Bulletin Board
Vol 6, Apr.3 ‘09
CCP News
w x ’ a d x a w k a N ’ a l a s Gwa’ m u r o F y Forestr April 16
The Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Comprehensive Community Plan “Working Together for a Better Community”
oon n t a h c n u l 0-3, 1 , l l a H s a k Wa me! o c l e W e n o y Ever
* Elders’ Centre Re-opening April 9
Inside: CCP Office: 902-2306 ccp@gwanak.info
- Community Hero! - What You Said About: o Culture o Health o Education o Housing
ccp logo coloured by Fara Anderson
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What You Said About:
Culture
Happy April Everyone!
Sorry that it’s taken us so long to put out another CCP News! Things have been really busy around the CCP Office these last few months. Here are some of the things that have been going on: s Housing workshop in January at the Airport Inn s Silena George hired as CCP assistant in February s CCP Meetings from January to March at the Elders’ Centre s Elder’s update on CCP at Seven Hills Golf Course s Fundraising dance for kids on February 28, at the Elders’ Centre s Uvic Regional Info Session on March 4, at the hall s Communications Workshop in Courtenay, March 10-11 s Council Update on CCP in Parksville, March 17-18 s Workshop on ‘Building Relationships Between First Nations and Non-First Nations’ on March 26, at the hall And, in amongst all of this stuff, there’s the regular business of typing up notes from the meetings, putting together questionnaire results, visiting with many of you, and on and on. So, thank you very much for your patience, hope this CCP News will bring you right up to date on everything to do with our CCP!
Jessie, CCP Research Coordinator Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw First Nation Comprehensive Community Planning Phone: (250) 902-2306 ~ Fax: (250) 949-7402 E-mail: ccp@gwanak.info
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You feel that we need:
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place to practice and learn about our culture... it could be a Big House, a Resource Centre, a museum, etc.
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n January 12, over 25 of us met at the Elders’ Centre to talk about culture: what it means, why it’s important, and how we can strengthen it. Here are a few of the things that you said:
etter ways to learn the culture...
so that it isn’t lost, and so that people don’t ‘make it up’ or do the wrong things.
ommunity involvement in learning the culture... so that when kids go home from school, they are still practicing and learning the culture!
You said that the following people are strong in our culture: Betty & Dorey Brotchie “know a whole lot about culture” Violet Walkus “is a very strong wise lady when she dances...” Spruce Wamiss “knows a lot about the way things go - dances, language, traditional foods” Buddy Walkus “taught himself how to sing our songs just by listening to tapes”
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What You Said About: Housing
Here are some things that you said:
“People shouldn't be allowed to drink (OR DO DRUGS) in their houses weather it's a new or old house.” “Elders with houses (as well as children) that need renovations be given top priorities, because they might have illnesses such as arthritis, asthma, chronic illness, easy to get pneumonia.”
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“People need more involvement in community planning, choosing their own homes to be proud of, learn about landscaping their yards.”
Loni Anderson, you are a community hero!
On January 26 over 24 people showed up at the Elders’ Centre to talk about housing issues. Irene Sheard cooked a feast in honour of John’s birthday, and even though we talked about some serious stuff, there was still a lot of laughter shared by all.
Community Hero
You think the biggest housing issue for our community is MOULD
Whether you are organizing culture nights, representing our community’s youth at meetings, or just being a good person, you are a great role model for the rest of the community. Keep up the good work!
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Loni’s CCP Update
You think that part of the answer is to train people to take better care of their homes, and then make sure they do!
“Yo Wiksas, I am very pleased of how smoothly the CCP Events went. I attended the Uvic workshop and it was awesome. Due to the CCP workshop I now know what it takes to get into Uvic and to accomplish my goals. I know it isn’t going to be easy, but I know I am not going to give up and anyone can do the same. I know 100% you can reach for the stars and you can do whatever you like when you put your mind to it. Don’t do DRUGS or ALCOHOL, it won’t solve anything and sure enough it won’t get you to the top of your goals. Each and everyone has a special talent in them, let it out and fly like a butterfly, take care! With all due respect, Loni Elizabeth Doris Anderson”
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Staff Profile: Leah Hubbard
What You Said About: Health
Teacher Eke-Me-Xi School
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eah is the teacher at the Eke-Me-Xi school, next to the Elders’ Centre. Leah has been the teacher there for about a year now, and works closely with Stephanie Nelson, the First Nations Support Worker there.
On Feb 9, 10 people showed up at the Elders’ Centre to talk about health issues. Even though it was such a small group, everyone wanted to carry on with the meeting and there were lots of good ideas that came out of it.
Leah’s main role is to help the students at EkeMe-Xi finish their courses to help them carry on with their high school education.
Here are some things that you said:
About Eke-Me-Xi:
“Cuz you need to eat health stuff so you can be strong and grow.”
Eke-Me-Xi is a self-paced alternate program. The Eke-Me-Xi school has been running for about 11 years and covers grades 8 to 10. It has about 19 students, and Leah helps them with English, Math, Social Studies and Science.
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Leah writes “it is a goal to have students achieve a sense of self-worth, pride, responsibility and integrity” and that “program staff strive to have students excel and succeed in the school system.”
“Not enough programs or motivation in the community [to be healthy].”
Leah speaking at the Uvic Info Session in March
Eke-Me-Xi School (250) 949-8332
You identified these as the main health problems in our community: s s s s s
Mould Addictions Head lice Weight control Loss of traditional medicines
“Well you need to take care of yourself before you take care of others. Depression, stressed out leads to drug and alcohol. Not enough to keep people occupied.” “Inform the students in school at a young age to prevent unhealthy lifestyle choices.”
Terrence, Ernie & Jessie Cleaning up after the meeting
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What You Said About: Education On March 2 we filled up the Elders’ Centre and to talk about educational issues in our community. Here are some things that you said:
“[Education means] acceptance, support=> marrying the cultural pride with the technological future.” “I think if we as elder's keep talking to our young people (from the kindergarten up to grade ?) Keep talking about how much we need education, and talk to them about jobs (good steady jobs).”
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You think that the biggest educational need in our community is to have more students graduate from high school with a Dogwood Diploma.
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Do you have complaints about our community, programs, etc.?
Let Your Voice Be Heard! Phone 902-2306 and Jessie will come to your home for an interview!
“...get them [students] to visualise what they'd be like if they were in our shoes. A lot of us have grade 11-12 education. but have that awful mistake of becoming an alcoholic/drug abuser.” “Parents taking a more active role in their child's education. IE asking children what they have learned that day.”
Do you have ideas about how to make our community better?
Jessie & Cheyenne ‘cleaning up’ after the meeting
Get your whole family together for a meeting, and we’ll buy you dinner! 4
John King celebrating his birthday
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Opening Soon: Colleen hanging out with the kids
Win an Ipod Shuffle! Each time you go to a CCP meeting your name will be entered into a prize draw for an Ipod Shuffle, to be given out at the end of June! (Those who have already been to CCP meetings will have your name entered too, once for each meeting you attended.)
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The more meetings you come to, the better your chances of winning!
Regular CCP Meetings will start when the Elders’ Centre Renovations are finished 10
Happy Easter! 9
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- What forestry activities are happening in our home lands? - Are any community members working in our home lands in forestry? - What kind of jobs are available with the forestry companies?
Get the answers to these questions and more!
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Council Retreat March 17-18
Photo Album (clockwise from top left) 1. Ricky doing the limbo 2. Ernie limbo-ing his way to first place! 3. Students from the G-N School doing a cultural presentation for a workshop about ‘Building Relationships Between First Nations and Non-First Nations” 4. Ricky, Terrence, Reynold, Leonard, Tono and Veronica planning for the fundraising dance
(Clockwise, from top left) 1. Chief Paddy, Tom, Willie, Eddie, Sandra, Gary and Dodie listening to Jessie’s CCP update 2. Students from Eke-Me-Xi at the UVIC info session 3. Students from the G-N School making goop! 4. Lily and Mary having fun in the kitchen 5. Tom, Chief Paddy, Willie and Eddie doing a mind mapping activity
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UVIC Info Session March 4
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Kids’ Fundraising Dance March 26 Workshop 7
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