Ahp-cii-uk partnership seeks to build build ocean-going canoe for Tseshaht community

Submitted by Ahp-cii-uk, a Beedie School of Business-supported initiative

The Nuu-chah-nulth community of Tseshaht is the first aboriginal community to pursue funding under a system developed by the Aviva Insurance Company that involves online voting to select finalists for community grants.

Tseshaht has proposed a project to build an ocean-going canoe and a canoe shed, thereby reviving important traditions within the community (carving, paddling, visiting its traditional territories, interchanges with other coastal communities) and engaging its young people. Although Tseshaht was a whaling community in the past, for the last generation or so, Tseshaht has not had a canoe that is seaworthy enough to take on the ocean. This is an opportunity to renew that tradition.

Tseshaht is involved in this project because for the last three years, it has been one of the communities involved in Ahp-cii-uk, which means “going the right way” in Nuu-chah-nulth. Ahp-cii-uk is a unique partnership of First Nations, businesses, the federal and provincial government, and has been designed and managed by Mark Selman at the Beedie School of Business.

It is an attempt to find new ways to build relationships and support First Nations in making the changes they think will make them stronger and better places to raise their children. Ahp-cii-uk has worked with first nations communities to build trails, develop cultural tourism, engage young people in apprenticeship and job readiness programs, establish artists markets, road safety programs, build playgrounds and improve the transparency of their planning and governance processes.

More importantly, Ahp-cii-uk has built a sense of hope, trust, and mutual respect in communities and between partners.

The Tseshaht First Nation grassroots community is asking for your support and vote for this important “Going Home” Canoe and Canoe Shed Project. To vote for the project:

1. Click on the following link: http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11193
2. click on “Vote Now” button
3. Register to vote by entering your name and email address. Create a password.
4. Receive a confirmation to your email, click on the link
5. Sign in with your email address and password
6. Click on the “vote now” button again.
7. You have a maximum of 15 votes but only one vote per day.
8. Voting for round 2 closes on 9 November 2011.
9. Vote now and help the community of Tseshaht make it through to the semi-finals.

For more information:

Lerato Chondoma
Ahp-cii-uk Community Liaison
778.862.8982

Mark Selman
Beedie School of Business
778.782.5070