Ha’oom Fisheries Society has been working closely with the five Nations to bring a wide range of training opportunities to their communities this year—including SVOP (currently happening), Marine First Aid (happening in May!), Mentorship Programs (this summer), and Boat Engine Maintenance Workshops (fall).

And now, we’re thrilled to announce something NEW and exciting:

👉 Fishing Business Skills Training: Business, Financial & Asset Management for Fishers!

This specialized program will be designed specifically for the five Nations’ communities and fishers by the amazing team at Balance Co-Lab, a group of experts and professors from the University of Victoria, including Indigenous business and leadership specialists.

The Balance Co-Lab has worked with us previously through our collaboration on the Mowachaht/Muchalaht food security project. Now, we’re lucky to have their team designing this business-focused training!

🌟 We’re especially excited to introduce Sherry Mattice, who will be leading the design of this program and working closely with the Nations.

Sherry is from Mowachaht/Muchalaht on her mother’s side (nee McCarthy) and brings deep community roots and incredible experience. She recently earned her Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Leadership, with her research focused on business leadership strategies for Indigenous Canadian entrepreneurs.

Sherry will be designing this program with the Nations and for the Nations! We’re very grateful to have her!

📅 Program Timeline:

May–June: Program design in collaboration with the Nations
July: Sign-up opens and program details are shared
August–September: Travel support for participants and logistics arranged
Fall: Program begins! (Exact dates TBA)

And the best part?
✅ This training will be FREE, in the five Nations’ communities, and open to all community members!