Uu-a-thluk (Taking Care of)

03/20/2026

In our latest blog post we've pulled together a photo snapshot of the 2026 Nuu-chah-nulth ƛusmit (herring) season.

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The annual ƛusmit spawn is one of the most exciting times of the year in Nuu-chah-nulth haahaahoulthee, and in coastal communities across Vancouver Island!

📸 We'd love to see your herring season pics - please add them in the comments!

Images taken throughout all three Nuu-chah-nulth regions including Clayoquot, Barkley and Nootka Sounds. Photo above courtesy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada Photo above courtesy of Tseshaht First Nation

03/19/2026

Don't miss out on this scholarship opportunity for Indigenous students pursuing careers in land, water and natural systems. 🌊🌿🌄

Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Pacific time on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Alison Wale Uuathluk

Opportunities in education continue to open pathways for future leaders across BC.

The Engineering & Geoscience Education Foundation BC is offering the Brian Nadjiwon Memorial Scholarship, a $2,500 award for Indigenous undergraduate students studying earth sciences or geoscience programs in British Columbia.

This scholarship supports students pursuing careers connected to land, water, and natural systems, fields that play an important role in the future of communities across the province.

If you or someone in your network may be eligible, we encourage you to learn more and apply:
https://www.egbc.ca/how-to-apply/programs-and-resources/student-program/scholarships/brian-nadjiwon-scholarship

Sharing opportunities like this helps ensure more Indigenous students are supported in accessing education and building careers that align with their goals and their communities.

03/18/2026

Did you know that the full Tsunami 11th Relative documentary is available for viewing on YouTube?

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Directed and produced by Pieter Romer, a member of the Nisga’a Nation and Indigenous Community Liaison with Ocean Networks Canada, the 26-minute documentary features Nuu-chah-nulth perspectives and stories.

🗣️ Archie Little of Nuchatlaht, Tim Paul of Hesquiaht First Nation, the late Ray Williams of Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation, Harold Amos of Ehattesaht First Nation, Rodney Sayers of Hupačasath First Nation and Mathew Jack of Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h' all share stories in this interesting short film that explores the history of tsunamis on West Coast Vancouver Island.

☕️ Pour yourself a hot cup of coffee or tea and enjoy a 26-minute educational break!

The documentary "Tsunami, 11th Relative" is a compelling exploration of the intersection between traditional Indigenous Knowledge and modern ocean science, s...

03/13/2026

📌 REMINDER!

The Nuu-chah-nulth Employment & Training Program Career Fair will take place as follows:

💡 Thursday, April 9
💡 9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
💡 Alberni Athletic Hall (3737 Roger St., Port Alberni)
💡 Lunch and coffee provided

👉🏼 If you're a job seeker, don't miss this amazing opportunity to meet with potential employers in numerous sectors and industries.

03/12/2026

👀 This isn’t just a shoreline spectacle—it’s ƛusmit (herring) at the centre of the food web. Spawn season continues, and behind the nearshore changes is a lot of careful fieldwork.

We're following up the photo carousel we shared with a closer look at what it takes to assess herring: timing, technique, and plenty of practice.

📊 Rufus and Jaydin Charleson of Hesquiaht First Nation collect biosamples in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to support stock assessment. During surveys, they also count roe (egg) layers to estimate spawn deposition—one way to help assess the strength of the herring return. They make working the cast net look effortless, but we promise you, it’s not! Every throw takes skill, patience, and respect for the fish and the work.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 First Nation involvement matters in fisheries management. Nation members know the waters in their haahaahoulthee (Chiefly territories), and that knowledge strengthens how we understand and care for ƛusmit.

🟠 Nuu-chah-nulth have been harvesting ƛusmit and k̓ʷaqmis/siiḥm̓uu/siix̣buʔ (herring roe) for millennia, with a deep appreciation for the fish and their importance to the food web. This is why Uu-a-thluk works to support Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in their fisheries management activities—so these practices can continue and thrive.

Healthy ƛusmit means food on the table. Now and for generations to come.

03/09/2026

Late last week, we hopped over from Barkley Sound into Area 24 (Clayoquot Sound), joining Hesquiaht First Nation on the water for a ƛusmit (herring) survey.

🚤📊 Several Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, including Hesquiaht, hold vital herring survey contracts with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This is collaborative science in action! By working directly with the department to gather critical biosamples and spawn data, nations ensure that stock assessments are built on accurate data collected from the Hahuułii (Chiefly territory).

We were lucky to be out in Hesquiaht Harbour with Rufus Charleson, a senior fisheries staff member and knowledge holder, and Jaydin Charleson, who is early in his fisheries work.

At Uu-a-thluk, we’re proud to support this intergenerational sharing of knowledge. We work to empower individuals like Jaydin by providing the tickets and training necessary to build sustainable, long-term careers on the water. Whether it’s safety certifications or technical skills, we’re committed to ensuring Nuu-chah-nulth-aht have the tools they need to lead in their own territories. 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽✨️

✔️ The day was a success! We filled a bucket with ƛusmit biosamples and carefully counted layers of k̓ʷaqmis (herring roe) to gauge the strength of this year’s return.

🐋 The icing on the cake was the literal explosion of life that surrounded us while we worked. Grey whales, acrobatic sea lions, and hundreds of sea gulls all feasted in the milky turquoise waters.

Rebuilding ƛusmit populations is a priority set by Nuu-chah-nulth Ha’wiih. By investing in the next generation of fisheries managers and supporting these technical partnerships, we're working hard to ensure the survival of this keystone species that means so much to Nuu-chah-nulth communities.

03/06/2026

Pure magic in Barkley Sound! 🌊✨

Yesterday’s herring survey was an incredible reminder of why Uu-a-thluk works to support Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in their fisheries management.

The ocean was a literal symphony, with sea lions and gulls celebrating the herring spawn, and the sun came out to shine a light on it all. 🦅

We filled three buckets with essential biosamples for Fisheries and Oceans Canada stock assessment, with our southern region biologist Huu-yiik, Sabrina Crowley, showing us how it’s done with the cast net! 🕸️

We also caught up with Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government - Ucluelet First Nation and Huu-ay-aht First Nations fisheries staff on the water. 🚤

It was great to provide some needed gear and witness the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ team sinking tree limbs for spawn on bough—a vital traditional harvest for food in Nuu-chah-nulth communities. 🌲🐟

Herring are a keystone species and a pillar of food security in Nuu-chah-nulth haahaahoulthee. Rebuilding these populations is a priority set by the Ha’wiih, ensuring future generations can continue these harvest traditions.

Uu-a-thluk is proud to support Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in this important work.

02/27/2026

Our Capacity Building Coordinator, Alison Wale, has been busy over in Scotland this week! ✈️

She's been representing Uu-a-thluk, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) and the Northeast Pacific Deep-sea Exploration Project which the NTC partners on, at the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026 in Glasgow. 🌊

Alison has shared the importance of collaboration in ocean research, and how critical it is to reach youth and children through the 'Ship2Shore' outreach that takes place from expedition vessels to our summer science camps. 🛳️➡️💻

By inspiring Nuu-chah-nulth youth from a young age, and reminding them that STEM subjects are areas they are welcome in and can thrive in, we work with our partners to empower our future leaders. 🤝🏼

02/26/2026

Tseshaht First Nation has issued a statement outlining their position on the Pacific Salmon Allocation Policy review.

They've also included a helpful "Myths vs. Facts" sheet to help clarify any confusion or misconceptions around the review process.

02/25/2026

🌊 Attention Nuu-chah-nulth-aht, don’t miss this opportunity! 🌱

North Island College Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation is hosting the Seaweed Training & Innovation Community Engagement Session on March 23-24, 2026 at Q̓ə pix ʔidaʔas, Campbell River NIC Campus.

👉🏽 It’s your chance to dive into seaweed training, share your ideas, and help shape the future of innovation. Everyone’s invited—please share with your network!

👉🏽 Funding for travel, food, accommodation and daily stipend available.

🌱 For questions or to register, reach out to 👉🏽 [email protected].

02/23/2026

Thanks for the very important reminder, Toquaht Nation!