Honorary patrons
Chief Simon Lucas
Chief Simon Lucas is a member of the Hesquiat
Tribe located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. His hereditary name is "Kla-Kisht-Ke-is"
and he is the seventh ranking Chief of Hesquiat.
A commercial fisherman by trade - (and a troll fisherman all his life) - Simon has been instrumental in the fight for native involvement in BC's fishing industry. Active in the BC Aboriginal Fisheries Commission since its formation in 1983, Simon served as co-chairman from 1983 to 1992 - when a re-structuring of the Commission resulted in his election as sole Chairman for a two year term. His dedication to the cause of aboriginal fishing rights has led to an even wider involvement, however: he currently serves on the Commercial Fishing Industry Council, the Board of Oceans and Science Institute, and the Advisory Board to Minister Barlee on aquaculture. He is closely associated with both the Northwest Indian Fisheries in Washington State and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission in Oregon State.
A close friend of scientist Dr. David Suzuki, Simon is also a popular and much sought-after speaker at national and international forums on environmental issues affecting fisheries and aboriginal peoples. For six years Simon Lucas served as the Chairman for the Aboriginal Council of BC. This Council is responsible for allocating funds for land claims research to the native tribes of British Columbia. He presently sits as an Executive Member on the Council Band.
Simon was Co-chairman of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council for six years, serving alongside his friend and mentor Mr. George Watts.