Volume 14 . Issue 7
August-September 2018
Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations PAGES 18-21
‘Equality Song’ unites canoe families PAGES 6-9
NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS
Naut’sa mawt - Working together as one
EDITORIAL TEAM Cara McKenna – Editor editor@salishseasentinel.ca Todd Peacey – Photographer Celestine Aleck (Sahiltiniye) - Columnist Edith Moore - Columnist DESIGN & LAYOUT Kelly Landry & Carmel Ecker ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Todd Peacey ads@salishseasentinel.ca PUBLISHER Gary Reith, CAO Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 330-6165 Highway 17A Delta, B.C., 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, B.C., V4K 5B8 circulation@salishseasentinel.ca
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: Connie Adams sings during Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Tsawassen Nation on June 21.
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 2. HOMALCO (250) 923-4979 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@tn-bc.ca www.tlaaminnation.com 6. SNAW-NAW-AS (Nanoose) (250) 390-3661 chris.bob@nanoose.org www.nanoose.org
7. SNUNEYMUXW (Nanaimo) (250) 740-2300 www.snuneymuxw.ca 8. STZ’UMINUS (Ladysmith) (250) 245-7155 Ray.Gauthier@coastsalishdevcorp.com www.stzuminus.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, B.C., V0R 1K5 (250) 324-1800 • www.nautsamawt.org
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 1
COAST SALISH STORIES
LOON STORY
By Celestine Aleck (Sahiltiniye) of Snuneymuxw First Nation I had heard this story through Mel Good back in the day when I used to carve. I had learned that a carving would sell faster if you told a story, so I became a fast-talker! (Not really, but I did learn this story).
Long ago, there was a blind man in the village who had a bad dream of wolves coming to attack everyone. He would wake up and go and tell the people that the wolves were going to come and attack and that they needed to leave. The people didn’t believe him, or think he even knew what a wolf looked like, because he was born blind, so how would he know? They thought he was just going crazy and told him to go home. But night after night he would have the same dream and it felt so much more real each time. He would try to tell the people but again, no one would listen. Then one day, his dream came true, and the wolves did come into the village and attack. The blind man tried to get away, and as he neared the river, he heard a voice call out to him. The voice asked if he wanted to go across the river, and the blind man said yes, but he couldn’t see. It was a loon that was calling out to him, and the loon could tell that he was blind. The loon kept calling out to him so that he knew which way to go towards. The
loon waited until the blind man got close, and told the blind man to put his arms around his neck and body and he would swim him across the river. The blind man held on and as they swam across. The loon said: “Would you like your sight back? I can help you.” The blind man, of course, replied that he would. The loon said: “I will go under the water four times and on the fourth time you will have your sight back.” So the loon dunks under the water a first time, and all the blind man could see was bright white. The second time he dunked, he could see blurry shapes. On the third dunk the blurry shapes were becoming more clear. On the fourth dunk, he could see so clearly. The loon then swam the man to the other side of the river where it was safe from the wolves. He was so thankful for the loon that he took off his dentalium necklace and threw it onto the loon and it landed around his neck. This is how the loon got its beautiful necklace.
STZ’UMINUS CELEBRATION MARKS OPENING OF NEW HOTEL Ribbon cutting ceremony held for Microtel Inn & Suites that opened in mid-May A celebration was held at Stz’uminus on June 20 to mark the ongoing success of the nation’s Oyster Bay development. A few dozen people attended the event at the nation’s new Microtel Inn & Suites along the Trans-Canada Highway, which opened its doors in mid-May. During the celebration, guests were able to tour the facility before an official ribbon cutting ceremony took place. The growing Oyster Bay project has been operating for about a year and half now with offices, a gas station and a Tim Hortons. Chief John Elliott said Stz’uminus members have led the process, giving leaders the direction and drive to keep moving forward. “Sometimes, as a First Nation, we had to prove that we were ready for business,” he said. “We look forward to having many more of those discussions and having those opportunities to build on what’s been started here, and what can be started in the surrounding area.” Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone said the growing development is exciting for the local area. “Over the last few years we’ve seen just the tip of the iceberg of things that can happen in the greater community when people come together,” he said. “We’re one of several parties that Stz’uminus works with to make all of this possible.” Stz’uminus has 83 per cent ownership of the new Microtel in collaboration with MasterBUILT Hotels.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 3
COAST SALISH NAMES GIVEN TO 2 VANCOUVER PLAZAS Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh representatives chose new names in hən̓q̓ əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Photo courtesy of City of Vancouver Two popular downtown Vancouver plazas have new Coast Salish names after a ceremony led by Stz’uminus Elder Ray Harris on June 18. The former Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza is now called šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn and the Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza is now called šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square. The new names combine both the 4 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
I think it’s important for people to realize that there’s a deep memory here and it goes back thousands of years before there was any skyscrapers or concrete.
hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh languages as a way to honour all three nations whose land Vancouver is on. A committee featuring Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish representatives worked to choose titles for the plazas. City council decided to rename the spaces as part of its larger goal to become a “city of reconciliation.” Khelsilem, a Squamish councillor and
Quamichan Creek Culvert Replacement “The Fish Return”
Helping our First Nation Friends with Leadership in Being Stewards of our Environment Brian Chatwin started Chatwin Engineering in 1982 to provide services to First Nations and is a trusted partner in over 50 Communities. 1-250-753-9171 www.chatwinengineering.com bchatwin@chatwinengineering.com
language teacher, said supporting and celebrating local Indigenous languages will make the city a better place. “It’s about setting things right but also creating a different future that’s celebrating our diversity and our strength,” he said in a citycreated video. “I think there really is an opportunity for us to be something better than we are right now.” Gabriel George, Tsleil-Waututh’s language and culture manager, added that it’s important for residents to learn the new names. “I think it’s important for people to realize that there’s a deep memory here and it goes back thousands of years before there was any skyscrapers or concrete,” he said. “My late grandfather talked about going hunting on the trail that’s called Robson Street today, and hunting for elk not far from (what’s now the Queen Elizabeth Theatre).” šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn, the new name for Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, refers to a place one is invited to and a place one is invited to celebrate. It’s connected to past use of the square as a gathering place for the annual Walk for Reconciliation. šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, the new name for the north art gallery plaza, refers to a place where a cultural gathering – such as a wedding, funeral or coming of age ceremony – takes place. City staff are now working with the three nations on sign designs for each of the plazas, which are expected to be completed by fall. More information, as well as pronunciation guides for the new plaza names, can be found at https://vancouver.ca/peopleprograms/city-of-reconciliation.aspx. SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 5
6 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
PULLING TOGETHER: GIFT OF ‘EQUALITY SONG’ UNITES CANOE FAMILIES Patrick Aleck brought his song to annual canoe journey involving Indigenous groups, public service agencies, youth
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 7
Participants in this year’s Pulling Together Canoe Journey wrapped up with the gift of a new song that will bring people together for years to come. Pulling Together 2018 took place from July 3 to 11, and involved 15 canoe families who travelled from Esquimalt to the shores of Stanley Park. As the pullers were nearing the end of the eight-day journey, Patrick Aleck of the Stz’uminus and Penelakut nations gifted the group with “the Equality Song” before his canoe family headed home. Wes Nahanee, the journey’s protocol advisor from Squamish Nation, said the song made a huge impact. “(Aleck) only travelled a few days with us, but in the longhouse he had more than 200 people singing that song,” Nahanee said on the final day of the journey. “And it brought everyone together even more than those canoes did.”
8 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Aleck said the song came to him while he was at home one day. He works with children in the foster care system, and they helped him to come up with the name and meaning. “It’s about bringing people together regardless of the colour of your skin,” he said. “It came from my heart and it’s my song, but it’s really our song now, because it has a life of its own.” Aleck said he tries to bring the Equality Song everywhere he goes and plans to sing it at Tribal Journeys as well. He purposefully gave the song an English name to make it accessible. “I’m honoured that people love it and I encourage people to continue to sing it, as long as they respect where it came from,” he said. The annual Pulling Together journey began in 2001 as a way to grow understanding between public service agencies —primarily law enforcement—and
Indigenous people. Many youth organizations are also involved. Tim Rich, an organizer who works with the Vancouver Police Department, said the journey has been transformative to him as a non-Indigenous person. “It’s one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had,” said Rich, who has been involved in Pulling Together for the past five years. “I’ve heard many stories along the journey from people who have had similar experiences. It’s a pretty transformative thing.” Rich said there is a lot of work that needs to be done in the way of reconciliation, but he believes that the journey is part of putting that concept into action. “I think this is part of the work that needs to be done,” he said. “I’ve paddled on many of these canoes and to be welcomed into peoples’ hearts and minds like this, it’s a pretty amazing gift unto itself.”
Renewable Energy and Community Energy System Specialists Since 2003, we have provided the capacity and support needed for First Nation communities to successfully navigate the clean energy project development process, from idea to operation. Have a community energy idea? Let's chat. www.barkley.ca | Unit B - 6451 Portsmouth Rd, Nanaimo | 250-390-2627
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 9
ICLD
Indigenous Community for Leadership and Development Customized training for your community to help create a brighter, stronger tomorrow. We are committed to: Sharing of Wise Practices
Student Experience
Developing Economic and Human Capacity Respect for Cultural Values
Ongoing Success
Sharing Wisdom. Celebrating Community.
Phone: 604.899.2400 Email: info@icld.ca Website: www.icld
.
'
.
. ::.��;- PROVIDING ·11 s·ERVICE EXCELLENCEtr,, ��� � ·\ - ...
'
_ -. ,_ - ..
, - ··:-r--:' . � .\...
..
. . .'t·-_,\._ ." ..
. -
.... �· "
� '.
.
_.:-.:FOR O\(ER 30.YEARS .. 1.
.
,,
• ��
'
MYRA offers a complete suite of technology services - from fully managed infrastructure operations to project-based technical services, strategic business planning, and enterprise business architecture. Our team of professional IT consultants will work with you to investigate, analyze, design and implement business process and technical solutions that allow you to achieve all of your strategic goals.
Business & Technical Services
Business Consulting Services Storage and Server Management System Administration Project Management & Business Analysis
10 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Product Sales Networking Virtualization Cloud
Victoria Office
Vancouver Office
488A Bay Street 740-1190 Melville Street Victoria, BC V8T 5H2 Vancouver, BC V6E 3W1 T: 250-381-1335 T: 604-688-1719
G MYRA.com
� (250) 381-1335
RUNNING THE WORLD KLAHOOSE ATHLETE FINISHES 10 MARATHONS Jolene Giles has raced in six countries with no plans of slowing down Klahoose member and athlete Jolene Giles was the only female runner to enter the world’s highest altitude marathon in Tibet this year. Giles, who is 36, ran the Roof of the World Marathon along the Himalayan Mountains in May, easily taking home first place as the only entrant in the women’s category. The race started at a 17,103-foot altitude, which is higher than the altitude of the Mount Everest base camp. Just one week before, Giles ran another marathon along the Great Wall of China – her second time completing the annual Great Wall marathon. “I’ve done 10 marathons so far,” she said. “I like short term goals. The reason I enjoy running is it really clears my mind and gets me into a meditative state. I feel at peace.” Giles began picking up running five years ago as a way to blow off steam when
she was newly in recovery. “So I quit drinking on January 13, 2013,” she said. “I needed something to do because I had all this energy.” So Giles, who moved to Hawaii from B.C. a decade ago, decided to put her energy into the local sport of racing outrigger canoes.
When the canoe season ended, she began to run as a way to train. Soon after, she decided to enter a 5K, then a 10K, race. Her first international marathon was in China in April 2015, and it was her first time leaving North America. The experience made her eager to enter more races as a way to keep challenging herself and to see the world. Giles has already participated in events in France, Greece, Japan and Israel with no plans of slowing down. She has plans to run an ultra-marathon in Thailand this coming winter under a jungle canopy, and is looking at entering a marathon in Uganda in 2019 that supports local charities. “With marathons I just really like the challenge,” she said. “There’s obviously a part where (it gets tiring) and you want to stop. But your mental strength kicks in and gets you through it.” SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 11
Fay Blaney speaks during a press conference last year. File photo.
HOMALCO WOMAN EXPERT WITNESS IN MMIWG HEARINGS National inquiry events continue with institutional, expert hearings Homalco member Fay Blaney has been travelling across Canada to give expert testimony in ongoing hearings for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The inquiry held four multi-day hearings in May and June that focused on issues that included racism, human rights, policing and government services. The Institutional and Expert Panel Hearings were the inquiry’s next step after its Community Hearings for family members and survivors. Blaney, who is a longtime advocate 12 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
for Indigenous women, represented Vancouver’s Aboriginal Women’s Action Network as a knowledge keeper and witness at the events. “I think it was a huge coup that I got in,” she said. “It was due to a huge amount of support from across the country from women’s groups that were calling for me. I was so pleased.” Blaney has been working with Indigenous women on the Downtown Eastside for almost three decades. She has also been outspoken in calling for the inquiry to recognize the misogyny and colonialism that’s at the root of the
issue of MMIWG. When the inquiry began, Blaney was concerned that gendered analysis was being left out. Now, she said, she still has her hesitations, but feels more inclined to support the process. “It’s still hard to keep the perspective on (feminist) issues,” she said. “They really go down this other track.” She said the hearings were a “very legal process” that involved her sitting on a panel where she was asked questions, and asking questions to key figures on other panels including the leaders of police forces.
It’s still hard to keep the perspective on (feminist) issues. They really go down this other track.
“There’s legal counsel who are asking you questions so it’s not like you get to do a presentation, it’s very much the legal counsel setting the direction of where it’s going,” she said. The Aboriginal Women’s Action Network is now working on a report that will be handed in as one of the final submissions to commissioners. The inquiry is now set to wrap up on April 30, 2019, after a six-month extension was granted by the federal government. More information about the hearings including video of the events is available at www.mmiwg-ffada.ca.
NEW B.C. TREATY COMMISSIONER FROM HOMALCO MaryAnn Enevoldsen appointed by Canada for two-year term A former Homalco chief has been chosen as Canada’s new B.C. Treaty Commissioner. MaryAnn Enevoldsen was appointed to serve a two-year term on May 3. Enevoldsen has been a member of Homalco’s treaty team since 2007, and was the lead treaty negotiator from 2015 to 2017. She was also the nation’s first female chief, holding that position from 2014 to 2017. The B.C. Treaty Commission is the
independent body responsible for facilitating treaty negotiations between First Nations and governments. There are four part-time commissioners, two of whom are elected by the First Nations Summit, while the federal and provincial governments appoint one each. Tanya Corbet of Tsawwassen and Francis Frank of Tla-o-qui-aht are the current elected commissioners, while Tom Happynook of Huu-ay-aht was appointed by B.C. and Enevoldsen was appointed by Canada.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 13
SNUNEYMUXW POSTS UNVEILED AT IMPORTANT VILLAGE SITE
14 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Poles carved by Joel and William Good carry rich visual depictions of family history A pair of house posts has been unveiled at Snuneymuxw’s original village site St’litlup. The five-metre-tall red cedar poles give a prominent visual representation of the nation at the significant site that’s now widely known as Departure Bay Beach. The posts were carved by Joel Good with guidance from his father, master carver William Good, over a period of seven months. The project was the result of a partnership between Snuneymuxw and the City of Nanaimo. During an unveiling ceremony on June 20, Joel’s cousin Lawrence Mitchell (Ćumqwa:tun) of Snaw-naw-as spoke on behalf of the artists. He explained that Coast Salish house posts traditionally visually depict the family history of the chief and the families of the house, along with their rank and lineage. “Joel is the great, great grandson of Chief Louis Good, the son of the original chief of the seven amalgamated tribes known as Snuneymuxw,” Mitchell said. “These house posts are erected in the
original village site where they would have lived.” Mitchell explained how the poles feature rich visual representations of the Good family, including the family crest— an eagle bringing salmon to the people —and a frog clan crest to illustrate the family’s frog song and for good luck. The lower side of one of the poles depicts the nation’s creation story with two wolves, which are said to have swam across the Nanaimo River on a cold night and shed all their fur to become the first Snuneymuxw man and woman of that area. “The posts would face the ocean to let any visitors arriving by water know what territory they are on, where they’ve landed, and the style of artwork lets them know who the people are,” Mitchell said. The poles feature a laser-cut steel frog portal piece in between, which was designed by Joel to resemble the front of a longhouse. Joel said he originally wanted to actually build the front of a longhouse, but engineers concluded that something of that design wouldn’t be able to
withstand the wind without collapsing. The frog portal opening was designed as a compromise so that wind could flow through. “The engineer agreed so I did up an original painting of this and gave it to the city, and they digitized it,” he said. The company Inter-Kraft then created the portal piece from that painting. Joel said it is significant to see the large representation of Snuneymuxw at St’litlup. Snuneymuxw once came close to losing its traditional art style because of colonization, but William Good worked to revive the style to where it is today. “It’s taking back what was ours, in a sense,” Joel said. “Just having that representation that we’ve always been here.” Nanaimo’s culture and heritage coordinator Chris Barfoot said the Departure Bay project was an opportunity for the nation and city to work together as part of a larger waterfront enhancement plan. “I believe that art and culture has the power to be the catalyst for communities to continue to grow and thrive,” he said. SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 15
Joel Good paints one of the poles at his family’s home in Snuneymuxw a few weeks before the unveiling.
16 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Snuneymuxw master carver William Good.
On Friday, September 14, 2018, friends and supporters of the Malahat Nation will gather at Bear Mountain Resort and Spa for a fun-filled day of golf and an evening of First Nations inspired cuisine, a fabulous First Nations art auction, entertainment and dancing. Limited sponsorships are still available. Join us in supporting the growth of our community.
Contact us... MALAHAT FIRST NATION
Lawrence Mitchell of Snaw-naw-as.
Tel: Web: fb:
250 743-3231 www.malahatnation.ca www.fb.me/malahatnationgala
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 17
Hegus Clint Williams, left, and Elder John Louie present the new sign for Klah ah men.
KLAH AH MEN: TLA’AMIN SITE RENAMED ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Nation has reclaimed traditional name for Lund meaning ‘place of refuge’
Story by Cara McKenna with files submitted by Hɛhɛwšɩn Photos by Phil Russell Tla’amin has officially reclaimed the traditional name for part of its territory after a special event held on National Indigenous Peoples Day. Lund, B.C., was given back its original name of Klah ah men (ƛaʔamɛn) with a 18 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Klah ah men means “place of refuge” and was historically used as a safe place for canoe pullers.
ceremony and sign unveiling on June 21. Community members from Tla’amin and Lund gathered to celebrate the name change, which was announced by Hegus Clint Williams. Klah ah men means “place of refuge” and was historically used as a safe place for canoe pullers. Elder Elsie Paul explained during
TLA’AMIN FIRST NATION TERRITORY
Powell River penstock #4 repair and replacement project for Powell River Energy Inc. Members of the Tla’amin First Nation worked with Hazelwood to complete repairs on the 14 ft diameter, 1580 ft long, steel riveted penstock that was originally constructed in 1925. HazelwoodConstruction.com
BUILDING FIRST NATION ECONOMIES
an earlier event at Klah ah men that the site was Tla’amin’s “pathway along the coast.” “This was shelter, this was a place to harbour in for our ancestors,” she said. John Louie (yaχwum) added that it’s important to acknowledge Klah ah men’s history. Louie shared that he recalled coming to Klah ah men as a young boy with his grandmother to catch herring. “The herring were huge back then, today they are small, and that’s the impact,” he said. “We just need to respect what this place was and still is.” The official rename comes after Louie and other representatives from the Hɛhɛwšɩn initiative—Cyndi Pallen (čɩnɛ) and Phil Russell (kʷʊnanəm)—asked Tla’amin leadership to bring back the Klah ah men name. Hɛhɛwšɩn, meaning “the way forward,” is led by a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous members who have been working to advance reconciliation in the community. SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 19
HOMALCO MARKS NATIONAL INDIGENOUS DAY WITH MUSIC, ART Photos by Todd Peacey Homalco celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day with events across the community’s territory on June 21. The nation held a small event at its band hall that included educational posters about Homalco history, while others celebrated the holiday downtown with live music, food and artwork. A group from Homalco also took advantage of the sunny day by heading out in a canoe for a paddle on McIvor Lake. Homalco member Matilda Francis sold dreamcatchers and jewelry.
Above: A group from Homalco took a canoe out on McIvor Lake. Bottom left: (From left) Conrad Robinson, Rebecca Blaney and Kelsie Robinson shared a song.
20 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Tsawwassen Chief Bryce Williams opens the celebrations with a song.
TSAWWASSEN CELEBRATES INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Photos by Cara McKenna Tsawwassen Nation hosted a community event for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 where members and visitors came together to enjoy food, games, weaving and more. Guests were treated to a feast that included crab, salmon and bannock before children frolicked on a bouncy castle and adults played a game of Slahal. National Indigenous Peoples Day is a federal holiday held on the same day of the summer solstice to celebrate First Nations, Inuit and MÊtis people across the country. It was formerly known as National Aboriginal Day. SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 21
22 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
TSLEIL-WAUTUTH LEADS WATER CEREMONY AT WHEY-AH-WICHEN
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 23
The dance group Coastal Wolf Pack performs after the water ceremony on July 14.
24 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
People in flotilla offered medicines, prayers to water outside Trans Mountain terminal Photos and story by Cara McKenna More than 100 people in four canoes and 70 kayaks joined together in prayer during a water ceremony in TsleilWaututh’s territory on July 14. The flotilla launched from Whey-ahwichen (Cates Park) and travelled to the gates of the Westridge Marine Terminal, which is under construction as part of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion. People in the vessels shared songs and offered medicines to the water outside of the terminal gates while a group supported from shore. Elder Amy George led the ceremony from a TsleilWaututh canoe. Afterwards, the group came together for a gathering in the park that included speakers and a dance performance from the Coast Salish dance group Coastal Wolf Pack. George said she is grateful for the display
of support for her people as they aim to protect their unceded territory from oil. “It’s very taxing on us, and when I see groups like this, and when I see the kayaks beside us...you’re pushing us forward,” she said. Ocean Hyland, a youth leader from Tsleil-Waututh, spoke of the importance of the water and her nation’s creation story as People of the Inlet. “I am a granddaughter of the Inlet, I am a granddaughter of the river,” she said in a statement. “We gather together in ceremony and gratitude for what the earth has given us and to reciprocate by coming together to protect what is sacred, to protect our culture, lands, waters and all living beings.” During the event, the Coastal Wolf Pack dance group performed a Warrior Song in honour of land defenders and particularly Tsleil-Waututh member
Will George (Swaysən). Swaysən has been manning a Coast Salish watch house on Burnaby Mountain for many months and was recently one of a dozen people arrested after a more-than 35-hour aerial protest where several activists suspended themselves from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. “Just having you here lets us know that we are doing the right thing,” Swaysən told attendees at the flotilla event. The Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion—which was recently bought by Canada from the Texas oil giant Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion—threatens to increase tanker traffic in TsleilWaututh’s backyard by sevenfold. About 220 people have been arrested since March for demonstrating against the project, according to the anti-pipeline group Protect the Inlet. SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 25
Tsleil-Waututh Elder Amy George, left, and Will George sat in the lead canoe during the ceremony.
26 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
‘ASK AUNTIE’ PROGRAM SUPPORTS GIRLS AT TLA’AMIN Girls participated in cultural activities including spiritual baths and cedar bough brushings By Cyndi Pallen, Tla’amin Nation Photos by Phil Russell A mentor program for girls ages 11 to 15 called “Ask Auntie” was successfully brought to Tla’amin this summer, bringing back a coming of age ceremony that was previously lost during colonial contact. We at the nation were very excited about the opportunity to implement the established program at School District 47’s Outdoor Learning Centre at Haywire Bay from June 22 to 24. Myself, Brenda Pielle, Shirley Louie and Jen Ramsey facilitated. We worked closely with the learning centre along with Tla’amin Health Services and Powell River Transition House Society to make the weekend a success. The mother-daughter Ask Auntie
program involved 10 girls from Tla’amin and was also open to the wider community. It was implemented as a communitybased prevention and education program, with emphasis on holistic health and teachings that honour young ladies who are coming into womanhood. It was open to non-Indigenous families as an opportunity to understand traditional values that are rooted in thousands of years of teachings. We included the cultural teachings of our TAOW, which are virtues on respect for yourself and others—caring for our body, mind and spirit. Within the teachings, girls participated in two spiritual baths, talking circles, cedar bough brushings, and two workshops. After the program was finished, a spe-
cial Coming of Age Blanket Ceremony took place at the Tla’amin Salish Centre, which was open to the wider community to witness. This was one of the first Coming of Age Ceremonies in recent history taking place on our territory. It was an exciting time to work in collaboration with Stopping the Violence Program, SD47, PEACE Program and Tla’amin Traditional Wellness Team who worked collectively to support young girls and their mothers. Cyndi Pallen is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from Tla’amin Nation. For information on upcoming programs —including a workshop and support group for women centred around healing from trauma, grief and the effects of alcohol and drugs. She can be contacted through the Stopping the Violence initiative at 604-485-6965. SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 27
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
G WA I I E N G I N E E R I N G
Civil & Environmental • Feasibility
• Project Management (PMP)
• INAC Reporting & Applications
• Sustainable Communities • Water & Wastewater
• Contaminated Sites
Strength Through Relationships www.gwaiieng.com • 250-886-0049
28 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL
ENTREPRENEURS ATTEND TRAINING AT TLA’AMIN By Edith Moore, NmTC communications liaison For one month, six entrepreneurs from Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council member nations attended a workshop to help take their ideas to the next level. The Sharing Circle Mentorship Entrepreneurship Program was held on weekends with facilitator Destenee Burrows at Tla’amin Nation’s Historic Lund Hotel. Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council partnered with North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society to provide the training. The initiative provided training on how to market a business, create a business plan, and how to seek out and access funding for an Indigenous business. I was able to attend sessions, and Destenee was an inspirational facilitator. She provided the class with her own personal experience and kept the program on target with her energy. A huge shout out to Destenee for providing one of the best courses I have had the privilege to take part in. I also want to thank the Lund Hotel for the wonderful hospitality. This location was serene and beautiful and I cannot wait to go back again to enjoy the culturally-transformed resort. Congratulations to the graduates: Sharon Francis – White Eagle Fishing Charters and Accommodations – Klahoose Nation Denise Hanson – Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation – Klahoose Craig Edwards – Outdoor leadership projects – Snaw-naw-as Francis Luaifoa / JrOriginal – Tattoo Artist – Tla’amin Tracey Payne – Photographer – Tsleil-waututh Lonnie Norris – Slickmade – Halalt
Integrated Data Management
Systems for First Nations • Band Membership & Community Database
• Financial Management Tools
• Community & Human Resource Management
• Housing & Asset Management
• Post-Secondary Education
• DoculinX™ - Electronic Filing Cabinet
• Patient Travel, and many more ...
Contact us today! 1-866-699-6829 info@xyntax.com www.xyntax.ca
One Solution. One System.
Xyntax (pronounced Zin-tax) is an Aboriginal-owned, Canadian software system that is tailored to serve the needs of First Nations. For more than 30 years, Xyntax has provided an integrated suite of easy-to-use financial and administrative management tools, exclusively for First Nations. Xyntax software is not only robust, secure and affordable, it provides high levels of personalized support to its customers. Please contact Xyntax for a demonstration of how it can provide the solutions you require for your organization.
Canada’s Premier First Nation Data Management Software
SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 29