“I bought that boat for my kids, for you guys. Someday you might be fishermen or fisherwomen. That’s why I bought it – so we can keep it in the family – a tradition. We are a fishing family.

But don’t put your hopes on it too high, because fishing is a dying industry.

The fish have been decreasing all the time I have been here.  It was a good living too. It was fun. The other day we were talking about how we used to live off the benefits of fishing. We’d have money in the bank, now I’m waiting in line for welfare – it’s hard to accept.”

Hesquiaht Elder, Patrick Charleson Jr.

Photography: Donovan Williams, Jacine Charleson, Kevin Charleson, Patrick Charleson IV, Rakaylyn Charleson