National Aboriginal Day

NATIONAL

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B2 • THURSDAY, June 19, 2014

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

Merritt’s history begins with Coyote’s House Merritt’s name in the Thompson language means Coyote’s House. In town, there’s a building called Kengard Manor and that’s where an organized pile of rocks and pebbles called Coyote’s House stood. Coyote travelled all through the land, and where he rested he created a landmark or his home.

Now, after the town started to grow and they wanted to build Kengard Manor and those other buildings, they tore down Coyote’s House. It was a very sacred place for us. We considered that place our spiritual grounds. We never camped too close to Coyote’s House because we were told that we would be taken away if we did. The spirits would come and carry us away.

Nothing is there today to show us where

Coyote lived. I heard that those people who live in Kengard hear some strange things now and again. It’s probably Coyote talking to them.

The Thompson and Okanagan people lived here before the town of Merritt appeared. We lived here because of the rivers. They actually started the city of Nicola. There was a general store, hotel and courthouse out there.

A church and cemetery were next to each other.

Then the Armstrongs set up their store and then came the courthouse and post office.

That was at a time when we used to have boardwalk streets.

That’s about the time that the mining out in Collettville began.

People came from all over and some settled at Aspen Grove. The streets in Merritt are named after those

My name is Shannon I am Okanagan and I am an NVI T graduate.

NVI T listened to my dreams, helped me build

people who came here to work. Coutlee and Charters are two of the names. These people also supported the Catholic church being built down here at the town site.

Before they began to settle in this valley, we were all considered one. There were no bands like today.

There were intermarriages between Shuswap, Thompson and Okanagan people.

The valley itself was Okanagan land. There was some fighting between the Okanagan and Shuswap years ago.

The story is that we won the valley from the Shuswap after the last battle. The Shuswap used to come to Douglas Lake to hunt and fish. The valley was home to the Thompson and Okanagan people lived down through the Shulus area and up and through the valley

where it’s now Merritt and district land.

The oldest church in this area is Catholic and it was built in Coldwater. The Obliques of the Catholic church made their headquarters at Coldwater. They used to travel up to Nicola to go to church. Then, when the residential school opened in Kamloops, people came over the rail from Boston Bar to get to the school.

Even people from Oliver came up that way.

There was a man who surveyed land for the government and his last name was Douglas.

When he decided to settle, he built a house right in the middle of reserve land.

There was an old aboriginal man who was angry at him for settling right there, and went to talk to him, but neither one could understand the other.

After a while, when the old man saw that Douglas wouldn’t leave, he paid him a visit and this time he took an axe after him and Douglas then moved to the other end of the lake we know as Douglas.

When Douglas was surveying for the government, he was surveying to tell the government what land the aboriginals should have. We didn’t understand what all of that meant. He bought the land around Panask Creek from the government.

After this, the coal mine at Collettville and the railroad brought more people to the valley — Spanish, French and Asian.

Between Merritt and Shulus there was a place called Coutlee.

There was a hotel, saloon and store. Alexander Coutlee lived there.

Bill Pooley’s house

is on the land that we knew at Coutlee.

People started to settle in the Merritt town site because the Armstrongs opened a store.

The mine and railroad was closer to the Armstrongs’ store and pretty soon the stores at Nicola and Coutlee were closed. Black’s Pharmacy at one time was the theatre.

People came over the Boston Bar trail to find land here. That’s how we got a mixture of blood and cultures in the valley. It makes for a very good life to have these different groups here with us.

Mining and logging made a difference for the people and the life in the valley. Now we’re raping the country and taking it for granted.

The trees could come back if the elders were part of the discussion and planning with forestry. We need to

open our eyes. Building the roads, especially through the Coldwater reserve to the highway, has polluted our water.

Mother Earth could heal herself if we gave her a chance.

There’s a spring behind NVIT on the hill and that’s where we used to camp when we were out picking the long bush Saskatoon berries. This spring comes out at McDonald’s and by the hydro station, then it goes and feeds the river. We used to dry those berries for the winter.

That was a time when we never stayed in one place all the time. We travelled for survival. Our trips took us down to the states and further north than we live today.

When we travelled, we would find the water and we never stayed down low, always up high.

With campuses in Merritt and Vancouver and over 300 courses available, come and experience what makes NVIT a great place to grow.

Ton denTe and guided my journey.

It felt like home.

NICOLA VALLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MERRITT CAMPUS 250.378.3300 VANCOUVER CAMPUS 604.602.9555 TOLL FREE 1.877.682.3300 WWW.NVIT.CA

Shannon, Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Graduate

THE HOME OF ABORIGINAL PUBLIC POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN BC

THURSDAY, June 19, 2014 •

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

How the mountains were formed In the days of the animal people, there was a family who lived down in the Shulus area. They had a daughter and an older son. When the girl was going through puberty, her brother started to sneak into the little tipi where she was staying behind the house.

The parents found out and killed their son and then took him to Nicola Lake and put him in a boat that they tied up to the trees. The sister began to miss him and some kids that were playing close by told her what had happened and she started to run as fast as she could.

She ran so fast that not even the fastest animals could keep up with her. She ran up to the boat and then she untied it and it drifted out to the middle of the lake. She was lost of the lake too. That is when the two mountains on each side of the lake came into being. They are brother and sister, destined to be separated by the lake forever.

The man is on the left side and the woman is on the right

side of the lake as you go down the old highway toward Kamloops.

This is at the same time as the mermaid lived in the lake when dogs were turned into fish and the dogfish still swim around the lake.

One day, a man was struggling to get an old log into Nicola Lake. When he did get it into the water, he began to go across the lake. About halfway, he looked down into the water and saw the mermaid.

The mermaid was swimming just under the water.

When he got across the lake, he climbed up to the top of the female mountain and he fell asleep. When he woke up in the morning, he was back at the shore of the lake.

In those days, lots of strange things happened. We were told not to go to the water when it’s dark. Strong spirits are around then. When you experienced these things, you didn’t talk about them to anyone. They were giving you messages and you had to figure out what the message was.

That was your work.

The man and the moose There was a man, a relative who went out hunting one day, but he didn’t talk to the animals before he went out and he came to a place where a fire had gone through.

There was a moose who saw him and began to chase him. The moose was real mad, and in the middle of this clear patch was a lone cottonwood tree that was hollow on the inside. The man jumped into middle of the tree and hid until the moose decided to leave.

That moose would have killed him, because all that we hunted with at that time was a bow and arrow. After more people came to live in the valley, the wildlife moved. We forgot about how to ask for their help too.

Not long ago, a man went hunting when another man dressed in old-fashioned clothes, like the clothes we used to wear a long time ago, appeared out of the woods.

He said to the hunter, “You have to leave, this is our territory.” Right then, the hunter

got sick. He made it home and his family took him to the hospital. He told his family not to go hunting there again. He died just after that.

The day the women went They say that in Coyote days, people were telling each other that the king was coming to visit in the summer and they had to stay at home to greet him. There were some stubborn women who wanted to go out picking berries. They left with their babies on their backs off to pick berries. When the king came along to visit them, he got angry that they had disobeyed the orders and turned the women and their babies into rocks. Those rocks can still be seen out on Highway 8 just past Lower Nicola.

Coyote’s houses and landmarks are like God’s places.

Three ladies were going fishing one day. Coyote was curious and asked these women where they were going. They told him that they were going fishing.

See ‘Coyote’ Page B 4

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B4 • THURSDAY, June 19, 2014

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

Coyote will give you good luck ... if you ask

Celebrating the contributions of

Aboriginal People from Coast to Coast

From Page B 3 Coyote listened and then appeared in front of them and asked them again what they were doing and where they were going. The women told him again, and again Coyote appeared in front of them on their trail. He asked them about three times what they were doing and three times the women answered him that they were going down to the lake to go fishing.

Coyote was always curious, and humans have inherited his traits of curiosity and the need to know.

He left them alone after this, but one of the things that Coyote had to do is experience and understand how humans are different from the animals.

Coyote is a very sacred being. He can change himself into any shape or form at any time. Some people say that seeing a coyote is bad luck, and if you see one, just ask him for

THE NEXT GENERATION Above: Local students drum during the one-year anniversary celebration of Highland Valley Copper’s Merritt office opening.

Michael Potestio/Herald Below: Dancers of all ages and ability took part in the powwow in Shulus earlier this month. Ian Webster/Herald

good luck.

Things hings will fall into t place. l The stone animals In the day of the ice age, when God was still creating the Earth, there were huge boulders that the ice moved down this way from the north.

Some of those rocks became animals when God saw that they had moved down here.

These animals moved like us and they told us that God was coming, and to pray.

Some of them kept on working because they thought they had lots of time. Those ones that didn’t pray were turned back to their original form.

250.378.2211 2380 2 380 N Nicola icola Avenue, Avenue, Merritt, BC

as you help celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of the nation’s Aboriginal peoples.

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All Insurance Plans Accepted Family-friendly approach to all your dental needs. ~paperless & digital x-ray~ Newest Department of Scw'exmx Community Health Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm 1999 Voght St. (next to the Credit Union) Call Today to Book Your Appointment. Ph:

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THURSDAY, June 19, 2014 •

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

Legends teach us about animal world sider earth, air, fire, and water as separate elements at all. They are the life force of all things.

JEANETTE MCMASTER In FRIENDSHIP The original people of the Okanagan are known as the Syilx-speaking people. We have been here since the beginning of people on this land. We were wished here by our Creator.

The origin of the Sylix is the earth. We were created from the land as part of the land — the earth, in all its elements, and the ones who came before us are our parents. Like all parents, their job is to take care of us and as such, everything we have was given to us by them.

The four elements are earth, fire, water and land.

The Okanagan people do not con-

Fire In the time before people, the land was overcome with rain until every last fire on earth was extinguished. The animal people had a meeting and discussed what should be done. Then they decided to make war against the Sky Beings to bring back the fire.

In the spring, Coyote pointed his arrow towards the sky an started shooting his arrow first, then the people shot their arrows towards the sky.

They never made it to the Upper World. Many animals tried, one after another, but all their arrows fell to the earth.

Finally, Chickadee pointed his arrow and let go of the string. Everyone watched as his arrow had reached the sky.

He began making a chain of arrows by

shooting the arrows together, which the animals could use as a ladder to reach the sky world.

After everyone was on their way up, Grizzly Bear was the last one to climb the chain of arrows.

Since he is large and heavy, the chain broke and he fell back to earth. Grizzly was not able to join the other animals in their battle.

When the animals reached the sky, they found themselves in a valley near a lake where the people of the sky were fishing.

Coyote went out as a scout, but was captured by the sky people.

Muskrat dug holes along the shores of the lake while Beaver and Eagle were sent out to steal the fire.

Beaver lay down in a fish trap, pretending to be dead.

When the sky people found him, they carried him to their Chief ’s house.

When the people began to skin Beaver,

Eagle flew to a near by tree and landed.

When the people saw Eagle, they ran out.

At once, Beaver jumped up, and using a clam shell, he stole some burning coals.

When Beaver got to the lake, the people were already chasing him and trying to catch him with fish nets, but Muskrat’s holes had emptied the lake.

When the animal people got to the place where their arrow chain ladder was, they found it broken.

Each bird carried a four-legged on his back, down to the land.

Only Coyote and Sucker were left in the sky world.

Coyote tied a piece of buffalo robe to each of his paws, then he jumped down, landing in a pine tree.

Sucker had to jump down. When he landed, he was broken to pieces.

The next morning, Coyote was showing off his wings, but

when he tried to take them off, he could not and was transformed into a bat.

The animals gathered all of Sucker’s bones they could find and pieced him back together. Since some of his bones were missing, the animals used pine needles in his tail, which is why Sucker has so many bones.

11 Kings ch.3; 17, “For thus says the Lord, You shall not see wind or rain, yet that ravine shall be filled with water so you, your cattle, and your beasts of burden may drink.”

In Friendship, Jeanette McMaster, Elder

TAKE YOUR PICK Grandpa and grandson Fred Sterling and Indiana Joe picked impressive lightning mushrooms from the Nicola Valley over the spring. The mushrooms are a traditional First Nations spring food.

Submitted

Proud to be part of the

Aboriginal community!

Everyone is Welcome

to attend Scw’exmx Child & Family Services’

Feel the Beat Program Open to anyone, adults, youth, elders, families, native, non-native.

It is offered every Tuesday and Thursday at the Shulus Hall from 4:30 to 9pm!!! Bring food, it’s Potluck Style Come out and see what it’s all about, bring your family, bring a friend, invite others for some good family fun!!!

Johnny’s on the Rez • Status Gas & Diesel • Summer Dresses & Sandals • Snacks • Cold drinks • Ice Cream Novelties • Groceries • Magazines • Bait • Lotto Centre • Photocopying • Faxing Monday - Saturday 6 am - 9 pm Sundays & Holidays 7 am - 9 pm

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5

B6 • THURSDAY, June 19, 2014 Lower Nicola indian Band

www.merrittherald.com

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

SCHooL RegiStRatioN 2014-2015

tHe LoweR NiCoLa BaNd SCHooL iNviteS aLL CHiLdReN (First Nations/Non First Nations) To Register for Kindergarten to Grade 7 CuRRiCuLuM:

faCiLitieS:

• BC Curriculum • Nle?kepmx • Cultural Studies • Field Trips • Learning Assistance Program • Extra Curricular Activities & Sports being offered

• Full-Size Gymnasium • Library • Computer Lab • Baseball/Soccer Field

• Full Time Kindergarten – must be 5yrs by Dec 31, 2014 • Door to door Bus Service provided to all areas of Merritt.

Head StaRt SeRviCeS: • 3 & 4 year old Program (K4 must be 4 years old by Dec. 31, 2014) • Parent & Tot Drop In • Home Visiting Program • Services to 0 to 6 year olds: Priority will be given to LNIB Band Members for all Head Start programs • Transportation provided for all Head Start programs

Education Comes First

to RegiSteR you wiLL Need: Immunization Record, Birth Certificate, Health Care Card Number, Band Name and Number.

foR MoRe iNfoRMatioN

Lower Nicola Band School Ph: 250-378-5527 201 Horn Rd., Merritt, BC

THURSDAY, June 19, 2014 •

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

Nicola Tribal Association Nicola Tribal Association would like to congratulate the Class of 2014, we wish you success in your future endeavours from NTA Administration, NTA Finance, NWSFA & Tmixw Research.

Courtney Angel Chloe Gabara Charity-Angel Pender Jayni Bara-Canadien Kathlene Gorst Kirra Racine Kiyl Baynes Tierra Holmes Trevor Reed Tameka Black Casandra Hopson Tristan Sampson Crista Boyd

Shane Isaac Julia Spahan Courtney Brewer Shawn Isaac Alisha Sterling Miles Briggs Savannah Joe Alana Suzuki Justine Brown Kevin Keyser Hyacinth Suzuki Bradley Colter Mitch Major

y a D l a n i g i r o b A l Nationa

Elizabeth Thom Shane Colvin Richard McLeod Ashlee Tom Tristan Couture Cristiana McMaster Talon Tom Dakota Cox Keisha Munro Stephanie Tourand Tyler Edwards Catherine Opper Devan Van Unen

Fallon Fosberry Matthew Parr Lanor Voght-Bob Latrisha Alextis Travis Paterson Tiffany Brabant Braydon Muir Felix Saul Alex Shuter Kristian Stead Fran Bob Randi Colvin Cody Dennis Shania Free

Kyla Hall Stephanie Hilash Candice John James Cassandra Joseph Robert Ned Shania Ned Mikayla Phillips Steve Pinyon Tashina Shackelly Keith Wilson Thomas Manuel Jack Sterling Moses Brittani Ketlo Kewet’N Beatty Smith

TThe he Nicola Tri Tribal iba Association would like to Celebrate National Aboriginal Day and wish everyone a summer celebration commemorating Aboriginal Heritage and Culture.

CO COLDWATER OL INDIAN BAND PO Box 4600 2249 Quilchena Ave., Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 250-378-6174 www.coldwaterband.com COOKS FERRY INDIAN BAND 10 #PY r %FFS -BOF Spences Bridge, BC V0K 2L0 250-458-2224 NICOMEN INDIAN BAND PO Box 670 1054 Spence Road, Lytton, BC V0K V0K 1Z0 1Z Z0 0 250-455-2514 SISKA INDIAN BAND PO Box 519 Lytton, BC V0K 1Z0 250-455-2219 UPPER NICOLA INDIAN BAND AND PO Box 3700 2225 Village Road, Merritt,, B BC C V1K V1 V 1 1K K 1B8 1B8 1B 250-350-3342 www.uppernicolaband.com m SHACKAN INDIAN BAND 2160 Settler’s Road, Merritt, BC V1K 1M9 250-378-5410 NOOAITCH INDIAN BAND 2954 Shackelly Road, Merritt, BC V1K 1N9 250-378-6141

Visit our website for more up-to-date information

www.nicolatribal.com administration@nicolatribal.org

250-378-4235

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B8 • THURSDAY, June 19, 2014

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

Family affair at school district aboriginal grad

By Emily Wessel THE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

It may have been dreary and grey outside the Civic Centre last Thursday evening, but inside, the mood was jubilant.

It was a family affair as 40 graduates from around School District 58 celebrated their achievement at the annual SD58 Aboriginal Graduation.

First Nations, Métis and aboriginal graduates from Merritt Secondary School, Princeton Secondary School, N’Kwala School and Kengard Learning Centre were welcomed to the dinner and celebration by a group of drummers and dancers before being brushed with cedar branches and then wrapped in a blanket to honour their accomplishment.

Nooaitch elder and former chief Ko’waintco Michel told the packed auditorium the brushing represents letting go of the heaviness of the past to make room for the future, while the blanket represents the community’s love and support surrounding the grads.

SD58 principal of aboriginal education Shelley OppenheimLacerte said district administration and school staff are proud of this year’s grads and of the programs they’ve developed with input from First Nations communities.

“We’re really proud of the culture teaching we’re providing with our traditional dances.

We’re teaching that to our students in the school system and that’s why we’re showcasing at different events,” Oppenheim-Lacerte said.

Students from MSS’s Aboriginal Academy also drummed during the evening.

“We want to build on the number of students that are participating throughout

Highland Valley Copper Partners in the Community On June 21 we encourage our communities to participate in the celebration which recognizes unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of the nation’s Aboriginal people.

the school district,” she said. “We’re really proud of that.”

She said building relationships and engaging aboriginal communities is important to the success of the school district’s aboriginal programming and its students.

Community support was evident at the celebration, which included representation from all over Canada, Oppenheim-Lacerte said.

“The aboriginal people have a great community network that supports one another,” SD58 superintendent Bob Peacock said in his speech.

Representatives of the school district were joined by members of the SD58 school board, the City of Merritt and the RCMP at the event.

School trustee Richie Gage told the graduates their success depended equally on their individual efforts and their support networks, which include family members, friends, teachers and First Nations support workers.

“Secondary school

graduation is the first of many celebrations that you will experience as you move through life, but it is one that will open many doors that may have been closed to you if you hadn’t made that level of achievement,” he said.

District First Nations support worker Keith Jager’s advice to grads was to stay true to themselves.

“Don’t become a copy. Stay original, be yourself. You can be successful if you choose to,” he said.

UBC-Okanagan student Nathan Chenoweth had some words of wisdom for students after graduating from MSS last year.

“Always see a sunny side, a silver lining,” the Upper Nicola Band member told the grads. “Always be thankful for your family and friends. Your family will always support you, no matter what happens.”

Upper Nicola Band Coun. George Saddleman said the importance of that support remained

for him in the 46 years since his high school graduation.

“Forty-six years ago, when I graduated, it was a long struggle to get to Grade 12. But once you get to Grade 12, life really travels fast,” he said.

“You’ve written chapter 12, now you have many more chapters to write,” Saddleman said to end his speech.

At Highland Valley Copper we are committed to inclusion and proactive engagement with our communities in the Nlaka’pamux territory.

We can be reached by Email: hvc.feedback@teck.com or Toll Free Telephone: 1-855-523-3429

Celebrating Ab riginal Day

Protecting Traditional Values through Sustainable Forest Management

Stuwix Resources

250-378-2277

www.stuwix.com

THURSDAY, June 19, 2014 •

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9

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY TRADITIONAL WISDOM

Have a Happy Aboriginal Day!

When rosebuds are blooming, it means the kokanee are biting.

The abundance of cottonwood fluff in the air tells us there will be an abundance of berries.

From everyone at (250) 378 6808 Located at 1951 Garcia Street

Chewing hardened tree sap is medicinal — good for the liver and cleans the blood. It is also good for exercising your jaw.

When prairie chickens in the winter light up in the trees, it means cold weather is coming.

When cranes fly overhead and are making noise, it is a true sign of fall. When you holler at them from the ground, they will circle above you. That’s when prayers are sent down south. When the cranes come back in the spring, they bring back answers to the prayers.

You go to an ant pile and dig up the hill until you get to the eggs. Then you put the eggs and ants on a blanket and fold one corner of the blanket so the ants have a place to re-hide their eggs. Once most of the eggs are under the blanket, you gather them up and use the eggs as a fish attractant. Use the eggs when you go fishing for kokanee in the spring.

To let the community know when a young man has become a hunter, he has to give his first deer to all his aunts, uncles and cousins.

It’s our way of showing that there is another provider in the community.

CELEBRATING the unique heritage, diverse culture and outstanding achievements of the Merritt & areas Aboriginal peoples.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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www.nicolaplumbingandheating.com email: nicplumb@telus.net Phone: 250-378-4943 2064 Coutlee Ave., P.O. Box 2999 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8

PROUD D TO SUPPORT

LEADER OF THE PACK Wolves are known as fierce hunters, intuitive gatherers and protectors of their packs.

Because they mate for life, wolves are regarded as having high loyalty to their families. Wolves often symbolize intelligence, understanding, loyalty and strength.

*KX[RPRWJU -Jb

Ian Webster/Herald Friendly, professional service, ce fr from om people who care.

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May the Creator keep you yo o and your loved ones Safe & Healthy

The Staff of the Merritt Herald would like to thank the Aboriginal community for their continued dedication to educating and upholding your cultural traditions, language and philosophies. We would like to take this time to honour the aboriginal peoples of Merritt and surrounding areas.

We dedicate this supplement to you!

MERRITT HERALD Check out online E-edition at www.merrittherald.com 2090 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC (250) 378-4241

from the Upper Nicola Band Chief, Council & Staff.

B10 • THURSDAY, June 19, 2014

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY Aboriginal day: What does it mean to you?

We asked the students at the Lower Nicola Band School to show us what Aboriginal Day means to them, and here are their answers.

THURSDAY, June 19, 2014 •

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY The four seasons SPRING

FALL Fall is the time for picking huckleberries.

The Coquihalla area was the traditional picking place. Families set up camp for a whole week, maybe even two weeks.

Hunters go out and hunt deer and moose. This is in preparation for winter.

The meat is smoked and dried.

Everything comes to life. The elders used to say that “when we hear thunder and lightning, deer are being born.” We would never hunt game in the spring if we could help it because of the newborns. This is the time when grandmothers, mothers and children would pick wild potatoes, wild celery, bitterroot and spring mushrooms.

The bitterroot we found at the Guichon Ranch; wild celery at the marsh areas in the valley and wild potatoes were found in the vicinity of Aspen Grove.

SUMMER

WINTER Winter is family time, the time we get together as a family because we have to all cuddle up for warmth, not only for warming our bodies but spiritually. At night, we tell stories. When elders are done telling stories, it would be time to go to bed and the lights went out. In winter, we ate dried Saskatoons and soap berries. A special treat was always a porridge-like meal with Saskatoons. This was meant for special occasions.

The whole family goes fishing down at the river. They gather summer berries, Saskatoons and strawberries. The male members of the family will be putting in the garden. It’s a very busy time for everyone. We take advantage of this time to prepare for winter. This is the season everyone comes together and works together.

Summer is also the time for ceremonies. One that comes to mind is the ceremony to celebrate growth, usually at puberty for children. This is named the giving time. The character of the child is used to help select their name. For example, boys who are natural hunters would be given names in reference to hunting and a girl who is graceful in nature would be named in reference to her character. Summer is also the time when buckskin is made, and we prepare hides for the upcoming winter.

Administration Tel 250 378.5157 Fax 250 378.6188

Community Services & Health Tel 250 378.4089 Fax 250 378.9137

A FEAST FOR THE EYES About 200 people turned out for the Lower Nicola Band’s Yvonne Basil Memorial Powwow on the June 6-8 weekend.

Spectators were in for a treat as the Shulus Arbour was full of colourful regalia, dancers of all ages and vendors to celebrate the event.

Ian Webster/Herald

Celebrating Aboriginal Day June 21st

LNIB School

Tel 250 378.5527 Fax 250 378.6389

LNIB Fire Dept.

Tel 250 378.5110 Fax 250 378.6063 911 Emergency

Shulus Community Arena Tel 250 378.5180 Fax 250 378.5137

Economic Development & Natural Resources Tel 250 378.5157 Fax 250 378.6188

Lower Nicola Indian Band Mission Statement: “We the Lower Nicola Indian Band Council, as Stewards of the Nle’kepmx Pel Tmixw, in the spirit, devote our efforts in pursuing socio-economic opportunities while protecting and enhancing our Traditional Land and Cultural Values.”

181 Nawishaskin Lane | Merritt, British Columbia, Canada V1K 0A7 Email: reception@lnib.net | website: www.lnib.net

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B12 • THURSDAY, June 19, 2014

www.merrittherald.com

Aboriginal Day NatioNal

Aboriginal Day Celebrations

Saturday, June 21, 2014 Voght Park • (1500 Canford Ave) Draft Schedule of Events & Activities - All Activities are at Voght Park!

National Aboriginal Day Celebrations 8:00 am – 10:00 am

Voght ParkRetasket ( 1500- VOLUNTEERS Canford Avenue) Tipi Raising Lesson – Adrian WELCOME AND NEEDED TO HELP RAISE THE TIPI’S

10:00 am

Opening remarks – Master of Ceremonies / Welcome Songs – ALL hand drummers welcome!

Merritt BC

DRAFT Schedule of Events & Activities—all activitiesOkanagan, are at Voght Park Opening Prayer & Welcome: Nlaka’pamux, English & French 8:00 am – 10:00

10:30 am 10:00 10:30

11:00 am 11:00 – 2:00 pm

11:00 am - 1:00 pm 11:00 am – 2:00 pm 11:00

Hoop Dance Performance by the Akachuk family

Tipi Raising Lesson– Adrian Retasket - VOLUNTEERS WELCOME AND NEEDED TO HELP RAISE THE TIPI’S Aboriginal Day Activities commence Opening remarks – Master of Ceremonies / Welcome Songs – ALL hand drummers welcome!

• Activity Booth’s Open Opening Prayer & Welcome: Okanagan, Nlaka’pamux, English & French • Vendor’s and sale booths Hoop Dancecraft Performance by theOpen Akachuk family

• Syilx Tipi opens for Okanagan language and story telling • Nlaka’pamux Tipi openscommence for Nlaka’pamux language and story telling Aboriginal Day Activities • Moccasin Mile – organized

by Buzz Manuel  Activity Booth’s Open • Mother’s / Children’s rest area – designated tipi for Merritt Mom’s  Vendor’s craft and sale booths Open • Elder’s visiting / rest area – designated tipi for Elders

 Syilx Tipi opens for Okanagan language and story telling Bring lawn chairs,  Nlaka’pamux Tipi opens for Nlaka’pamux language and story telling Contests throughout umbrella’s, day tents, Children Moccasin/ Teen Mile –/ Adult organized

by Buzz Manuel the day to include: • Baby Crawling Contest • Sack race / Egg & Spoon Race sunscreen and your  Mother’s / Children’s rest area – designated tipi for Merritt Mom’s • Water Balloon Toss • Other games to be announced own picnic lunch! • Elder’s visiting / rest area tipi for Elders Three legged race – designated • Bear/Eagle game (age: 3-4/5-7/8-10/11-13) Children’s Crafts Booth A reminder this is a and band&towrite play up during lunch and during festivities Randy ColourChillihitzia the Medicine Wheel meaning drug and alcohol free  Bracelet & necklace making Children’s Crafts Booth

Children Teen / AdultWheel Contests throughout the day to include: • Colour /the Medicine & write up meaning • Bracelet Baby Crawling Contest  Sack race / Egg & Spoon Race & necklace making  Water Balloon Toss  Other games to be announced  Three legged race  Bear/Eagle game (age: 3-4/5-7/8-10/11-13)

11:30 am – 3:30 pm

Hot dogs / Watermelon Booth’s open • ChildChillihitzia / Teen / Adult Randy andcategories band to play during lunch and during festivities

11:30 – 3:30 pm 1:00 pm – 4:00

Hot dogs / Watermelon Booth’s open Grand entry – Travelling Spirit • Feel The Beat Dance Performance Child / Teen / Adult categories

11:00-1:00

2:00 pm 1:00 – 4pm

1:30 pm 2:00 pm

1:30 3:00 pm

3:00pm

4:00 pm 4:00pm

Please be prepared for the outdoor activities!

• Inter-Tribals • Travelling Spirit Pow Wow Dancers • Friendship Dance Watermelon Eating Contest – at the booth • Potato Dance / Owl Dance watermelon • Round Dance

Grand entry – Travelling Spirit DayDance BingoPerformance starts (5 games leading to blackout)  Inter-Tribals Aboriginal Feel The Beat  Travelling Spirit Pow Wow Dancers  Friendship Dance Round Dance Watermelon Potato Dance / OwlContest Dance – at the watermelon Eating booth

event.

Everyone in the Nicola Valley is welcome to come share in the festivities!

Proudly hosted by the Conayt Friendship Society

For Information: Deloris Charters at 250-378-5107

Aboriginal Day Bingo starts (5 games leading to blackout) Tug of War – Registration of teams at the info booth

Tug of War—Registration of teams at the info booth Closing prayer / closing remarks Closing prayer / closing remarks

Aboriginal Advisory Council

Aboriginal

Advisory Council Please be prepared for the outdoor activities! Bring lawn chairs, umbrella’s, day tents, sunscreen and your own picnic lunch!

A reminder this is a drug and alcohol free event. Everyone in the Nicola Valley is welcome to come share in the festivities!

For Information: Deloris Charters at 250-378-5107 Nicola Valley Native Veterans funded part of this Event

Proudly Hosted by Conayt Friendship Society

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.