Volume 13 . Issue 3
April 2017
OUR WATER OUR FOOD OUR POWER PAGES 12-16
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NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS
Naut’sa mawt - Working together as one EDITORIAL TEAM Mark Kiemele – Editor editor@salishseasentinel.ca Cara McKenna – Reporter/Photographer caradawnmckenna@gmail.com Bronwen Geddes – Copy Editor DESIGN & LAYOUT Kelly Landry & Carmel Ecker ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Manoj Sood ads@salishseasentinel.ca 604-943-6712 or 1-888-382-7711 PUBLISHER Gary Reith, CAO Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 330-6165 Highway 17A Delta, BC, V4K 5B8 604-943-6712 or 1-888-382-7711 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #42922026 Undeliverable mail may be returned to: 330-6165 Highway 17A Delta, BC, V4K 5B8 circulation@salishseasentinel.ca
The Salish Sea map was created in 2009 by Stefan Freelan at Western Washington University
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 Ray.Gauthier@coastsalishdevcorp.com www.stzuminus.com
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.
3. KLAHOOSE Qathen Xwegus Management Corp (250) 935-6536 www.klahoose.com
© 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.
4. MALAHAT (250) 743-3231 caroline.harry@malahatnation.com www.malahatnation.com
COVER PHOTO: Shirley Alphonse blessed the waters during the food and energy security workshops at T'Sou-ke. – Photo by Barclay Martin www.barclaymartin.ca
6. SNAW-NAW-AS (Nanoose) (250) 390-3661 chris.bob@nanoose.org www.nanoose.org
5. TLA’AMIN (604) 483-9646 clint.williams@sliammon.bc.ca www.sliammonfirstnation.com
9. TSAWWASSEN (604) 943-2122 info@tsawwassenfirstnation.com www.tsawwassenfirstnation.com 10. TSLEIL-WAUTUTH (604) 929-3454 cao@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
TWO NATIONS CELEBRATE TREATIES Early April is a significant time for two nations with Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council. A two-day celebration of will take place at Tsawwassen First Nation on April 2-3 as community members celebrate their milestone treaty. In April 2009, BC’s first urban treaty came into effect and since then the nation has acted as a template for others in the province. On Sunday, April 2, a special unveiling event is planned at Tsawwassen while April 3 is scheduled to be an evening of family fun. Two days later, at Tla’amin near Powell River, the community will celebrate the first anniversary of its treaty. As midnight passed on April 5, 2016, copies of the Indian Act were ceremonially burned as the nation moved into an era of self-governance.
Poles were unveiled as the Tla'amin treaty came into effect.
Former Tsawwassen chief Kim Baird and her council.
2 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Current chief Bryce Williams was still a teenager when the Tsawwassen treaty came into effect.
HALALT ELDERS VISIT A TREATY IN ACTION
Above: A sitting of the Tsawwassen Legislature in 2012. Below: Halalt elders Dan Norris, Joe Norris, Judy Wilson, John August and Collette Norris.
By Edith Moore Treaty or no treaty? This has been the important question for my nation for a long time. Halalt First Nation’s elders council recently made a trip to Tsawwassen First Nation to witness its legislature in session and I was fortunate enough to be on the trip. We also had a meeting with Tsawwassen’s territory management officer Andrew Bak. He sat with us and explained how his nation made treaty work and briefly explained the obstacles they faced then and now. He answered our questions in a very practical way. Halalt is in Stage 4 of its treaty process. Over the many years of our participation, it has been debated whether or not we will continue this process. I know I support treaty and was so relieved to sit and speak with our elders to learn that they still want treaty as well. I believe the time we were able to spend at Tsawwassen gave us more power to
move forward. So much can be learned from each other and this day was a perfect example of that. Once again, I am so inspired by the way Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council helps bridge the gaps between our nations and gives us the ability to learn from each other. I sat with Halalt elder John August after our visit to ask what his impressions were from this day. “I was impressed with how Tsawwassen dealt with the tough questions that have to be asked of any community facing treaty,” he said. “The questions were not answered by making a rash decision,
but instead they committed to having as many meetings as was necessary to face the hard decisions. Also, they went home-to-home to get each person’s perspective and understanding. “If Tsawwassen can do it, so can we. We just need to address all of our fears. We need to have leaders that we can trust will do what is right for our people. Elder Joe Norris told me: “Let’s give our youth a shot at life. They deserve to have a shot.” I celebrate working together as one – Naut’sa mawt. With my hands raised, thank you to the Tsawwassen First Nation for allowing us to learn from you. SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 3
TULALIP GATHERING FOCUSES ON SALISH SEA SUCCESSES, CHALLENGES The Coast Salish Gathering was held in late February on the reservation of the Tulalip Tribes. The annual get-together of peoples from Western Washington Tribes and BC First Nations from around the Salish Sea is an opportunity for relations from both sides of the border to get together to create strategies and talk about timely issues. Chiefs and other leaders as well as senior science and legal staff from the tribes and nations met with their neighbouring federal, state and provincial representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada, the Ministry of Environment, the Department of Ecology, the Puget Sound Partnership and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
4 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Iggy and Dee George from Tsleil-Waututh have been attending the Gatherings for years.
Coordinator Debra Lekanof of Swinomish and co-chair Ray Harris of Stz’uminus.
‘WHY ARE YOU HERE?’ By Cara McKenna The Salish Sea Sentinel caught up with several leaders representing Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council nations at the Gathering at the Tulalip Resort to find out what was on their minds during discussions.
Darren Blaney,
Homalco councillor and artist Why was it important to you to come to this gathering this year? The stresses and strains on the Salish Sea. We’re living in a pollution-based economy. Every time pollution happens within our territory, that means our Aboriginal rights are taking a hit. So I think if we’re able to protect our territory, we will maintain our rights, because our rights and the environment go hand in hand. And at these kinds of conferences, we can start to figure out better strategies. It seems like every discussion with the provincial and federal governments has to centre around the economy, but what about the environment, for the environment’s sake? At some point we have to be able to breathe the air, drink the water. It becomes very basic in terms of survival, but we push this economic agenda to the point where people’s lives don’t matter anymore. We’re going to be the victims of it. First Nations have always been at the front lines of trying to maintain our way of life. I think the general society is just starting to understand this is where things are headed. Is there any issue in particular that you’re thinking about right now? I was just reading about Alexandra Morton’s research on fish farms. A report recently came out on piscine reovirus (PRV) that shows, when the salmon are stressed, it transforms into a heart and skeletal muscle disease, which diminishes our salmon stock even more. The fish farmers have been denying this and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have been denying this, but this report actually confirms that it is in our salmon… I’m not sure what will have to happen for the feds and (federal fisheries minister) Dominic LeBlanc to take this issue seriously.
It’s always important for our own people to get together to talk about what our issues are in our areas. How we can support each other, and how we can bring the strength of all of us combined? -Leah George-Wilson (see next page) 6 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Leah George-Wilson,
Tsleil-Waututh lawyer and former chief Why did you decide to attend this gathering this year? It’s always important for our own people to get together to talk about what our issues are in our areas. How we can support each other, and how we can bring the strength of all of us combined? It’s also really great to have the different levels of government on the Canadian side as well as on the US side here so that they can hear from us what’s important to us, what matters to us, what our thinking is and what can happen. Is there any one issue that’s at the top of your mind currently? All of the pipeline issues are important, not just Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain
pipeline. There’s also the liquefied natural gas pipelines coming along, and down here they have coal by rail. Nations here were able to stop the coal port at Cherry Point, which is incredible. All of these issues are affecting the health of the Salish Sea.
Doug White III,
Snuneymuxw councillor and former chief, head treaty negotiator and lawyer Why was it important to you to take part in the Coast Salish Gathering? There are a lot of really important issues happening right now around the Salish Sea that affect all Coast Salish peoples. If we think about the Kinder Morgan pipeline ending up in Tsleil-Waututh territory and representing hundreds of ships of tar sands oil transiting right through the heart of the Salish Sea -- if any one of those daily tankers ever spilled it would destroy the way of life of our people. From the Snuneymuxw First Nation, I’m here to try to reach out to find out where things are at and to see how we can coordinate with our neighbours in the US. In Snuneymuxw we have the Douglas Treaty, which is a very powerful tool and can be used as a shield against Crown actions that interfere with the continuity of our treaty rights. Similarly, the Stevens Treaties down here from the same time period in the 1840s and ‘50s is also a very powerful legal tool in trying to resolve these issues and protect our lands and our waters.
This table (the Gathering) effectively represents all of the nations around the Salish Sea, the groups that hold the territorial sovereignty to the Salish Sea. If we can find ways to speak collectively on these issues, then it’s potentially very powerful. I’ve always been a little bit frustrated at the fact that the Coast Salish peoples don’t function together on a more regular basis because of the enormous political power that we have. This is 50 or so nations on the Canadian side and dozens more on the southern side. If we were able to use that voice on a regular basis we would be an extremely powerful force. My hope is that we find ways to find powerful alliances on key issues.
Christine Callihoo talked about the NmTC climate change Hub.
HUB INTRODUCED AT TULALIP EVENT Gathering delegates heard about the climate change Hub created by leaders of Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council. “There are a lot of people interested in working with the Coast Salish nations,” Christine Callihoo said, mentioning federal and municipal governments. “We’re trying to bring those altogether through the Hub. She added that the Hub is “a leadership initiative, to get out into the Coast Salish nations as well as beyond.” The Hub initiative will investigate ways of reducing the vulnerability of nations to the negative consequences of climate change and will explore ways communities might benefit from adaptation and mitigation. “Resilient and adaptive communities have the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions,” Callihoo said.
There are a lot of people interested in working with the Coast Salish nations.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 7
Large spindle whorl: Camouflage, 2000; Acrylic, oxidized copper, red cedar; Private Collection; Photo by Kenji Nagai, courtesy of Spirit Wrestler Gallery. Small spindle whorls, clockwise from bottom: • The Healer, 1993; Screenprint on paper; Courtesy of the artist; Photo by Kenji Nagai, courtesy of Spirit Wrestler Gallery. • Ancestral Vision, 1994; Screenprint on paper; Courtesy of the artist; Photo by Kenji Nagai, courtesy of Spirit Wrestler Gallery.
8 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
• Salish Vision, 2002; Red cedar, copper, acrylic; Courtesy of the Museum of Anthropology, UBC, Vancouver, Salish Weave collection, 3113/6; Photo by Janet Dwyer. • Ravens and Moon, 2001; Etched glass, maple, granite; Salish Weave collection of George and Christiane Smyth; Photo by Janet Dwyer. • Four Ravens, 1994; Screenprint on paper; Courtesy of the Artist; Photo by Kenji Nagai, courtesy of Spirit Wrestler Gallery.
SUSAN POINT SPINDLE WHORLS A diverse display of Coast Salish spindle whorls by artist Susan Point is now being shown at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The career-spanning exhibit features various depictions of the spindle whorl, a circular tool traditionally used to prepare wool for clothing and regalia. Though the normally small instrument is usually made from wood, Point’s artistic depictions use many mediums from prints to sculptural work in a range of materials including steel, concrete and paper. Point, from Musqueam Indian Band, said that though her work is rooted in Coast Salish culture, she considers herself a contemporary artist. She said stories behind cultural pieces – now called art – were always private, which is why she pushes past traditions to create new depictions of Coast Salish images. “When I design and work on a piece, regardless of medium, there are countless stories, thoughts and memories that go through my mind,” she said in a statement. “I am redesigning the artwork all the time.” Point was trained as a legal secretary before she entered the art world by enrolling in a jewelry-making course at Vancouver Community College in 1981. Soon after, she moved into printmaking and sculpture. Her uncle by marriage, the University of British Columbia anthropologist Michael Kew, helped her to research the Coast Salish art that has informed her work.
The exhibit in Vancouver spans 35 years of work for Point with more than 100 of her pieces, from some of the first jewelry she made to recently produced sculptures. Vancouver Art Gallery director Kathleen Bartels said the exhibit is meant to give an overdue commemoration to Point’s long career, which has included many commissions. She said though many have likely seen her art in public places like the Vancouver International Airport, Stanley Park and
Langara College, there has never been a museum exhibit showcasing the full range of her work. The exhibit, she said, “is intended to address this deficiency and to acknowledge and celebrate her extraordinary accomplishment. Point has continually pushed the traditional form of the spindle whorl in extraordinary new directions.” Susan Point: Spindle Whorl will be on display until May 28.
Iggy and Dee George from Tsleil-Waututh have been attending the Gatherings for years.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 9
ARTIST ‘FUSES’ HIS ROOTS IN MEDIUMS AND STYLES By Cara McKenna Two bright murals are plastered across the side of a new affordable housing building in Vancouver. They are eye-catching, but feature one detail that would likely only be recognized by a select few – Klahoose weavings. “There’s a weave embedded at the bottom, and that’s from looking at the weavings of my great grandmother and her sisters,” explained artist Bracken HanuseCorlett. He hails from the nations at Klahoose (Cortes Island) and Wuikinuxv (Rivers Inlet), but grew up on the Sunshine Coast and now lives in Vancouver. When he was trained as an artist, he learned Northwest Coast styles. But lately he’s been looking more at Coast Salish art, specifically from Klahoose. The same two works that HanuseCorlett created for the housing building on Main and Terminal in Vancouver were also displayed in print form at the opening of a recent Indigenous film festival 10 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
in the city called ‘Beyond 150 Years: An Acknowledgement of Cinematic Territory’ on March 5. Hanuse-Corlett is involved because, while he creates traditional visual art, he also dabbles in film, writing, digital media, theatre and more. At the festival, he also showed projections alongside music created by his cousin. He has never specialized in one medium, so about five years ago he began using the word ‘Wuuhlu’ to describe his work. It is a Wuikinuxv word that means ‘to fuse together’. “I’m always crossing disciplines,” he said. “I used to keep them separate and at one point I tried to fuse everything into one practice. It’s a process that has failures, and high points and low points, because they don’t always go together nicely.” His varied work has been seen on bus stop posters for the city during its year of reconciliation and was displayed during this year’s Talking Stick festival. Most recently, he was involved in an Indigenous theatre project called šxwʔam’ət (home).
He said that although in some ways an interest for Indigenous art is growing, it still makes many people uncomfortable. “With my art, I try to create an aesthetic that’s inviting for a lot of people Then, in my artist statement, I’ll say things that are a bit more political that will create dialogue. It’s a bit of a tactic sometimes.” Hanuse-Corlett has strong convictions that at times have hurt him financially as an artist. He has avoided the commercial gallery and tourist scene in order to have control over his own story, but he is now able to create art full-time regardless. “In 2011, I was landscaping mainly, for money, and I was still making art, but I realized that I’d do landscaping and I’d come home and be totally drained and not want to work on anything,” he said. “So I made the choice to completely drop that job and just focus on art. For the first month I made $50. Now I have steady work.” More about Hanuse-Corlett’s work can be found at www.wuulhu.com.
COUNSELING WITH CULTURE AT THE CORE Noelle Hanuse is on a quest – to reach out to Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) who may not be aware of the counselling services available at the university or might have previously hesitated to access services. Hanuse, who is from the Oweekeno and Klahoose First Nations, was recently hired to provide individual counselling sessions for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. She is also organizing mental health-themed workshops at Shq’apthut, VIU’s Aboriginal Gathering Place. “Some Indigenous students may be wary of the idea of counselling, and for lots of different reasons,” Hanuse said. “For one thing, Indigenous students often come from a very community-based approach, so individualized counselling sessions might seem new to them. “Traditionally, Western therapy hasn’t acknowledged spirit and that’s a foun-
Noelle Hanuse
dational part of how Indigenous peoples relate to the world. "Western counselling also comes from the same system that historically oppressed our people. Healing from colonialism is a major health issue and healing practices need to reflect cultural realities as well as core values. NonIndigenous Canadians can also benefit
from an Indigenous perspective of health and wellness. “I am a residential school survivor, and many Indigenous students have parents or grandparents who are as well,” Hanuse said. “So, I can help them understand what’s happening in their lives because of that historic trauma, as well as make peace with the past and move forward in the way that feels right.”
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 11
SUSTAINABILITY 101
Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is committed to assist its members in preparing for the future while networking with leaders from other nations. That’s why more than 30 delegates attended two days of workshops about energy and food security that were hosted by T’Sou-ke Nation on March 14-15. Skills were acquired and knowledge shared, all things required for sustainable communities. The workshops were part of NmTC’s nation to nation mentorship project with funding from SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 13 Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
COMMUNICATIONS IS POWER AT T'SOU-KE “This is our power… communications,” Chief Gordon Planes said in his welcome to more than 30 delegates gathered at Lazzar Hall as he told the story of the planning for T’Sou-ke Nation’s future that began a decade ago. That people power led to the nation becoming one of the world’s leaders in community solar energy generation and to its near self-sufficiency today. “Communities take care of each other; that’s what we’re all about,” he said. “Change happens. We may not know where we’re going exactly, but we’re guided by the Creator.” Andrew Moore told the group about the comprehensive community planning
process that started T’Sou-ke “creating a vision in which everyone could see themselves” rather than having divisions and arguments that beset communities everywhere. Meanwhile, Chief Planes said that NmTC nations’ great strength was understanding that “we’re never going to be in competition with each other. In fact, we complement each other. “If we work as a collective, we can do it. Let’s come back in a year and do this again,” the chief said. Over the two days, delegates took part in discussions about a broad range of topics that included strategies and best practices. They also had tours of solar
installations around the community as well as the commercial wasabi greenhouses. Feasting with the T’Sou-ke community took place. One evening was in the nation’s hall. And there was a midday seafood gathering and feast on the beach at Siaosun, arranged by Christine George. It was followed by the T’Sou-ke annual water blessing ceremony. Shirley Alphonse has, over the years, collected waters from 50 oceans, rivers and lakes around the world. A cedar branch was dipped in that water in thanks to what the sea provides. People also offered their personal prayers.
Above: Everyone gathered for a blessing for the Salish Sea • Below: Gift bags carried the designs of T'Sou-ke artist Mark Gauti.
14 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Chief Gordon Planes opened the proceedings with a talk at Lazzar Hall.
Above: Delegates inspected solar panels that supply power to T'Souke. Below: Everyone enjoyed the 0-mile seafood feast. Left: Dakota McQueen was just two years old when he first held this drum. At the T'Sou-ke cultural evening, held during the workshops, he was given the drum by Chief Gordon Planes who painted the design.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 15
POWER TO THE PEOPLE CONTINUES AT T’SOU-KE T’Sou-ke Nation’s special projects manager Andrew Moore highlighted the success of the community’s solar program at an annual Energy Connections conference in Vancouver on March 4. Moore sat on a panel with several other experts who shared their solar and thermal energy success stories at the BC Sustainable Energy Association’s event. He spoke of the benefits of giving “power to the people” in First Nations including employment for their members, lower energy bills and eco-tourism. “First Nations are the only people who have ever lived sustainably on the North American continent,” he said. “This is a way to start to do that again,” he said of the solar project. T’Sou-ke is perhaps the most solar intensive community Indigenous community in the world. It completed its massive solar project in 2009 that saw all
16 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL Andrew Moore gave a solar tour to workshop delegates.
Andrew Moore told the T'Sou-ke solar story.
First Nations are the only people who have ever lived sustainably on the North American continent.
its administration buildings becoming net-zero-energy structures along with many homes generating hot water from rooftop solar. Moore said the nation has continued its work advising other communities about the benefits of alternative energy. Recently, he said, four chiefs and councillors from Northern Manitoba came to T’Sou-ke in an attempt to find answers to their nation’s high energy costs of $2 per kilowatt. T’Sou-ke hosted several other events to share their innovations in March. “(It’s about) community energy solutions and how to get power back,” Moore said. Meanwhile, while Moore was talking green energy in Vancouver, T’Sou-ke Chief Gord Planes was a keynote speaker at the National Community Energy Congress in Melbourne, Australia.
Lorissa Orser held her seven-month-old son Will as he was smudged by Shirley Alphonse during the cultural evening.
Drummers of all ages during the cultural evening.
MARKETING AND EVENT MANAGER Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is recruiting a full time Marketing and Events Manager to lead its NmTC Events business unit. NmTC Events has been providing event management services for over 10 years. The contribution of revenues from NmTC events helps Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council provide quality services and programs to its member nations. The successful applicant is expected to help NmTC Events maintain this supportive role by expanding markets and increasing services to existing clients. Trave will be required.
Prayers were offered during the water blessing ceremony.
VISIT NAUTSAMAWT.ORG FOR DETAILS SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 17
AROUND THE SALISH SEA TALKS START ON NANAIMO-VANCOUVER PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE Snuneymuxw, the City of Nanaimo and its port authority have started discussions with the proposed operator of a new passengeronly ferry to downtown Vancouver. The talks come after Island Ferry Services Ltd was chosen as the preliminary preferred proponent to operate the service out of Nanaimo. Doug White, the Snuneymuxw chief negotiator and a councillor, said: “All projects proposed on Snuneymuxw waters must be considered in light of our ongoing work to enhance and protect our fisheries. “Snuneymuxw stands with our partners in the region to promote development that is beneficial to the quality of life of all people that live in our territory, is of mutual benefit, and respects the environment and our treaty-protected fisheries.”
Erralyn Thomas – Photo by Tricia Thomas.
NEW ISLAND FERRY SERVICE SEEN AS A BOOST FOR SNUNEYMUXW A new ferry began making the journey from downtown Nanaimo to Newcastle Island – Saysutshun – on April 1. And Erralyn Thomas said the vessel should prove to be a win-win for both her nation and visitors to the provincial marine park that Snuneymuxw has managed for more than a decade. The 48-passenger Grey Selkie was purchased from Victoria Harbour Ferry. It replaces a variety of smaller vessels that have been used in the past. Fares will be cut almost in half from previous years. Thomas, who is a councillor, is also president of the newly formed Newcastle Island Ferry Service Ltd (NCI). She said the purchase of the Grey Selkie will “strengthen the Snuneymuxw economy and create jobs… to achieve results in the Snuneymuxw corporate strategic plan.” She also praised the partnership that has developed between NCI and the Waterfront Suites and Marina located on Nanaimo’s waterfront. “This is a major milestone for Snuneymuxw and the Nanaimo community,” said Odai Sirri, who is director of operations for Waterfront Suites. “We are honoured to be part of this important initiative.” 18 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
The purchase of the Grey Selkie will strengthen the Snuneymuxw economy and create jobs… to achieve results in the Snuneymuxw corporate strategic plan.
A round-trip to the island from two downtown locations will be $5 compared to the previous $9 fare. The new ferry will run from April-October and there are already plans to have limited trips year-round. Trips will be made every 30 minutes during the peak tourist period in the summer. Stops will be made at Waterfront Suites’ dock, Maffeo Sutton Park and the main dock on Newcastle Island.
FOUR NATIONS HOLD ELECTIONS Spring elections are scheduled for four of the 11 First Nation members of Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council. Voters at Tsleil-Waututh went to the polls on March 30. Ballots will be cast at Stz’uminus on April 6. Klahoose members will vote on April 12. The Halalt community will elect chief and councillors on April 18.
DIALOGUE SESSION FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS Another Reconciliation Dialogue workshop is scheduled in Vancouver for business and community leaders on April 27. Called a “professional learning experience” by Reconciliation Canada, the half-day workshop provides leaders with the opportunity to engage in dialogue
and reflect on the core values of reconciliation. More than 60 people took part in the 2016 session and left with a shared desire to build an inclusive and just society. More information is available from Marissa Lawrence at 604770-4434 or marissa.lawrence@ reconciliationcanada.ca
Letters
READERS'
Dear Sentinel, The Salish Sea Sentinel is a wonderful publication. We are so glad to be receiving it. Your year-end issue was excellent, and the layout, content and photos keep getting better and better. I have read Molly Billows poem in the March issue, ‘Living Through the Apocalypse, many times. She is an amazing writer. A question - we have a friend on Pender Island who would enjoy receiving the magazine. Is there a way for us to gift him a subscription? Hay čxw q’ ə Beth Walker, Tsatsu Shores, Tsawwassen (Editor’s note – We encourage readers to save paper and subscribe to our e-edition via our web site. But stay tuned for news soon about subscribing to the paper version!)
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Dear Sentinel, Just reading the online version of Salish Sea Sentinel. Great edition! What strikes me is the balance between positive coverage of progress made; and determined coverage of areas where progress needs to be made. For people of non-aboriginal, and particularly European ancestry this magazine is one of the best resources for building understanding. Craig Spence, Chemainus
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 19
THOSE WHO STOPPED ENBRIDGE STAND WITH KM PIPELINE FOES By Cara McKenna Indigenous people who successfully fought against Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline are sharing their advice and support with those trying to stop Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project to the Lower Mainland. About 300 people gathered in Vancouver in early March for a fundraising event to raise legal fees for the Tsleil-Waututh and Coldwater nations who are opposing the pipeline through their territories. Speakers included leaders from the communities who spent nearly a decade successfully fighting Enbridge. That battle climaxed in a court action that overturned the project’s federal 20 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
approval. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the project was officially dead late last year. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs said their success proved that it’s “more than possible” to defeat big oil. “I believe what we accomplished with Enbridge, we can absolutely accomplish with Kinder Morgan,” he said. “We need to be incredibly visible, to be incredibly vocal and to replicate many of the same things that the Yinka Dene Alliance did, in a relatively challenging tight timeframe.” The alliance is a group of leaders from six northern communities that spent years fighting Enbridge both on the street and in the courts. The chief from one of
those communities, Saik’us First Nation, shared specific strategies that the group used to fight Enbridge, including establishing allies, using the media to disseminate their message and using strong consent language. “I’m here to support the fight against Kinder Morgan,” Chief Jackie Thomas said. “I hope I made a good path for you.” Thomas gifted Tsleil-Waututh Nation with a carving from her community plus $5,500 from the Yinka Dene Alliance for the legal fight. Thomas specifically gave kudos to Rueben George, a member of Tsleil-Waututh, who assisted the Yinka Dene Alliance’s efforts to defeat Enbridge. Thomas said she wants to support George now that it is his community being affected.
We need to be incredibly visible, to be incredibly vocal and to replicate many of the same things that the Yinka Dene Alliance did. His 20-year-old son, Cedar George-Parker, represented his father at the event and spoke about his fears for the future of both his community and generation. “When I’m on my land, there’s nothing better than that, especially when we’re healthy,” he said. “But that’s getting challenged by Kinder Morgan. That’s getting challenged by dirty oil.” George-Parker said he doesn’t agree with how the government is choosing to spend its money – on big business rather than helping individuals. “I see my friends down in the bad side of Seattle dying from suicide, dying from killing each other, from school shootings, from DUIs, and that doesn’t make sense,” he said. “These oil companies are getting millions of dollars of government subsidies that should be going towards social uplifts.” Chief Phillip shared a similar sentiment, saying the entire world is at a tipping point. “Our worth is determined by our bottom lines and how much wealth we can accumulate regardless of how we do that,” he said. “That has brought us to this perilous state that exists in today’s world.”
George-Parker marching in Vancouver last year.
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Indian hospitals were established “less to help the Indigenous sick than to keep them separate from a racist population.”
22 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
A ‘STAR’ SPEAKS ABOUT HER HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE The March edition of the Salish Sea Sentinel featured a new book Medicine Unbundled: A Journey through the Minefields of Indigenous Health Care. The article contained excerpts including memories of Songhees elder Joan Morris about the Nanaimo Indian Hospital, just one of many segregated facilities for Indigenous peoples across Canada. Shortly after that edition went to press, the Sentinel attended a standing-room-only event at the University of Victoria at which author Gary Geddes and Joan Morris discussed the important and timely book whose publication coincides with this, the Year of Reconciliation. All of the royalties from Medicine Unbundled will go to the Sellemah Scholarship, which will benefit an Indigenous student studying in the Faculty of Social Sciences at UVic. Sellemah is the traditional name carried by Joan Morris. She received it from her grandmother Elizabeth on Chatham Island in the Salish Sea waters off Oak Bay near Victoria. Joanie, as her friends call her, shared the name Sellemah with the woman who made the introductions at the UVic event – the renowned enthnobotanist Dr. Nancy Turner. “She is a star; brilliant, wise and generous,” Dr. Turner said, adding that despite Joanie’s experiences at the Indian hospital, and before that at the Kuper Island residential school, “she has always maintained her integrity, her sense of humour and warm and loving spirit.” Gary Geddes, Joan Morris and Dr. Nancy Turner.
100 TIMES WORSE
One could here a pin drop as Joan Morris began to speak. “I am honoured that you all came today… I have been waiting 72 years to say these things… “I went to residential school before the Indian hospital. The hospital was 100 times worse.” She said she ran an Indian hospital support group for a number of years and learned that “people had more compassion for
animals, cats and dogs” than they did for the Aboriginal people in those facilities. “We talked about the promises that (Prime Minister) Trudeau made about missing women and pipelines. He used words like ‘respect’ and ‘honor.’ I would really like to know where it is,” she said of those words, referring to “Trudeau and the high mucky-mucks.” “I would like to see them live on a reserve for two weeks, drink the water they drink and food they eat.” Medicine Unbundled describes Indian hospitals as places that were established “less to help the Indigenous sick than to keep them separate from a racist population… notorious sites of abuse and neglect.” Joan Morris agreed with that assessment. “It hasn’t stopped,” she said. “It’s still ongoing. It is hard to digest and hard to believe. “This mask of shame does not belong to us. “It’s going to take all of us working together,” she said, in order to recognize that “we are all one.”
Medicine Unbundled: A Journey through the Minefields of Indigenous Health Care is published by Heritage House Publishing Company. For more information go to http://heritagehouse.ca
STZ’UMINUS PEOPLE GETTING JOB-READY As the signs go up for the new Tim Hortons and Esso gas station, members of Stz’uminus First Nation are gearing up for major job opportunities at the new Oyster Bay development on the Trans Canada Highway north of Ladysmith. Employment counsellor Jacquie Auriat recently wrote on the nation’s Facebook page: “I was recently visited by the owner of Ladysmith Tim Hortons and he let me know that they will be opening their Esso Oyster Bay location very soon. If you are interested in an exciting, fast paced job with various shifts and duties and training provided… let me know if you are interested and we can update your résumé and pass it on.”
The new Tim Hortons is now open beside the new gas station.
Auriat has been organizing a series of workshops to help get people job-ready, especially those looking to get back into the workforce.
The partnership between the Town of Ladysmith and Stz’uminus First Nation to restore and develop Ladysmith Harbour is moving ahead. After a decade of meetings between councils from the town and the nation, preliminary planning meetings were held earlier this year. In mid-March the results of those sessions were on display at the town’s secondary school amidst Coast Salish posts in the foyer. Those plans will be brought to the nation for comment soon, according to Mayor Aaron Stone.
24 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
In early March a banking basics session was held at the Stz’uminus community centre by staff from Ladysmith and District Credit Union, which opened its second branch at Oyster Bay in January. Workshops held earlier this year included workplace communications and keys to workplace success. Work is expected to start soon on the Microtel hotel facility at Oyster Bay. Microtel is part of the worldwide Wyndham hotel group. Other major projects include a residential and an assisted living development. The nation’s Coast Salish Development Corporation already operates a Husky gas station and store as well as an A&W restaurant across the highway from the new facilities.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 25
QXMC TAKES FLIGHT WITH DRONE SCHOOL Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation is flying high these days. QXMC, the economic development arm of Klahoose First Nation, hosted its Drone Territory event at Thunderbird Hall in Campbell River on April 1. Up to 30 participants learned to fly a drone, tried first-person-view drone flight and learned how to edit video shot from a camera taken by the small craft.
In addition to an afternoon’s drone school, flyers heard a presentation by actor Duane Howard and tunes from musician Drezus. Prior to the event, registrants saw what they were in for on the www. droneterritory.com web site that include aerial videos around the nation’s main reserve at Squirrel Cove as well as bears and other sights in the traditional territory at Toba Inlet.
NEW DRONE RULES
DAMIEN IN CONTROL: Nine-year-old Damien Peacey from Homalco First Nation was looking forward to the drone school event. His father Todd, a Sentinel citizen reporter, took these photographs of Damien practicing with one of the family’s two drones on a field near the nation’s health centre.
Transport Canada released a new set of rules for recreational users of drones in mid-March. There are fines up to $3,000 for drones more than 250 grams. They include: • No flying higher than 90 metres or within 75 metres of buildings, animals or people. The drone must fly at least 500 metres from the user. • There is also no flying over emergency response scenes or within nine kilometres and airport. Name, address and phone number must be marked on the drone. More at www.tc.gc.ca
NEW STAFF AT NMTC Two new employees have joined the team at Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council (NmTC). Jaclyn Harris is the new administrative assistant with the NmTC Events company unit of the tribal council. And Andrea Jacobs is the administrative assistant in NmTC’s governance section. Both started work at the Delta office in March. Harris is originally from the Yukon and was born on the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. She is bilingual in French and has experience in sales, marketing and customer service. She has volunteered in humanitarian efforts on four continents to provide resources and education with various organizations. She recently moved to the Lower Mainland to be with family and said that she is excited to join NmTC and learn because she is passionate about community building.
Andrea Jacobs
Jaclyn Harris
Jacobs is a member of Tsawwassen First Nation and sits on executive council. She previously worked for her nation’s economic development corporation and was an executive assistant to Chief Bryce Williams. She forerly worked closely with NmTC’s governance advisor Valerie
Cross-Blackett when they both were employed by Tsawwassen. She said that she is pleased to be working with Cross-Blackett again on governance affairs for the tribal council’s eleven member nations. “We work really well together,” she said.
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