HFN Forestry seeks feedback on stewardship plan

Posted on by heathersthomson

Huu-ah-aht Forestry Limited Partnership is required by the government to invite the public and any stakeholders to review and make comments to the HFN Forest Stewardship Plan 2016-2021 (consolidated to Amendment #4). A comment sheet has been added to the binder for your convenience. You can also comment on the HFN Group of Businesses Website at http://hfndevelopmentlp.org/hfn-forestry-lp
What is a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP)?
In order to harvest timber on land belonging to the provincial government, known as Crown Land, HFN Forestry as the forest licensee must demonstrate to the government how they will manage the landbase, including other important values like fish habitat, water quality, biodiversity, wildlife, visual impacts, and cultural heritage resources. In this way, the FSP is very similar to a rule book.
For example, one government objective states that HFN Forestry must protect biodiversity at a cutblock level by leaving wildlife trees. So, the FSP details the definition of wildlife tree, where the wildlife trees must be left in the cutblock, and how many wildlife trees (in hectares) must be left for biodiversity.
Another government objective is for conservation, or if necessary, the protection of cultural heritage resources. The FSP states that HFN Forestry must consult with the First Nations regarding their traditional territory.
The FSP is a landscape level plan ie. prepared for a large area that includes over 12,000 hectares. Therefore, it needs to be very general in nature and not specific to a particular cutblock or even a geographic area. For administrative reasons, the FSP has been divided into three Forest Development Units (FDUs). On the map they are shown as FDU 1 (K3N-Community Forest Agreement), FDU 2 (N1A- First Nations Woodland Licence) and FDU 3 (Bamfield Huu-ay-aht Community Forest Licence).

More details are available from the following documents:

Backgrounder on HFN Stewardship Plan 2016-2021

HFN Forest Stewardship Plan 2016-2021

Map of HFN Forest Stewardship Plan

For questions or additional information please contact: Donna Underwood, RPF 250-586-0200 ext 206 or dunderwood@meridianforest.ca.

Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation says farewell to Stan Coleman

Posted on by heathersthomson

It was a time of celebration and sadness that the Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation bids farewell to its outgoing Chief Executive Officer Stan Coleman. Stan informed the HDC board last year that he would not be renewing his contract when it expired in January 2016. The board has since named Gary Wilson as his successor.

Stan will be missed by the staff at HDC, the board and Huu-ay-aht First Nations as a whole. He began working for the Nation in 2011 and served five years as HDC’s CEO. In that time, he took the organization from a small forestry operation employing approximately 15 people to what it is today, with more than 50 employees.

It has since grown from a forestry-based operation to one that has many businesses and responsibilities. This includes the Pachena Campground, The Market, Forestry, Fisheries, Gravel and, now, the new businesses purchased by Huu-ay-aht in Bamfield, a deal which Stan helped move forward. Although his contact continues until the end of January, HDC staff and board members hosted a going-away party for Stan at Chances RimRock Casino on January 13. Approximately 55 people attended, including staff, members of the board, representatives from Huu-ay-aht First Nations and business partners and contractors.

stans gift

“It was a chance to recognize what he created,” explained Tracy Walker, Executive Assistant at the group of businesses, “he made such an impact on everyone.” “He has a level of integrity that few could match”, said Martha Johnson, Accounting Assistant at the group of businesses, adding that they organized the party as a way of showing their appreciation for all that Stan has offered them, especially the staff. “We appreciate how far he would go for us,” Martha explained. “He has such dedication, and he has an eye for seeing potential in employees and fostering that. He is a great mentor.”

She added that, during his time at HDC, Stan also brought in many outside contacts that have served to be extremely important in the operation of their businesses.

“Stan has been uniquely committed to the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and the group of businesses over the years” said Angela Wesley, Board Chair. “He has not only been our CEO, he has become part of the Huu-ay-aht family, and although he has decided not to extend his contract, we know that Stan will never be far away and will continue to help us as we move forward”. At the party, the staff and board showed their appreciation to Stan by presenting him with a very unique gift. “The board, management team and staff will treasure Stan’s strong vision and commitment to leadership. The piece represents the wealth of knowledge and guiding light Stan has brought to the organization,” Martha said of the art designed for the outgoing CEO.

The vision for the piece was a collaboration of ideas, from Martha and Tracy it also involved local artist Kelly Poirier and her team at White Raven Consulting, as well as Todd Robinson of Cascadia Glass Studios. The piece is a smaller rendition of art that is showcased at the Richmond oval, called the “Chiefs Treasure Box”. It is made of red and yellow cedar, etched glass and LED lights. It is a contemporary version of a traditional hupakwanum of the Nuu-chah-nulth People. Hupakwanum is the tangible embodiment of treasure.

“The wolf paw represents the creation of the Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation, and Stan’s instrumental involvement in bringing HDC into fruition,” Martha said. “The landscape represents our land and resources, and Stan’s extensive background in the forest industry. Finally, the hammer stamp signifies the first Treaty Settlement Land cut block harvested under treaty.”

Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation is hiring

Posted on by heathersthomson

The Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation has a number of jobs posted. If you are interested, go to http://hfndevelopmentlp.org/job-board/ to get more details.

The jobs include various positions with Pachena Bay Campground and Huu-ay-aht-owned businesses, as well as an accounts clerk and a Pachena Bay business manager.

Please send your resume and cover letter to tracy.w@huuayaht.com. Remember that INEO and Alberni Valley Employment offer free workshops and resume building support for you to ace your interview.

Purchase of properties by Huu-ay-aht is first step to revitalization of Bamfield Inlet

Posted on by heathersthomson

Huu-ay-aht First Nations is pleased to announce the purchase of a number of properties in Bamfield Inlet. The deal involves 11 parcels, and it represents a significant investment in the community.

Purchasing these properties shows the Nation’s commitment to restoring its presence in the village that borders its Traditional Territory, located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Elected Chief Councillor Robert J. Dennis Sr. indicated that since entering into the Maa-nulth Treaty, Huu-ay-aht has maintained an interest in Bamfield Inlet due to its cultural and economic values.

Tayii Ḥaw̓ił Derek Peters said, as head chief, he is proud that his Nation could make such a large investment.

“By purchasing these properties, it will give my tribe more opportunity to play an economic role in the region,” he said. “Outside of our current forestry operations, it’s a good step into tourism.”

The properties were bought as a package and include residential lots, businesses, land with cultural significance and land with future development potential. They are: Rance Island, a 6.8 acre parcel on the east side of the Bamfield Inlet; three acres on Binnacle Road; The Bay House on Seaboard Road, 6.11 acres along the Bamfield Inlet; 5.85 acres on Pachena Road; 5.36 acres on Grappler Road; 1.04 acres on Frigate Road; the Kingfisher Lodge and Marina on Bamfield Road; the Bamfield Airport, a 40-acre parcel on Binnacle Road; 0.275 acres on Seaboard Road; and Ostrom’s Marine on Seaboard Road, a 1.72-acre property.

Huu-ay-aht has been investigating the opportunity the properties offer the Nation and the community of Bamfield since the spring of 2015. Chief Dennis said the work that the previous government put into this acquisition is greatly appreciated, and he is proud to see it receive support from citizens at their People’s Assembly.

By closing this deal, Huu-ay-aht has made a commitment to their neighbours in Bamfield to continue to build a strong relationship between the small First Nation and the community members.

“We have many citizens who remember growing up in what is now Bamfield Inlet,” Peters explained. “So to gain some of it back is a step in the right direction.”

Over the years, Bamfield residents have watched as businesses closed and the properties that once housed them fell into varying levels of disrepair. By purchasing these properties, Huu-ay-aht First Nations hopes to breathe new life into the area and create a bright future for its citizens and residents of Bamfield. The Nation sees this as a potential springboard for revitalization of these historic properties and the economy in the area.

“This is an integral piece to developing a strong Huu-ay-aht economy on our Traditional Territory,” explained Huu-ay-aht Councillor Trevor Cootes. “The Bamfield Property acquisition will be a cornerstone to the Nations’ Economic Plan, which will guide us into the future.”

Moving forward, the Nation will be working with the community to establish a plan for the future. Huu-ay-aht’s elected chief indicated they will be hosting meetings to keep citizens and residents informed.

“We want to build on the relationship we have with Bamfield residents,” Dennis said. “We will hold meetings with Bamfield residents and Huu-ay-aht citizens to inform them of the acquisition and our future plans.”

Huu-ay-aht takes possession of the properties immediately. The first step will be establishing each properties potential and what role it will play in the future of the Nation. The Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation will play a key role in this process through the Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses. CEO for HDC is optimistic that this purchase will open doors and create opportunities for the Nation and its neighbours.

The day-to-day operation of the businesses will fall under the responsibility of the Huu-ay-aht Development Corporation.

CEO Gary Wilson said their main focus will be ensuring there is a smooth transition, while adding Huu-ay-aht’s signature to current businesses.

“We are looking forward to getting ready for the upcoming tourist season,” he said. “This will mean jobs and opportunities for Huu-ay-aht. We will focus on training and capacity building to enable us to participate in tourism and hospitality industry in the region.”

He said Huu-ay-aht’s investment will offer benefit for the whole region and will offer the Nation an opportunity to share its culture.

“We look forward to working with the Bamfield to revitalize the economy,” Wilson concluded.

bamfield properties final

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