Ahousat

Roughly two hundred people attended a reunion dinner, including former students, elders, community leaders, and supporters.

The event was organized by Ahousaht Elder Wally Samuel, who wanted to provide space for survivors to share their experiences, many of which involved profound loneliness, fear, and pain stemming from being separated from family.

A special display highlighted artwork created by students during their time at the school, pieces saved years ago by a former art teacher.

Several local leaders offered words of welcome and support while acknowledging the ongoing impacts of residential schools on families and communities.

Holly Stocking of Ha-Schielsh reports that Tsutsetin Alton Watts, Taihowalth of Hupacasath First Nation, publicly demanded last week that Sermac close its Boot Lagoon hatchery by the end of the year.

The hatchery sits on Hupacasath territory by Great Central Lake and raises young Atlantic salmon, smolts, that are then moved out to the company's fourteen open-net pens in Ahousaht territorial waters here on the West Coast.

Watts says the operation is polluting Nuchatlaht waters and bringing disease to the fish that come up their rivers, and that closing the hatchery is one way to stop the farms.

In his words, "These are Atlantic salmon.

Uh, my English name is Mark Ottlew.

I am from Ahousaht, um, it's up past Tofino, 12 miles past Tofino.

I'm still in Miles.

It's grown considerably.