Tseshaht First Nation in Port Alberni will receive $5 million in provincial funding to build off-reserve housing.
Murray Rankin, the provincial minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation, was in Port Alberni on Thursday, July 6 to announce a contribution agreement between Tseshaht First Nation and the province of B.C. which will allow Tseshaht to purchase lands within the City of Port Alberni for $5 million so that they can build housing.
“I’m excited to see how Tseshaht proceeds with this initiative, and so happy that our province was able to partner in it,” said Rankin.
The announcement took place at Harbour Quay, or Tlukwatkwuu7is (Wolf Ritual Beach) for Tseshaht First Nation. Tseshaht’s elected Chief Councillor Wahmeesh (Ken Watts) explained that this has traditionally been a place of celebration for his people.
READ MORE: Tseshaht First Nation’s wolf ritual returns to Port Alberni’s waterfront
“This is $5 million coming back to our communities so we can purchase land back from our hahuuli (territory) and build housing for our people,” said Watts. “But we’re also opening up that housing to everybody else that needs it here in the Valley.”
The priority, he added, is to create housing for Tseshaht people, after which it will be opened up to the rest of the community.
“It’s a sacred responsibility to look after the hahuuli, and that includes our guests,” said Watts.
A location hasn’t been decided on yet, but Watts said Tseshaht will be in discussion with private landowners. Once the land has been purchased, Tseshaht will work with BC Housing and CMHC to secure funding to build that housing. Tseshaht will look into forming a new non-profit housing society, he added, but will also look at market rentals.
Watts said that the Tseshaht First Nation community needs “affordable, attainable and accessible” housing. Other Nuu-chah-nulth nations, including Ahousaht and Huu-ay-aht, have recently announced housing projects within Port Alberni.
“But it’s our time to build housing here in our community,” said Watts. “And I get excited when I think about the potential of 25- or 50-unit buildings here in our community, here in our hahuuli of Port Alberni.”
Tseshaht has also formed a working group with B.C. and the City of Port Alberni to ensure a coordinated, collaborative and informed approach to tackle the housing crisis. Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne was also present at Thursday’s announcement.
“I think it’s very fitting that we’re meeting here today, here where we have one very successful partnership, to be able to speak on a new one,” said Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions on July 6, referring to the Wolf Tower, which was built out of a partnership between Tseshaht and the city. “We are in a housing crisis in the Alberni Valley, like so many other communities as well. But what we have here are willing partners, ready to take on this challenge and ready to make a difference in innovative ways.”
Watts explained that over the past few years, housing has been a “No. 1” priority in all of Tseshaht’s future planning.
“We have to remember why we’re doing this work, why we need to move towards building housing,” said Watts. “It isn’t just for us, it’s for future generations.”
elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com
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