Spring 2016 Newsletter

 Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society MHSS Newsletter Spring 2016 View from top of Lone Cone Message from Maquinna The board of directors of MHSS is pleased to announce the addition of two new board members, Elected Chief Councillor, Greg Louie and Director of the Ahousaht Education Authority; Rebecca Atleo joined the board in January 2016. The new members were asked to quickly roll up their sleeves and join the Hawiiah in planning the next stage of improvements for the Lone Cone Hostel and Campground. This exciting business employs up to 20 Ahousaht members during the peak season and comes off of fresh rave reviews from its opening season last year. (Continued next page) 1 Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society Exciting changes planned for this year are the addition of an 8 man hot tub, mountain bike rentals, kayak rentals and the expansion of hostel accommodations with an additional 12-­‐18 beds for women and men dorms. The board also directed staff to provide plans and costing for construction of a new covered fish bbq and picnic pavilion along with a traditional styled smoke house. We really wanted to expand the potential for more cultural programming at the hostel and with the addition of smoke house and covered pavilion the hope is to draw more Ahousaht citizens over to smoke fish and interact with guests. Other plans also include development of mountain biking trails and a higher volume water taxi service designed for greater on deck viewing and interpretive services enroute to the hostel from Tofino. For upcoming job opportunities at the Lone Cone Hostel and Campground please contact Stephanie Williams at 250-­‐726-­‐6264 or stop by the community office in Ahousaht between 9am and 4pm Tuesday through Thursday Board of Directors and staff in Strategic Planning Session 2 Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society Land Use Planning Takes the Next Step Tyson and Tara Atleo presenting the draft land use plan The Nation’s new land use plan is quickly becoming a reality as another round of community meetings was conducted during the second week in February. With sessions in Victoria, Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Maaqtusiis, community members gathered to share a meal and see the latest Land Use maps and participate in assisting with defining the Management Direction. Community members made wonderful contributions updating the plans while the planning team gathered additional input and ideas. The planning committee is comprised of Guy Louie, Moy Sutherland, Arlene Paul, Tyson Atleo and Dave Jacobsen (recently retired) with the support of planning coordinator Tara Atleo. 3 Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society The MHSS Board will be presented the draft plan after it is reviewed by the elected Chief and Council, slated for Feb 23 and then seek community support for its final endorsement. The plan will become an important tool in the Nation’s battle for full and complete governance authority over the Ha Haoulthlee 4 Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society Bulson Creek Run of River Project Update Location is approximately 1 km below the proposed intake, following the river channel.
Over the fall and winter we have led a team of biologists and engineers into the Bulson Creek watershed to conduct fisheries assessments, hydrology studies and engineer the project design and layout. The project is now anticipated to be built in phases with the first phase envisioned to be 15 MW allowing the Nation to apply for a Energy Purchase Agreement with the BC Hydro under the Standing Offer Program. MHSS has also recently applied for funding under the Clean Energy Program to support the ongoing fisheries assessments and engineering design work. Stay tuned for further updates or call the office if you have any questions. 250-­‐725-­‐2169 5 Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society MHSS Board closes in on signing agreement with the Province The Board of Directors have been working hard to finalize an agreement with the
Province of BC which would turn the page on the old relationship with the Crown and
try to develop new ways to work together.
The focus is on building a collaborative process to support economic diversification in
the Ahousaht Patuk while building improved processes for decision making, natural
resource management and education and training. One of the key proposals in this
new agreement is to work to change the geographic place names in Ahousaht Ha
Houlthlee back to the Nuu-cha-nulth language, starting with renaming Clayoquot
Sound to Ahoushat Sound.
The Board will be meeting with the Elected Chief and Council to seek their support for
the protocol and also plan on updating the community in upcoming community
planning meetings.
6 Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society Fuel Sales Finally Coming to Maaqtusiss The Ahousaht Council recently signed off on an agreement with BC Hydro permitting
MHSS to conclude the purchase of the BC Hydro Fuel Depot assets and initiate the
upgrades to a full serve gas station servicing both the marine and vehicle market in the
community. Yes folks, this means we will finally have tax free fuel sales at home…..
Over the next few months improvements will be made to the site and a trailer and kiosk
installed to provide retails fuel and marine supply sales to the community. This initiative
is anticipated to create four full time jobs in the summer months and 2 year round
positons.
7 Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society Current Jobs and Opportunities Please visit www.MHSSAhousaht.ca for current job postings Currently searching for: Cermaq Fish Farm Technicians Lone Cone Hostel and Campground Staff for May 2016 Housekeeping Maintenance Supervisors Trail Keepers Clayoquot Wilderness Resort Boat Operators Skippers Kitchen Staff Line Cooks Please call Stephanie at 250-­‐726-­‐6264 for more information or email [email protected] 8