Website: huuayaht.org
Description: Huu-ay-aht First Nations is a self-governing, modern treaty Nation whose lands are located in the Barkley Sound region on the west coast of Vancouver Island, at the entrance to Alberni Inlet. The lands and waters making up our traditional territories (ḥahuułi, pronounced “ha-houlthee”) have been occupied by us since time immemorial. Today, Huu-ay-aht citizens number close to 900 and primarily reside around the village of Anacla, the Nation’s principal community close to Bamfield, as well as in Port Alberni, the closest population centre. The balance of our citizens live across Vancouver Island, in the Vancouver area, and beyond.
Treaty/Land Claim Agreements: Maa-nulth Treaty
Signatories to the Agreement: The Maa-nulth Treaty is being implemented by the five independent Indigenous governments: Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations, Toquaht Nation, Uchucklesaht Tribe Government, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government, and the governments of Canada and British Columbia.
Key Dates: The Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement (Maa-nulth Treaty) was ratified by the five Maa-nulth First Nations in October 2007, by the BC Legislature on November 29, 2007, and by the Government of Canada on June 18, 2009 when it received Royal Assent by Parliament.
The Maa-nulth Treaty took effect on April 1, 2011
Brief description of the region covered by claim: Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, West Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.
Total Land Area: 8258 Hectares
# of Beneficiaries: 892 (Citizens 2024)
First Nations/Inuit within the Land Claims Area: Hupacasath, Tse-shaht, Ditidaht, Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Ehattesaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, and Nuchatlaht. Also Indigenous, and other First Nations reside in these Land Claims Area’s.
Indigenous Languages Spoken: Nuu-chah-nulth (Barkley Sound Dialect)
Head Office Address: 4644 Adelaide Street, Port Alberni BC V9Y 6N4
Media Contact:
Amanda-Lee Cunningham, Communications Manager
amanda.c@huuayaht.org | 250-720-7776
LCAC Representative: Chief Councillor, John Jack
