Dootilh January 2018
”BUILDING A POWERFUL, PROSPEROUS AND PROUD COMMUNITY, HEALTHY IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.”
It was crazy, cold for Polar Bear Swim Page 3
Message of Aboriginal Rights taken east this month by Haisla Nation Council Haisla Nation Council is heading east this month to carry the message of Aboriginal Rights and Title. Haisla representatives will be separately meeting both members of the federal government in Ottawa, and with the heads of Rio Tinto in Montreal. The purpose of the upcoming meeting with Rio Tinto is to discuss the Haisla’s working relationship with the company and the drive to create more jobs at the Kitimat smelter. The smelter has been in Haisla territory for more than 60 years, since before Aboriginal Rights and Title had been fully established, and at a time when the Haisla Nation had no real say in its construction. In recent years the smelter has provided numerous jobs through its modernization project, however now employment numbers are down due to the efficiency of the new plant. With the smelter being the sole operating major industry in Haisla territory, Haisla Nation Council is very aware of its significance in being a driver for economic activity. Haisla
Nation Council will meet the company at their head office in Montreal to build on the Nation and the company’s existing relationship. Haisla Nation Council will also spend time in Ottawa to meet with the federal government to discuss building opportunities for the Haisla Nation. Provincial and federal governments, and the Supreme Court of Canada have been defining Aboriginal Rights and Title in Canada, now a crucial component to growing the Canadian economy. Consultation and accommodation, and building a social licence, is something which occurs at all stages of any project. The Canadian government must deliver on their promises and ensure Aboriginal people are recognized and included in decisions affecting Canadian resource development. Haisla Nation Council anticipates a successful meeting with the federal government and with Rio Tinto, and will always work to ensure the Haisla Nation have a share and a say with what happens in Haisla territory.
Spring into transition for future post-secondary students /UNBC
Do you know an Aboriginal student in grade 11 or 12? It’s time for them to start thinking about what to do after high school! UNBC’s Spring Into Transition gives students an opportunity to come to our Terrace campus and experience what UNBC has to offer! Students will join us for one week (five days) and they will take one course with us worth three credits for when they begin their post-secondary education. Tuition, food, supplies, and activities are included. Transportation will be reimbursed.
Program runs March 12 to 16. Contact Shannon Hall (shall@haisla.ca, or 877-809-8098) for an application form. Travel costs will be covered but apply soon before it’s all booked up. Most of the week will be taken up with a UNBC course: ARTS 101: Learning Strategies. This course will help students identify their strengths as learners, master new learning strategies, identify career goals that suit their skill sets, and generally make a successful transition to university.
ICE COLD It was cold, but around two dozen people bravely jumped in the Douglas Channel for the Polar Bear Swim on January 1. A thanks to Hector Gonzalves at Save-On-Foods for the food donation, and David Amos and Jacinthe for prepping all food, and Bert Robinson for help with keeping the fire going. And Vicki Amos for all her support.
Nakwelagila HAISLA NATION COUNCIL
Traditional Haisla people cleansed themselves and trained the young people to cleanse themselves. It’s called nakwelagila. The native people of the plains use sweat bathing for cleansing. We Haisla people do it with cold water, immersing ourselves even in the coldest weather. Both men and women do it, but it’s not done much anymore. Sometimes cleansing is referred to as a ritual for good luck, and sometimes it did make men better hunters so that your human smell wouldn’t be carried to your prey. But cleansing is a ritual to make us strong mentally and physically.
“Once in a great while, the old people say, someone who does the nakwelagila with total commitment will be taken over by one of the spirits of the natural world…”
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A symbol of friendship marks completion To a gathering of community members and
District of Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth spoke
students from the Haisla Community School,
of fostering a healthy and strong relationship
the Friendship Pole was officially blessed in a
between the communities, and the pole being
ceremony led by Hemas Jassee.
the latest symbol in that quest.
Garry Wilson’s pole, blessed on December 13, was commissioned by the District of
“This totem pole is a tactile reminder that we will truly continue to work on this
Kitimat, a project realized through Canada 150 relationship.” funding.
The pole will be erected close to Haisla Centre
Both Chief Councillor Crystal Smith and
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in downtown Kitimat, along Haisla Boulevard.
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BC Moose Winter Tick Surveillance Program Howard Vroon The BC Wildlife Health Program is looking
The extent of the hair loss is a rough indicator
for help from wildlife professionals, wildlife
of how many ticks are present and can be
enthusiasts and the general public with
observed easily from a distance. We know that
observations of hair loss caused by "Winter
tick infestations can result in behavioral
Ticks" on moose throughout the province. The changes or direct health impacts that may Moose Winter Tick Surveillance Program
reduce moose survival.
wants to collect observations to monitor the
We hope that you may be interested in
number of animals with hair loss and the
contributing to this surveillance program by
amount of hair loss on each animal to
recording your observations of both healthy
estimate winter tick prevalence and
and infested moose during the winter and
distribution. This program occurs on an
spring.
annual basis. Winter ticks are a significant
IMPORTANT - HOW TO SUBMIT A SURVEY:
parasite for moose populations and can
There are several methods of documenting
contribute to moose declines in parts of their
moose winter tick observations. Please
range, including BC. So, it is an important
choose the methods that are most convenient
health factor to monitor, particularly with
for you.
climate change and alterations to moose
1) An online survey. Simply go to
habitat. The findings of the surveillance
www.gov.bc.ca/wildlifehealth/mooseticksurvey
program will contribute to the Provincial
and click on "Complete the online form" on the
Moose Research Program, which was initiated right side of the page. in 2013 to investigate factors influencing 2) A survey in this Dootilh on the next page. moose populations in BC. This is the fourth
3) An electronic PDF version of the moose
year of the program; last year we received 330
winter tick survey that can be filled in on your
reports of moose from across the province.
mobile device and/or tablet. Please download
Winter tick infestations can be observed on
the free Acrobat Reader App for iOS, Android,
moose during January through April. The ticks Blackberry and Windows devices. On your spend the entire winter on one moose and mobile device, please download the survey there can be as many as tens of thousands on
attached to this email or from the website
one individual. As the female ticks become
above and open the survey using Adobe
adults they feed on blood in late winter and the Acrobat Reader. irritation causes moose to scratch and groom Please return all completed surveys to: themselves excessively, resulting in hair loss. 9
FLNRMooseTickSurvey@gov.bc.ca.
information to anyone who will be spending
If at any time you find yourself having trouble time in the field this winter/spring with downloading, using or sending the survey
COMING SOON: A mobile phone and tablet
form, or even for general questions, please feel application for easy and convenient free to contact Howard Vroon, Haisla NRS
submission of moose surveys. Stay tuned.
Environmental Liaison. His contact
Your participation is greatly appreciated!
information is below.
For more information, or to get hard copies
It would be great if you could carry this
of the survey form, please contact Howard
survey with you while you are out in the field
Vroon at:
this winter/spring when tick infestations
Phone: 250-639-5970
become visible. Please document all moose
Email: hvroon@haisla.ca
observations, from January 1, 2018 to April 30,
More information on this program:
2018, regardless of hair loss or not. Also, it
Website:
would be appreciated if you could share this
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www.gov.bc.ca/wildlifehealth/mooseticksurvey
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Status Card Info I take appointments for Wednesdays to Fridays. Please have two pieces of valid ID (one being a valid picture ID) before making appointments. I cannot issue a status card without ID. I can use your old or current status card as picture ID as long it has not been expired for more than six months. For children 12 and under I need the child’s birth certificate as well as 2 valid pieces of ID for the parent. For children 12 and over that are renewing their status card I do require 2 valid pieces of ID as they can now sign for themselves. If you wish to report your marriage and/or change your family name you must bring in your marriage certificate. Aboriginal Affairs cannot change anything on the registry list without proper documents. If your marriage has ended and you wish to revert back to your maiden name, your Certificate of Divorce will need to be submitted along with a form stating that you wish to revert back to your maiden name.
: If a Haisla band member passes on, a family member can contact me to request a Bereavement Assistance Cheque. Once again, Aboriginal Affairs cannot make changes to the registry list without proper documents, so please hand in a copy of the Death Certificate to me for submitting.
If you have married and your spouse wishes to transfer from their band to the Haisla Nation you will first need to report your marriage to Aboriginal Affairs. You will need to bring in your marriage certificate to me to do the paperwork required. Once your marriage has been reported you can then request transfer papers from me. Registering your child is not mandatory, but is the sole responsibility of the parents to do so. First you must apply for the long form birth certificate. Then you can request registration papers from me. If both parents are listed in the birth certificate then both parents need to sign the registration forms. The original birth certificate does get sent away but will be sent back once Aboriginal Affairs makes their copy. The registrations can take six or more months, so it is up to you to have your child registered as soon as possible. Your child is only covered by your medical for up to one year. I cannot send registration forms to INAC without a birth certificate.
If you are calling for your status number (for example) I can only give this information to you as you will need to verify your identity with some questions. I can only give status information to parents if the child is under 18 years of age. 14
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HAISLA YOUTH
IN KITIMAT/KITAMAAT VILLAGE
RECREATION PASS PROGRAM Haisla youth ages 6 to 18 who live in Kitamaat Village or Kitimat are now able to drop in at the District of Kitimat’s recreation facilities – Riverlodge for open gym, swimming pool and skating rink.
Youth must show a valid piece of identification when dropping in. For More info call Adrian Mercer, Haisla Rec Centre Coordinator, at 250-639-9361, extension 365
Theatre for Living is bringing their performance to the Haisla Recreation Centre January 30, at 7:30 pm. 16
Cook and Chat A group for young women to meet and socialize in a safe and secure environment
: g n i t ee m t s Fir 24 y r a Janu pm 4 to 6 ucad E a l s Hai on Office ti ni a t n ou KitiM 6 60 w Sq., vie mat
nna e J l i Ema ard at Poll ollard .p l jenna org or cal s. to @nifc279-0734 250- egister r
: s are r o t a t i ) Facil IFCS N ( d r Polla a r n n e J ndso i W m NC) Miria H ( e c a r Lag e f i n n Je
HAISLA NATION COUNCIL Haisla Health Centre 17
What to know about Alzheimer’s Myths and misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease abound - what it is, who gets it, and how it affects the people who have it. These myths stand in the way of understanding the disease and helping those affected. : If I’m diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it means my life is over. : If you or someone you know is diagnosed with the disease, you can live meaningfully and actively for many years. Eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, staying socially connected and doing things that challenge your brain also help slow disease progression. While medications may not work well for everyone, they are most effective in the early stages of the disease. That's why early diagnosis is important. : My mother had Alzheimer’s, so I’m going to get it too. : Familial Alzheimer’s disease accounts for less than 5% of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease. : Alzheimer's is a disease of the elderly. : Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain. It most often occurs in people over 65, but can affect people in their 40s and 50s. : There’s a cure for it. : Alzheimer’s disease remains incurable. However, medications, support and care early in the disease can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. : Memory loss means Alzheimer’s disease. : Not necessarily. You may experience trouble with your memory as you age. However, if memory loss affects your day-today ability to function, communicate or is accompanied by a decrease in judgment or reasoning ability, it's best to see your doctor 18
immediately. : Aluminum causes Alzheimer’s disease. : There is no conclusive evidence that shows this. : Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented. : No single treatment can prevent it. Exercising your mind and body, eating a hearthealthy diet, reducing stress and staying socially active may all help reduce your risk. : Taking supplements can prevent it. : There have been many studies on vitamins E, B, and C, gingko biloba, folate and selenium in preventing dementia. The findings have been inconclusive. Whether you’re experiencing possible symptoms or are concerned for someone you care about, the Alzheimer Society has developed the following list of signs to look for: 1. Memory loss affecting day-to-day abilities – forgetting things often or struggling to retain new information. 2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks – forgetting how to do something you’ve been doing your whole life, such as preparing a meal or getting dressed. 3. Problems with language – forgetting words or substituting words that don’t fit the context. 4. Disorientation in time and space – not knowing what day of the week it is or getting lost in a familiar place. 5. Impaired judgment – not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention or wearing light clothing on a cold day. 6. Problems with abstract thinking – not understanding what numbers signify on a calculator, for example, or how they’re used. 7. Misplacing things – putting things in strange places, like an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. 8. Changes in mood and behaviour – exhibiting severe mood swings from being easy-going to quick-tempered.
9. Changes in personality – behaving out of character such as feeling paranoid or threatened. 10. Loss of initiative – losing interest in friends, family and favourite activities. If you are concerned about any of these signs, talk to your doctor.
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Active Measures Program
Applications Language and Culture Health and Well-being Learning and working styles
The Active Measures Program is a
16-week
program designed for self-exploration, identifying strengths, and assisting you in your journey towards health, wellness, and full time employment
Success in finding a job or establishing a career requires us to be balanced in all of these areas. If you’re
committedto a hands-on learning program,
consider participating in Active Measures.
March 5 to June 29 Participants must be committed and willing to engage in the following program courses: Gentle fitness program | Iron Chef Cooking Competition | Short term certificate training in OFA Level 1, Food Safe, WHMIS, Serving it Right, Microsoft Word and Excel | Career Assessments | Computer basics | Two-weeks of Job training | Forklift and underground safety
Application forms can be picked-up from the HNC front desk, Kitimat Valley Institute or the Haisla Health Centre and dropped off at HNC’s reception. For more information contact Elizabeth Robinson 250-639-5984
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