Last week, we had the honour of welcoming two remarkable guests to our building: Wally Samuel and his wife Donna. Their visit was a powerful reminder of the roots of our work and the strength of the community that brought this project to life.
Wally is not only a respected Elder and leader—he is one of the founding members and a former president of our housing society. It was his early vision to create housing that would support Ahousaht and other Indigenous peoples living away from their territories. More than just providing shelter, Wally dreamed of bringing culture, beliefs, and traditions back into the daily lives of urban Indigenous families here in Port Alberni.
And what a vision it was.
As Wally and Donna toured the building, we reflected on how far this vision has come. What once began as an idea has now become a vibrant reality—thanks to Wally’s determination and his ability to bring like-minded people together to form a committed society. Their hard work, dedication, and belief in community made it all possible.
We are so thankful to Wally for planting the seeds of this dream—and to everyone who has helped nurture it over the years.
Klecko Klecko, Wally and Donna.