B.C. government regrets hangings of two First Nations men in 1869

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – The British Columbia government has expressed regret to the ancestors of a First Nations man who was wrongfully hanged nearly 150 years ago.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ida Chong participated in a feast of reconciliation with the Hesquiaht (HESH-quee-at) First Nation on Saturday, and band members say they have forgiven the actions of the colonial government in 1869.

John Anietsachist (A’NEAT-sa-cheast) and another man named Katkinna (KAUT-keen-ah) were hanged on the beach in Humais (HUGH-mus) Cove, also known as Estevan Point, about 30 kilometres north of Tofino.

Chong says the province regrets that the Hesquiaht people were forced to watch such violence and generations since then have endured the pain of what happened.

Victor Amos says his family has kept the story about his great-great-great-grandfather Anietsachist’s innocence alive for 143 years through oral stories and songs.

Anietsachist and Katkinna were accused of murdering crew members from the ship John Bright, although historians have suggested faulty translations of Hesquiaht testimony played a part in the convictions.