When the water began to rise in Tseshaht territory on December 10, many Huu-ay-aht citizens and staff offered a helping hand in the flood relief effort.
In their meeting on December 18, Huu-ay-aht First Nations Executive Council voted to extend that support by making a $10,000 donation to Tseshaht’s flood relief fund.
“When we saw and heard the news about all the flooding that was happening in your community, a few of our citizens felt compelled to try and help out in any way we could, like sand bagging and feeding the many volunteers,” explained Elected Chief Councillor Jeff Cook.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations has been fortunate enough to be able to control its costs in recent months and post a small surplus. Chief and Council decided they wanted to share that success with Tseshaht First Nations during their time of need.
“Like Tseshaht, we have family, friends and relatives living in various Nuu-chah-nulth communities,” he said. “We recognize that many Huu-ay-aht, through marriage, relationships, friendship and kinship, live in your community. You have taken care of them, and it is important that we, not only support them, but also the community they live in.”
Huu-ay-aht First Nations will also be making a $5,000 donation to a local service organization that will commit to helping other residents of the Alberni Valley who were affected by the flood. Huu-ay-aht, working with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, is still looking into which group would be a suitable choice to receive the sizeable donation.
