Building Skills, Businesses and the Next Generation of Fishers
At Ha’oom Fisheries Society, capacity building is about more than offering workshops or training.
It is about creating opportunities for five Nations members to build the skills, knowledge, businesses, and experience needed to participate in and strengthen the fisheries for generations to come.
Our Capacity Building Team works across the five Nations to support fishers, youth and community members through training, mentorship, business support, funding opportunities, partnerships, and projects that strengthen participation in the fishery.
From helping a fisher with their business plan, to supporting a young person getting their first experience on a commercial fishing boat, to creating opportunities to build marine safety and technical skills, the team creates practical pathways into and within the fishery.
A significant part of capacity building happens before a workshop or program ever reaches a fisher. It requires finding funding, developing partnerships, coordinating logistics, meeting reporting requirements, developing the policies and frameworks that support HFS’s work, and making sure projects are structured to respond to the priorities of the five Nations.
Meet the team behind this work: Abigail Titian-Manson, Audrey Adelinet, Lauren Dean, and Cedar Dawson.
Lauren Dean
Trade & Stewardship Officer
Lauren has been with Ha’oom Fisheries Society (HFS) since 2020 and brings more than a decade of experience in business, marketing, and communications, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration. A citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia, Lauren lives in Courtenay and is passionate about supporting Indigenous communities as they share their knowledge, culture, and stories.
Today, Lauren’s work focuses directly on supporting fishers and strengthening fishing businesses.
She provides one-on-one support to fishers, helping them navigate the many opportunities and challenges that come with running a fishing operation. This includes support related to business planning, financial management, vessel and gear investments, and other opportunities available to five Nations fishers.
Lauren also plays an important role in HFS’s work to connect financial support with longer-term business development.
For example, the HFS Vessel and Gear Grant Program is designed not simply as one-time financial assistance, but as part of a broader approach to building sustainable fishing businesses and a stronger T’aqq-wiihak fishing fleet.
Lauren’s role is about helping fishers turn opportunities into practical, sustainable plans for their businesses.
Abigail Titian-Manson
Capacity & Communications coordinator
Abigail was born and raised in the territories of both Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations. She is a proud member of both Nations and currently resides within Tla-o-qui-aht territory. From a young age, she supported her communities by helping provide seafood, gaining firsthand experience in the importance of local food systems. In her spare time, Abigail continues to learn from her family’s cultural teachings and their knowledge of marine mechanics. She brings this deep-rooted knowledge and passion to our team, with a strong focus on supporting the future of fishers in her communities.
At HFS, Abigail coordinates training and workshops and supports communications, helping connect fishers and community members with training opportunities, workshops, events, and other programs.
A big part of her work is ensuring opportunities are accessible and clearly communicated to the people they are intended to support.
Abigail also brings her own interests and experience in fishing to her work. Her connection to fishing and her communities helps bring a practical, community-focused perspective to capacity development.
Cedar Dawson
Salmon governance project coordinator
Cedar coordinates the HFS’s four-year Five Nations Salmon Laws & Consultation Protocols Project.
Their work focuses on supporting the five Nations in documenting, revitalizing, and affirming Nuu-chah-nulth laws around the fisheries. Cedar works closely with community liaisons, Elders, Knowledge Holders, Nation leadership, HFS, and the Balance Co-Lab team throughout the project.
We have previously introduced Cedar and shared more about the Salmon Laws Project. You can learn more here: links below.
Meet Cedar Dawson, Salmon Governance Project Coordinator.
Learn more about the Five Nations Salmon Laws & Consultation Protocols Project.
Audrey Adelinet
Development & Governance manager
Audrey brings a background in international law, project managemet, community development, and human rights. She holds a Master’s degree in International Law and a Master’s degree in Project Management. Originally from France, she has been part of the Ha’oom team since 2021. Before moving to Canada, she worked overseas in Nepal and Cambodia with a women and children’s rights organization.
As Development & Governance Manager, Audrey works behind the scenes to support HFS programs, projects, and governance initiatives.
Her work includes developing funding proposals, managing program budgets, developing partnerships, supporting project planning, and helping turn ideas from the Nations and HFS team into funded programs and concrete opportunities. Audrey helps bring that work together so that HFS can continue developing and expanding opportunities for fishers, youth, and communities.
Audrey also supports HFS’s policy and governance work, including developing policies, governance documents, and agreements; conducting legal and policy research; and helping ensure HFS’s programs and operations align with the priorities, rights, and governance approaches of the five Nations.
Building Capacity Through a Growing Range of Programs
While each member of the team has a different role, our work comes together around a common goal: creating meaningful opportunities for five Nation members to participate in, benefit from, and help shape the future of the T’aaq-wiihak fisheries.
Over the past year, this has included a growing range of programs and opportunities.
Youth Mentorship
One of our priorities has been creating opportunities for youth to gain hands-on experience in commercial fishing, marine science, and stewardship.
Since January 2026, HFS has offered three mentorship programs involving 48 youth, giving young people opportunities to spend time on the water and learn directly from experienced fishers and biologists.
These programs are about more than learning how to fish. They give youth a chance to experience what working in the fishery looks like, learn about marine science and stewardship, develop practical skills, and deepen their connection to their territories.
Training and Certifications
Training continues to be a major part of HFS's capacity-building work.
This year, HFS has organized a range of training programs, including SVOP, marine safety, boat engine repair and maintenance workshops, as well as business and financial skills training. In 2026, our capacity-building programming has included more than 26 workshops over 23 weeks of training, in addition to specialized courses such as Fishing Master Certification 4, which has been provided to two fishers.
These opportunities are designed to help community members build skills that can be used directly in their fishing operations.
Supporting Fishing Businesses
Through business and financial training, one-on-one support, and programs such as the Vessel & Gear Grant and the Fuel Subsidy Grant, HFS is working to help fishers build sustainable businesses and increase their financial, business, and asset management skills.
This work recognizes that supporting the fishery is not only about getting people on the water. It is also about creating the conditions for fishing businesses to remain viable over the long term.
Creating Pathways for the future
Capacity building is ultimately about our community members. It is about supporting someone who wants to become a fisher, helping an experienced fisher strengthen their business, giving a young person their first opportunity to work on the water, supporting a fisher in obtaining a new certification, or creating opportunities for community members to develop knowledge and leadership in fisheries governance.
As we look ahead, the Capacity Building Team will continue to listen to the needs of the communities and develop opportunities that support their priorities.
Looking Ahead
There is much more to come. If you would like to see a future program or training opportunity in your community, please reach out to Audrey at audrey@haoom.ca.
For questions about upcoming training and workshop opportunities, please contact Abigail at abigail@haoom.ca.
If you would like to schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss your fishing business, finances, or asset management, please contact Lauren at lauren@haoom.ca.
We look forward to continuing to work with our fishers, youth, and communities to build capacity and create pathways for the future.
Klecko Klecko,
Ha’oom Fisheries Society.