MEDIA RELEASE
October 5, 2017
 
The NTC celebrates Dr. Don Hall’s retirement and 25 years of devoted service to all Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations
 
(Port Alberni, B.C.) The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) is pleased to recognize one of its devoted advocates and long-time Uu-a-thluk Fisheries Program Manager, Dr. Don Hall.
 
"The NTC cannot thank Don enough for all his years of excellent service as Manager of Fisheries,” said Judith Sayers, NTC President. “He has supported the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in their fight to assert and protect their right to all fisheries resources with his skills and expertise. He has utilized Nuu-chah-nulth knowledge and scientific knowledge to our advantage. We wish him a happy retirement and time to do what he loves.”
 
Shortly after earning his Ph.D. from the UBC in 1991, Don joined the NTC where—for more than two decades—he has supervised the Uu-a-thluk team who support Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations fisheries management and harvest on Vancouver Island’s west coast. During his career at NTC, Don was a tireless advocate for First Nations management and conservation values to be embedded in all fisheries management policies and practices. Striving to support the long-term feasibility of not only fisheries on Vancouver Island’s west coast, but of the cultural practices and values of Nuu-chah-nulth people, Don has worked with Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations to develop sustainable, community-based fisheries that balance the rights of First Nations with Canada’s legislative responsibilities. 
 
Past NTC President Debra Foxcroft commented recently about Don’s impact on First Nations fisheries. “He is a true leader in his field and we were lucky to have had him as an integral part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council since 1992. Thank you, Don for living up to your Nuu-chah-nulth name—ḥaamiiƛ (making sure everything is right).”
 
For over a decade he has supported the Nuu-chah-nulth Fishing Rights litigation and negotiations, a landmark legal battle that recognized the Aboriginal rights of five T’aaq-wiihak Nations—Ahousaht, Ehattesaht/Chinekintaht, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht)—to fish commercially. The commercial fishing rights of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations are now enshrined under Section 35(1) of the Canadian Constitution Act. The tremendous impact Don has had on informing fisheries management practices through supporting conservation and promoting sustainable management has been felt across B.C.
 
“Don has committed his career to supporting Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, Ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs) and the sea resources within Nuu-chah-nulth Ha-ha-houlthee (chiefly territories),” said past NTC Vice-President Ken Watts. “We have been honoured to have such a man dedicate his career to our people.” 
 
Dr. Eric Angel has been hired as the new Uu-a-thluk Fisheries Program Manager with the NTC.
 
Eric joins the NTC after receiving a Ph.D. in natural resource management from Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM). Prior to that, he worked as an historian on First Nations land claims over a period of 24 years, during which time he helped to found and grow the historical research firm Public History. As a research manager he led over 100 projects, authored several dozen technical reports, and served as an expert witness in several court cases and environmental review processes. His doctoral thesis focused on the human dimensions of the Skeena River salmon fisheries in northern B.C. and, in particular, the small boat gillnet fleet. He has a keen interest in fisheries governance, especially in relation to Indigenous communities.
 
The NTC looks forward to working with Eric to continue the foundational work Don started for all Nuu-chah-nulth communities.
 
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About Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) provides programs and services to over 9,000 registered members. The role of the NTC is to represent fourteen First Nations in three regions stretching 300 kilometers of the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island from Brooks Peninsula in the North to Point-no-Point in the south. Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council represents Ahousaht, Ditidaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Hupacasath, Huu-ay-aht, Kyuquot/Cheklesaht, Mowachaht /Muchalaht, Nuchatlaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht, Tseshaht, Uchucklesaht and Ucluelet First Nations and provides a variety of programs and services to them. For more information, please visit www.nuuchahnulth.org.
 
For more information, please contact:
 
Lissa Cowan
Communications and Development Coordinator
Uu-a-thluk, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
P: 250.724.5757  
E: lissa.cowan@nuuchahnulth.org
 
Nazaneen Dizai
Communications and Community Relations Coordinator
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
P: 250.724.5757  
E: nazaneen.dizai@nuuchahnulth.org
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