Dootilh - September issue

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

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

September 2016

AND SPIRIT.”

Thank you Ellis, all the best / page 2

Thank you Ellis Well wishes from HNC Haisla Nation Council staff, and Chief and Council want to thank Ellis for his 13 years of service as Councillor, acting Chief Councillor, and Chief Councillor.

His hard work and dedication to HNC and Haisla members has put the Haisla in position to lead the way with industrial development in the Haisla territory. Ellis has fostered a strong relationship with the Province of B.C., First Nations, the District of ed Crystal Smith as the acting Chief member of many other boards.

Kitimat, and LNG proponents. Councillor until the June 2017 elecWe wish Ellis well in his running He has been awarded the Order tion. for Member of the Legislative Asof BC, the Queen Diamond Ju- We are confident Crystal will con- sembly (MLA) for the Skeena ridbilee medal, and numerous other tinue to improve the Haisla Nation, ing, the election date of which will recognitions, which he credits to with her years of experience with be held in May 2017. all the people working beside HNC as Executive Assistant to Best of luck Ellis, and thank you for him, but would never have been Chief and Council, Chair of the Exeverything you have done for the possible without his leadership. ecutive Committee, Chair of StakeHaisla Nation.

Chief and Council have appoint- holder Relations Committee, and

Look inside...

Chief Councillor on MLA bid / page 5 2

The word from nee n’wagilas / page 7

The trick to healthy aging / page 13

Monkey Beach makes the list / page 15

Charity golf THANK YOU TO ALL PARTICIPANTS AND SPONSORS!

Golf scramble great fun and a great success On September 15, the Haisla Nation Council hosted its fifth annual charity golf scramble at the Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey, an event which provides resources to put Haisla members into sports.

130 golfers participated during the day and even more attended the dinner and auction in the evening.

It will take some time to tally how much this year`s event raised.

Already HNC is looking forward to next year`s event, to continue the efforts to support local youth.

One of the highlights from the auction was a lunch The Haisla Amateur Sports Fund provided more with Chief Councillor Ellis Ross and Kitimat Mayor than $70,000 last year, which meant participation in Phil Germuth. The slightly tongue-in-cheek auction basketball, soccer, and swimming, among many oth- offering proved a huge success raising $10,000 on its er sports. own.

Even so it was clearly a big success. Approximately

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Charity golf

Clockwise from top left: Councillor Crystal Smith with the winning team of Chris Hilliard, Rod Wales, Brent Pilger and Jody Sveistrup; Deputy Chief Councillor Taylor Cross gives a speech; LNG Canada CEO Andy Calitz offers some words after dinner; Mayor Phil Germuth and Ellis Ross up for auction themselves; Ellis Ross, Phil Germuth, Quentin Huillery, and Yashushi Ogitani celebrate a good round.

How to apply for the youth sports fund Want to know how to apply to the Amateur Sports Fund for Haisla youth?

It’s easy!

There are two ways, one is connecting with Teena Grant at the HNC office, at ctoc@haisla.ca, and requesting an application form.

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Or you can go straight to haislayouthfund.com/ applications to download the application form yourself.

Applicants must be a registered Haisla Nation Band Member at the time of application and in good standing with the HNC Amateur Sports Fund policies and requirements

Chief Councillor

Chief Councillor reveals next big ambition A major announcement on September 12 revealed that Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross will be running as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the BC Liberal party in 2017.

The election day is May 9, 2017.

Ross has been a full-time elected councillor for Haisla Nation Council since 2003, and elected Chief Councillor in 2011.

“My life’s work has been getting First Nations to the table with industry and government, so that all British Columbians can benefit from economic development,” Ross was quoted saying in a BC Liberal news release.

“I’ve done everything I can as Chief Councillor. Now I want to do everything I can in the Legislature to make sure we are sending a strong message to the world: Northwest BC is open for business and our communities, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike, are ready to welcome good jobs and investment.”

The announcement was made at the Northwest Community College in Terrace, with Premier Christy Clark in attendance.

Ross steps down as Chief Councillor effective September 30. Councillor Crystal Smith has been appointed acting Chief Councillor until the next HNC election in June 2017.

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Indian Registry

Useful information on status cards STATUS CARDS: I take appointments for Wednesday – Friday. Please have two pieces of valid ID (one being a valid picture ID) before making appointments. I CANNOT issue a status card without ID as I have to submit these to Aboriginal Affairs. I can use your old/current status card as picture ID as long it has not been expired for more than six months.

BABY REGISTRATIONS: ***Registering your child is not mandatory, but is the SOLE responsibility of the parent/s to do so*** First you must apply for the long form Birth Certificate, the one that lists parent/s name on it. 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. I can make a copy for you before I send it away. The registrations do take a long time, usually 6+ 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 1 year.

TRANSFERS: 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.

For Births and Transfers: If you are not the parent for any minor child/ren you wish to register or transfer, you will need to submit legal documents stating that you are legally responsible or the child/ren.

MARRIAGE/DIVORCE: 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.

DEATH: 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 are calling for your status number (for example) I can only give this information to YOU as you will need to verify some questions. I can only give status information to the parents if the child is under 18 years of age.

Elaine Maitland, Indian Registry Administrator ira@haisla.ca (250) 639-9361 ext 101.

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nee n’wagilas Elders will be weighing important issues yowtz, Our heartfelt condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones from our xaisla Nation.

Whether they live here or not, they are still xaisla, we must still show respect.

Come join us for a cup of coffee, tea and baking powder biscuits and jam and listen to the Elders Nu’yem about the protocols of their days. Should we still follow protocols at this day and age?

Our Tuesdays and Thursdays luncheons resume.

Please come and join us.

Please heed the school zone speed limit that is posted outside the Elders Centre.

Discussions will include whether or not to close nee n’wagilas to all activites with the exception of Meals on Wheels for shut–ins and xaisla members that are in Kitimat General Hospital. Whether or not all activities at the Rec Centre should be closed for all activities.

Our prayers go out to our shut-ins, xaisla members that are sick and or in hospital.

If any of your family members need our services for Meals on Wheels, please call to add the name on the list for delivery.

For Meals on Wheels clients, please let us know if We will start here on the discussion of this important matter after luncheons, then open up Elders you are not going to be at home to receive M.O.W. Centre in evening of discussions. First one to start [Meals on Wheels]. M.O.W. is every Wednesday. is October 13 at 6p.m. wa

Photos from a few years back, a trip on the train to Prince George.

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Health Alcohol and brain injuries just don’t mix Alcohol and brain injury recovery Recovery from brain injury continues for much longer than we used to think possible. Many people notice improvements for many years after injury.

Alcohol slows down or stops brain injury recovery.

Not drinking is one way to give the brain the best chance to heal.

People's lives often continue to improve many years after brain injury. Not drinking will increase the chance of improvement.

Alcohol, brain injury and seizures Traumatic brain injury puts survivors at risk for developing seizures (epilepsy).

Alcohol lowers the seizure threshold and may trigger seizures.

Not drinking can reduce the risk of developing seizures.

Alcohol and the risk of having another brain injury

The negative mental effects of alcohol can last from days to weeks after drinking stops.

After a brain injury, survivors are at higher risk (3 to 8 times higher) of having another brain injury.

Not drinking is one way to keep your mental abilities at their best and stay sharp and focused.

Drinking alcohol puts survivors at an even higher risk of having a second brain injury. This may be because both brain injury and alcohol can affect coordination and balance.

Alcohol and mood

Not drinking can reduce the risk of having another brain injury.

Alcohol is a "depressant" drug, and using alcohol can cause or worsen depression.

Alcohol and mental functioning

Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of anti-depressant medications. People who are taking antidepressants should not drink alcohol.

Alcohol and brain injury have similar negative effects on mental abilities like memory and thinking flexibility.

Depression is about 8 times more common in the first year after TBI than in the general population.

One way to improve problems with sadness or depression Alcohol magnifies some of the cognitive problems caused after TBI is to stop or cut down on the use of alcohol. by brain injury.

How much alcohol is "safe" after TBI? Alcohol may affect brain injury survivors more than it did After TBI the brain is more sensitive to alcohol. This before their injury. means that even one or two drinks may not be safe, especially when you need to do things that require balance, 8

Health coordination and quick reactions, such as walking on uneven surfaces, riding a bicycle or driving a car. The fact is, there is no safe level of alcohol use after TBI. Alcohol and medications Alcohol is especially dangerous after TBI if you are taking certain prescription medications. Alcohol can make some medicines less effective and can greatly increase the effects of others, potentially leading to overdose and death. Using alcohol along with anti-anxiety medications or pain medications can be highly dangerous because of the possible multiplying effect.

What about using other drugs?

Alcohol is especially dangerous after TBI if you are taking certain prescription medications. Alcohol can make some medicines less effective and can greatly increase the effects of others, potentially leading to overdose and death.

Alcohol is a drug. Almost everything mentioned above about alcohol applies equally to other drugs. If your drug of choice is something other than alcohol-such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine or prescription drugs, anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Valium, or Xanax), or pain medication (opioids like Percocet, Oxycodone or Oxycontin)-many of the same principles apply.

What should you do?

The stakes are higher when people choose to use alcohol after having a TBI. Some people continue drinking after a TBI and don't have any desire to change that behavior.

Others know they probably should stop or reduce alcohol use, but don't know how or have tried in the past and not been successful.

There are many ways to stop using alcohol or other drugs and many ways to reduce the potential for harm. The great majority of people who have stopped having alcohol problems did it on their own. They got no professional help or counseling and did not use Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Don't underestimate your ability to change if you want to.

There are many ways to change, cut down or stop drinking: The key ingredients to changing your drinking are: (1) find people who will support your efforts to change your drinking; (2) set a specific goal; (3) make clear how you will meet your goal; (4) identify situations or emotions that can trigger drinking, and figure out ways to cope 9

Health Haisla members can be involved in Day Scholar class action The Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and shishalh nations have brought forward a class action lawsuit to seek damages, and recognition, for losses related to attendance (not residence) to daytime residential schools.

the school) for negotiation purposes—not for financial purposes.

Any Haisla band members who were Day Scholars are asked to identify themselves by September 30 to assist in this class action.

As of now the nations pursuing the class action are Visit the news section of Haisla.ca to find the approlooking for Day Scholars (define in the litigation as priate forms and contact information to send details an individual who attended a federally owned and op- too, or e-mail corr@haisla.ca for them as well. erated Indian Residential School but did not live at

Effects of alcohol and brain injury /continued from 9 with those triggers ahead of time; and (5) find ways to reward yourself for sticking to your plan and meeting your goals.

Reduce the harm from drinking

Take vitamins B1 (thiamine), B12 and folate to reduce the chances of alcohol-related brain damage.

Keep your drinking to no more than two drinks per day.

Or cut back on certain days of the week, such as weeknights.

For those who don't want to stop drinking, it is still possible to reduce some harm from drinking: Take a drinking "holiday" (days or weeks when you decide not to drink at all). This can remind you of some of the Eat food and drink water before you drink alcohol. This benefits of being sober. will help reduce the sharp spike in blood alcohol level that can cause nausea, vomiting, falls, blackouts and alcohol Community Resources poisoning.

North West Counselling Tel: 1-888-638-8311 Plan your transportation so you don't drink and drive: have a non-drinking designated driver; plan to spend the Alcoholics Anonymous Tel: 250-639-4130 night where you are doing your drinking; or drink only at Gya'wa'tlaab Healing Centre Society Tel: 250-639-9817 home.

Northern Health Addictions Services: Tel: 250-632-3181 To avoid dangerous peaks in blood alcohol concentrations, drink beer rather than hard liquor, or mix hard liq- Ext 2 uor with water instead of with sweet, carbonated beveragAll community members be mindful that a person sufferes. ing from a traumatic brain injury is vulnerable when consuming alcohol and this may have negative consequences Sip your drinks slowly (no more than one per hour).

Drinking too fast can make the pleasant feelings of alco- on their health. hol go away.

Thank you for your cooperation in not enabling this beDrinking in bars slows some people down because of the havior and for your understanding. expense. However, be sure you do not drive after drink- Haisla Health Centre. ing.

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Spotlight

Spotlight on our partners: Ledcor-Haisla LP The Ledcor-Haisla Limited Partnership (LHLP) has been key in putting Haisla members to work in a variety of different positions from in-field to staff, in projects in the Kitimat area.

The partnership was established in 2011, and since then over 75 Haisla members have been put in to work on various projects, including Kitimat LNG and LNG Canada.

LNG Canada it was 24 members employed as of June 2016. LHLP also moved several Haisla members to other projects in Summer 2015, including Fort Hills in Alberta, while there was a lull in construction last year.

“Through constant communication, teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect, the Haisla Nation has become more than just a partner to Ledcor, but a valThere have also been many training opportunities for ued and lasting part of the Ledcor family,” said Ledcor Industries President Tom Lassu. our members, including Construction Readiness Training Program, Heavy Equipment Operator Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross has seen the imTraining Program and Construction Craft Worker pact partnerships like this have made.

Training Program.

“Since the Ledcor-Haisla Limited Partnership was For the Kitimat LNG project specifically, more than formed we have seen lasting benefits flow into our 50 Haisla were employed through the LHLP, and for community,” said Ross.

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Healthy Aging

Tips for healthy aging for Healthy Aging Month September is Healthy Aging Month.

Healthy Aging Magazine has published a list of 10 methods for healthy aging. Here they are, from online at healthyaging.net/healthy-aging-month/10tips-for-september-is-healthy-aging-month. (These have been paraphrased for the Dootilh.)

6. Smile more often. Tied in to that, keep on your oral hygiene. That includes seeing the dentist regularly.

7. Take action if you`re feeling lonely. Get in touch with someone, or volunteer for a local club. Anything to get your active and involved.

1. Act the age which makes you feel the best. It`s 8. Start walking to maintain health and for your part of positive thinking and can go a long way to chance to see the neighbours. If you have a dog, making you feel better about yourself. you`ll find they`re great conversation starters.

2. Keep positivity in your conversations and actions. 9. Use this month to inspire you to go for your rouBe aware if you begin complaining. tine yearly check-ups. See your doctor for a physical and other screenings.

3. Cut out friends who are a source of constant negativity. Their negativity can rub off on you.

10. Take time to follow artistic endeavours. Learn an instrument, or start painting. Look for classes of4. Be aware of how you present yourself physically. fered in the area to pursue this.

Put energy into your step and be confident.

- From Healthy Aging Magazine, healthyaging.net.

5. Correct your posture. Work on your stance every day and you`ll feel better.

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Job Coaches

News feature focuses on youth and jobs A reporter from the news website The Tyee came to Here`s one highlight from the article: Kitamaat Village last month to speak to young people Kailee Gardiner, 19, was against LNG until she about their positions and believes on natural resource got a summer job with LNG Canada this year. “I development in the area. was pretty uneducated,” she said. “But once you The article, released this month, includes a number of get the information, I think that LNG is one of interviews with Haisla and local area persons. the safer natural resources, so I’m all for it now.”

She admits she doesn’t know much about frackThe article can be found online at thetyee.ca/ ing, the process used to extract most gas, “but News/2016/09/19/Costal-Youth-Could-Supportcompared to oil I think it’s very safe.”

Megaprojects.

Go online to read the whole story, which includes One of the bottom lines of the article show that youth generally see LNG development quite favoura- interviews from other communities as well. bly.

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News Upcoming audit meetings There are upcoming membership meetings for the March 31, 2016 Haisla Nation Council Audited Financial Statements and Investment Presentation.

Another honour for author Eden Robinson Take that, Harry Potter!

Of particular note to HNC is the inclusion of Haisla author Eden Robinson’s novel Monkey Beach to The BC Teachers’ Federation released a list of the the list for secondary students. Her novel ranked best 100 books for both elementary and secondary higher than even the Harry Potter series and the students. hit novel The Fault in Our Stars.

Their list was to mark the Federation’s 100th anniCongratulations to Eden on the continued recogniversary and to recognize literature’s important tion of her book. role, their website stated.

Traffic control for active logging

There is traffic control in Kitamaat Village now, for logging operations going until December. The activity is being done by Haisla Brinkmann Forestry Joint Venture.

The flaggers have been instructed to note the licence plates of people ignoring directions and doing so could result in hefty fines from the RCMP. If you have any questions, concerns or comments please formally submit an email to Kate Menzies at haislabrinkman@gmail.com and copy Willard Grant at wgrant@haisla.ca or fill out a comment card at the front desk of the council office.

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On October 2 is the Nanaimo meeting at the Coast Bastion Hotel.

October 3 is in Vancouver at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

October 4 in Prince Rupert at the Crest Hotel.

October 5 in the administration building in Kitamaat Village.

Finally, October 6, at the Best Western Terrace Inn. Hope you can make it for these meetings.

A view of the Douglas Channel on a recent sunny day. Thankfully the afternoons remain fairly warm even as the mornings and evening are noticeably chilling.

Jobs For a selection of some job opportunities currently listed which may be of interest for Haisla members visit the Job Board on the Capacity Development website at: http://capacitydevelopment.haisla.ca/employment/job-board, and see the job listings on Haisla.ca as well.

The Dootilh is a publication of the Haisla Nation Council.

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

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