The annual Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) Urban Community Holiday Gatherings tour wrapped with merriment and fruit čamas at a packed Thunderbird Hall in Campbell River on Dec 11.
Looking forward to a new year and a fresh start, the unifying wish for many of the guests at the Thunderbird Hall was just that – to be more united in 2026.
“I always think about all our nations and the troubles that we are having in-fighting,” said Tla-o-qui-aht elder Barney Williams, who moved to the northern region seven years ago to be closer to a major hospital.
“I really hope we can go back to the way it was years ago. Everything was respected. There was no contest. We need to get together more and be able to sit across one another more without fighting,” said Williams.
Ehattesaht member Harold Amos re-iterated.
“Let’s stand united and shake things up a bit,” said Amos.
Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations’ Brandon Johnson brought up the Nuu-chah-nulth teaching hišukʔiš c̓awaak, which means ‘everything is one’.
“I hope to see more people come together like this. I know culture has always been strong within the Nuu-chah-nulth territories, but I also want to see it get stronger. I hope to see Nuu-chah-nulth get stronger and come together as one,” said Johnson.
Good health and healing were also at the top of the wish list for Nuu-chah-nulth-aht around the room.
“My hope for the new year is health, connection through culture, healing and our youth reconnecting with our elders. And abundance of seafood!” said Molly Lucas, engagement coordinator for the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
“I just want the Nuu-chah-nulth People to have access to high-quality healthcare every single day,” added FNHA senior advisor Krista Joseph.
NTC vice president Les Doiron brought up the overdose crisis.
“I’d love to see a decline in the losses in the opioid world,” he said.
In September 2024 NTC leaders declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing drug crisis.
NTC executive director Florence Wylie talked about healing.
“There are a lot of people who are going through some very difficult times right now, whether it’s to deal with health issues or the loss of a loved one. For me, I think we need to be patient and kind because we don’t know what the other person could be dealing with,” said Wylie.
“Lots of fish and more traditional foods,” Doiron adds. “And I’d like to see the youth, like we saw today, be as powerful as they are when it comes to practicing our culture.”
Ahousaht culture leader Quaya Sam led a drumming circle throughout the evening.
While working on a cedar weaving project, Betty Nicolaye said she hopes for “peace, good health and success for all the young people.”
Wearing reindeer antlers, a blinking red nose, a red shirt and Christmas socks, Ash Campbell-Senay will celebrate 14 trips around the sun on Christmas Eve.
“My hope is that schools stop just teaching what is local and branch out a little,” said the Grade 9 student. “The only thing they teach in school is the cultures that are from here. I love that they are doing that, but they need more diversity in their teachings.”
“I hope we get to see my family more too,” Ash said.
NTC’s northern regions include Ehattesaht, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h', Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht. About 205 souls attended the northern region feast.
