The Port Alberni Port Authority has appointed Jeff Cook to their Board of Directors, replacing former Port Alberni Mayor and MLA Gillian Trumper whose term has expired.
Cook is a hereditary Chief of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation, and has been active in Port Alberni and First Nations communities.
He said he applied for the position more than a year ago, and is proud to be the first Indigenous representative on the board.
“Local First Nations have always had a deep connection to the water and coastline, so hopefully we can carry that into the modern day in terms of looking after our resources while at the same time moving ahead,” said Cook.
Cook has recently been touring the province for the Huu-ay-aht First Nation along with representatives from Steelhead LNG, talking about the benefits of LNG to other First Nations communities.