by Wawmeesh, George Hamilton
for Ha-Shilth-Sa
Apr. 20, 2006
Port Alberni - It was fish-day for Huu-ay-aht as 14,000 pounds of halibut
was distributed to members at their treaty office in Port Alberni.
The treaty office was a beehive of activity as Huu-ay-aht members came and went, collecting their share of halibut, some of which were almost too big to fit into the garbage bags members brought to carry them in. One fell through as it was dropped into a bag.
The Huu-ay-aht First Nation chartered a commercial fishing boat - the Ocean Provider, to catch and haul in the halibut. It's an expensive option exercised for practical reasons. "Not everybody has a boat they can take out and catch fish with," said Larry Johnson, Huu-ay-aht Natural Resources Coordinator. It also demonstrates commitment by the Huu-ay-aht council. "If we want to truly exercise our aboriginal right than we have to back it up with a budget," said Johnson.
Huu-ay-aht members were given 25 pounds of halibut apiece according to Johnson. Not all Hu-ay-aht members live within Huu-ay-aht territories, but that doesn't stop Johnson from seeing that all members get their fish.
"We sent two totes of halibut to Anacla and one tote to Vancouver to accommodate our members there," said Johnson. "Our members on Vancouver Island come to Port Alberni to pick theirs up from the totes we have set up here."
For other Huu-ay-aht though, other arrangements have to be made, especially those who live in the United States. "Generally if our members send a letter, fax, or note they can designate someone on this end to pick up their fish for them," said Johnson.
Exercising their modern day aboriginal rights arouses an old tradition; gathering. "It's like a big social gathering all day because Huu-ay-aht members from all over see each other who normally don't," said Johnson. "It's just like old times."
Catching the halibut was one thing, unloading totes of them at the treaty office after they were brought ashore was another matter. Determined to get members their fish, Johnson resorted to another old tradition to get the job done - bartering. The Alberni Valley Times, whose office is located right next door to the treaty office, helped the Huu-ay-aht, not with a news article but with the aid of their forklift. "They unloaded our halibut for us and got some halibut out of it in return," said Johnson.
The Huu-ay-aht also donate some of their catch to the community at large. "We have to see to our members first," said Johnson. "But we donate to places where we know our members are like Rainbow Gardens, the Friendship Centre, and Port Alberni Hostel (formerly the Friendship Lodge)."
Not every tradition
could be adhered to on this day though. As much as the Huu-ay-aht wanted
to share their catch with others they couldn't do so with everyone they
would like to have. "We get calls from non-Huu-ay-aht, and even people
who drive by and look stop to ask for some halibut but we can't do it,"
said Johnson. "Let's just say an overwhelming number of people wanted
to join Huu-ay-aht today," smiled Johnson.
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Copyright Ha-Shilth-Sa
Newspaper, published by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. Reproduction
of this article or photographs, in whole or in part, is illegal without
the written consent of Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper (hashilth@nuuchahnulth.org)
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