Dootilh November 2016
”BUILDING A POWERFUL, PROSPEROUS AND PROUD COMMUNITY, HEALTHY IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.”
Funding promise raises the bar Page 2
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Acting Chief Councillor Crystal Smith speaks at the funding announcement.
Scaffolding training for Haisla members possible through BC government grant Haisla Nation Council welcomes a funding
The program will upgrade the skills and
announcement from the Government of B.C. which qualifications of Haisla members who worked as is providing $211,060 towards a scaffolding training
scaffolders on the Rio Tinto Alcan modernization
program at Kitimat Valley Institute for Haisla
project which completed in August 2015, as well as
members.
individuals with varied experience. The program will
From the Government of B.C. news release:
A look at four years of success/ Page 4
Meeting HNC’s Howard Vroon / Page 8
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be delivered by the British Columbia Regional
Profiling our Gah-u-caloot / Page 12
Photo highlights from bingo / Page 17
Council of Carpenters (BCRCC) at the Kitimat
Crystal Smith. "I look forward to working with
Valley Institute as part of an ongoing commitment
industry further and furthering our relationship with
to build a trained and qualified local workforce to
the province and continuing more initiatives like this
help meet the demand of the scaffold sector of the
in our territory."
construction industry.
The funding for this program comes out of a
On hand for the announcement at KVI was
government commitment of $30 million over three
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
years out of the Aboriginal Skills Training
John Rustad, acting Haisla Chief Councillor Crystal
Development Fund.
Smith, and Mark Derton, president of the B.C.
"We created a fund to do this aboriginal training
Regional Council of Carpenters.Crystal Smith at
initiative of $30 million over three years...so that we
Kitimat Valley Institute
could do that early training and work with the
"Opportunities such as this give our people the
nations to make sure they could take full advantage
opportunity to further their education and build
of this work as it comes along," said Minister Rustad
their skills so they are attaining those meaningful
at the announcement. "This will train 48 Haisla
jobs in our territory," said acting Chief Councillor
members at the facility." 3
could do for membership, and how we did things, made it difficult to improve our situation on our own terms. By Jason Majore, Chief Executive Officer
The Council has been focused on their roles as politicians and not micro-managing the administration and this be-
We are close to the end of another year within the lief in the staff helps improve our capacity and services to Haisla Nation Council. Although this has been a the membership. challenging year for industrial projects in the Haisla
HNC prior to 2012 had gone through a difficult time
territory, we are still working hard to improve op-
in the community and working for HNC was very chal-
portunities for members.
lenging, and staff felt under appreciated. HNC’s Execu-
Building trust, being honest, fair, and working in
tive Committee wanted to show that there was support
the best interest of all Haisla members is something of our staff and they are not to be bullied, not afraid of we work hard to achieve. Because of this, working doing their jobs and if we improve our staff, we improve for the Haisla people has been the best time in my
our services to the membership. Negativity, complaining,
career. November 19th marks 4 years as the senior
nepotism, favouritism, mistrust, and fear were common
manager within HNC. I have worked for a number place years ago. I have heard comments that this has imof First Nations organizations over the years and proved over the last few years and am hopeful that we the things we are doing within HNC are things only can continue this growth. The support of Chief and talked about within other communities. Council to this has been important. Chief and Council have committed to keeping
Currently HNC staff is over 80% Haisla members and
membership updated as things develop and we have if they are not supported at work that affects their lives in spent a lot of time and effort to do this, and like the community. We have been showing support for our anything in life we are constantly trying to improve. staff through fair wages, improved benefits, team buildThe limits Indian Affairs put on Nations to what we ing, improved communication, inclusion of staff in deci4
sions and a better relationship between staff and
and the territory.
Council. We also started having a fun family day in the
There are so many things HNC has been doing, all
summer and have a staff Christmas party before the
in service of the Haisla members in mind, to create
break to show our appreciation for all the hard work
opportunities for you and your family. If you have
that they do. It is not easy to work for your own mem- concerns, ideas, or solutions to the many issues we bership, with the politics, and the "key board warriors" deal with please bring those items forward. Coming who complain about the things HNC is doing.
into the office to work with us is more productive
Ellis led the change in governance structure and
than complaining and being negative on social media.
now Crystal as the Acting Chief Councillor and the
This only causes more tension, negativity and hurts the
other councillors are working to improve it. Crystal
community. Politics aside, HNC is here to help build
Smith has plenty of experience working within HNC,
a positive community and real opportunity for Haisla
as a staff member, councillor and has been doing very
members. This is difficult and challenging but we con-
well as the Acting Chief Councillor.
tinue to do our best, and always seek to improve, so any help with that is appreciated.
Doris Fraser and Tony Brady are in new positions within HNC being the Chief Administrative Officer
Being one of the longest serving managers has been
and the Manager of Business Partnerships. They are
an honour and hope I can stay for a long time to come
hard -working and dedicated to the Nation, and have
as we have a lot more things we are working on, and I
been a tremendous help, and we have a solid senior
am very proud to be a small part of this exciting time
management team. The entire staff is doing their best
in Haisla history. Thank you for all the support, it
to constantly improve services and programs we offer
means a lot to us, and helps us work even harder for
and we should thank them for all their hard work.
Haisla members.
Over the last four years I have seen many improvements and accomplishments. We have agreements with LNG Canada, purchased Lots 309 and 99, MK Bay, KVI property, Old Hospital Lands, acquired Lots 305-306, developed a new governance structure, improved our efficiency and effectiveness within HNC, used own source revenue to improve services and create new services and programs, trained many members and staff, improved our education support, supporting other nations so that they can improve their communities, developed PCD/COLA payments, Elders payments, and all the while doing everything that we can to protect Haisla Rights and Title, the environment 5
Members meetings for KLNG agreements Haisla Members are invited to attend one of the upcoming membership meetings to discuss amendments to the KLNG-Haisla agreements.
Chevron Canada Ltd., And Woodside Energy International, located on Bees Reserve IR#6. The meeting schedule is:
The Kitimat LNG project is the joint venture of Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, 6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby, BC November 28, 6pm
December 1, 6 pm
HNC Administration Building large board room, 500 Gitksan Avenue November 30, 6 pm
Best Western Plus Terrace Inn 4553 Greig Avenue, Terrace, BC
The Crest Hotel 222 1st Avenue, Prince Rupert, BC December 4, 2 pm Coast Bastion Hotel 11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, BC December 10, 2 pm
Get your Dogwood with KVI and NCDE KVI has opened its doors to support those adults in the community wishing to complete their Dogwood. KVI is doing this in partnership with North Coast Distance Education and are offering additional support to students with a certified teacher on site and 6
providing a designated classroom. If you are interested in exploring what your path to High School completion would look like, please contact Marianne Hemmy at 250-639- 9199 ex. 228 or by email at mhemmy@kves.ca.
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Natural Resources Environmental Liaison Howard Vroon.
Getting to know the HNC Team: Howard Vroon working for our resources Howard Vroon (Aups Maxani - Killerwhale) was
Haisla as the Director of Operations for the Na na
hired as the Natural Resources (NRS) Haisla
kila Institute. He also worked an extended term as a
Environmental Liaison in May 2016.
Customs Inspector in Prince Rupert and has held
He brings an educational background in
other technical jobs in the region and has operated
Criminology and Resource Management Officer
his own business.
Technology to the Lands and Resources
In his role as the Haisla NRS Environmental
Department and has previously worked for the 8
Liaison, Howard works primarily with government
Take Home Naloxone Kits Fentanyl related deaths are rapidly increasing in North America. In British Columbia alone the deaths related to fentanyl are up over 25%. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is used medically to manage chronic pain and as an anaesthetic. Both pharmaceutical and illicit fentanyl can be abused. One of the biggest problems is that it is being mixed with the other drugs such as heroin, crystal meth, cocaine and even marijuana. People that are using the other illicit drugs are not aware that the drug they are using is laced with Fentanyl which is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. In response to the fentanyl crisis the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control has started the Take Home Naloxone program. They have
made up kits that can be distributed to drug users in communities across British Columbia. These kits have the drug naloxone in them with needles to administer it in an overdose situation. The naloxone works in the body and reverses the effects of the fentanyl. For more information you can visit www.towardtheheart.com or contact the Haisla Health Centre. The Haisla Health Centre is now an official Take Home Naloxone site. The Haisla Nation Volunteer Fire Department and Gya' Wa' Tlaab Healing Centre have had some of the Take Home Naloxone training and have kits on hand. If you would like the training or need a kit please contact Laura at the Haisla Health Centre, Lolsson@haisla.ca or 250-632-3600.
agencies such as: Oil and Gas Commission (OGC);
conducted field patrols with FLNRO as well. Field
Ministry of Forestry, Lands and Natural Resource
notes and photographs are taken and reported to the
Operations (FLNRO), Environmental Assessment
NRS Committee on a monthly basis.
Office (EAO); and the Ministry of Environment
"I am looking forward to engaging with Haisla
Conservation Officer Service. Other Agencies
Nation members to provide information and to hear
involved in the Natural Resource Sector Aboriginal
concerns about what is happening in our Territory"
Liaison Program are the Ministry of Aboriginal
says Howard. The role of the position is to act as a
Relations and Reconciliation and the BC Oil and
bridge between the Natural Resource Sector (NRS)
Gas Research and Innovation Society.
Agencies and the Haisla Nation. The role will be
Howard participates in joint field inspections in
one of enhancing the relationship by strengthening
Haisla Traditional Territory as it relates to regulatory communication and providing collaborative project oversight of natural resource development. For the
environmental oversight between all parties
first months of his employ, he has undergone
involved.
extensive training and has conducted numerous site
"Feel free to drop by my office, which is located
visits with OGC's Compliance and Enforcement
in the Resource Centre, or call me at 250-639-9361
Inspectors in such projects as Kitimat LNG
ext. 146, or email me at: hvroon@haisla.ca - I look
(Chevron) and LNG Canada (Shell). He has
forward to hearing from you." 9
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Profiling our Gah-u-ca-loot Submitted by Lyle Wilson GAH-U-CA-LOOT (term used to describe a fellow Haisla person) Chris Wilson belongs to the HULL-AY-CHU-NOAUCH (Killer Whale Clan) --his ABOO-CH (mother) is Sylvia Wilson and a MAMA-OO (grandmother) of his is Bea Wilson; Chris also has 4 siblings: WAH-GWAH (sister) Tanis, Amber, Anisha and MEH-NAH-SUET (brother) Patrick. He moved to Vancouver and in 2009 started working at the largest art gallery in Western Canada, the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG @ 750 Hornby
Vegas and says of his travels: "All (GAH-U-CA-
Street) --- a highlight of his time at the VAG "‌
LOOT) should experience life outside of the
was being the first person in North America to
reserve." Chris started out working at the entry level at
guard Leonardo da Vinci's sketches in 2010.". Chris was photographed at the VAG, using his
the Vancouver Art Gallery and stuck with it;
'new' regalia beside an old traditional GEE-GA-
eventually being promoted so he can now
MEE (mask) --- attributed to be carved by a Haisla
realistically consider travelling back to Kitamaat at
carver sometime the mid-1800s. The very old GEE- least once per year, "to visit family and try to hunt.". GA-MEE was purchased at a public auction and is
His favorite traditional Haisla food are fish
now in the collection of the Audain Art Museum at
patties (adapted to his own style of cooking) and
Whistler (B.C.) and is valued at approximately
half-smoked MIYA (salmon/fish). Chris's favorite
$200,000.00.
place in traditional Haisla territory is YAH-MAH-
Chris has an artistic personality and still likes to
JEES-STA (Kemano); his last time at YAH-MAH-
draw and paint --- he also tried his hand at learning
JEES-STA was in 2000-2001 during JUH-QWIN
how to engrave metal.
(eulachon) fishing season.
He likes to travel and has been to: El Salvador,
Chris's last piece of advice to younger Haisla
Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Mexico, Seattle & Las GAH-U-CA-LOOT: "Stick it out in school.". 12
October 18 saw Halloween-inspired Indian Bingo at the Haisla Rec Centre. Some were dressed up for the occasion but it seemed all had a lot of fun participating in the event.
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Premier Christy Clark came to Kitimat on a visit November 23, including to Kitimat Valley Institute where she met Acting Chief Councillor Crystal Smith, Deputy Chief Councillor Taylor Cross, and to the Premier’s left is former Chief Councillor Ellis Ross.
Columbia Layne barge carried just sand and gravel, no fishery danger after sinking A gravel barge sank on Sunday November 6th, in Graham Reach, South of Swanson Bay (Princess Royal Channel). According to Philip Murdock, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Environmental Lead for Emergency Response, the CCG vessel Gordon Reid conducted a thorough search the area and found no evidence of deleterious substances (e.g. oil or fuel), which is consistent with the report we also received from Kitasoo Fisheries who visited the site November 7th. The barge was carrying sand and gravel only. There was no equipment or other materials aboard and 14
there was no damage to the tug Columbia Layne, nor injuries associated with the barge going down. Environment Canada plans to do an aerial survey of the channel today as a follow-up to the CCG’s assessment. However, they consider the incident as not posing any threat to fisheries in the area. If you wish to know more about this incident or require further information on aquatic resources in our area please contact the Haisla Fisheries Commission at 250-639-9361, ext. 207. - Haisla Fisheries Commission
At left, girdling the overstory alder. At right, clearing tree planting openings.
Stream Bank Restoration and Stabilization Both Humphry's and Lone Wolf Creeks have red alder dominated floodplains and riparian ecosystems (areas adjacent bodies of water) that could benefit from intervention to shift the successional pathway from a future of shrub dominated riparian ecosystems to long lasting conifer tree dominated forests similar to the legacy forests harvested from these areas 40 - 60 years ago.
roots grabbed. These areas were 20-25 meters apart forming clusters. The RVT 4 work consisted of brushing above ground competing brush to establish approximately 50 clusters per hectare in the floodplain, then grubbing out all below ground roots within the clusters and finally planting these clusters with 5 - 6 Sitka spruce trees and 2 - 3 Black cottonwood stakes.
The two dominant riparian vegetation types (RVT) as described in these prescriptions are riparian vegetation types 3 and 4 (RVT 3 and RVT 4). RVT 4 has a dominant alder and cottonwood overstory with no significant conifer (hemlock, balsam, spruce and cedar) understory while RVT 3 has a dominant alder and cottonwood overstory with a suppressed conifer understory. Both of these riparian vegetation types occur on the flood plain of Humphry's Creek and Lone Wolf Creek and would develop into brush in the absence of riparian restoration treatments.
The RVT 3 work consisted of conifer release of the sunlight starved conifer understory through girdling the overstory alder canopy, followed by variable density thinning on the overstocked, suppressed conifer understory. In 2015, 22.8 hectares in Humphrys Creek and Lone Wolf Creek were restored planted with 8000 Sitka spruce trees, This year in 2016, 54.7 hectares along Humphrys Creek were restored. This year's 2016 work started on Aug 15th and completed on Oct 27th in 11 shifts totaling 392 man days for the 9 man Haisla crew. We hope to continue with this project into Nalbeelah, Big Wedeene and Little Wedeene.
Restoration treatments entailed girdling the overstory alder which will eventually kill it and open up the stand. Cottonwood was not girdled as it grows well with conifers. At the same time , circular areas 10 to 12 meters across were cleared of brush and their
- Haisla Lands and Resources 15
The news from nee n’wagilas yowtz, our heartfelt condolences go out to Audrey Morrison and family. Healing prayers to xaisla members who are ill and in hospital, to our shut-ins, our xaisla people. Luncheons Tuesdays and Thursdays. Meals on Wheels on Wednesdays. If we have a passing of a xaisla member, no matter how far or how long they have left our community, we will still cancel luncheons. This is one of many traditions/practices that we can still hang
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onto. Supervisor of nee n’wagilas has given us approval to cook, share a luncheon with grieving family . November 29th 2016, Jackie Sweet will join us for luncheon: Subject: Power of Attorney. Come join us. Please be mindful of school zone speed limit which starts in front of Elders Centre. Thank You to HNC and staff for all you do for our xaisla nation. Be safe on your travels.
Some photos sent from the Elders Centre of their Meals on Wheels program in action.
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Calendar Get ready for the Christmas dinners: Vancouver: November 27, 5pm Hilton Vancouver Metrotown 6083 McKay Avenue Prince Rupert: December 8, 5pm The Crest Hotel 222 1st Avenue Kitamaat Village: December 3, 5 pm Haisla Rec Centre Terrace:
The Old Band Office, which has been condemned, is slated for removal as of December 1. For questions on this you can reach Tony Brady at tbrady@haisla.ca.
December 9, 5 pm Best Western Plus Terrace Inn 4554 Greig Avenue Kitimat:
Fundraiser for Wendy Bolton
December 13, 5pm Luso Canadian Club 159 Konigus Street RSVPs are a must for catering purposes Please RSVP to Sue Smith at 250-639-9361, extension 106, or 1-888-842-4752, extension 106 Church services at the Haisla United Church Evening Services 7:00 pm every Sunday Music lead by: Dan Martin
HaislaNation
The Haisla Community School is holding a Toonie-Loonie draw in support of Wendy Bolton. People are welcome to buy tickets for prizes - on display at the school - or even just offer cash donations. The draw itself takes place December 8. Donation of prizes also welcome.
Bible study and prayer at Haisla United Church. Wednesdays, at 7 pm.
haisla_nation
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haisla_nation 18
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