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

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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

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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.”

Safety concerns drive construction of walking path

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A long-awaited walking trail along the Bamfield main road is now in the works, thanks to funding through the multi-year Generations Fund signed with Steelhead LNG and Huu-ay-aht First Nations.

Through community consultation, Huu-ay-aht citizens and area residents identified concerns regarding the safety of people walking between Anacla and Bamfield. In response to this concern, the Huu-ay-aht government is leading the development and construction of a safe pathway. At this time, work on the path is focused on determining the best route between the two communities and securing the rights of way required, which currently pass through numerous properties including some held by unidentified landowners.

Safety on the road between Anacla and Bamfield has always been a big concern to residents and a top priority to Huu-ay-aht First Nations. With an increase in traffic along the road, the Nation has made a commitment to citizens to create a walking trail along the route that will help people stay safe in their travels.

Huu-ay-aht Elected Chief Councillor Jeff Cook says it’s an important and excellent project as it is a piece of road that has many blind spots posing potential threat to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

“I’ve walked the road before and it feels dangerous,” he says. “There have been some accidents or near misses, and an effort needs to be made to keep citizens safe along that route.”

Cook says a lot of people use the route for hiking, biking, jogging and walking daily, and it is important to ensure their safety.

The Nation, through the funding from Steelhead LNG, has begun the process of constructing a 4.5 kilometre pedestrian path. The proposed route will follow along the Bamfield main road from Lower Anacla to The Market on Frigate Street in Bamfield.

This historic event has been in the works for many years, and due to the generosity of our partners, Steelhead LNG, Huu-ay-aht is able to make this dream a reality. The funding is part of a multi-year Generations Fund that will provide immediate funds for community health and wellness programs and long-term support for Huu-ay-aht culture, environment, capacity building, training and education, and economic development. Through projects such as these, Steelhead LNG is committed to supporting the Nation in improving the lives of Huu-ay-aht citizens wherever possible.

The safety of both communities is paramount, and this project will provide a safe and secure means for people to transit between the West Coast Trail, Lower Anacla and Bamfield. It is the commitment of the Huu-ay-aht government that this project will help to once again unite the citizens of Bamfield and Anacla, thus fostering lasting relationships between Huu-ay-aht First Nations and surrounding communities.

Call for membership for the LNG Advisory Committee

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The LNG Committee is accepting applications for two additional members.  The LNG Committee will meet monthly to review reports, plans and presentations regarding the development of the LNG Project.  The Committee will also provide advice and recommendations to Huu-ay-aht Executive Council, Ha’wiih Council and the People’s Assembly.  Materials being reviewed will include technical and project plans, communication and engagement plans, environmental reports, status updates and options analysis. 

If you are interested in participating on  the LNG Committee, please submit a one-page cover letter outlining why you interested along with your current resume to lawclerk@huuayaht.org by 4 pm on Friday, May 15, 2015.  If you require assistance with the cover letter or resume, please contact Annie Merritt in the Port Alberni Government Office at 250-723-0100

Caring for our Ha’houlthee

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For thousands of years, our Nation has been guided by our connection to our Ha’houlthee (traditional territory). Central to that connection has been a shared responsibility by our Ḥaw̓iiḥ and our citizens to ensure that all activities undertaken within our Ha’houlthee is done in a way that respects our land and marine habitats, so they can continue to sustain us for generations to come.

Today, our land has provided us with a new opportunity — in the form of a proposed LNG project at Sarita Bay—that has the potential to sustain our people, improve our quality of life and generate employment and business opportunities that can bring our people home. Over the months and years to come, we will undertake a thorough analysis of whether or not this LNG opportunity is right for us.

From November 29th-30th, Huu-ay-aht citizens will contribute to the governance of the Nation by voting about whether or not you would like to continue exploring the proposed Project. Our Ḥaw̓iiḥ Council have considered the proposed Project and agree that it is in the best interest of the Huu-ay-aht, but ONLY if the proposed Project meets certain conditions. These conditionsare laid out in the motion at the People’s Assembly. For more information, look at the brochure called Caring for our Ha’houlthee.