NJ.oR.N A y iii1iii I - HiShiIfh'Sa Canada's Oldest First Nation's Newspaper - Serving Nuu -chah- nulth -aht since 1974 Vol. 30 - No. 24 - December 4, 2003 haasitsa "Interesting News" an'""k wm ad , "'á;;s ' Nuu-chah-nulth protest >>1 health care cuts By Denise Ambrose Tramper emerged from the building, Central Region Reporter quickly accepted the letters then retreated back to the building past the booing crowd. She delivered the letters Victoria - Hundreds of concerned that afternoon in the legislature during citizens arrived at the Parliament question period. Building out November 20th in an effort The two year -old WCGH has already to save hospitals and health care 'temporarily' closed 19 beds due to services from the effects of Premier Vancouver Island Health Authority " Campbell's budget slashing. Budget cuts. VIHA proposes cutting Port Alberni residents started the 'SOS' another nine acute care beds at WCGH (Save our Services) Cavalcade at the sending jobs, services and patients to West Coast General Hospital (WCGH); Nanaimo. new hospital that faces more bed The small Tofino General Hospital also closures and, according to some, faces cutbacks that would have complete closure. deep impacts on the outlying communities of They drove in a kilometers long lesquiaht. Hot Springs Cove and convoy, lights flashing, stopping in Ahousaht. Bev Hanson, an Ahousaht ilia along the way to allow member, has been working others to join. at the hospital in the cooking and housekeeping department. She says she Bev Hansen, an Ahousaht Ha- ho -payuk dancers perform for government officials in Victoria. will lose her job on January 9 and her employee at hospital, said See First Nations thank Eagle Rock supporters story on Page 9 Torso duties will be placed on the remaining ten beds at Torino General may employees whose hours have also been close, meaning patients in cutback There will be no more hot Hesquiaht and Ahousaht face a breakfasts; patients instead will get Atleo elected to AFN continental breakfasts. Hansen said minimunAkiinvel time of three to By David Wiwchar going to monitor that balancing there would be more duties placed on a five hours to Port Alberni and an Southern Region Reporter extremely closely, inviting feedback and matter number of staff working fewer additional hour to Nanaimo. advice." said Atleo. "Because the hours. "Everyone will be running Vancouver - The Nuu-chah-nulth song position doesn't stan until January. I around like chickens with their heads cut Protesters gathered on the front steps of echoed through the lobby and corridors have time to fully understand the scope off. said Hansen. the legislature shortly after 1:00 p.m. of the elegant Renaissance Hotel last of mien and responsibilities, and will be There are about ten beds in the Tofino The Raging Grannies were on hand week, as delegates celebrated the attending the AFN confederacy meeting Hospital she said, and some are singing songs of health service woes. A election of Shawn Aller (A -in -shut) as in Ottawa in two weeks before the work supposed to close. For patients in 'drunken' effigy of Premier Campbell Regional Vice-Chief for the Assembly really begins," he said. Hesquiaht to Ahousaht, this means e staggered through the crowds with his of First Nations (AFN). minimum travel time of three to five martini glass urging the crowd to heckle Atleo eliminated four competitors over "I really appreciate the support hours to Pon Alberni and an additional him three ballots to win the election, and the of the five Central Region First hour to Nanaimo. Hansen say TGH is The Hupacasath canoe arrived by position of AFN Vice Chief representing already sending maternity cases to Pon Nations who nominated me," he oiler carrying Ed 'Tat' Tatoosh and all BC First Nations at the national level said, adding he plans to work Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae and for the next three years. extremely hard for them as he 4000 letters of protest. MLA Gillian continued on page 8 "It's pretty overwhelming to have continues in the male as received support from all over BC," said NTC Atleo, who topped each ballot, beating Central Region co-chair, and will out Debra Hanuse on the first, Bill also work extremely hard for all JA Wilson on the second, and Robert BC First Nations in his new role Shintah on the third ballot counted late as Vice Chief. ' th ft on Tuesday, November 20. "I really appreciate the support of "The Soowahlie proudly endorsed your the five Central Region First Nations candidacy because we believe that you who nominated me." he said, adding he carry the teachings, leadership skills, plans to work extremely hard for them and experience required to represent u as he continues in the role as NTC effectively within the AFN, BC and rIn Central Region co-chair. and will also Canada," Stette Chief Doug Kelly wrote work extremely hard for all BC First in mail to Atleo. "We believe that Nations in his new role as Vice Chief. youarea strong and diplomatic voice of "I spoke a lot with Nuu -chah -nulth reason that will help First Nations in BC leaders about balancing the two roles, to resolve political differences. Through and I'm grateful for the support and your leadership, we will find a good The Ilupac oath canoe arrived by trailer carrying Ed `Tat' Tatoosh encouragement, especially from the way to advance our collective interests and Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae and 4000 letters of protest. Central Region First Nations, and we're continued on page 2 If undeliverable, please return to: Ha- Shilth -Sa Leaders discuss history and future of NTC Page 3 P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2 Treaty Negotiators examine process Page 5 Clayoquot Sound Science Symposium Page 6 First Nations thank Eagle Rock supporters Page 9 Newsstand NATIONAL LIBRARY OF CANADA Youth planning forum Page 10 395 WELLINGTON NEWSPAPER COLLECTION S T NEDC Business News Page 20 ISSN 07154143 OTTAWA ONTARIO KIA 0194 Page 2 - Ha- Shilth -Sc - December 4, 2003 Ha- Shilth -Sa - December 4, 2003 - Page 3 Ha-ShiIth-Sa newspaper is KLECO'S published by the Nusschah -nuhh LETTERS and Tribal Council for distribution to HaShilth-Su will include letters received from its readers. All letters MUST be Leaders discuss history and future of NTC number on it. the members of the fourteen N'un- signed by the writer and have the writer's name, address & phone withheld bs request. Anom ntnns submissions willow be accented. from pact meetings have been completed, ehah -nulth First Nations as well Names can be By Denise Ambrose and David We reserve the right to edit submitted material for clarity, brevity. and her report was accepted by motion. as other interested groups and Wiwchar grammar and good taste. We will definitely.' publish letters dealing with tribal She said there would he important indi, duals. Information & original Ha- Shilth -Sa Reporters or personal disputes or issues that are critical of Nuu-chal, -nulth individuals or discussions today and she asked her work contained in this newspaper is father. Bob Thomas, to ask for patience, groups. Port Alberni -A critical print in the copyright and may not be guidance and respect in his prayers. She All opinions expressed in letters to the editor are purely those of the . Nuu- chah -ninth Tribal Council's history reproduced without written expressed her condolences to the family writer and will not necessarily coincide with the views or policies of the Ntri and future happened at Maim Mahs last of the into Monica Charleson. j a permission from: chale -nulth Tribal Council or its member First Nations. week as Nuu- chah -ninth leaders debated Transition Committee Coordinator, Nuudbah -nuhh Tribal Council important changes facing NTC. Doug Kelly delivered his long awaited P.O. Box 1383, With Huu- ay -aht, Uchucklesaht and report. Doug Kelly is a consultant from Port Alberni, B.C. Toquaht announcing they will be Nuu- chah -nulth -ath Womb Resources Ltd Ile was hived pursuing their own federal funding V9Y 7M2. by the NTC to work with representatives agreements, leaders had to decide how Telephone: (250) 724 -5757 . Living Away from each of the member First Nations the bal council will change to (250) 723 -0463 to come up with recommendations for Fax: accommodate individual First Nation Web www:nuuchahmalth.otg alternate program and funding ^ s page: From Home autonomy. `,_+.n arrangements. Three First Nations (Huu - Ta A Transition Committee was formed ay -aht, Uchucklcsaht and Toquaht) have ` st' rates: Scheduled Meetings four months ago, and brought their final 2003 Subscription served notice that they will he report to the table, outlining three Os, _ tf 530.00 per year in Canada & $35. withdrawing from the CFNFA (Canada passible options for the restructuring of Nelson Kedah leads a song to help lift spirits at a difficult meeting. /year U.S.A. and $40. /year foreign Campbell River First Nations Funding Agreement) the NTC. and other factors. The committee took option would permit First Nations countries. Payable to the Nuu-ehah- United Church, 415 Pinecrest Rd. effective March 31, 2004. to on the challenge with the theme: withdraw completely from the NTC. nulth Tribal Council. Date: December 10 Kelly says the there will be change, and With Huu- ay -aht, Uchueklesaht Building one mind, one body and one Option one calls for keeping the NTC Time: 3:00 to 8:00 pm with change comes fear. Before coming spirit and the objective of keeping Nuu - intact with its fourteen member nations. Manager /Editor, and Toquaht announcing they to today's meeting, he said he heard a chah- ninth together.