MARCIE CALLEWAERT
Special to the Westerly
The Maaqtusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society and the Island Coastal Economic Trust have teamed up to start a strategic economic planning process.
This Strategy and Action Plan will build on the Ahousaht Nation Land Use Vision announced earlier in 2017.
“The Land Use Vision divides Ahousaht territory into seven designations, and each has specific potential uses identified, based on variables including traditional use, conservation, and sustainable development,” According to the ICET press release.
Tara Atleo, MHSS CEO, explained that, “The plan will look back at previous Ahousaht strategic planning materials, incorporate ongoing community feedback, and feedback from the Land Use Visioning sessions, to determine what is currently working well, what can be improved, what our economic development strategic priorities are, and how we can achieve them. For example, we know that the community would like to be communicated with more effectively, so let’s find a way to do that.”
In the press release, Atleo says, “Our strategy will ensure that current and future economic initiatives are consistent with four key components: protecting Ahousaht cultural resources; enhancing the Ahousaht way of life; maintaining biological diversity; and providing sustainable economic wellbeing.”
“It is expected that this plan will give clear direction for how we implement the Ahousaht Land Use Vision, to help build our stewardship capacity to ensure that we are caring for the territories and providing economic opportunities for Ahousaht people. Also, we expect to prioritize what sustainable development opportunities are important in the tourism, fisheries, forestry, and energy sectors,” Atleo explained.
The Strategy and Action Plan will directly involve Ahousaht community members.
“The community can get involved in a number of ways including continuing to constructively and positively share their thoughts and ideas with Ahousaht leadership and the Hawiih, participating in future planning sessions, and taking advantage of new job opportunities being created,” Atleo said.
“Sustainable community development is a slow process, and the only way we can get there if we are all positive and supportive of one another.”
Local job creation is desperately needed. Many travel to Tofino to work, adding extra costs and time to each day for water taxi travel. Others, simply can’t find work in the region. Atleo expanded on that, saying “Job creation for Ahousaht residents is one of the most critical goals as continually expressed by Chief Maquinna and the Hawiih. Last year we created up to 40 full-time and seasonal jobs for Ahousaht residents, not including contract opportunities, and expect that number to continue to grow very quickly. The goal is to create jobs that people feel good about, and that support the sustainable management of resources.”
Island Coastal Economic Trust is providing half of the $30,000 budget for the Strategy and Action Plan. The remaining $15,000 is coming from MHSS.
Line Robert, ICET CEO, says MHSS’s Strategy and Action Plan is unique in “that the Ahousaht have developed a Land Use Vision for their Hahoulthee and are taking a step back to reassess economic opportunities and develop a new roadmap, based on that vision.”
The plan will allow them to “prioritize and focus energy” on the projects and development opportunities that fit best with their Land Use Vision. “Since the [economic development readiness] program was launched a few years ago, more than a dozen smaller and remote communities have developed comprehensive economic development strategies. Our vision is to have a region where every community has a robust roadmap and the tools to ensure that they can fulfil their communities’ vision and aspirations.”
While in the short term, the Strategy and Action Plan will allow Ahousaht to take stock of what businesses and development are already in place within their territory, the long-term impacts will mean more job opportunities and benefits to the entire region and even the provincial economy as a result, according to Robert.