Tseshaht

Working Toward a Santa Fe of the North

At a large community meeting in March 2008, members of the Tseshaht band identified many strengths and possible visions for their community. Work began to choose one social and one economic development project people could work on through Ahp-cii-uk that might make use of Tseshaht’s strengths and move them toward a significant change. Community members came up with a large list of possible projects. In the end, they chose to work on two: A Spiritual Healing Centre and an Artists’ Market.

Artists’ Market

The Artists’ Market group began their work with a survey of local artists and their desire to expand their businesses. They then held two successful Art Markets bringing together over 60 local artists and increasing awareness and partnerships in neighbouring Port Alberni.

The Artists’ Market group created a buzz in the community that has had a number of indirect consequences. It seems Ahp-cii-uk-led dialogues sparked an interest in supporting local artists, leading to greatly improved opportunities for distribution of their art.

The first of these events was the invitation to local artists to display their work at the band-owned gas bar and grocery store on the Alberni Highway. Shortly after this, a gallery for First Nations art began development along the same stretch of road. An Ahp-cii-uk member worked closely with the owner of this new facility to ensure his business would not be adversely affected by their work. In the beginning, this business owner said he would only sell collector items. However, after the success of the Artists’ Market’s Christmas show, he changed his mind to include smaller, less expensive pieces. This represents a increased opportunity for artists working on a smaller scale.

In addition, through their participation in Ahp-cii-uk, the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation is now offering micro-loans, workshops and other support services to First Nations artists to help them develop portfolios and inventory.

Finally, a new Nuu-chah-nulth Artists Association has formed around the Winter Olympics, and the Ahp-cii-uk local coordinator has been invited to be a founding board member. The Artists’ Market group will monitor the work of this group and offer help if needed.

Spiritual Healing

The Spiritual Healing group began by researching the need for a centre to support the healing process of those with addictions. Several members of this group gained valuable skills in gathering stories and data, speaking in public, chairing meetings, and taking minutes.

While working with Ahp-cii-uk, group members also took the initiative to form a prayer group and a parents’ support group for those struggling with addiction issues. And community leaders have commented on a new willingness, on the part of some community members, to speak out and at meetings.

The group organized a suite of activities for the holiday season in 2008 aimed at providing wholesome family fun free of drugs and alcohol. The group also visited a place sacred to Nuu-chah-nulth for spiritual healing purposes.

Road Safety Task Force

In August 2009 a young boy was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle along a narrow, windy road through the reserve. The road supports industrial traffic past a tribal park which did not have special signage or a lower speed limit. The road also had heavy brush right up to the shoulder-less edge.

The community of Tseshaht mobilized immediately. Brush clearing began with the help of local businesses, and people kept vigil on the road with signs reminding drivers they were travelling through a residential and park zone.

Meetings were sought with the Ministry of Transport to make changes on the road and Ahp-cii-uk was invited to participate. Ahp-cii-uk Tseshaht purchased road-side speed monitoring equipment and facilitated meetings with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. The Tseshaht Road Safety Task Force has been successful achieving a reduced speed limit, additional much needed signage both painted on the road and posted on the shoulder. Surveys of the road have also been completed with results pending. The group has worked closely with ICBC Vancouver Island Coordinator and the RCMP on road safety education and information sharing. Events are being planned including Bike Safety, Crossing Guards, Awareness Days etc.