AHOUSAHT OFFER
Ahousaht Ha'wiih own their lands. They have lands which are called hiss-ookht. Lands which were gained through warfare. Ahousaht and their confederate tribes lost many families because of the war. In addition Ahousaht now has land area totaling 164,561 hectares, which are made up of the Ha-hoolthee of other confederate tribes Kelthsmaht, Ooinmitis, Quatswiaht, Manhousaht.
Our history tells us that we were many more in population than we are today, as a confederacy. Also, the age of maturity was much earlier than today's 18 years of age. The coming of age for men and women was at age 14.
Ahousaht's dependence on the sea and land resources made them a wealthy nation. Most sea resources were utilized. Most tree species were utilized for building materials and various utensils and tools. Medicinal plants were frequently used for treatment and cures of various ailments.
Today, we have a population of approximately 1,700. Of this population, 1,010 are of the age 18 years or older. There are many more who will be 18 very soon. Approximately half live away from home, due to many factors, including the scarcity of reserve lands, employment opportunities and access to resources, and housing.
Ahousaht Ha'wiih support the treaty making process and will accept as agreement which will provide for the future of their people. The Ha'wiih are prepared to make the following offer to the governments. This offer is being made subject to provisions in the agreement which will allow the Ha'wiih to continue to look after their Ha-hoolthee.
The Ha'wiih of Ahousaht are prepared to have the government of Canada and British Columbia recognize as "Treaty Lands" an area totalling 71,600 hectares. This area includes Flores Island, Vargas Island, part of Meares Island, Megin watershed, Atleo River watershed, Moyahe River watershed, Sidney River watershed, Hotspring cove, the area east of Hesquiaht Point, Blunden Island, Bartlett Island, Bare Island, White Pine watershed, Catface Mountain, Cypre River watershed, Bear River watershed, and Ooinmitis River watershed.
The balance of the lands not recognized as treaty lands will continue to be jointly managed by the Ha'wiih of Ahousaht, as part of their Ha-hoolthee.
The Ha'wiih of Ahousaht will have sole jurisdiction in the "Treaty Lands", except as otherwise agreed to in the Final Agreement.
All other areas will be jointly managed with the other governments.
The Ha'wiih will have joint management over Fisheries, Forestry, Wildlife, Lands, Water, Minerals and Air.
This kind of management already exists with the establishment of the Central Region Board, through the Interim Measures - A Bridge to Treaty.
The Ha'wiih of Ahousaht will have a say over sea resources, jointly with the other Nuu-chah-nulth Tribes and the two governments. Foreshore areas will also be managed jointly, where these foreshores are not a part of "treaty lands". Oceans will be jointly managed.
For the areas of Health, Education and Social Services, the Ha'wiih of Ahousaht are prepared to manage these with the rest of the Nuu-chah-nulth tribes through a central government.
The above offer is made by the Ha'wiih of Ahousaht to assure that future generations of Ahousaht will have an opportunity to prosper, as in the past. The offer is made with the recognition that it will form the basis of a solid new relationship with Canada and British Columbia and Ahousaht, along with the rest of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribes.