Huu-ay-aht Youth Honoured with Indigenous Role Model Award

Posted on by kiaralc

On Thursday, April 16, marked a significant milestone for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations community as Gaige Manson was formally recognized at the Semá:th First Nation Longhouse. The son of the late Timothy Manson and grandson of Marleen Nookemus, Gaige was named one of only ten students in the Fraser Valley to receive the prestigious Indigenous Role Model Award. This honour follows a highly competitive selection process involving over 100 student applicants, with each recipient earning a $1,000 scholarship to support their future endeavours.

Gaige Manson is recognized as an Indigenous Role Model (Photo by Abbotsford School District).

To earn this distinction at Yale Secondary, Gaige had to meet a rigorous set of district-wide standards that emphasize cultural connection, academic focus, and community service. Throughout his four years of high school, he demonstrated great commitment to his heritage by enrolling in language classes every single year. Beyond the classroom, he was a visible leader on his rugby team and an active participant in school culture, embodying the “Lion Pride” and inclusive spirit expected of the district’s top student mentors.

Gaige’s path to this award was solidified by a comprehensive video application that showcased his resilience and his reputation as an “overall good human” with strong marks. His leadership extends into the school’s Link Crew and various Indigenous clubs, where he has acted as a positive motivator for younger students. His ability to balance the physical demands of athletics with the academic discipline required for graduation made him a standout candidate during the rigorous review process.

With high school graduation on the horizon, Gaige has already mapped out a clear and practical path for his professional life. He plans to transition his dedication and hands-on work ethic into the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) plumbing program. By pursuing professional training and working toward becoming a certified plumber, Gaige intends to turn his technical interests into a sustainable career, continuing to serve as a role model for Huu-ay-aht youth by proving that dedication to one’s roots and one’s future go hand in hand.

Looking for support with post-secondary, trades, or training? Contact Education, Employment, & Training Manager, Brent at brent.r@huuayaht.org or 250-723-0100.

IWCD Donates a Fireplace to ʔumʔiiqsu Centre in Support of Healing and Connection

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications

The ʔumʔiiqsu Centre and ʔumʔiiqsu Child Care Centre have received a generous donation of a fireplace from Island West Coast Developments (IWCD), the Nanaimo-based construction company that built the facility. The donation is a heartfelt gesture made to honour the Centre’s mission and to give back to the community.

“It has been an honour to walk alongside you on this journey,” IWCD shared in a card presented with the fireplace. “We hold deep respect for your strength, your stories, and the wisdom of your traditions. May the road ahead continue to bring healing, balance, and connection to spirit, land, and community. IWCD presents this gift in recognition of your experiences and the resilience they represent.”

They added, “We are honoured to play a part in your path to healing. Thank you for allowing us to be involved.”

To mark the occasion, members of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Culture and Language Department offered a song. They shared deep gratitude on behalf of the Nation and the ʔumʔiiqsu Centre. They expressed thanks using the word: ʔušy̓akšiƛeʔic – You’ve done something useful.

“The natural translation is, thank you,” hinatinyis, Language Coordinator, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, explained. “The literal translation is, you’ve done something useful, a way of saying what you have done has helped a great deal.”

The ʔumʔiiqsu Centre was established in response to Recommendation 26 of the 2017 Huu-ay-aht First Nations Social Services Project Report, Safe, Healthy, and Connected: Bringing Huu-ay-aht Children Home. That recommendation called for the creation of a culturally rooted Mother Centre to help keep families together and bring Huu-ay-aht children home from foster care.

The Centre operates based on Sacred Principles and provides vital support to mothers and children by preventing family separation, protecting against gender-based and intimate partner violence, and helping families reunify.

The ʔumʔiiqsu Child Care Centre is a core part of this work, providing space for 24 children, from newborn to age five, and delivering early childhood education grounded in Indigenous values of care, respect, and interconnectedness.

With the addition of the fireplace, the space now offers even more warmth and comfort for families on their healing journey.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations Government and ʔumʔiiqsu Centre would like to acknowledge the generous gift from IWCD and express our gratitude for the support. This contribution truly reflects the spirit of what we are building together. We appreciate their respect, support, and recognition of the strength within our community.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations Honours Bamfield Volunteer Fire Department at Appreciation Dinner

Posted on by Huu-ay-aht Communications
Bamfield Volunteer Fire Department with gifted blankets and shirts from Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Photo by Amanda-Lee Cunningham).

On June 12, 2024, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations organized a heartwarming appreciation dinner at the House of Huu-ay-aht to acknowledge the incredible dedication of the Bamfield Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) to ensuring the safety of the community.

The sun was shining brightly as members of the Bamfield and Anacla communities gathered for the special event to honour the BVFD members. As a symbol of gratitude, Huu-ay-aht arranged a cultural brushing ceremony, followed by presenting each BVFD member with a blanket and a custom-designed T-shirt. The evening ended in a delightful seafood feast, bringing everyone together in celebration.

The BVFD began in 1970 as a volunteer, fundraised society. Members worked hard to fundraise throughout the year to pair with tax input and provide Bamfield and Anacla communities with fire suppression services. Eventually, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) worked with BVFD to help manage the department from a regional standpoint. Together, they built a new hall and continued fundraising for equipment. In 2015, BVFD added a First Responder program to provide emergency medical services to the communities. Through an agreement of services, the BVFD can provide Fire Suppression and emergency medical services to the community of Anacla.

At present, the BVFD is comprised of 30 members, several of whom have selflessly volunteered for over 30 years. Notable among them are Gord Hawkins, who has served for 36 years, Paul Demontigny, with an impressive 43 years of service, and Phil Lavoie, who has dedicated 14 years of his life to the BVFD.

The event featured speeches from notable figures, including Huu-ay-aht Chief John Jack (Sayaač̓atḥ), Executive Director Karen Haugen (Tleeh-is-a-tuuk-aq-suup), Bob Schmidt representing Bob Beckett from ACRD, and Deputy Chief and First Responder Amelia Vos from BVFD. Their encouraging words and heartfelt acknowledgments added a special touch to the evening, leaving a lasting impact on all attendees.