115 pm opportunities awareness ahousaht - wally samuel
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Ahousaht and Mainstream Canada
Wally Samuel Ahousaht First Nation
Village of Ahousaht on Flores Island, B.C.
Partnership and Protocol
Presentation Outline
Ahousaht First Nation overview
Protocol with Mainstream
Employment and benefits
Mainstream Canada overview
Sustainability
Moving Forward
Ahousaht First Nation
Located on Flores Island in B.C.’s Clayoquot Sound
Has more than 2000 members, and is the largest single First Nation on Vancouver Island’s West Coast
Led by Ha’wiih Tyee Chief Maquinna (Lewis George), A-in-chut (Shawn Atleo, current national chief of the Assembly of First Nations)
Making decisions
The Ha’wiih (Hereditary Chief) is a
collective leadership shared by three
chiefs
Their role is to look after their Ha-
Ha’houlthee (territory and resources)
There is also an elected chief and council
Ahousaht-Mainstream partnership
Based on a protocol agreement originally signed in 2002
Renewed and improved in 2010
Allows Mainstream Canada to operate in Ahousaht territory
Provides jobs and economic benefits to Ahousaht First Nations people
Why support salmon farming?
“Fish farming is replacing the
prosperity missing since the
end of the commercial
fishery.”
– Tyee Hawiih, at protocol renewal
in 2010
Timeline: revising the protocol
2002 1st protocol created
Feb 2008 Revised protocol proposed and
Ahousaht Fish Farm Committee formed
Missing: Paul Robinson, Katie Beach
Timeline
March 2008 goal was regular monthly
meetings to work on protocol revision
Dec 2009 Final draft of protocol, signed
agreement Jan 2010
Perseverance
Goal was a written agreement
Definitions and terminology were unclear
Committees had to agree and then take to
Ahousaht Hawiih and community and
Cermaq leadership for agreement
Many versions of the agreement were
completed
Advantage that Principles were in place
Trust
Successful co-existence requires a strong understanding and a commitment to the relationship
Recognized that we are all here to stay, and that coexistence is a reality
Respect and cooperation is mutually beneficial
Changing actions changed attitudes
Agreed upon dispute resolution, and a strong commitment to communicate
Partnership
Mainstream and Ahousaht developed a relationship based on trust, respect and performance, and that provided stability for both Parties.
The Parties agreed to respect each others’ distinct identities, interests and priorities while we explored common interests and opportunities.
The Parties agreed to commit to honest and open sharing of information and ideas and to joint problem solving.
Vision Statement
The Ahousaht Hawiih and Community
along with Mainstream Canada
leadership and staff will work together
to establish a sustainable finfish
aquaculture business in Ahousaht
Hahoulthee that will demonstrate a
respect for and seek a balance among,
all living things.
Vision Statement
This business will meet or exceed
existing environmental standards; will
strive to be recognized globally as a
progressive, innovative Aboriginal /
Industry partnership that seeks mutual
long term social, economic, cultural
and spiritual benefits for both parties;
and will consider the needs and
interest of future generations.
Protocol today
Based on mutual respect
Employs about 67 Ahousaht First Nations
people on farm sites and in processing
plant in Tofino
Provides jobs and skills training, financial
benefits, salmon enhancement funding
and business and contract opportunities
Protocol today
Does not extinguish, abrogate or deny any
aboriginal rights and title of the Ahousaht
First Nation
Respects claims for constitutionally-
protected rights and title in farming areas
Respects historic and contemporary uses
and stewardship of land, water and
resources in Ahousaht territory
Employment
More than 60 Ahousaht people employed
$3.9 million in wages and benefits annually for Ahousaht employees
Employee benefits include full medical and dental
200-plus people (including Ahousaht contractors) employed in support and supply
Partnership benefits
For Ahousaht:
Financial benefits
Community Support Programs (Training and Education, Salmon Enhancement)
Employment (goal 50% of direct jobs)
Contracting & business opportunities
For Mainstream
New sites
Operational support
Local Employees
Our Focus is Sustainable Aquaculture
“Sustainability:
development that meets the needs
of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations
to meet their needs”.
U.N. World Commission on
Environment and Development, 1987
Aboriginal Certification
In 2011, Mainstream Canada’s farm sites in Ahousaht territory were certified under APSA
Wally Samuel (Ahousaht), Marguerite Parker (AAA),
Richard Harry (AAA), Laurie Jensen (Mainstream) and
Karin Maier (Mainstream) celebrated Mainstream’s
APSA certification in May 2011.
APSA – Aboriginal Principles
for Sustainable Aquaculture
Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA) serves as a resource body providing guidance and advice to First Nations
Elements of the Standard include:
• Transparency and First Nations Inclusiveness
• Social Responsibility • Environmental Responsibility • Economic Responsibility
Why support APSA and AAA?
First Nations people have long been stewards of the natural resources upon which their communities depend.
Sustainability is a concept that is embedded within First Nations society, but the development of a formal process by which these values can be expressed in modern society is often lacking.
APSA provides a standard for the structural and operational framework under which First Nations can be assured that their values, expectations and interests are included in the sustainable management of aquaculture operations in coastal British Columbia.
APSA certification makes sure aboriginal values are incorporated into aquaculture.
Going forward
The parties will continue to work together
to improve the sustainability of fish
farming and its related activities in the
Hahoulthee with a focus on environmental
protection and enhancement.
Regular meetings, detailed action plans
and focus on communication
For more information…
www.mainstreamcanada.com
www.ahousaht.ca www.mainstreamcanada.com