Volume 12 • Issue 06
JULY 2016
CEDAR TEACHING WITH
John Marston at Ladysmith Secondary PAGES 12-15
INLET PEOPLE
Special Report PAGES 2-7
HARRY’S DAY PAGES 8-9
NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS
OPINION Coast Salish 24/7 Naut’sa mawt-Working together as one EDITORIAL TEAM Mark Kiemele - Editor editor@salishseasentinel.ca Cara McKenna - Writer caradawnmckenna@gmail.com Tricia Thomas - Photographer Bronwen Geddes - Copy Editor DESIGN Salish Eye Productions ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Manoj Sood ads@salishseasentinel.ca 604-943-6712 OR 1-888-382-7711 PUBLISHER Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 330-6165 Highway17A Delta, BC V4K 5B8 Gary Reith, CAO 604-943-6712 OR 1-888-382-7711 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT # 42922026
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The Salish Sea Sentinel is published monthly, ten times a year, by the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, representing 6,500 people in 11 member nations. Salish Sea Sentinel is all rights reserved. Contents and photographs may not be reprinted without written permission. The statements, opinions and points of view expressed in articles published in this magazine are those of the authors. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials.
COVER PHOTO: John Marston works on one of the panels that will be installed in the foyer at Ladysmith Secondary School in a reconciliation project.. Photo by Mark Kiemele.
1. HALALT (250) 246-4736 chief@halalt.org www.halalt.org
7. SNUNEYMUXW (Nanaimo) (250) 740-2300 johngwesley@shaw.ca www.snuneymuxw.ca
2. HOMALCO (250) 923-4979 m.enevoldsen@homalco.com
8. STZ’UMINUS (Ladysmith) (250) 245-7155
3. KLAHOOSE Qathen Xwegus Management Corp (250) 935-6536 www.klahoose.com 4. MALAHAT (250) 743-3231 caroline.harry@malahatnation.com www.malahatnation.com 5. TLA’AMIN (604) 483-9646 clint.williams@sliammon.bc.ca www.sliammonfirstnation.com www.sliammontreaty.com 6. SNAW-NAW-AS (Nanoose) (250) 390-3661 chris.bob@nanoose.org www.nanoose.org
Ray.Gauthier@coastsalishdevcorp.com
www.stzuminus.com 9. TSAWWASSEN (604) 943-2122 info@tsawwassenfirstnation.com www.tsawwassenfirstnation.com 10. TSLEIL-WAUTUTH (604) 929-3454 bbaptiste@twnation.ca www.twnation.ca 11. T’SOU-KE (Sooke) (250) 642-3957 administrator@tsoukenation.com www.tsoukenation.com Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 8017 Chemainus Road Chemainus, BC V0R 1K5 (250) 324-1800 www.nautsamawt.org SALISH SEA SENTINEL
1
PEOPLE OF THE INLET
HOPE REIGNS AS NATION AWAITS PIPELINE RULING A special report on Tsleil-Waututh Nation with words and photos by Cara McKenna THE TSLEIL-WAUTUTH PEOPLE – ‘People of the Inlet’ – have a lot at stake now that Canada’s pipeline regulator has recommended that the federal government approve the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. The National Energy Board’s decision is conditional on 157 recommendations, but the decision has still caused renewed angst among those who don’t want the pipeline to be built. Tsleil-Waututh has long opposed Kinder Morgan’s proposal,
‘How rich we were’ A profile of Iggy George
Tsleil-Waututh elder Iggy George was born on the Burrard Inlet in 1940, and has lived there for his entire life. At 76, he saw the inlet when it was at its healthiest, and also when it was at its worst state. One of his greatest wishes is to see it restored. 2 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
George talked about his home territory to a group of experts, Indigenous leaders and city officials at a Burrard Inlet Science Symposium in Vancouver’s Stanley Park on May 19.
which would nearly triple the pipeline’s capacity and increase tanker traffic through Burrard Inlet and the rest of the Salish Sea by nearly sevenfold. The Canadian government’s cabinet is expected to make its final decision later this year on the project. In the meantime, people from the nation are doing what they can to restore their home territory which has been ravaged by 150 years of industrialization.
Photo: Sentinel archives
“I just get emotional, just thinking about our young lives then compared to the young lives of today,” he said. “How vastly different it was.” When George was a child, he didn’t even have a battery radio, let alone an iPhone. There also weren’t many ways to get off the reserve, so he and his relatives spent most of their time on the beach.
PEOPLE OF THE INLET “Our mother used to just make us breakfast, we’d do our chores and then we were on our own throughout the day, during the summer,” he said. “We got hungry. We could either dig clams, cook it ourselves or we could catch crabs. But most of the time we took the dugout and we went fishing.”
“... things will never be the same as they once were, but he now has hope that things will get better.”
Iggy George speaking at the Burrard Inlet symposium
George said there used to be a massive kelp bed in the inlet where he would catch different kinds of fish that were plentiful in the area. There were numerous other
kelp beds around the reserve, and they also attracted ducks. When George was older, he would hunt those, too. “I lived on the east end [of the reserve]
and my uncle Leslie lived on about the middle of the reserve,” George said. “He would shoot ducks and they would take off and land in front of me. I’d shoot, and
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PEOPLE OF THE INLET they’d take off and land in front of him.” He chuckled at the memory, but knows the way he grew up cannot be a reality for the generations after him. George said the kelp beds started disappearing in the 1970s as pollution from industry increased. The ducks and much of the sea life disappeared with the kelp. What was once many hundreds of ducks dwindled to none into the 1980s. The fish populations also decreased, as did the crabs. And clam beds that once were so fruitful that George and his family would fill up 100-pound sacks, died off, too. But George regained hope in recent years, when things started to get better, thanks in part to work by the nation and outside experts to restore the inlet. “Around about 2010, I noticed a flock of ducks,” George said. “There were about 50 of them, going by in front of my house. I live right down on the water. And I got all excited about it, I was telling my wife about it. ... It felt so good to see them.” That number grew to more than 3,000 last year. And the nation’s members will soon be able harvest a clam bed for the first time in many decades. George said he knows things will never be the same as they once were, but he now has hope that things will get better. “It’s been such a big change on the inlet,” he said. “I just wish my great grandchildren could see or do what we used to do when we were kids. “Growing up and looking back, we thought, oh man, we were so poor, we had to do this and do that, but now I look around and I realize how rich we were.”
Iggy gives thanks at the symposium
4 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Despite the high levels of industrial activty Burrard Inlet attracts visitors on the nation’s Takaya Tours
New council looking after the Inlet Tsleil-Waututh Nation has formed a new council that is taking responsibility for the environmental protection of the Burrard Inlet. The Burrard Inlet Stewardship Council will carry forward with work that was started in the nation’s recent scientific action plan to restore the pollution-ravaged area. That study, available on the nation’s website, identifies six priority actions to restore the Burrard Inlet by the year 2025. The actions include recovery of shellfish beds, identifying and reducing pollution and monitoring water quality. The stewardship council – jointly formed with the Musqueam and Squamish nations – plans to put the completed scientific work into action by collaboarating with all levels of government and experts to restore the health of the inlet. Ernie George, Tsleil-Waututh director of treaty, lands and resources, said the work is urgently needed after 150 years of industrialization on the inlet. He said there is also a void to be filled after
a former intergovernmental initiative to restore the inlet, the Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program, was shuttered in 2013. “Our elders have given us a mandate of bringing the health of the inlet back,” George said. “I tell my team it doesn’t mat-
Ernie George… a mandate from the elders
PEOPLE OF THE INLET ter if it takes 150 years for us to clean it up, we just need to get there and we need to get the ball rolling.” The new council was announced on May 19, the same day that the National Energy Board recommended that Canada move forward with the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion that would substantially increase tanker traffic in the Burrard Inlet. “Kinder Morgan and NEB is always in the forefront of our minds,” George said “It doesn’t mean that we stop doing what we’re doing.” “Efficiency with those industry folks means more ships, more tankers, more barges, so we really have to understand where we’re going to go.” Tsleil-Waututh Chief Maureen Thomas said in a statement that the new council is part of the nation’s plan for a sustainable future.
‘Just say no’ says chief to Ottawa Chief Maureen Thomas of Tsleil-Waututh Nation went to Ottawa last month in order to make a plea to the federal govern-
ment to reject the Trans Mountain pipeline project. Squamish Chief Ian Campbell, Musqueam councillor Howard Grant and Vancouver’s Mayor Gregor Robertson joined her in a delegation.
Proud neighbour, committed to community. At Port Metro Vancouver we are committed to the development of long-term working relationships with Aboriginal groups who share an interest in the lands and waters we manage. As we monitor the safety and efficiency of traffic on the water, we wish all mariners safe and enjoyable passage. For marine-related assistance within Port Metro Vancouver’s jurisdiction, call our 24/7 Operations Centre at 604.665.9086.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 5
PEOPLE OF THE INLET
Chief Thomas with the other women on Tsleil-Waututh council
Thomas told reporters in Ottawa on June 7 that any risk of a spill from the pipeline is too great a risk for her people to bear. “The government and the people of this country really need to start looking at alternatives,” she said. “We can’t wait for someone else to do it, we really need to stand up now and start speaking what needs to be done.” She talked about the contamination that has existed in the Burrard Inlet for many decades. The chief said it is so extreme that she believes it to be causing cancer in people from the nation who eats the fish from the polluted areas. 6 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
“We continue to be there and we want to be there,” she said. “The pollution in those waters not just from Kinder Morgan, but from other [industries], is vast, taking away the life of our inlet.” Chief Campbell said the current pipeline was put in at a time when the First Nations had no say, but now things have changed. “We weren’t citizens in our own land and we had no legal recourse to challenge industrial projects,” he said.
“This is an era of reconciliation.” Meanwhile, Vancouver Mayor Robertson spoke about how the pipeline would affect Vancouver’s green economy and environmental goals. “We are here representing our citizens on the West Coast. “Over the past two years with the independent research and analysis, we have concluded (the project) is not in the public interest,” he said. “The risks of an oil spill… on Vancouver’s economy are far too great and do not justify this pipeline being built.”
PEOPLE OF THE INLET
Works begins on complex WORK HAS STARTED on a new administration and health complex at Tsleil-Waututh Nation. The 25,000 square foot building will house offices and the health centre and will be a communitygathering centre on lands adjacent to the current decades-old offices overlooking Burrard Inlet.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 7
OUR HEROES
Group photos by Lara Mussell-Savage. Other photos courtesy of Robert Janning
HARRY HAS HIS DAY AS PLAQUE UNVEILED
SNUNEYMUXW SOCCER STAR HARRY Manson’s name in the Hul’qumi’num language was Xulsimalt, which means ‘One who leaves his mark.’ And he certainly left his mark in early June when his plaque was unveiled at the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Many of his de-
scendants attended a Banquet of Champions in Vancouver and sat in a honourary private suite at a Vancouver Whitecaps soccer match. It has been more than 100 years since Manson played to soccer fame in Nanaimo. He died in 1912 and paved the way
for many other Indigenous soccer players. One year ago, he was inducted into the Legends category of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary and was named a Pioneer in Canada’s Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014. But let’s let Robert Janning – the man
Harriet Manson unveils Xulsimalt’s plaque
Harriet Manson with her daughter Cheryl and son Chris
Manson family celebrates a Whitecaps’ goal from the private suite the club gifted to them
8 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
OUR HEROES who literally wrote the book on Manson – finish the story. “Wow! What an incredible journey we've been on. Many have honoured your ancestor Xulsimalt, and as a consequence thereof he will never again be forgotten. “Having a First Nations' man formally inducted and recognized has involved the participation of many Canadians, from many different backRobert Janning grounds. It is all part of the new relationships that are evolving between First Nations and Canadians. “This change is necessary, as we all know the old ways have not worked out that well, especially for many of the First Nations people across this country. However, successful integration is a two-way street.
It requires both sides to interact, get involved and be willing to work together to create a better world for our children. “The entire process – finding Xulsimalt’s incredible story, publishing my book, soliciting letters of support, submitting nominations, traveling with the Manson family to Vaughan, Proud great-great-grandsons of Xulsimalt Logan and Tray Ontario, Calgary, Alberta, for all the wonderful support that the SalNanaimo and finally a mile down the road ish Sea Sentinel team has extended to us. from my home to BC Place Stadium and We are forever grateful. the Vancouver Convention Centre to at“All I ever hoped for is that Xulsimalt's tend all the tributes and inductions has story provides some good medicine to the been nothing short of traveling Miracle First Nations' youth of today and inspires Miles. them to reaching their fullest potential in “Once again, on behalf of the Manson the future. “Huych'qa Siem” family and myself, thank you very much
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TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
Kristin shows students how to identify a young alder tree and explains its medicinal uses. The roots are harvested in the fall and can be used to treat tumours. The bumps on the roots also look like small tumours. Up close look a young alder tree root (right)
Kristin is ‘a natural’ Photos by Tricia Thomas
KRISTIN THOMAS FROM Halalt First Nation passed along her passion for medicinal plants and traditional healing to students from St Joseph’s school in Chemainus recently. She took the children on a plant walk through the habitat of the Chemainus River on Halalt lands and talked with them about specific plants as well as preserving the natural environment so that people like her can continue to use traditional medicines. After working with a respected Coast Salish medicine women, Kristin realized that she had retained plant knowledge passed down to her as a child and she made it her mission to seek an understanding of different plants and their healing properties. She earned a diploma in renewable resource management in 2009 and is currently undertaking her herbal practitioner certificate at the College of the Rockies. She has Kristin Thomas also studied traditional herbal wellness with Dr. Jeanne Paul of Tla’amin Nation. Kristin has given numerous presentations, hands-on medicinemaking workshops and plant identification walks with organizations such as Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services and the Snuneymuxw Building Beautiful Babies group. 10 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Now she is working on her business ‘Naturally Native by Kristin’ in which she will be expanding her growing apothecary of traditional plant medicines and teas. But that hasn’t stopped her being out in nature, in her true medicine cabinet, wild crafting and harvesting the plants she adores. Contact information: Kristin Thomas: 250-709-0428 or kcthomas75@outlook.com
Dull Oregan Grape (Suniiulp). The bark and berries have medicinal uses and it is also used for a natural yellow dye
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
Kristin holding Cleaver. A great blood cleanser that helps move and dissolve lymphatic congestion
Thimbleberry (T’uqwum’). Kristin explained how it has edible berries, shoots and the leaves can be mixed with other wild berry leaves to make a tea
False Lily of the Valley, used as a poultice for skin infections and eye care
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TEACHING WITH CEDAR
COAST SALISH WELCOME
FOR LADYSMITH STUDENTS Story and photos by Mark Kiemele
WHEN STUDENTS ARRIVE at Ladysmith Secondary School this September, they will immediately get a taste of the new Aboriginal-inclusive curriculum that’s been put in place at all BC schools this year. Stz’uminus artist John Marston has taken on a two-year task of creating Coast Salish sensations inside the main entry doors in the form of traditional house posts, a
welcoming figure, a longhouse structure and cedar weaving. The project has generated excitement in the school and throughout the community with students helping to paint designs on panels, adult volunteers making steel brackets for the posts and the community donating money for the $75,000 project. It’s all in support of a commitment to reconciliation on the part of both the artist,
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TEACHING WITH CEDAR
‘Thixwum ‘i’ m’i ch nuw’ilum - Please come in Stz’uminus nation and the greater Ladysmith community. “Everyone was waiting for someone to start, someone to do something,” Marston said. “When they came and asked me to do a pole for the school, I thought I’d do more.” Combining an artist’s talents with the skills of school staff and teachers in the project wasn’t the easiest of things, Marston admitted.
“People have said ‘this has been needed for so long’ “There’s no spreadsheets or anything. We’re figuring it out as we go along and everyone has given me support.” The project is aptly named nutsumaat syaays which means ‘working together as one’ in the Hul’qumi’num language. Champions of the project range from the school’s principal Margaret Olsen and teachers Bill Taylor and Moira Dolen to Ladysmith’s longtime volunteering supremo Duck Paterson. Also stepping up was Timberwest, which donated the 40-foot log from which the panels and figure are being made. A sawmill, located across Oyster Bay from
George Seymour of Stz’uminus stopped by to admire Marston’s cedar weaving
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 13
TEACHING WITH CEDAR
the Stz’uminus #12 reserve cut the lumber. And the Artists in the Classroom organization gave $10,000 to kick-start the project. Marston is pumped by the support from his nation and the Ladysmith community. “People have said ‘this has been needed for so long’ and this project has taken us to a place where we have started to have good conversations. Now other people own it, not just me. “These are the first steps on the long road to reconciliation,” he said. The panels will be installed over the summer. Then Marston will begin work on the welcome figure in his workshop overlooking the harbour in the building that also houses the Maritime Museum. It will get its finishing touches after being put in place in the school’s foyer. Teacher Moira Dolen, who is also the school’s Aboriginal liaison, is clear about the long-term impact the project will have. “This is going to transform the school and transform the environment here,” she said. Donations are still needed to finish the project. More information from mdolen@sd68.bc.ca or by phoning Moira Dolen or Bill Taylor at 250-245-3043.
14 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
TEACHING WITH CEDAR
Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued its final report in 2015. It also delivered its Calls to Action – 94 ways in which Canadians can work to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of reconciliation. Several of them dealt with education at all levels including: 62. We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to: Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for K-12 students. 63. We call upon the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada to maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues, including: Developing and implementing K-12 curriculum and learning resources on Aboriginal peoples in Canadian history, and the history and legacy of residential schools. Visit www.nctr.ca
Salish Eagle christened The Salish Eagle, which will soon be adorned with distinctive designs created by John Marston, was christened in an official naming ceremony in early June at a shipyard in Gdansk, Poland. The Eagle is one of the three new Salishclass vessels that will be joining the BC Ferries fleet. Last year the First Peoples’ Cultural Council issued a call for Coast Salish artists’ designs for consideration. From 37 entries, three were chosen to create designs for the new ships. In addition to Marston, Darlene Gait from Esquimalt Nation created designs for the Salish Orca and Thomas Cannell from Musqueam for the Salish Raven. “These vessels, named after the Coast Salish people and the Salish Sea, represent British Columbia’s rich coastal culture and heritage,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries president and CEO. All three ships will be fuelled by natural gas, resulting in the reduction of an estimated 9,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, about the same as taking 1,900 passenger vehicles off the road annually.
The first of the 107-metre ferries – the Salish Orca – is planned to arrive in BC by the end of this year. The Salish Eagle is expected to arrive early in 2017 and the Salish Raven is expected to arrive in the spring. The Salish Eagle and Salish Raven will provide service to the Southern Gulf Islands while the Salish Orca will sail on the Comox-Powell River route.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 15
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
KNOWLEDGE IS KEY FOR KALVIN By Mark Kiemele Bear photos by Todd Peacey
“I’M A BUSY BEE,” Kalvin Hackett admits as he visits outside the Homalco community hall in Campbell River. The very well-spoken young man says that he’s been working since age 12 when he ran a lawn maintenance company. That was also when he took his first trip into Bute and began to learn about his nation’s original home around Orford Bay. Now, 13 years later, Kalvin has turned six seasons as a rookie guide for the tours into a passion. He’s a skipper on one of the canoes that takes visitors to view wildlife
and petroglyphs, eat traditional foods and learn about the culture of his people. “I started out very nervous as a tour guide and not very informative,” he admits. “But the more I read up on bear ecology and fish biology and the more I learned about the history and the Coast Salish dialect, the stories and the meanings… the more I armed myself with knowledge, the easier these bear tours got. “If I can learn three of anything and everything – three bears, three whales, three mountains, three rivers, three trees – the
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16 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
easier it gets. I’m taking a bird course this year to further my knowledge. It’s a little embarrassing when a tour guest can outdo you on birds. It leaves a humble, bitter taste in my mouth.” So beware guests of Homalco Wildlife Tours. You’ll be guided by a walking, talking wildlife Wikipedia. “I want to be the best I can be for myself, for Homalco and for the company,” Kalvin says. “We are a world-renowned tour destination. Last year we were number one on TripAdvisor. And how we perceive the vision of all of our guests… we want to look good.” After Kalvin graduated from high school, he spent a year in the Raven Aboriginal youth program at CFB Esquimalt and then worked a series of jobs from the production line at an Ucluelet seafood plant to wild land firefighting.
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
‘There’s nothing more symbolic to our wilderness than the BC coastal grizzly bears’
“Things were building up,” he says of those jobs. “So, I decided to do Bear Aware, level one first aid, get a transportation endorsement and swift water river rescue. Those are all mandatory certifications for what I do.” He began working for Homalco Wildlife Tours in 2011. “You’ve got to start in janitorial, washing buses and mopping floors and work your way up. I can do everything now, pretty much, from running the show to answering emails.” But at the centre of all his work are the bears. “There’s nothing more symbolic to our wilderness than the BC coastal grizzly bears,” he says as he talks about the animals that can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. He is also fascinated by the recent studies at Orford Bay, using barbed wire and cameras to collect hair for DNA and other vital information from tree-mounted cameras. “We’re going to get to the point where we know all the bears,” he says. “We want to keep the tours as authentic as possible with nothing invasive. That’s their home and we’re all guests.
As he anticipates another season in Orford, with more than 3,000 visitors expected, he looks forward to another year of knowledge-building. As he anticipates another season in Orford, with more than 3,000 visitors ex-
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pected, he looks forward to another year of knowledge building. “I don’t consider this a job, more of a lifestyle. I honestly and truly love what I do. I’m very blessed.”
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AROUND THE SALISH SEA
YOUTH INVITED TO FIRST SUMMER NMTC GATHERING
CARMEN LANDS A JOB WHEN CARMEN GALLIGOS spoke at the Tla’amin Nation treaty celebrations on April 9 in Powell River, she impressed everyone in the crowd. “We’re also in a time of constant innovation and growth right now,” she told the audience. “Even in Tla’amin there’s always new infrastructure being created. It would be a dream to work as an engineer in my own community or possibly other First Nations communities, helping them meet their goals.” Gary Reith, chief administrative officer for Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council (NmTC), was one of those whose ears perked up on hearing Carmen’s talk. Others were impressed as well and the civil engineering technology student was offered two summer job offers as a result of her speech. Reith contacted Carmen about an NmTC technical engineering and survey services position and she was seconded to Associated Engineering where she will continue the journey to realize her dream.
Marcy is a longtime puller for the RainYOUNG PEOPLE FROM every one of the bow canoe club – Thuq’ul’shunum – from eleven Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council naKulleet Bay and works in the tribal countions are invited to apply to attend the first cil’s administration office at Halalt First Youth Leadership Gathering. Nation. The two-day gathering will be held in the Shell Beach area of Stz’uminus First Nation on August 16-17. There will be 30-40 youth ages 14-19 coming together to connect on culture, governance and leadership with other future Coast Salish leaders. “It looks very exciting,” said Marcy Seymour who is helping coordinate the Marcy Seymour and her daughter Kayla event. “The gathering will Also on the agenda in mid-August is an feature an evening feast, several workengagement session, so that participants shops and activities as well as traditional can plan to keep the connections they ceremonies.” make at the gathering alive. She said that there will be a strong emYouth interested in attending can regisphasis on bringing the knowledge of elter online by going to: ders to the participants while giving youth www.nmtcevents.com/youthgathering a chance to try their hands at traditional crafts and canoe paddling.
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Halalt First Nation hosted St. Joseph’s School field trip to the Chemainus River. Students released salmon, planted cedar trees, studied insects, and went on a plant walk. Photos by Tricia Thomas
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MALAHAT ON NEW TACK AS IT WEATHERS AN LNG STORM Words and photos by Mark Kiemele
Saanich Inlet above Malahat Nation and the Bamberton site (above) Alex Brigden, Steelhead LNG project director, Dr. Renee Racette, Malahat CEO and Chief Don Tom of Tsartlip (right)
THERE WAS STANDING-ROOM ONLY at a town hall meeting on the Malahat LNG project, hosted by the District of North Saanich on May 31. But while the crowd was often raucous in their opposition to the proposed facility for Saanich Inlet, attendees listened respectfully as Renee Racette, Malahat Nation’s chief executive, outlined why the nation had become involved in the project. With Chief Caroline Harry and councillors George Harry, Matthew Harry and Vincent Harry listening intently, Racette gave the crowd a course in Malahat 101. She talked about the E&N Railway land grab almost 150 years ago, which she called a “mass privatization,” and the small Malahat reserve land allocation, both of which impact the nation today. She spoke of the “fierce disparity” between Malahat and its neighbours in Mill Bay in terms of housing quality and values, the lack of basic services and the challenges of economic opportunities.
Councillors George Harry and Matthew Harry and Chief Caroline Harry listened intently to the presentations
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“Given… the need to find solutions, the Malahat Nation sought out some creative options for their community,” Racette said. She added that the nation “experiences severe poverty. They have endured years of oppressive laws and policies completely unlike other Canadians,” such as schools, housing, street lighting, emergency services, training and employment. “If you go 15 feet off the land, you’ll find extreme wealth…This is not okay,” Racette said. “This is not going to continue.” She outlined how the adjacent Bamberton industrial lands were purchased with the help of the First Nations Finance Authority and spoke about policies such as property taxation, the land code and a comprehensive community plan. As Malahat enters its engagement with Steelhead LNG, Racette said the nation “brings a critical approach… We have so much learning ahead of us and we are asking a thousand questions.” Consultation with the WSANEC nations on the Saanich Pen-
There was standing room only at the forum in Sidney
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT insula and other southern Vancouver Island communities started more than a year before environmental applications will be submitted, Racette said. But she admitted that: “We have not done a stellar job of meeting protocols with neighbouring First Nations… We hope we can address this and repair these relationships with our neighbours.”
New process begins
Councillor George Harry described a restart of the process of informing both Malahat members and neighbouring nations when he was interviewed recently by Business in Vancouver magazine. “We started a whole new process with [Steelhead],” he said, describing what occurred when a new chief and council were elected late in 2015. “We came in and said, ‘No, you’ve got to start all over again. We’re going to educate these people about what a natural gas facility is like, what it will be producing and what it’s going to look like.’ “We were glad [Steelhead] didn’t mind. We not only started learning about it, we wanted our nation itself to learn about it. You have to have all of your people behind you to agree to something.”
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AROUND THE SALISH SEA
CANOE RACES...
Manny Sampson holding an assortment of paddles he made for sale
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Photos by Tricia Thomas
COAST SALISH FAMILIES from around the Salish Sea are on the move most weekends during the summer as they attend canoe races in BC and Washington state. While the races for all ages is the main attraction, it is also a time to meet with family and friends, sample some delicious foods and see works by artists and craftspeople. Sentinel photographer Tricia Thomas stopped by the Snuneymuxw Water Sports on Nanaimo harbour in late May and spent the day capturing some of the races as well as the people who make each event special. Races continue for the next two months with all eyes on the final competition of the season at Makah Days in Neah Bay on the far west of the Olympic Peninsula.
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
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ABORIGINAL DAY 2016
National Aboriginal Day Photos by Mark Kiemele
Stz’uminus Celebration
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ABORIGINAL DAY 2016
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 25
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
Shaved for Willem A GROUP OF INDIGENOUS LEADERS recently shaved their heads in support of five-year-old Willem White of Snuneymuxw First Nation and his family. Willem suffers from leukemia and has received support from many Aboriginal and Nanaimo communities. His parents are Snuneymuxw councillor Doug White III and Anisa. Pictured from left are: Union of BC Indian Chiefs executive director Don Bain; Lake Babine First Nation Chief Wilf Adam; Robert Phillips of the First Nations Summit; Sumas First Nation councillor Clint Tuttle and Nadleh Whut’en Chief Larry Nooski. They showed off their freshly shaved heads at the First Nations Summit gathering at Squamish First Nation on June 9.
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SALUTING FIRST NATIONS BUSINESS IN FORESTRY
DOYOU YOU HAVE HAVE AAGREAT DO GREATSTORY STORYTO TOTELL TELL, ...a photo or artwork to share? A PHOTO OR ARTWORK TO SHARE? The Salish Salish Sea Sea Sentinel Sentinel is always looking for contributors Theour Salish Sea Sentinel always forwith from 11-member nations toisshare wordslooking and photos contributors from our 11-member nations. If our readers.
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you know someone that is a high achiever,
Tell us your story! – If you know someone who that is a high a cultural leader, someone you respect – we achiever, a cultural cultural leader, leader someone or is a person you respect you respect – we would – we would like to hear from you! like would to read like towhy read and why how and you how honour you honour them. them. Send us an email with your story idea and we will do the rest. Send us anwho email with your idea and And everyone who offers offers an anarticle articleorstory orartwork artwork that that is used is we used in do theorrest. in thewill the magazine magazine on orour on salishseasentinel.ca our salishseasentinel.ca site will sitebewill given be given an honourarium. an honourarium.
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AROUND THE SALISH SEA
JOBS OFFER AFTER CANNERY BUYOUT A PRIVATE CELEBRATION was held at St Jean’s Cannery in Nanaimo in early June to officially mark the sale of the 55-yearold company to a group of five Nuu-chahnulth nations from the west coast of Vancouver Island. Larry Johnson, chairman of the Nuuchah-nulth Cannery Board, said the sale would not only provide revenue for the nations, but also jobs for Aboriginal and non-native people. The nations purchasing the company are Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, Kyuquot/Checklesaht, Uchucklesaht and Ucluelet. “St. Jean’s aligns with our vision,” he said. “They have a great reputation and the
[St. Jean] family have shown leadership in seafood sustainability that is in line with our values.” The sale, first reported in the February edition of the Sentinel, included stores and
depots throughout the BC coast as well as the main facility in Nanaimo. A member of Snuneymuxw First Nation attended the ceremonies to offer an opening prayer.
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NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL
GOLF TOURNEY FOR OUR ELDERS FILLING UP FAST TIMES IS RUNNING OUT for registration for the NmTC Elders of the Salish Sea golf tournament at Tsawwassen Springs on Sunday, July 17. Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is holding the first of what is hoped to be an annual tournament to raise funds for elders in its eleven communities around the Salish Sea. That money will be used for travel to events such as the annual Elders Gathering and other more local activities. The 40th annual gathering will be held in Williams Lake this year from July 12-14. NmTC has lined up an impressive list of prizes for golfers. Top prizes include a hybrid car or pickup truck for those who
Save the date! score a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. There is also $10,000 on offer for a holein-one on the fourth hole and $5,000 for a hole-in-one on the second. Tournament organizer Gail Sczerkowsky said the day-long event would have something for everyone, all the while raising funds for our elders. “Put some spring into your swing and join us for a round of golf and an evening to dine and dance with great entertainment and prizes.”
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES... ENGINEERING... SALES AND MARKETING
NmTC Mentorship Opportunity Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is looking for people from our eleven nations who want to know about our new Mentorship Program. We want to link applicants with our partners to provide a paid, professional work environment for up to one year. The idea is to help you realize your career and personal goals and eventually secure permanent, full-time employment based either in the Lower Mainland or on Vancouver Island. We want to know if the NmTC Mentorship Program sounds interesting to you. Let us know by sending us an email, including your resume.
jobs@nautsamawt.com 28 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
WE COVER THE
SALISH SEA
The par-70 course has been recently redesigned with ten new holes on its south side. The old back-eight holes feature a serpentine watercourse through a wildlife habitat with golfers often sighting a Great Blue heron. That bird is in the logo of NmTC. For more information, look at the advertisement on the inside front cover of this issue of the Sentinel.
WE’RE MAKING WAVES! The Salish Sea Sentinel is your company’s best choice for advertising to BC’s rapidly growing and highly lucrative Aboriginal market. We distribute up to 10,000 copies each issue by direct mail to readers including to every First Nations administration office in BC as well as to key decision makers at every level of government. Copies are also available on major BC Ferries routes and popular tourist attractions. Our focus is all about burgeoning Coast Salish nations on topics including including culture, economic development, governance and infrastructure. Please contact us at ads@salishseasentinel.ca to find out how we can help you reach Aboriginal markets throughout British Columbia.
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