in November, 2014. Steelhead LNG and Huu-ay-aht representatives also offered an update on the proposed LNG project as it moves into the environmental stage.
The April session will include an update on the upcoming elections for Chief and Council in June. With the nomination period fast approaching, it is important for citizens to attend to find out all of the details.
Presenters will also be sharing another update on the proposed LNG project and some of the research that Universities are conducting in partnership with Huu-ay-aht. Finally, we will be touching on some of Huu-ay-aht’s important cultural practices.
If you missed the last community engagement, a few items from the rebranding project are still available, along with other prizes.
Here are the times and locations of the April sessions:
Tuesday, April 14, 2015 – Vancouver session at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2015 – Port Alberni session at the Hospitality Inn, 4 to 7 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 2015 – The Anacla session will be held at the Anacla Government Office from 3 to 6 p.m.
There will be more informal sessions in Victoria and Nanaimo. The Nanaimo session will take place at Acme Food Co. from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 21. On April 23, it will be held at Comfort Inn in Victoria  from 4 to 7 p.m.
Light snacks and refreshments will be available for all sessions so come join us for food and conversation. Childminding is available in Vancouver, Port Alberni and Anacla.

New Community Engagement Sessions start in February

Posted on by heathersthomson

The new round of Community Engagement Sessions is going to start the third week of February. The rebranding process, new legislation, the proposed LNG project for Sarita Bay and upcoming jobs and training within the Nation are the main topics to be discussed. Therefore, citizens are encouraged to bring any questions or concerns up along the sessions.

Snacks and light refreshments will be provided.

Port Alberni
Monday, February 16th at the Port Alberni Friendship Center from 4 to 7 p.m. It will be followed by dance practice.

Anacla
Tuesday, February 17th at the Anacla Government Office from 2 to 5 p.m. Bamfield residents are welcome to join for the last hour.

Vancouver
Thursday, February 19th at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre from 3 to 6 p.m.

Nanaimo and Victoria will have drop-in trial sessions that will be continued throughout the year only if the turnout is high.

Nanaimo
Tuesday, February 24th at Acme Food Co., 14 Commercial Street on from 4 to 7 p.m.

Victoria
Wednesday, February 25th at Paul’s Motor Inn Restaurant, 1900 Douglas Street from 4 to 7 p.m.