UCLUELET FIRST NATION SETTLEMENT OFFER

 

Ucluelet First Nation membership is 600, 295 who live at our main reserve of Ittattsoo. Our traditional territory is spread out from Long Beach in the west to Effingham and Nahmint in the east. Most, if not all, of the forest resources are gone in and around the Ucluelet area. The values of all of the resources extracted and sold is around 1.7 billion dollars. While our members may have worked in the forest industry, we were also involved in the fishing industry. Ucluelet was a hub of fishery activities, ice plants, buying stations, reduction plants, etc. The approximate value over time of these fishery activities was in the billions of dollars. Again, the fact is that we caught and sold fish and we participated in the fishing industry. In both cases industry reaped huge financial rewards in the billions of dollars.

 

Today Ucluelet First Nation is engaged in treaty talks which we hope will conclude with an agreement that leaves us financially self-sufficient, with enough money to make strategic investments. Had successive governments dealt with us in a fair and equitable manner at first contact, our ownership of lands and resources would have been a lot different if our participation in the industry was inclusive of the Ucluelet First Nation. There could have been an opportunity for a good solid economic base to work from, but that is not the case. We hope to change that through treaty negotiations.

 

Our interests are outlined in the map provided, and they show approximate values of the forest and fishing industry. Ucluelet First Nation priority is still in the resource sector. We will also try to blend tourism as a means of creating a long-term sustainable economy for our citizens.

 

Area "A" will deal with tourism, fish to a lesser degree, forestry, and expansion of our existing reserve to accommodate our fast-growing population. The total area of "Area A" is 15,126 square kilometres. We seek 100 square kilometres in this Area.

 

Area "B" has for us economic values that we are interested in obtaining. They are in forestry and, to a lesser degree, fisheries interests in aquaculture and tourism opportunities. The areas of interest are not limited to these and could be expanded the total area of "Area B" is 167 square kilometres. We seek 140 square kilometres in this Area.

 

Area "C" has forestry and fishery values that are very important to Ucluelet First Nation. Tourism may well play a part as we feel there is potential to attract visitors to the area. The total area of "Area C" is 232 square kilometres. We seek 200 square kilometres in this Area.

 

The billions of dollars that left our territory over the past 100+ years did nothing for the Ucluelet First Nation. Governments and private interests pocketed the money. While we struggle to make a better life for our people, there must be recognition that this takes money, a lot of money, money that we do not have.