The Ditidaht First Nation has called for better signage between Port Alberni and the Nitinaht Lake community, saying inadequate signs caused delays for family members headed to the community after a recent death.
The First Nation earlier raised concerns about poor cellphone coverage that left the nation having to go door to door to notify members when a young man was killed a week ago.
Another man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death.
Emergency responders, counsellors and family members all headed to the Nitinaht Lake community after the death, close to an hour’s drive from Port Alberni. But inadequate signs contributed to “confusion and delays for family members attempting to reach the community during a time of grief,” Chief Judi Thomas said.
At least three groups of family members travelling to Nitinaht Lake to be with relatives became lost because of poor signs, she said.
They missed the left turn at the junction of Carmanah Mainline and Bamfield Main Road at Franklin River and found themselves in Bamfield instead of Nitinaht, she said.
Motorists are also confused at the Hawthorne Main Road, where arrows direct traffic to stay left, sending drivers up a logging road branch, Thomas said.
In the past, visitors have taken wrong turns and been lost for hours, she said, which “could have life-threatening consequences in emergency situations.
“Clear and proper signage is not just a convenience — it’s a matter of safety and accessibility,” she said.
“The loss of a young life, followed by family members getting lost while trying to reach our community in a time of crisis, underlines how critical these improvements are.
“We urge the provincial government and industry to take immediate action.”
At a gathering of B.C. cabinet and First Nations leadership last year, Thomas met with Transportation Minister Rob Fleming to stress the need for improved road signage, she said.
Traffic signs installed in Ditidaht traditional territory during the Cameron Lake bluffs wildfire in 2023 — when it was part of a detour route after Highway 4 closed — have been removed, “leaving these roads once again unsafe,” Thomas said.
As for connectivity, internet service in the community is slow and unreliable and the only cell service is at the community centre, where a “picocell” has been installed for emergency use.
Telus has a longstanding relationship with Ditidaht First Nation and provides the wireline bandwidth that powers the nation’s internet, Telus spokeswoman Tricia Lo said.
The picocell was installed last year at no cost to the nation, she said.
Telus continues to explore options with the Ditidaht nation, the province and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to expand connectivity in the region, Lo said.
Thomas said that she first heard about the death at 7 a.m. on Sept. 29 when an RCMP officer called her cellphone in Port Alberni.
From there, Thomas sent out messages on the internet to nation members, asking them to close their doors, windows and drapes, keep children indoors and co-operate with the police.
The alert lasted until about 12:30 p.m. that day, she said.
Police officers and their vehicles arrived on the scene, which was under control in about four hours, Thomas said.
The lack of cellphone service and unreliable internet during the emergency highlighted how weak communications service is in the area, she said.
Lack of stable connectivity is also preventing the nation from offering hybrid jobs to potential employees, she said, and limiting access to online courses, including training members to respond in emergencies.
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