Huu-ay-aht First Nations
A community app that brings members, news, and resources together.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations is a self-governing, modern treaty Nation in the Barkley Sound region on the west coast of Vancouver Island, at the entrance to Alberni Inlet. Its citizens number close to 900. Many live around Anacla, the Nation’s principal community near Bamfield, and in Port Alberni. The rest live across Vancouver Island, in the Vancouver area and beyond.
As one of the five signatories to the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, in effect since April 1, 2011, the Nation owns and governs more than 8,200 hectares under its own Constitution. The Ḥaw̓iiḥ (Hereditary Chiefs) work alongside Elected Council, and citizens take part directly through regular People’s Assemblies. Departments deliver housing, health, child and family wellness, education, lands and natural resources, food fish and public works.
Explore the app
Direct democracy depends on citizens knowing what is happening, wherever they live. The Communications Department already published Anacla News and Uyaqḥmis News, the website, video and live streams and social media, and ran a communications survey to hear from citizens. Launched in spring 2025, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations app, powered by Communikit, gives citizens one place for breaking news, documents, videos, job postings, forms and event notifications, each with a push alert. Culture Nights in Port Alberni and Anacla, citizen engagement sessions, food fish distribution and fishery opportunities share the same Events tab and calendar.
An app that feels like Huu-ay-aht First Nations
Citizens search for Huu-ay-aht First Nations in the App Store or Google Play and find their own Nation. The app opens on the orca crest and the Nation’s motto, Ancient Spirit, Modern Mind, over a coastal beach. Events use the names citizens know, from the October Fish Cutting Moon journal circle to the Sugsaw Chum Economic Fishery.
The Communications Department decides what goes out and to whom. Citizens register and verify their email before logging in, so the Nation knows who receives its notices. Staff, Council and citizen messages stay in separate groups. Critical Alerts go out on push, SMS and voice from one send, reaching Anacla, Port Alberni and citizens across the province at the same time.
Engagement sessions on the same calendar as Culture Nights
People’s Assemblies and engagement sessions are where Huu-ay-aht citizens shape decisions. The Events tab lists each session beside Culture Nights in Port Alberni and Anacla and food fish distribution days, with the date, time and place. A citizen in Vancouver sees the same invitation as a neighbour in Anacla.
