DoK, Haisla Nation celebrate grand opening of Minette Bay West Park
By: Quinn Bender
Date: June, 2024
Source: Northern Sentinel
The Haisla Nation joined the District of Kitimat June 2 to mark a significant day with the grand opening of Minette Bay West Park and the celebration of National Indigenous History Month. The event, organized by the district’s Leisure Services Department in collaboration with the Haisla Nation’s cultural and language department, drew nearly 500 attendees. Activities throughout the day showcased the cultural heritage of the Haisla Nation, and included an indigenous band performance, a demonstration by a local carver creating traditional masks and vendors offering crafts and jewellery.
The park, a major community project, has been a work in progress since 2016, involving extensive planning and consultation with Kitimat residents and the Haisla Nation. Geotechnical, archaeological, and wildlife assessments were conducted before construction of the access road, parking lot, causeway, water access, and signage was completed by 2019. The pandemic caused delays, but the park now features interpretive and wayfinding signage, a shelter, picnic tables, fire pits, toilets and a trail loop.
Once installed later this year, a new dock will mark the completion of Minette Bay West Park, culminating a nine-year process. Walsham Tenshak, the district’s director of economic development and communications, emphasized the park’s significance. “For a community that has had no access to the ocean, it was quite a barrier for no one to be able to enjoy that waterfront unless they paid to enjoy it. This takes out that barrier.”
She noted that the park’s development aligns with Kitimat’s strategic plans to balance the town’s industrial character with environmental conservation and recreational opportunities. “We had lots of positive feedback on the event, and I think it was a really good way to get people aware that the park exists.” Formerly a cleared lot that served as a log dump, the park’s development cost approximately $640,000, with a land donation from Rio Tinto, and additional contributions from LNG Canada and Kirmad LLG Chevron, along with a provincial grant for the dock installation. The day also saw the signing of a history Friendship Agreement between the District of Kitimat and the Haisla Nation Council, marking a milestone in their relationship. “It was the first major collaboration we’ve had for an event between the Haisla Nation and the District of Kitimat,” Tenshak said.
The agreement includes a joint strategic plan with action items for the next five years, ensuring continued cooperation and mutual benefit. As part of the ceremony, a red cedar tree, significant in Haisla culture, was planted to symbolize the growing relationship between the two communities. Tenshak expressed optimism about the future, noting, “We have so much shared interest in seeing this space passed forward to future generations, and we will achieve that better by working together.” Shuttle services were provided from the Haisla Rec Center and Mountain View Square to facilitate access to the park.
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