Hesquiaht First Nation is a
band government
In Canada, an Indian band (), First Nation band () or simply band, is the basic unit of government for those peoples subject to the ''Indian Act'' (i.e. status Indians or First Nations). Bands are typically small groups of people: the largest in ...
of the
Nuu-chah-nulth
The Nuu-chah-nulth ( ; ), also formerly referred to as the Nootka, Nutka, Aht, Nuuchahnulth or Tahkaht, are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in Canada. The term Nuu-chah-nulth is used to describe fifteen related tri ...
First Nation, located at
Hot Springs Cove
Hot Springs Cove, formerly Refuge Cove, is an unincorporated settlement on Sydney Inlet on West Coast of Vancouver Island. It is located on the west side of the Openit Peninsula in the western Clayoquot Sound
Clayoquot Sound is located on ...
on west coast of
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are of land. The island is the largest ...
, British Columbia Canada. Approximately 100 people live in Hot Springs Cove, with a commute of over one hour by boat into
Tofino
Tofino ( , Nuu-chah-nulth language, Nuu-chah-nulth: ''Načiks'') is a town of approximately 2,516 residents on the west coast of Vancouver Island in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of British Columbia. The District ...
. The Hot Springs Cove reserve is located on territory claimed by the
Ahousaht First Nation
Ahousaht First Nation is a First Nations in Canada, First Nation government based on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It administers the community of Ahousaht, British Columbia, which encompasses much of Clayoquot ...
.
History
The community had to rebuild after a
tsunami
A tsunami ( ; from , ) is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and underwater explosions (including detonations, ...
in 1964. The tsunami heavily damaged the village and forced many people to move away.
The Hesquiaht were affected by the 1990s economic collapse of their traditional fishery and forestry activities.
Governance
The Ha’wiih system functions in Hesquiaht. Four hereditary chiefs guide the community and inform the work of council. The chiefs sit hierarchically, matching the four fingers of the hand. The Ha'wiih are:
*Kathleen Andrews-Thomas - Ta'hii (Head Hereditary Chief) (Middle finger), House of Kaaeth Klaahish Takuumth (includes the Charleson, Ignace and Mickey families)
*Vince Ambrose (ring finger) (Ambrose, Lucas families)
*Steve Tom (index finger) (Tom, Sabbas, Webster families)
*Eddie Jones (small finger) (Jones, Lucas and Ginger families)
Klukwana (the traditional governance system) includes the continued existence of Tikawiilth, those who manage the nation’s affairs on behalf of the hereditary chiefs. The Tikawiilth traditionally manage the affairs of the hereditary chiefs, which in modern times often coincides with the role of Chief and Council. The current Tikawiilth are Pat Charleson (Head Wolf Chief) - (thumb), Larry Paul, Remi Charleson, Eugene August and Chancellor Amos.
Council
Hesquiaht Council is elected every four years. Chief and Council meet monthly, and a joint Chief and Council, membership, and the Hereditary Chiefs meeting is held yearly. The Chief and Council are responsible for management of band affairs. The Chief and Council and their portfolios include:
*Mariah Charleson, Chief Councillor:
*April Charleson, Councillor:
*Constant Charleson, Councillor:
*Linus Lucas Jr., Councillor:
*Joy Charleson, Councillor:
*Preston Campbell, Councillor:
*Kayla Lucas, Councillor
The Hesquiaht Chief and Council rely on administrators to conduct the day-to-day management of tribal affairs, program delivery, and coordination with government agencies.
Diet
The Hesquiaht traditionally use the berries of
Vaccinium myrtilloides
''Vaccinium myrtilloides'' is a North American species of blueberry with common names including common blueberry, velvetleaf huckleberry, velvetleaf blueberry, Canadian blueberry, and sourtop blueberry.
Description
''Vaccinium myrtilloides'' is a ...
to make pies and preserves. They use the berries of
''Vaccinium vitis-idaea'' ssp as food.
[Compton, Brian Douglas, 1993, Upper North Wakashan and Southern Tsimshian Ethnobotany: The Knowledge and Usage of Plants..., Ph.D. Dissertation, University of British Columbia, page 101]
Economic development
Fisheries are an important source of employment. The Nation operated a boat building yard.
The Hesquiaht are an isolated community in the Clayoquot region. Sustainable transportation, community infrastructure, sustainable energy production and keeping or re-attracting members to the community are issues affecting their future.
Hesquiaht are working on developing community resources. This includes eco-tourism, infrastructure and housing, treaty negotiations, and the marketing of the community and territory.
References
Sources
*Ecotrust Canada. "The Hesquiaht Nation," in Daniel Arbour, Brenda Kuecks & Danielle Edwards (editors).
Nuu-chah-nulth Central Region First Nations Governance Structures 2007/2008'', Vancouver, September 2008.
External links
Hesquiaht First Nations home page
{{Authority control
Nuu-chah-nulth governments
Clayoquot Sound region