Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family & Child Services (Usma), part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, is an Indigenous Child and Family Services Agency dedicated to the protection and cultural continuity of Nuu-chah-nulth children. “Usma,” meaning “precious one,” reflects the agency’s mission to ensure the safety and well-being of children while preserving their cultural identity.
Central to Usma’s approach is the Nuu-chah-nulth Haahupa Program, brought to the agency by Elder Geraldine Edgar-Tom, which combines traditional teachings with modern education to support healing and cultural resilience. “Haahupa,” meaning “teaching in a loving way,” offers initiatives such as the Chaputs Program in collaboration with local School District 70-Pacific Rim, which incorporates traditional food and medicine teachings, and language revitalization. A key element is the “From Residential Schools to Reconciliation” course, educating local service providers about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools to foster community-wide understanding.
Through its programs, Usma reconnects children with their heritage while building bridges between Nuu-chah-nulth and non-Nuu-chah-nulth communities, advancing reconciliation and cultural preservation.
Photo credit: Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper
