Hupacasath addresses Chamber of Commerce

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The Port Alberni Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting at the Tseshaht Long House on March 13. The luncheon served as an opportunity for the Tseshaht and Hupacasath to share their culture and ideas for economic development in Port Alberni.

Tseshaht Elder, Kathy Robinson and Ha-Ho-Payuk cultural instructor, Jessie Stevens, welcomed guests. Stevens thanked the staff, parents and students of Ha-Ho-Payuk school for the preparation of the lunch, which featured smoked and barbequed salmon.

Stevens explained that proceeds from the luncheon would go to the students' planned trip to Haida Gwai, Queen Charlotte Islands.

The students performed a welcome song after Kathy Robinson's opening prayer. The Grade 5 and 6 students then performed their popular animal kingdom dance, which was accompanied by a narration by Stevens. The performance told the story of honoring certain members of the animal kingdom and the lessons that each has for humanity.

The children, in their wolf, hummingbird, whale, serpent and various other costumes, brought the crowd to its feet with a standing ovation.

Hupacasath Chief Councillor Judy Sayers was introduced as keynote speaker. Dressed in a red and black Native design outfit, she started her speech with a metaphor; the story of the eagle that lived with chickens. In her story, the eagle scratched in the dirt with the chickens until he gained the courage to take off and soar through the sky, taking his proper place in the world.

Sayers went on to describe her nation's struggle with the government with respect to treaty, Aboriginal rights and economic development.

"Like the eagle, Hupacasath is no longer scratching in the dirt even though this government is trying to keep us in the dirt."

She explained that the settlement of treaties is important to everyone in British Columbia because, with settled treaties between First Nations and government, comes economic certainty for everyone.

"Investors fear that if they invest here, land and resources may be taken away. We can bring a lot of economic certainty here through treaty."

She expressed her fears about the possible consequences of the provincial government's action with respect to treaty and referendum on treaty issues.

"B.C. has cut funding to the BC Treaty Commission and BCTC staff has been cut as a result. The referendum, in my opinion, will signal the end of the treaty process."

Sayers says that despite setbacks in the treaty process, her nation is proceeding with economic development initiatives. Hupacasath has projects in the works in the areas of forestry, fisheries and fish processing, and tourism.

Hupacasath is developing the Victoria Quay waterfront at the site of the old City Hall. The building will feature two carved welcome figures and will serve as a place where people may learn the local history of the Alberni Valley. She said the centre would offer local products for sale from all sectors of the community.

"It would bridge the gap between Hupacasath and the people of Port Alberni."