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.

Big win for Edwards and Huu-ay-aht

Posted on by heathersthomson
Huu-ay-aht Executive Director James Edwards was one of three young professionals in the Alberni Valley to take home a prestigious Top 20 Under 40 Business and Community Achievement Award on March 14.
James, along with Kama Money and Drew Bradley, took home trophies, and were recognized for being leaders in their community. Other nominees included Huu-ay-aht Councillor John Jack and Hupacasath member Jolleen Dick, as well as Eric Waldriff, Kris Patterson, Michelle Lapointe and Rebecca Palmer.
James says this is a true honour, and one that he believes reflects well on the Nation. It really says something about Huu-ay-aht that two of the nine nominees from this area represent the Nation, he explains.
“It shows the commitment and value we add to the community around us,” he says. “The work we are doing is complex and high profile, and it is being recognized outside our area.”
He believes the work he has done with Huu-ay-aht played an important part in his win, but James also believes his personal story helped him gain recognition.
“I dropped out of school in Grade 9, but eventually completed my upgrading and now have three university certifications behind me now, including a masters degree,” he explains. “That, and the fact that I worked myself across the country in senior positions at a very young age, makes me kind of unique.”
He says it is a great honour to get nominated and pretty exciting to win, but he did not get there alone.
“It is certainly nice to be recognized,” he says. “But it is important to acknowledge my wife and family, and the part they play here. My wife puts up with the long hours and has supported me through the whole process, I couldn’t have done any of it without her support.”
He says credit should also go to the people who offered him leadership and teachings along the way. This includes the guidance and teachings he has always received from his parents and Elders, and the principaled leadership he has learned from Huu-ay-aht’s Elected Chief Councillor Jeff Cook and Ḥaw̓iiḥ.
James says it is these kinds of relationships that has led to his success.
He adds that it is an honour to be among such a dedicated group of hard-working individuals from all over the Island.
Continue reading Big win for Edwards and Huu-ay-aht

Community Rounds July 6-7

Posted on by heathersthomson

Huu-ay-aht Council and Ha’wiih invite you to join us for an important announcement and to share a meal together at the upcoming Community Rounds. These sessions will provide an opportunity for interested citizens to learn about and discuss potential future economic development opportunities for Huu-ay-aht First Nations. Details below:

 Anacla: July 6th
Community Round session will be held from 3:30 -5:30 pm in the Huu-ay-aht First Nation Government Office, to be followed by dinner, which will be served at 5:30 at the House of Huu-ay-aht.

Vancouver: July 7th
Session will be accompanied by lunch, from 11:30 am -1:30 pm at the Aboriginal Mothers’ Centre (2019 Dundas St.)

Port Alberni: July 7th
Session will be held over dinner, from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm in the Ballroom at the Barclay Hotel (4277 Stamp Ave.)

Huu-ay-aht Youth Summer Cultural Camp

Posted on by heathersthomson

Huu-ay-aht First Nation is pleased to announce that we will be holding our first Youth Cultural Day Camp in Anacla, running from July 28th to August 1st, 2014.  The camp is open to youth between 10-15 years old.

Campers will have the opportunity to learn about Huu-ay-aht history and traditional territory as well as where we berry pick, hunt, and fish.  Camp activities will include hiking through our forests, as well as craft-making, singing, and drumming.

To register for the camp, please call and leave your name or the name of the camper you’d like to register at the Port Alberni office (at 250-723-0100), or the Anacla office (1-888-644-4555).