Tag Archives: Chief John Hackett

Forests, Indigenous Nations

Tla’amin Nation set to reclaim forest stewardship with $80M logging licence deal: ‘A generational opportunity’

IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tla’amin Nation set to take back control over a large piece of its territory, after signing a deal to take over a company’s licence to log more than 1,540 square kilometres of forest in their homelands.

The nation agreed to buy the tree-farm license for the massive parcel — about 13 times larger than the City of Vancouver — from Western Forest Products for $80 million on Feb. 19.

The license for the Stillwater Forest Operation covers a vast majority of forest in the qathet (Powell River) area, where Tla’amin is located. 

Continue reading Tla’amin Nation set to reclaim forest stewardship with $80M logging licence deal: ‘A generational opportunity’ →
Indigenous Nations, Politics

MP crashes out over harmless land acknowledgements

Local Chiefs reassure Aaron Gunn: “Chillax, bud.”

press release from the four cited First Nations

March 11, 2026

Chiefs from four First Nations communities are urging the public to please approach Aaron Gunn with no caution whatsoever. He is completely harmless, though momentarily unsettled by the alarming possibility that someone might acknowledge the land before a meeting.

Yesterday on social media, the MP appeared to crash out and demand to speak to the manager of land acknowledgements, a position that observers confirm does not exist.

Continue reading MP crashes out over harmless land acknowledgements →
Indigenous Nations, Politics

Blaney asks the name of our riding be changed to ‘North Island – qathet’

It has been more than two months since the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission tabled their report for British Columbia in the House of Commons. Their mandate ‘was to propose new boundaries for federal electoral districts in the province to maximize voter parity while taking into consideration social and geographic factors, including respect for communities of interest or identity.’ Yet the commission has not yet responded to First Nations suggestions that they drop the name ‘Powell’ from North Island – Powell River.”

In response to a request from the Tla’amin First Nation, Rachel Blaney is asking the Electoral Boundary Commission to change the name of our riding to ‘North Island qathet.’ 

Continue reading Blaney asks the name of our riding be changed to ‘North Island – qathet’ →
Rivers & Oceans

Where to find qathet’s Ghost Salmon

qathet Living, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Dam building over the last century destroyed all of qathet’s major salmon runs, and several small ones, too. Just a whisper remains of this region’s once-majestic returns.

Local experts are re-imagining these rivers for the future. For salmon. For ecosystems. And for reconciliation.

Standing on the rocky banks of the Powell River, you can see zero salmon. But 100 years ago, before the mill, you would have seen thousands.

These are the ghost salmon.

Continue reading Where to find qathet’s Ghost Salmon →
Community, Indigenous Nations

Chippy west coast town starts its process to change a name

qathet Living, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Who’s leading the process to consider a name change for the City of Powell River? 

Tla’amin Executive Council members Erik Blaney and Brandon Peters, City of Powell River councillors Cindy Elliot and Maggie Hathaway, Mayor Dave Formosa, Hegus John Hackett, plus Stewart Alsgard (former City Mayor), Harmony Johnson (vice-president, Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation for Providence Health Care), Davis Mckenzie (principal of Toxw oxw Communications), and Lyn Adamson (previous executive director for LIFT Powell River) – these are the locals who in 2021, came together to form the City of Powell River’s name change committee, known as the Joint Working Group.

Continue reading Chippy west coast town starts its process to change a name →