A Port Alberni area First Nation is calling on the city to create a protocol when dealing with both nations whose unceded territories cross city boundaries.

The move comes after the Hupacasath First Nation felt snubbed on Indigenous Peoples Day when the Tseshaht First Nation held a Wolf Ritual and unveiled the Wolf Tower at Harbour Quay.

Not only did the city not invite the Hupacasath to participate in Indigenous Peoples Day festivities on June 21, but the nation was sidelined as a host nation during opening remarks and B次元官网网址渢reated like guestsB次元官网网址� in their own territory, Hupacasath Chief Councillor Brandy Lauder said.

B次元官网网址淲hat is now being called the Wolf Tower at a B次元官网网址楬ikwuulh7ath village siteB次元官网网址� is not a full depiction of the history of the site,B次元官网网址� Lauder said. Statements made at the towerB次元官网网址檚 unveiling B次元官网网址渕isrepresentedB次元官网网址� the story of B次元官网网址淲olf Ritual SiteB次元官网网址� for the Hupacasath, she added.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a little hurt that the narrative that the Tseshaht pushed the Hupacasath out is dominant,B次元官网网址� Hupacasath Councillor Jolleen Dick said. Hupacasath say what is now called Alberni Harbour Quay was owned by the joint haB次元官网网址檞iih of Hupacasath in 1860, and sold to William Bamfield by Kaanowish and Quilthcheenam, who maintained continuous ownership over the lands in tsuu-ma-as (Alberni Valley).

B次元官网网址淲e have been here forever and we will be here forever,B次元官网网址� Dick said.

The whole situation could have been avoided if proper communication and protocols had been in place, Dick and Lauder said. Tseshaht officials did apologize for the miscommunication during the welcome.

The Hupacasath waited until after Indigenous Peoples Day to make a statement because they did not want to disrupt the day, Dick said. However, the nation sent a letter to the city last September outlining their concerns about the event unveiling the refurbished tower at Harbour Quay, she added.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e curious why the city didnB次元官网网址檛 reach out.B次元官网网址�

The Hupacasath FN has a good working relationship with the city, Dick said, adding that sometimes information gets lost through informal conversations.

B次元官网网址淭his is why weB次元官网网址檝e stated a formal protocol would prevent misunderstandings and miscommunication in the future.B次元官网网址�

Dick said letters were sent to both the Tseshaht First Nation and City of Port Alberni on June 23, but she had yet to hear back by June 25.