Lone Cone Hostel & Campground/Lone Cone Trail, Tofino Wilderness Resort & Ahous Adventures – Maaqtusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS)

ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii (Ahousaht territory) encompasses much of Clayoquot Sound, an ecological treasure stewarded by ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Haw’ił (hereditary Chiefs) and musčim (people) for generations.

Maaqtusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS) is a ‘hereditary’ run entity that is in control of Economic Development for Ahousaht First Nation. They asserted their inherent right to control their land and water to get away from the colonialized governance of Elected Chief and Council. The role of MHSS is to steward and sustainably manage their land and water. The objective is to successfully manage their Own Source Revenue (OSR) to minimize the effects of reduced Federal funding for the Nation’s programs and services. The Nation has about 200 jobs and still has a high unemployment rate. MHSS is in Tofino, BC as that’s where the tourism market is. This opens the door for them to advance themselves in the tourism Industry. MHSS has worked hard with their protocol agreements with Cermaq Canada and BC Parks to move toward self-determination and not wait around for a handout from the Federal Government. Instead of using the Canadian banks MHSS has been working with NEDC for their economic development projects. NEDC has helped with the purchase of Lone Cone Hostel and Campground/Lone Cone Trail, Tofino Wilderness Resort, and Ahous Adventures.

The purchase of the land to start up Lone Cone Hostel and Campground/ Lone Cone Trail, at Matsquiaht (2012), was their first step into the tourism industry which created more jobs for their community. Lone Cone Hostel and Campground is located on Meares Island at the old Ahousaht village site called Matsquiaht. This was the site of Christie Indian Residential School, which ran from 1900 until 1983. After Christie closed, the property was used as a family development treatment center known as Kakawis. After Kakawis moved to Port Alberni, the Catholic Church put the property up for sale and it was purchased by Ahousaht First Nation in 2012. It was then transformed into a Hostel and Campground under the direction of MHSS. Guests have access to the Lone Cone Trail where they can hike to the summit of Lone Cone Mountain to enjoy the stunning views of Clayoquot Sound.

The purchase acquisition of the Tofino Wilderness Resort (TWR), Quait Bay  is a 126-acre property that includes a 16-room floating-lodge, a world-class spa, trails, lakes, staff accommodation and a breathtaking cedar longhouse. The purchase of the resort marks a pivotal moment in moving towards the goals of land- reclamation and re-occupation.

“The experience here is Ahousaht authentic – the way you are welcomed, the way you leave transformed. You just need to come here, sit with the land, and it will tell you what to do – it will provide anyone with the opportunity to transform. The goal of the Tofino Wilderness Resort is to allow guests to not only visit, but to leave different, with a strong sense of place and that they have experienced something very special. Here is a chance to instill a sense of place they’ll remember for a very long time, if not the rest of their life.” (Tofino Wilderness Resort webpage)

NEDC helped MHSS start up Ahous Adventures, Tofino, BC by funding the purchase of assets. This purchase included the boats and office space which was crucial for them to be able to sell to tourists. It was decided that an office up in Ahousaht can’t expect to be successful in tourism.

Ahous Adventures is managed by the Ahousaht Ḥaẁiiḥ through the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Enterprises Inc. (MHEI) and Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS). Because of its location Ahous Adventures is core to Ahousaht’s economic development plans in tourism.

Ahous Adventures invites visitors to explore Ahousaht territories through the eyes of local people who have lived on and stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial. Visitors will learn about Ahousaht’s Indigenous culture, language, history and storytelling.

Hereditary Chief Hašeʔukmis (Richard George) says “It’s high time we finally have a stake in this industry! Ahous Adventures is a real success story – I had a call the other day from the manager at Ahous Adventures, saying they had a whale-watching outfit come into the store saying they can’t fill their boats because everyone is coming into Ahous Adventures – he says they can’t run a business because Ahous is taking away all his business.” This is Ahous Adventures’ second year, and they’ve superseded all their expected sales when it normally takes a business at least 5 years to do this

The biggest challenge/obstacle is having a healthy Nation to work at the jobs that MHSS is creating. ‘We can’t risk a multi-million-dollar businesses with unhealthy people. However, I do see a future where we will not be under the colonization of welfare – we are 2250 strong and we will double those numbers 20 years from now and our nation will get healthy.’

Advice that Hašeʔukmis (Richard) would give to other nation’s starting on their economic development is to “put in your due diligence and make sure you go through the process of getting consultants in to do feasibility studies before you go out to try to get a loan – this is key to making sure that your business will work – make sure you have the proper financial backing – make sure you are able to make those payments back – make sure you reach out to the knowledgeable people to make sure you make the right decisions”

On behalf of Maaqutusiss Hahulthee Stewardship Society Hereditary Chiefs: 

m̓ukʷina – Lewis George

Hašeʔukmis – Richard George

Hanuukʷi – Nathan Charlie

ƛakišwaya – John Keitlah

tupmuuł –  Ronnie George

?aa?apaw’iik – Shawn Atleo

ʔeʔqatiʔis – Tyson Atleo