A private celebration was held at St Jean’s Cannery in Nanaimo in early June to officially mark the sale of the 55-year-old company to a group of five Nuu-chah-nulth nations from the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Larry Johnson, chairman of the Nuu-chah-nulth Cannery Board, said the sale would not only provide revenue for the nations, but also jobs for Aboriginal and non-native people. The nations purchasing the company are Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, Kyuquot/Checklesaht, Uchucklesaht and Ucluelet.

“St. Jean’s aligns with our vision,” he said. “They have a great reputation and the [St. Jean] family have shown leadership in seafood sustainability that is in line with our values.”

The sale, first reported in the February edition of the Sentinel, included stores and depots throughout the BC coast as well as the main facility in Nanaimo. A member of Snuneymuxw First Nation attended the ceremonies to offer an opening prayer.