Huu-ay-aht citizens will have final say

Posted on by Bjohnson

Kim Baird has been hired by the Nation to promote Huu-ay-aht’s interests with regards to social services, specific claims, and economic development opportunities and help open the conversation with Canada and others related to these efforts.

Lobbying efforts are an important practice in gauging political interests and being able to influence actions, policies, or decisions at all levels of government to continue to advance the Nation’s interests in achieving our strategic priorities.

Baird brings a wealth of experience working in government and will play a valuable role in advancing the Nation’s efforts. In order to put together the proposed co-management agreement for the Sarita LNG project that is now subject to a vote by citizens it was and is necessary to know the position of Canada and other First Nations. Hiring consultants and advisers like Kim Baird is standard practice for successful progressive governments.

Meetings with B.C., Canada, and other First Nations does not change the fact that citizens will have the final say on the proposed Sarita LNG project by referendum vote on March 25, 2017.

Public Notice of Referendum Vote

Posted on by Bjohnson

Click here for the official Notice of Referendum

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 3 (b) of the Huu-ay-aht Referendum and Recall Act that there will be a referendum vote on March 25, 2017. The following question will be asked:

 

“Do you approve the proposed Huu-ay-aht Sarita LNG Project?”

Voting Day : Saturday March 25, 2017.
Polls open: 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Polling Stations
Port Alberni                                                                                                   Anacla
Best Western Barclay Hotel,                                                       House of Huu-ay-aht 
477 Stamp Avenue                                                                                                      

All eligible voters will receive a mail-in ballot package. Mail-in ballots must be received by the Election Commissioner before 12:00 noon on March 25, 2017 to be eligible. Any voter can vote in person or by mail-in ballot.

Voters will be required to provide photo identification. If a voter does not have identification satisfactory to the election officials, he or she may be required to complete a solemn declaration attesting to their identity.

Kit Spence has been appointed as Election Commissioner and may be contacted by telephone at 1-250-881-0142 or by email at HFN_Election_Commissioner@shaw.ca

The Election Commissioner is responsible for the fair, efficient, accessible and transparent conduct of the elections under the Election Act. The duties and powersof the Election Commissioner are detailed in Division 1 of the Election Act.

Investment in Bamfield by Huu-ay-aht appreciated by residents

Posted on by heathersthomson

In late January, the Nation purchased 11 properties in the Bamfield area. It took a lot of hard work to close the sale and even more to get the turnkey operations open and ready to accept visitors.

On April 23, 2016, Huu-ay-aht First Nations invited its citizens, dignitaries, and residents of Bamfield to join them in a celebration to mark this accomplishment.

The event exceeded all expectations, filling the Rix Centre for Ocean Discoveries for the luncheon and a large crowd gathered at The Hotel for singing, dancing, and a ribbon cutting. It was a chance for Huu-ay-aht to thank everyone involved in making it happen and welcome the community. It was also an opportunity for people in attendance to hear Huu-ay-aht’s vision for the future.

Following this successful event, Tayii Ḥaw̓ił ƛiišin (Derek Peters) and Elected Chief Councillor Robert J. Dennis Sr. received the following letter and a photo collage from the day. He wanted to share it with the community.

The letter follows:

Gentlemen,

I have been meaning to congratulate you both on your ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 23.

Bamfield needed a fresh start and you have been doing a wonderful job of being that catalyst and including the whole community in your plans.

Growing up in Bamfield in the 1950s and early 60s, I have watched the gradual decline of our community – first with the commercial fishing demise and then the stagnation of so much of the commercial property.

I feel a hope for Bamfield again, which I have not had for some time. 

Best regards and the best of luck on your venture,

Marc Phillips

 

 

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

Malahat LNG deal increases feasibility of Sarita project

Posted on by heathersthomson

Huu-ay-aht First Nations is encouraged by the Mutual Benefits Agreement announced this morning by Steelhead LNG and the Malahat Nation.

Through working with the Malahat Nation, Steelhead LNG continues to show its commitment to including input from First Nations communities from the onset of their projects.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations remains committed to proceeding with the project as long as the 11 conditions outlined by Ḥaw̓iiḥ Council are met by Steelhead LNG.

Since Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Steelhead LNG first announced their Opportunity Development Agreement, the biggest challenge for the LNG project at Sarita Bay is the expense of the pipeline route. While the route is still being investigated, the floating liquefied natural gas project at Bamberton will make pipeline development more feasible for both the Sarita and Malahat LNG projects. The development of the Malahat LNG project also enables Steelhead to market LNG and attract potential customers for Sarita LNG earlier than would otherwise be possible, which also increases the project’s viability.

“We support what our partners are doing and stress that it does not take away from what is happening between Steelhead and our Tribe,” explains Huu-ay-aht’s Elected Chief Councillor Robert Dennis. “Both projects will continue moving forward, with the Sarita Bay project now in the feasibility phase.”

Huu-ay-aht continues to work closely with Steelhead LNG and is committed to keeping its ḥaw̓iiḥ and citizens informed throughout the process. Huu-ay-aht’s elected chief stresses how committed the Nation is to moving forward in the direction given by the citizens at the People’s Assembly in 2014.

“We are in the process of building a strategy for our community that will help us continue to build a strong and bright future for our Tribe,” Dennis says. “Throughout this process, we will continue to focus on what will benefit Huu-ay-aht citizens.”