Dootilh - March 2018

Dootilh March 2018

Standing against bullying with Pink Shirt Day. /Page 4 1

”BUILDING A POWERFUL, PROSPEROUS AND PROUD COMMUNITY, HEALTHY IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.”

From the desk of Kevin Stewart, Stakeholder Relations Committee

Updates on Haisla forestry operations Haisla members understandably are interested in the stewardship of the land and the work that is going into forestry operations is a big part of that.

The Haisla Nation has participated in the forestry sector for many years. Since the conclusion of the last election, HNC, through the Stakeholder Relations Committee, has put in an emphasis on improving our economic opportunity in forestry.

Haisla Nation Council have had for years a Joint Venture with Brinkman Forestry Ltd., with the Haisla Brinkman Forestry Joint Venture.

This partnership has meant opportunities for Haisla members to benefit from forestry operations with a strong partner which has ensured Haisla employment, and keeping environmental stewardship in mind.

A project in the works right now is developing a forestry service road to lead right to Clio Bay. The plan, which includes the construction of a bridge across Wathlsto 2

Creek, will mean wood can be delivered without driving through Kitamaat Village. This is to service future logging operations south of Wathlsto Creek.

While the road work takes place, a portion will be gated beyond existing cutblocks at IR #3, as a safety measure during construction through the spring. impact Kitamaat Forestry operations will Village's water supply, as the Joint Venture has direction from Haisla Nation Council to not log within the Wathl Watershed.

The work taking place by the Joint Venture is not new, and the community may remember representatives speaking to community members on September 15, 2015 in a meeting outlining their work.

Brinkman Forestry Ltd. was in the community again on July 4, 2016 talking about stewardship, forest planning and other aspects of their work for future operations.

LNG will work for the North The leader of the Green Party of BC, Andrew Weaver, recently wrote an essay criticizing the LNG industry. With LNG being such an important focus for Haisla Nation Council, Chief Councillor Crystal Smith wrote this response to him: There's one aspect of your essay, Dr. Weaver, ('It's time politicians level with British Columbians about LNG', February 28, 2018) where we certainly agree; that, fundamentally, decisions around resource development absolutely must include partnership of First Nations.

In Kitimat, which is in Haisla Territory that has been the case with the LNG industry, including with LNG Canada, a company you reference in your post.

The Haisla Nation has been working closely with LNG proponents for more than a decade now, toward the purpose of seeing a project built which will bring welcome investment to communities in the north.

While I acknowledge that I am not, myself, a scientist, Haisla Nation Council relies on the amazing technical work that has gone on behind the scenes, including the ongoing efforts by our own Lands and Fisheries departments which work every day to maintain and protect our environment.

Meanwhile, our ongoing struggle has been dealing with outside interests which seem to have a better idea than us of what we should do. Dr. Weaver, you're not the first person who has broadcast ideas from a comfortable seat in the province's south, claiming what is in our interests.

We do not need to remind you about the history of racism, residential schools and lost opportunities First Nations have experienced in this province. In our community, our biggest concerns are jobs for our people, educating our youth, dealing with mental health and suicide, and preserving our nation's language and culture with our elders.

From your essay, your advice to your 3

students includes using their purchasing power to send a signal against high greenhouse gas emitting products. Well, during LNG projects' early works in Kitimat, a large amount of our combined purchasing power was thanks to LNG projects and the work they provided, as well as the major upgrade of the local aluminum smelter.

For Haisla members in particular, it was through that local employment that opportunities arose, including the ability to buy new vehicles or homes, and even having access to training and post-secondary courses.

There's enough "you should" statements directed at the North. Whether you accept it or not, LNG is a promising industry for us and has already provided millions of dollars of benefits through their early works.

Unlike others who think the answer is simply 'no' to development, we believe in balance between the economy and the environment. Projects can be built right. A project like LNG Canada provides the right balance for us, being a potential major employer and the lowest CO2 emitting LNG facility in the world.

We've spent more than a decade speaking with LNG proponents to emphasize what's important to us in our communities and we've enjoyed the debate which has led us to today.

Dr. Weaver, we invite you to visit our northern communities, meet with Haisla Nation Council, and understand who we are and what we stand for in a face-to-face conversation. Those who propose to invest in our communities have made that effort. We'd be happy for the BC Green Party to do the same.

Pink Shirts stand against bullying It was another great year with Haisla Nation supporting Pink Shirt Day, the annual antibullying campaign held on February 28.

The Haisla Nation Council Social Development team hosted a full day of events with special guests including the Kitimat RCMP and Victim Services, Tamitik Status of Women, and Northwest Counselling at the Haisla Recreation Centre.

Students from Haisla Community School, MEMSS, and Kitimat City High attended the event.

See the eye doctor

While older students in the Recreation Centre learned about the dangers of cyber bullying, the elementary school students in the Community School played a number of games and did crafts on the theme of anti-bullying.

Many thanks go out to the individuals that came out to help set up for these events and cleaned up afterwards.

If you’d like to know more about Pink Shirt Day and it’s history visit their website at www.pinkshirtday.ca. would like to put you name down for prior

Dr. Ahmed, optometrist, would like to come to Kitamaat Village in June 2018 and will only come if there are enough clients to see. If you 4

approval, please call 250-639-9361, extension 310, with your: Status Card, Card Card, date of birth, and contact number.

A March 2 bake sale at Haisla Community School put the students to ‘work’ offering baked items to customers. The students were running this bake sale in the school’s lobby as a fundraiser for a field trip to Barkerville. It was not known how much was raised in the end, but there were at times line-ups for parents and others to get their treats, and the students proved very talented customer service representatives.

The community was introduced to the valuable, yet free, Junior Canadian Rangers program with a dinner and presentation with (left to right in photo), Leading Seaman Danijela Brkovic, Warrant Officer Ray Corfield, Private Heather Lee, with Haisla Health Manager Eric Bottah. Contact Eric if you have questions about the Rangers at 250-639-9361 extension 303.

5

Making history wheel: custom cart to make Haisla history mobile for community In the photo above, Community Cultural

Donated by the Museum of Anthropology,

Coordinator Teresa Windsor and Archives

the cart concept began with Haisla member

Assistant Albert Morrison-Hayward stand with Lyle Wilson a number of years ago, who has long been an advocate of the culture and a then nondescript wheeled cart, in the halls language. Wilson is contributing a number of

of Haisla Nation Council’s Education &

items towards this wheeled museum.

Employment office.

The cart is actually a big piece of the puzzle of raising the profile of Haisla history and

Windsor says a trial run of this cart will be run during a cultural day at Kildala Elementary school in May, which will showcase how the

culture both to Haisla members themselves

cart will be used to share Haisla culture in the

and to the wider community as well.

future.

6

7

*James, Miriam, Jen

INTERNATIONAL

WOMEN’S DAY MARCH 8

THE NAKWELAGILA TEAM* WISH YOU A HAPPY

CELEBRATION

OF WOMEN

DINNER APRIL 13

Recreation Centre Join us for a night of celebration with dinner, guest speakers, door prizes and pampering.

Doors open at 5:00pm and Dinner at 6:00pm All women and children are welcome 8

“...but I’m fry bread …and I’m proud of it.”

Eden Robinson, author, Monkey Beach

HAISLA NATION COUNCIL Haisla Health Centre

Notice on free use permit for cut block Attention Haisla,

of a Natural Resource Officer, Conservation

We have worked with the Ministry of Forests, Officer or Peace Officer, a copy of the permit.

Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development to extend FREE USE PERMIT

The permit also shows a map of the area that you will have access to.

F00520 until December 31,2018.

Copies of the permit can be picked up at the

This allows members to access the cut block Lands and Resources Office. behind our reserve to obtain firewood - but

We will be happy to answer any questions

there are conditions that must be read and

you may have.

understood.

Be advised that you must have in your possession, and be able to produce on request

Resources for Haisla members online There are informational resources, including

Services and Resources item on the top menu.

forms for Haisla secondary and post-secondary

That page also includes information about

students, on the Haisla Nation website.

the Indian Registry, the Haisla Minors LNG

Visit www.haisla.ca and click on the Haisla

Trust, and Health information.

KITAMAAT

OPEN April 6-8 kitimatbasketball.com 9

For any upgrading students A note for Haisla members that Crystal A. Smith is currently handling files for upgrading students. If you need to make an appointment with Crystal, contact Deanna Gray at dgray@haisla.ca, or call 1-877-809-8098, ext. 6002.

10

11

Brooke Gray, left, and Mary-Ella and Nate at right, were some of the supporters of the United Church recently with their generous donations. See the following page for more information from the Church.

Celebrating our Haisla Ladies champions The Haisla Senior Ladies basketball team were honoured with a community dinner hosted by Haisla Nation Council on February 25, to mark their championship at the All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert.

12

What’s new at the Haisla United Church Yawts!

volunteers. All the monies that we raise or

We would like to thank Vern Grant for the

that is donated are used on the Church bills.

time he spent trying to revitalize Church

- Donations - These three youths made

services. We wish him all the best and look

donations to the Haisla United Church:

forward to his visits.

-

took it upon herself to have

a bake sale and donated all the money

We have our "Ladies Night" group every Thursday at 6:30 pm. This is a time to have a

to the Church. Thank you Mary-Ella!

cup of tea, take our crafts to work on and just

-

visit and have fun. Everyone is welcome!

donated a portion to the Church.

was doing a fundraiser and

Thank you Nate!

- Choir Practice - Combined Choir will have monthly practises on Tuesday, March 27, 2018

-

at 6:30 p.m, at Haisla United Church. We will

fundraiser and donated a portion to

decide on dates for practises when we are all

the Church. Thank you Brooke!

together. This is just to start off. Everyone is

was taking pledges for her

We (volunteers) would like to thank our

welcome.

youth for your donations!! It will never be

- Potluck Fundraiser - We will be having a

forgotten! We are so proud of you all and wish

potluck fundraiser on Wednesday, April 4,

you all the best in the years to come!!

2018 at 5:30 pm at Haisla United Church.

- We will keep you updated on Sunday

Donations of a main dish and dessert greatly

evening services through Facebook. Please

appreciated - please bring your own utensils.

let your family members know when these are

We will advertise more the week before the

posted. Thank you!

event.

- Our Haisla United Church is run by

HaislaNation

haisla_nation

haisla_nation 13

Haisla Nation Council reserves the right to accept or decline to publish submissions.

14