22 minute read
Band Councillor’s Reports Administration
Tḱwemíple7 (Councillor) Brandy Chelsea (Jules)
Weytk; I want to send my gratitude out to our Front Line Workers who have continued to keep us up to date and provide services where they could over this past year and a half. Thank you to the community for continuing to do your part and keeping your bubble small and keeping those around you safe. What I have learned in the last year and a half: • Ways we communicate are and have changed and will continue to change Technology will become part of how we meet even when we are able to meet in person, we incorporated the tools to make it work. Technology is good as long as it works, this has led us to become aware of how we can help those become connected when it may not be at their finger tips. • Not to take anything or anyone for granted Although this is something I live by everyday, it’s become more so because we are not able to see one another in person, we are not able to gather like we once use to where we could see community come together, share stories and laugh. • Upholding our Secwepemc Values This has got me through the last year and a half of self isolation, practicing what has been taught to me and allowing myself to move forward through our cultural practices When uncertainty occurs, the land, the water, the animals, the winged ones never fail us, our ancestors are here guiding us to where we need to go. • Patience Through this pandemic, I learned to take a step back and let the process run its course, this may mean things do not happen when you want or expect them to happen but to trust the process, everything happens for a reason. It’s been a trying time and not any one of us has all the answers, but to remember that when people are left alone or their way of life has adapted to a different way of living, we need to remember to support one another, and empower one another, mental wellness is all within us, and each of us have our own story and journey when it comes to our own mental well being, so be kind to one another.
Infrastructure:
The Water Line has now been extended to the end of Kamloops-Shuswap Road and has been turned on end of March, beginning of April. This has been a long time coming, and I am so happy to see our members homes benefit from good clean drinking water. A small Water Ceremony occurred April 15th to give thanks to Creator for good drinking water for all our people, and to continue to pray for our communities overall health & safety. This truly is a milestone, being on boil water advisory has become a normal part of living growing up, and now our upcoming children can have good clean water for the future.
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Elders Gathering 2020
The construction for our new subdivision continues to occur; and November 2020 Adams Lake completed an Ancestral Remains Ceremony where we moved the Ancestral Remains from the site to the Cstélen Gravesite. This was my first time witnessing a ceremony like this.
With the Water Line extension, we will need to plan for a Water Treatment Centre, first completing a Feasibility Study, then a Design request and then the Project Proposal. Once this is approved, it will go out to tender and we would likely be looking at construction late 2022.
The Adams Lake Health Facility has gone out to tender and we plan to do a Groundbreaking Ceremony in May/June we will likely see construction by summer months.
Telus/Mascon- Fibre is being extended to the end of Kamloops-Shuswap Road, so all our members can receive the same connections as our main village. Estimated connection for all the homes is mid June. Telus/Mascon is completely funding this project.
Secwepemc Child & Family Services: I serve as the primary Board member on behalf of Adams Lake. We are one of seven communities that have a Protocol with Secwepemc Child & Family. In February 2020, the Board completed their draft 5 year strategic plan that identifies six strategic priorities: Relationships, Excellence, Jurisdiction, Language &Culture, Governance and Finance. Our Vision and Mission are guided by these Principles: Respect, Courage, Honesty, Love, Humility, Wisdom & Truth. The Agency has remained focused on reconnecting and reuniting children and youth with their families and this will continue to be a focal point of our work moving forward. Going forward, as visions and goals change this means that our Protocol Agreement will change to ensure we are consistently and continually upholding our Values that provide our children a better and brighter future.
Urban Community Liaison for ALIB
This past year Adams Lake was able to implement as a pilot project, an Urban Liaison worker. Living away from community, there is a disconnect in ways of communication. However as we were hit with a current Pandemic, it was a blessing in disguise that we transformed to meeting more virtually which gave our urban members the opportunity to connect with Community. Through this program, we were able to provide assistance to Family Court for members. More of our members were able to access support services such as Education, Grief/Loss, Mental Health, Crisis Support and Housing.
Stsmémelt In Canada, 7.7% of children are Indigenous yet and they make up over half of those in Foster Care. The passing of the Federal Legislation Bill C-92 recognizes our inherent right to assert jurisdiction over a nation based, family focused, and community driven approach to child and family services. The work of Stsmémelt began in 2009 when the 17 Chiefs committed to a community driven, nation based approach to achieve full jurisdiction over Secwepemc Children and Families in the Traditional Territory. In January 2021, Stsmémelt Technical Working Group began to start the planning process over a course of a couple of months to ensure there is a Strategic Action Plan to guide the work of the Nation. The guiding principles which will assist us in moving this work forward are: Sense of Belonging, Support & Safety, Family Connections & Healing, Nation Based, and Community Driven. The Strategic Priorities include: Healing, Revitalization of Secwepemc Law an Capacity Development. We got to set the foundation for those yet unborn. All my relations Quote:
Stsmémelt Engagement
“Be the Change you want to see”
Tḱwemíple7 (Councillor) Elaine Jules
Weytk;
Pillars: Administration, Finance and Community Wellness
Finance and Audit Committee Member
Finance Administration Law Policy Member ALIB Policy Committee Member
Qwelminte Secwepemc (QS ) Finance Member
With Covid 19 still happening, practically everything at the office is done virtually. At first it was a challenge to get used to and now I set up my own virtual meetings. We did our last General Band Meeting (GBM) virtually, it was a success. In the last year, our lives changed, covid-19 brings challenges physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Remember, If you need assistance, do not be afraid to ASK, you will be pointed in the right direction. I cannot wait until this pandemic is over.
Administration & Finance
The majority of my time is spent working on Administration and Finance issues. After numerous hours spent on policies, they are finalized and being adopted by Council. The four policies that need to be adopted are the Finance, Governance, Human Resources and IT policy. Councillor Gina and I have worked with Laura Bouchard from Finance Management Board (FMB) to ensure these policies are completed. Yahoo! This year they are complete. Other policies that are finalized are: the Donations, Honorarium, and Recreation policy and the Letter of Commitment. Two others that were worked on but because of Covid 19 they could not be brought forth, for required readings are the Membership Rules and Election Regulations. Other financial matters that I have input in are meetings with the Auditors, the Investors, and I attend Finance and Audit Committee meetings
where we make recommendations to Council. And this past year, I attended a Finance Workshop that was hosted by FMB; it assisted with explaining what financial documents that need to be presented to Council.
Qwelminte Secwepemc
I also sit on the Qwelminte Secwepemc (QS) financial committee where we make decisions on the yearly budget that is presented. This budget affects seven Secwepemc Bands; Adams Lake, Little Shuswap Lake, Splatsin, Simpcw, Shuswap, Skeetchestn and Tk'emlups. These seven Bands have a Letter of Commitment (LOC) with the province, namely Ministry of Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation (MIRR), Ministry of Energy, Mines & Petroleum (MEMPR), Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (ROFL_RD) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE), where resource dollars are shared with the seven bands. In previous years, the Bands received and shared $750,000. This year the Bands received and will share 3 million dollars from the provincial government to assist in reaching their goal of an enabling self determined governance.
Elders
I sure miss the Elders gatherings and meetings. I miss sharing a meal and sitting and talking about our traditions, beliefs and values, and I miss listening to the Elders sing traditional songs. I miss medicine and berry picking with Elders.
Capital Projects
When Council and Directors did strategic planning with Stephan Cornell, some pressing goals were to provide housing for our members, to have the waterline continue down to the end of the reserve on IR#4, and to have the new health centre built. PubLaura Bouchard lic Works, Administration and Council members negotiated with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for extra funding and received it, this lessens the amount the Band has to put into the projects.
Continued…Tḱwemíple7 (Councillor) Elaine Jules
with Charles Narcisse Crew
Now these projects have become reality. In order to build homes, land was purchased from a CP land holder. The homes are being built and the new health centre will begin this year and the waterline is complete. The 26 homes on the Kamloops Shuswap Road do not have to worry about having harmful minerals in their water any longer. They now can drink the water and shower (as one of the children said, “I don't have to worry about getting water in my mouth.” Another new project that will be happening this year is the building of a ce7istken (location to be determined).
Repatriation Ceremony
For November 2020, Kukpi7, ALIB cultural worker and I organized a repatriation ceremony for two of our ancestors who were uncovered at the new construction site. This was one of the most spiritual ceremonies I have attended, it was a beautiful ceremony, especially having the touch of the horse and wagon. Our ancestors now lay at rest at the IR#4 cemetery. There will be another ceremony in May, for the additional four ancestors who were uncovered in the riverbanks on the east side of the river.
Staff Recognition
It was a pleasure to attend the ALIB staff recognition days for staff who have been employed by
Margaret with son Jim Abel
ALIB for 5, 10, 15, 20+ years. It was a well organized 2-day event; it was done virtually, and there was a high number of employees who received recognition.
ALIB Oldest Member
I have also had the honour of meeting the family of our oldest Band Member Margaret Bennett; she turned 99 years old in March 2021. Her children are Jean Duckmanton, Jim Abel, Ray Abel and Lena Louie. Margaret is recovering from a fractured hip. Doctors told her family that she wouldn't walk again, she fooled them. Right now, she waiting to go into an assisted living unit. For now, during Covid 19, her son Jim helps her out. Great genetic in her family.
Self-Care
I believe in taking care of myself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I attend regular healing sessions; I take part in Psychology of Vision (POV) workshops. I read tons of wellness books, attend ceremonial sweats and use traditional medicines. As the saying goes, if I don't look after myself, then I’m no help to others. Some other important meetings and events I was involved in:
Attended all C&C meetings & GBMs Dinner with Village of Chase Council Labour Standards Workshops Suicide Prevention Workshop
West Bay Trail MOU Signing in Swits
Insurance Meetings with housing Protocol Signing with Upper Nicola Mtgs with Minister of Transportation& Infrastructure Finished with & did report on the ISC grant Search- lost band member-Star Lake
Tḱwemíple7 (Councillor) Steven Teed
With a year filled with unforeseen setbacks and restrictions due to the pandemic, my goal was to continue moving forward the good work this Chief and Council has been doing and our goals of development and improvement for the community. To see the waterline be extended to the end of I.R4 and bring clean drinkable water to homes with children and grandchildren is why I wanted to be a part of Council. During the year we struggled with meetings, work, safety, and balancing work and life but through it all we managed to accomplish some goals and strengthen our financial standings. Here are some highlights. Even during a pandemic, it is important to advocate and promote ALIB within the Provincial and Federal Government funding structures so we can maintain good working relationships and support for new projects. ALIB has been able to move large projects forward with the hard work and dedication of our team. With the approval of the new Health and Wellness Centre we will see a new and exciting facility for community use for years. Health and Wellness are important pillars in the community and investing in our future is important to a healthy community. It was a pleasure this year to plan and deliver the Garden Box Program and to see all the gardens that were planted while the youth and elders reconnected with the soil. I hope everyone plants a garden again and continues the effort, its not easy but every season we get a little better and with community support we can continue to make progress in achieving food security. I plan on continuing to promote, educate and support member and community food initiatives.
I am the representative for ALIB on the Shuswap Watershed Committee with local municipalities and government where we discuss water quality and invasive species mitigation. It has been another important year on water quality with an algae bloom occurring in the Shuswap Lake and invasive species near Salmon Arm. We are working on educational material on the importance and danger of water quality and how we can all play a role in protecting the water locally and implement new and innovative ways at monitoring and protecting our water. I have been attending the Government-toGovernment table with 11 other Secwepemc Bands, we have completed the Joint Intentions Paper and continue to work with the Provincial government and the Nation on asserting our jurisdiction on the land and incorporating them into policy. It has been difficult with Covid 19 to meet and negotiate but we continue to make progress internally and see opportunity with the NDP government. In 2020 I also welcomed my second child into the world. Children are a gift from the Creator, and I took time off to be with my family. Spending time with our loved ones is valuable and we can’t get back lost time. In this colonized world we live under the belief that we must work 40 hrs. a week to be a ‘productive’ citizen. This is only in place because of the industrial revolution and corporate greed. Our Secwepemc lives are free and we need to get back out on the land and in the water with our families living freely and independently from government rules and policy. Kukstsemc kal Kukpi7 for the land, the water and all the creations, you have given us beauty and paradise. I vow to serve the creator and protect all its creations.
Tḱwemíple7 (Councillor) Gina Johnny
Weytk xwexweyt Gina re Skwest, T’kwemi’ple7 Cstelnec te Sxwetsmellp. I cannot believe how fast 2020 flew by. Even with Pandemic restrictions that sent ALIB departments, Tkwekwem7iple7 to remote and teleconference business. What I relearned personally was how to stay busy and went back to reading which I love, With Policy Committee Members – Marilyn J, Pauline A, Leona H, Iris J and Tkwemiple7 Elaine completed community engagement sessions, a mail out for feedback on three Policies, Governance and Membership. Committee completed a 5 day telephone survey questions to membership on ALIB Membership Rules. All policies completed. This term also supported development and assisted in amendments to Human Resource Policy –aka: employment guidelines, ALIB Finance Policy- R Stqweqines r Cstélnec – both approved Dec 2020. Information Technology is work in progress Very involved with completing Tkwekwem7iple7 Minutes and Committee Minutes. Reminder signed Minutes of Tkwekwem7iple7 are the official business, holds direction and supports Administration and Departments in all endeavors. Especially where sqelew is involved. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for respecting a Cooperative Working Relationship for the Management of Banff, Yoho, Kootenay Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Park was signed by Kukukupi7s. This agreement was completed by a Secwepemc working group from ALIB, Neskonlith, Splatsin, Simpcwulecw, Shuswap and Little Shuswap Lake and Parks Canada. Appointed Interim Sxqeltkemc Enterprise Inc (SEI) and its Sexqeltkemc Limited Partners (SLP) Board of Director (BoD). Completed final shut down of the various LP accounts and Administrations.
Banishment BCR’s and Incident reports will be addressed under the Justice and Safety plan. I found, I attended up to three virtual meetings in a day, more than I would on a regular day. The following is Witness to work of 2020.
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Picture with lawyer George Petel, legal review on the Governance Policy 2021
Continued...Tḱwemíple7 (Councillor) Gina Johnny
Goals & projects set out to complete in 20182020 term:
West Bay Trail – currently, Team has applied for Healthy Community Canadians & Communities funds. Reminder, this is a multi-purpose elevated pedestrian/bike pathway link between CSA, on Neskonlith1 ALIB #6 & #7 on the west side of Shuswap Lake Bay. (Warf to Sandy Point) the Team has working on securing enough funds to complete a Bid – have a ready engineered technical design. The Vision, support and plans are in place along with a signed MOU. Klela7scen - Mt. Ida agreement. been coordinating with Neskonlith Tkwemiple7 Louis T. Next steps is to recreate a team of resource personnel and redraft Klela7scen Agreement. At every MOTI meeting advocated for a – under or over pass on TCH and 50th/Pierre’s Point road and give detail on why it is important. Supported for a Contractor- Mike Moyer (son of Verna A) to do a review and recommend improvement on all levels of safety and create with community input, to address social issues within the communities. General goal was to increase sense of Safety in Communities. This program is moving forward. BC Family Information Liaison Unit (BC FILU) introduction, meet and greet with Secwepemc Leadership was cancelled. BC FILU is a team of indigenous trained personnel who provide services around: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women & Girls. Hopefully, can reschedule meeting and workshop when we can gather safely. And can be completed with Justice and Safety Plan. Sxwetsmellp6/Sxwitsmalph Cemetery rebuilding and clean-up, work in progress.
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Shuswap Lake from Pierre’s Point beach– Mel Charters
Continued...Tḱwemíple7 (Councillor) Gina Johnny
ALIB Switsemalph6 Land Use Planning: ALIB contracted Two Worlds Consulting and now working with Urban Systems and invited Committee Members. Plans for community engagement is extended. Overall Plan is to take a second look at Lakefront Sandy & Pierre’s Point. Put your qmut on and share your options/your vision for lakefront plan.
ALIB is one of seven Secwepemc Communities who is signatory to the Secwepemc-BC Government -to- Government (G2G) Letter of Commitment (LOC) with province of BC Ministries. this LOC agreement transcended aka: Secwepemc RFA. Since 2016 LOC, has been strengthened its principals, goals, as Campfires and moved to a G2G level (Ministries to Secwepemc Leadership) therefore 2020/21 brought a newly developed LOC agreement that transcended to Sku7pecen Journey that includes and recognizes a shared path to a long-term reconciliation agreement to advance the G2G relationship based on shared goals to reconcile respective jurisdictions, governance, laws, values and responsibilities as a Campfire Signatory.
Signatories are: ALIB, Little Shuswap Lake, Shuswap, Splatsin, Simpcw, Skeetchestn, Tkemlups and Ministries are: Indigenous Relations& Reconciliations (MIRR), Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources (MEMPR), Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNRO_RD) and of Environment (MOE). On March 11th, 2021, G2G/BC, Senior Council Meeting Sku7pecen Journey Package – Joint Intentions Paper (JIP) dated Dec 17/20 was accepted. ALIB Tkwekwem7iple7 are expected to participant on various collective tables: i.e. leadership, G2G senior council, SWGstrategic working group, FWG or forestry working group and finance. Qwelminte Secwepemc (QS) the QS Administration is the hub for operations to the various tables.
5 Secwepemc Communities (the Pespesellkwe) have a Political Accord agreement (aka: Lakes Division) signatories are Kenpesqt (Shuswap), Splatsin, Skwlax (Little Shuswap Lake) Sexqeltqin (ALIB), Skatsin (Neskonlith). And have a signed Community Lead protocol.
2020 brought virtual technical teleconferences, ALIB continued with addressing membership requests for information and supports, by email, updating addresses to ensure all financial assistance continued as regular as possible. Supported events, with C19 precautions, like: supper clubs, meals to family during their isolation, Christmas decorating, Halloween fireworks, assisted with 1st delivery of Covid financial assistance, garden box project,
Tkwekwem7iple7 supported Capital projects to development stage: complete design & location of Administration/Health Multiplex, Chief Atahm addition, purchased land for Housing. Waterline to the end of IR4 community and to each house. Re-started developing West Harbor Village (WHV), plans and location for a C7istkten. And looking forward fruition of 2021/22 goals and objectives.
Send great appreciation to staff, T’kwekwem7i’ple7 and Receptionists who provided time to assist and contact individuals and to technical for techey supports setup so that everyone is connected.
E Tsuks – yecweminte. Me7 wikleme7 neneneses.
Tḱwemíple7 (Councillor) Shelley Witzky
Weytkp, Shelley Witzky re skwes. Secwepemc ka. Tk’wemi’ple te Cstalnec. Hello, my name is Shelley Witzky, daughter of Cecilia George (nee Sampson) of Sahhaltkum and Hub George of Osoyoos Indian Band, granddaughter of Henry and Ann Sampson of Sahhaltkum. I am Secwepemc and a Tk’wemi’ple (Councillor) of Adams Lake Band. Here is my Annual Report on major activities. Please contact me if you have any questions: Switzky@alib.ca 250-6798841, ext. 2217 or by cell 250-819-0872. 2020 was such a challenging year on so many levels due to Covid-19. We learned as a Council to put technology to good use and host most if not all Council, General Band Meetings, and many other meetings online in virtual meetings to keep everyone physically safe in this time of Covid-19 crisis. As a Council we worked hard together on many Band initiatives with our Executive staff and all staff. Some of these are the safe drinking water line extension west to the end IR#4 on Shuswap Road; the groundbreaking for a 12-unit housing development so Members of our community can move home or start homes of their own. Housing is such a huge issue on every reserve community in Canada with regards to overcrowding; and the septic tanks and fields at both Sandy Point Campground and Pierre’s Point Campground have been brought up to code and are safe for our visitors and the environment.
Mica Hunting Kekuli
The Mica Hunting Kekuli is slated to be constructed this year, one hour north of Revelstoke in our traditional territory on what is now known as Lake Revelstoke. The photo below is an example of what it could look like, with a cooking woodstove to be as self-sufficient as possible but safe as well. This kekuli will be open to the communities and individuals of the Secwepemc Nation for hunting, traditional ceremonies, harvesting, cultural and language camps throughout the year. The Secwepemc have private and exclusive use of this kekuli and it is located out of the public eye but within the Downie Creek Campground plot of land. The application process was stalled a few times as various staff responsible to conduct the application left or are no longer with the ALIB organization. Because of this I decided to tackle the application process myself and it is 95% complete, the final step is obtaining approval for the budget, BCR, and letter of support from ALIB, Neskonlith, and Splatsin Councils. Then we can construct the kekuli.
Secwepemc Lakes Tourism Project
This project Phase 1 is finally moving forward again, because of Covid 19, we could not do much work on it in 2020.
The DRAFT storyboard below is slated to be put up later this year at the Craigellachie highway pullout east of Sicamous. There are three other signs to be put up at Trans-Canada Highway 1 Stop of Interests to create awareness of and showcase Secwepemc in our own traditional territory. Elders from the four local Secwepemc communities have provided all information for these signs. There will also be a tourism training workshop once it’s safe to meet again.
Secwepemc Landmarks Project
This project is almost completed Phase 1 with two large sculptures and six smaller ones, all with storyboards, being put up in various locations around the Shuswap region. The design below is of the Coyote Pillar at the Memorial Park in Chase, BC with viewing portals in the shape of tree caches, each pointing to a different mountain or landmark within the territory by line of sight. Elders from the four local Secwepemc communities provided all information for the designs and storyboards.
