March 2015 by Salish Sea Sentinel

Volume 11 • Issue 02

MARCH, 2015

KYLE’S RUGBY JOURNEY BIG CHANCE FOR STZ’UMINUS PLAYER PAGE 4

THE INDIAN IN THE CHILD CARVING TELLS A STORY PAGE 6-7

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EDITORIAL

REAL MEN DON’T ABUSE

he marches and walks that were held across Canada in memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women in mid-February shone a light on a painful issue with some staggering statistics. Indigenous women are four times as likely to be murdered in Canada than non-Indigenous women. They are also three times as likely to be victims of violent abuse. Our women—at every level, from every social status and whether on or off

reserves—have their lives threatened daily. The perpetrators can be Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal. They are almost always men. Violence against women is not just a women’s or an Indigenous problem. It is a human issue. More importantly, it is a matter for men from all cultures to begin dealing with. Power and control through violence has no place in our homes or workplaces. None. Whatever the cause of the anger, or the many other weaknesses behind the violence, men have to stop enabling such actions through their tacit approval of misguided tough-guy images. Choices

can always be made, choices for safe, nonthreatening and respectful attitudes to women and other men. First Nations, other levels of governments, and many organizations and agencies, have a real role to play in all this. But nothing will really change until the attitudes of men towards women—their sisters—go through a transformation. We already have many good role models around us of what it means to be a true warrior…a real man. It is time to raise our hands to them. And it is time to stop looking the other way when angry men lose control.

NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS EDITORIAL: Mark Kiemele, Editor editor@salishseasentinel.ca | 250-246-3438 Patricia McDougall, Reporter patricia@salishseasentinel.ca | 250-203-2120 Tricia Thomas, Reporter triciathomas@salishseasentinel.ca | 250-709-2929 ADVERTISING: Manoj Sood ads@salishseasentinel.ca | 604-723-8355 PUBLISHER: Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 1921 Tsawwassen Drive, Tsawwassen BC V4M 4G2 Gary Reith, CAO 604-943-6712 | 1-888-382-7711 The Salish Sea Sentinel is published monthly, eleven times a year, by the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, representing 6,500 people in 11 member nations. Design by Footeprint PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT # 42922026 Undeliverable mail may be returned to: 1921 Tsawwassen Drive, Delta, BC, V0R 4G2 circulation@salishseasentinel.ca

www.salishseasentinel.ca Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 15th of every month.

1. HALALT (250) 246-4736 chief@halalt.org www.halalt.org 2. HOMALCO (250) 923-4979 m.enevoldsen@homalco.com 3. KLAHOOSE Qathen Xwegus Management Corp (250) 935-6536 www.klahoose.com 4. MALAHAT (250) 743-3231 lawrencelewis@malahatnation.com www.malahatnation.com 5. SLIAMMON (604) 483-9646 clint.williams@sliammon.bc.ca www.sliammonfirstnation.com www.sliammontreaty.com 6. SNAW-NAW-AS (Nanoose) (250) 390-3661 administrator@nanoose.org nfnbandmanager@nanoose.org www.nanoose.org 7. SNUNEYMUXW (Nanaimo) (250) 740-2300 johngwesley@shaw.ca www.snuneymuxw.ca 8. STZ’UMINUS (Ladysmith) (250) 245-7155 Ray.Gauthier@coastsalishdevcorp.com www.stzuminus.com 9. TSAWWASSEN (604) 948-5219 chartman@tfnedc.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

COVER PHOTO: Kyle Joe, a 16-year-old star rugby player from Stz’uminus is on the ball in this photo taken by The Sentinel’s Tricia Thomas.

SALISH SEA SENTINEL 1

AROUND THE SALISH SEA

COUNCIL PUTS OFFER BEFORE COMMUNITY

SNUNEYMUXW TO VOTE ON CLAIM

embers of Snuneymuxw First Nation will be voting in the near future on a proposed settlement of a longstanding specific claim. The nation’s council unanimously decided in early February to put an offer from the Government of Canada before community members. It involves a 79-acre former village site near downtown Nanaimo that was lost in the early 1860s to what was then known as the Nanaimo Indian Band. Chief John Wesley said council’s decision followed a thorough review of the offer by council, staff and the nation’s lawyers as well as the supportive views expressed by Snuneymuxw members including elders. “We’ve been fighting for things like this for 30 years,” Wesley said of the specific claim that was made to Canada in 1993. “Dealing with things like this is very difficult, and not just from a First Nation’s perspective,” he said. “It’s government and bureaucracies. Sometimes you think you’re so close to settlement on these things, and yet so far. It’s like one step forward and ten steps back.” Chief Wesley said the nation has assembled a special team to carry out a community engagement plan over the next several months. “Council is committed to ensuring that members are fully informed and consulted in advance of any vote,” he said.

Sometimes you think you’re so close to settlement on these things, and yet so far. Chief John Wesley

FACE TIME SALISH SEA SENTINEL

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Deanna George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation showed off her Coast Salish apparel at the recent NmTC annual general meeting

2 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

Noel Brown of Snuneymuxw continues his work on a totem at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo

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AROUND THE SALISH SEA

Troy Barnes speaks as Geraldine Manson and Emmy Manson listen

WALKING FOR OUR STOLEN SISTERS WALKS IN MEMORY and honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women took place across Canada in mid-February. And on Valentine’s Day, people gathered in Nanaimo for a sobering and quiet demonstration for justice and awareness in a march from Vancouver Island University to ceremonies held on the downtown waterfront. Geraldine Manson, the Snuneymuxw elder-in-residence at VIU was one of several speakers before the march began. Emmy Manson, a Snuneymuxw councillor, also shared words with the crowd. One of the organizers of the event was third-year VIU student Troy Barnes whose ancestors come from Homalco and Klahoose. “The support we’ve gotten has been tremendous and it’s really inspiring,” he said. “We’re hoping this inspires people to make this a yearly thing in Nanaimo.”

The march on its way from VIU to downtown Nanaimo

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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 3

SALISH SEA SPORTS

REACHING ATHLETIC EXCELLECE

THE RUGBY JOURNEY OF KYLE JOE Kyle Joe

By Tricia Thomas

ixteen-year-old Kyle Joe is a hard-working student living at Stz’uminus First Nation. He has been a dedicated rugby league player for several years and now has his sights set on becoming a great player and traveling the world through his sport. Kyle is one of 28 young athletes chosen for Western Canada’s under-17 selections squad. Starting on Feb. 27, prospects gathered for a one-week development camp at Shawnigan Lake School, Rugby Canada’s centre of excellence. Kyle’s dad Marvin Seymour, who knew team sports could bring many benefits for youth, introduced his sons to the game of rugby at an early age. A former all-star youth player, Seymour continues to participate with the Cowichan Rugby Football Club men’s league and helps coach youth teams. “When Kyle was in the U-14 BC team, they travelled to Ontario and it was a really good experience.” Seymour said. “I used to play rugby and it brought me around the world…so if they work hard to achieve their goals, there will be a bunch of open doors.” Kyle was recently invited to represent BC in the elite youth 7s at the Las Vegas Invitational, the largest rugby tournament in North America. But such opportunities come at a cost. Family and friends have stepped up to support Kyle’s quest for greatness. Steve and Kristy Hale, his first coaches, have helped him fundraise. His family have held bottle drives, 50/50 draws, raffles and 4 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

auctions. His grandfather Sam Norris and aunt Kristin Thomas held a loonie/toonie auction and poker night at Halalt. And in January, his mother Elaine started an online donation page called Rugby Travel on the crowd-funding website, gofundme. At the highest level of sport, performance and success require discipline, setting goals, strength and, of course, support from family and community. One youth is on his journey to athletic excellence and he needs our support. To help Kyle make his dreams come true and read more about this young athlete go to: http://bit.ly/1Dvuq1a

Kyle kicking ball during match

SALISH SEA SPORTS

Teams from Snuneymuxw will be on the court during the AllNative tournament later in March

NATIVE SONS HOST BASKETBALL TOURNEY

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or the first time in over 30 years, the Native Sons junior basketball team will be hosting the All-Native basketball tournament in Snuneymuxw territory, March 23–27. When the tourney was last hosted in Nanaimo, only the top two or three teams from each region in BC would be invited, but now every nation can bring one or two teams. Also, in 1984 the maximum age was 16, but now it’s 18 and under. Last year when the tourney was held in Kamloops, two Snuneymuxw players—Michael Wyse and Hayden Jeffrey—received allstar awards while Gary Gladstone, James Wyse, Jordan Gladstone and Hayden Jeffrey received player-of-the-game honours. Paul Wyse-Seward is one of the Snuneymuxw team coaches, along with Charles Gladstone, Mike Wyse and Rob LaJeunesse. He accompanied the local team to last year’s event and recalled: “Snuneymuxw was the youngest team that were in the running and considered one of the favourites in the tourney. This year, the boys are a little bit older and are really enthusiastic. We believe it’s going to be great tournament for the Native Sons and the Island Storm girls basketball teams. “With the coaches and parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and others, we can’t ask for better support.” The main venue for the tournament will be at Vancouver Island University with other games played at Nanaimo schools. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Frank Crane arena on March 22. Volunteers are welcome as are donations of food and funding.

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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 5

THE INDIAN IN THE CHILD Powerful carvings by Darren

Blaney of Homalco will soon be installed at a Campbell River school as a lasting lesson about residential schools and their effect on the children in all of us.

Darren Blaney with the work in progress

By Patricia McDougall

he smell of free-cut cedar fills the air on the approach to Darren Blaney’s workshop. Inside, cedar is everywhere, from small key-chain size paddle carvings to 18-foot planks one foot thick. Projects are in various stages of completion. As with the ebb and flow of the tides, the pieces transform as inspiration hits and creativity flows. Lying on a workbench are carvings in progress of a raven dancer, a wolf dancer and two masks. Renowned artist and leader, the councillor for the Homalco First Nation is working on a project that will reside in Southgate Middle School when completed. Darren’s inspiration began when he heard from his son about the naiveté of fellow classmates with regard to First Nation cultures and traditions. The art piece is comprised of carvings representing the impacts of the residential school system and Blaney’s telling of his own nation’s creation story.

6 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

In the centre is a transformation mask, the ‘Indian in the child, two masks in one. The outer mask of yellow cedar represents the colonialism that attempted to assimilate First Nations people and the policy of government-funded residential schools. An inner mask is of darker red cedar. Flanking the masks are carvings of a raven and a wolf. Raven, in traditional stories, always called the meetings, getting everyone together. Raven was called upon to deal with any issues that arose, he said. “The wolf is where our people come from, part of the creation story.” When complete, the carvings will be mounted on a cedar plank and installed at the school, becoming a part of the teachings about the deep-rooted impacts of residential school. Most cultures have creation stories. But all too often in Canada, the dominant culture does not understand First Nation traditions

A CARVING FOR AN ELDER

His designs are also used by other Homalco carvers

AT THE WORK BENCH, Darren crafts jewelry from gold and silver. He is surrounded by many tools as well as some of the first pieces he created as a reminder of the evolution of his art. A gold hummingbird pendant is prominent on the bench. If available for sale, it would be worth about $3,200. But instead it is being raffled for a good purpose. “This is for a raffle to help an elder get some breathing room on her debts,” Darren said. He has sold almost 200 of the 250 tickets at $10 each. When they are all sold, he will draw the winning ticket and pass along the money to the elder. “I am thinking of doing this annually to help elders out of debt,” he said. “Sometimes the way elders get into debt is a form of elder abuse. But I won’t just give them the money to help out with their debts. They will also get some basic financial counseling so that it will not happen again.” On his Darren Blaney First Nation Carvings & Jewelry Facebook page, he acknowledges each ticket sold with a personal message: “Best of Wishes and Luck in the opportunity to win”.

A ring is shown to a visitor

and culture. Even with the evolution of information technology and an openness to share history and stories, it is still mystifying to many why “Indians don't just get over it and move on”. Darren figured that his son’s experience of fellow students not knowing about the effects of residential school on generations of aboriginal peoples was a good place to start educating. The media and other forms of information often do not do justice to the facts around children being taken away from their parents or the horrific experiences many young children endured. This is Darren’s way of telling the story. “The mask symbolizes the loss and reclaiming of their culture.” Blaney wants the kids to understand residential school. His hope in telling this story and the presence of the carving in the school will remind the students of the impact of the residential school system to his people.

Darren (left) sold raffle tickets at the recent Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council annual general meeting. Among those purchasing tickets were, from left: Chief James Thomas who is the NmTC chair; community planning advisor Bronwen Geddes; and Tsawwassen councillor Laura Cassidy.

SALISH SEA SENTINEL 7

SPRING AROUND THE SALISH SEA

Eggs were transplanted by Roger Elliott of Stz'uminus (right) and Kenny Thomas of Penelakut

Work continues repairing damage from the flood

MANAGING SALMON EGGS, BROOD STOCK AND FLOODS

any First Nations are working together to support a healthy salmon population. Salmon enhancement includes counting and brood stock collection. In January, Halalt, Penelakut, Stz’uminus and Lyackson nations took part in a salmon egg transplant into the Chemainus River. With funding from the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS), 80,000 eggs were transplanted into the side channel of the river on the Halalt reserve. Healthy male and female adult salmon, suitable for the annual propagation of brood stock, are collected at the channel and the eggs are brought to the Nanaimo River fish hatchery where they remain until the eggs “button up” or “eye up”. That’s when eyes show through the egg. They are then brought back to the channel and transplanted so they imprint on the river. The fry migrate to the ocean and later come back to start the

8 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

Inspecting the flood survivors at Sliammon

cycle all over again. The Sentinel also recently visited the Sliammon salmon hatchery which is one of the original AFS hatcheries that started in the mid-1970s. We wanted to see how they were doing after the major flood in October 2014.

By Tricia Thomas

Sliammon fisheries workers reported to have lost many of the adult salmon to the flood. Where the hatchery normally has about two million Chum eggs, 250,000 Chinook eggs and 150,000 Coho eggs, only a small amount survived the flood and incubated. Sliammon’s main focus now is to repair all the damage from the flood and prepare the hatchery for the next cycle of salmon so they can start over again at spawning time. Members from the nations are encouraged to participate in the brood stock to learn about the salmon enhancement programs. One fishery worker said, “It’s hard to get the kids interested in participating in the brood stock but they don’t realize how much fun it really is.” The Sentinel will be providing future updates on the lifecycle of salmon from our nations.

SPRING AROUND THE SALISH SEA

SPRING BOUNTY FROM OUR PLANTS By Tricia Thomas Historically, winters were times of hunger so new spring plants were very important nutrition boosters in the traditional coastal diet. Nettles, salmonberry shoots and other delicacies began to appear. Stinging nettle is a great traditional spring plant. It grows in most lowland forested areas, especially old fields and damp ditches. Although it’s mostly known as “a plant to avoid” because of the stiff hairs on its leaves that cause blistering and stinging, nettles are also a very nutritious plant to eat. It’s known as ‘Indian spinach’ because it contains iron, vitamins and minerals just like Popeye’s favourite food.

Early shoots start to appear in late January and the tiny buds provide a good snack. Young leaves are best to pick for eating as a steamed vegetable. Harvest while wearing gloves and using scissors or pruners to avoid being stung. If you do get exposed to the prickly hairs, mashedup yellow dock leaves will sooth the sting. Be sure to pick a location away from areas sprayed with herbicides. Nettle tea can be made from the dried leaves, stems and used as a tonic or to help boost milk production in nursing mothers. Also, the juice from boiling nettle roots conditions hair and helps skin ailments like eczema.

Stinging nettle

Spread Your Wings

The Sentinel needs you! Do you have a nose for news? Do you want to write about people and activities in your community? The Salish Sea Sentinel celebrates Coast Salish culture in our monthly colour magazine. More than 5,000 copies are distributed to homes in the eleven nations that make up Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council and to the offices of all First Nations in BC. It is also available on all major BC Ferries routes and is mailed to leading decision makers in government and business. But we need you! We need someone like you to help tell our stories. We invite you to send us an email with your ideas while showing your writing skills. If you can take good, high-quality photos, so much the better. Take a look at our web site – salishseasentinel.ca – and tell us what other stories you would like to see and how you can help make them happen. Then write to: editor@salishseasentinel.ca

NAUT'SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE

SALISH SEA SENTINEL 9

A SMALL NATION WITH BIG IDEAS By Patricia McDougall

A hydro work camp in the Toba Valley circa 2008 (Photo courtesy Plutonic Power Corp) Inset: Logs from Toba are milled at the Squirrel Cove reserve

By Patricia McDougall

athen Xwegus means ‘coming together’ in the language of Klahoose First Nation. It is also the name of the nation’s economic development corporation that is punching above its weight when it comes to the economic agenda for the small, semiremote nation. People numbers may be small for Klahoose, but the nation thinks big when it comes to sustainable economic development. It has formed partnerships on run-of-river hydro projects, silviculture, aquaculture and in other areas that bode well for the long-term good. Chief James Delorme says partnerships, especially with other nations, are a big reason for the Klahoose success. “If other nations are doing well, Klahoose is doing well. We are all connected, we are all related and we all have Coast Salish connections. We are neighbours.” Only about 60 live on the reserve in Squirrel Cove on the eastern side of Cortes Island. It takes two ferries and almost half a day to get there from Campbell River. Total membership in the nation is about 300, but that number

10 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

belies its economic activity, particularly in the traditional territory around Toba Inlet on the BC Mainland. Qathen Xwagus has its corporate offices in Powell River. It is an umbrella organization for three Klahoose limited partnerships in forestry, shellfish and resorts. Those partnerships involve a number of companies including the second phase of the hydro-electric project in Toba at Jimmie Creek. Of particular note is the marina and resort project. With newly approved permits completed through provincial and federal agencies, an intense planning event with investors and consultants took place in late January. Benefits will include a boost to the Cortes Island economy and secondary tourism businesses. Chief Delorme is a big proponent of good relationships with other nations, sharing knowledge, ideas and support. He said he looks forward to sharing his knowledge with other nations on the challenges and successes of Qathen Xwagus.

AROUND THE SALISH SEA

SNUNEYMUXW RAISES HANDS IN PRIDE

celebration was held at Snuneymuxw First Nation longhouse recently to honour one of the community’s leaders. Tributes were paid to Sqwulutsutun Bill Yoachim in the blanketing ceremony not only for his election last November to the city council in Nanaimo, but for his inspiring leadership at the child and family services agency, Kwumut Lelum. In attendance were members of Snuneymuxw chief and council, Nanaimo’s mayor and councillors and representatives from Vancouver Island University, the regional district and other organizations. But it was perhaps foster children from the Kwumut Lelum canoe family and Snuneymuxw members who best displayed the nation’s pride and respect for Yoachim. “I really want to thank Bill for all that he’s done and showing us that we have a strong culture and we are beautiful in our own ways and that we can do anything that we set our minds to.” Those were the words of 17-year-old Jocelyn Antoine who has been in foster care since she was a toddler. Jocelyn said she was angry at the world, hated school and lied about her ancestry. But then she met Yoachim a few years ago and was inspired. “Now, I’m proud to be native! I’m going to go to college and do some-

thing amazing that will change kids lives." Other speakers gave their praise and appreciation. One Snuneymuxw person said: “The city is getting a man that is full of love, full of kindness and full of respect… He’s making a big stepping-stone for our people in Snuneymuxw to bridge the gap between our people. It’s showing our children that we can get along and do

Yoachim with drum group

things to make it better for the community of Nanaimo at large.” Yoachim spoke last. He said: “You are my strength and my medicine as we make this city and territory a better place for all the years to come so our children won’t have to sacrifice like our grandparents had to, but rather we can all create new strength together as one.”

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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 11

NAUT'SA MAWT NEWS & EVENTS WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE

I’M BACK! (AFTER 12 YEARS) By Edith Moore I’m back! After working away from my community for 12 years, I am so happy and proud to be back working on the Halalt reserve as the finance assistant for Naut’sa Mawt Tribal Council. It is ironic that my new office is the exact same office that I sat in way back in 1988 when I worked as a receptionist for the Halalt band office. It’s a pleasure to be able to look out my office window and watch the future of our community play in the garden of the Halalt daycare. We have so much to be thankful for and this for me is a reminder of why we are uniting and working together for a brighter future for our children. My traditional name is Qut’ Qet and

Edith Moore (right) with NmTC finance director Lisa Scott

my English name is Edith Moore. My traditional name was handed down to me by my Granny Edith Norris. I am a Halalt band member and have had a few jobs in my past working for neighbouring communities such as Cowichan Tribes and the Hul’qumi’ num Treaty Group. You may recognize me

from my past position working for the provincial government at the Service BC office in Duncan where I may have renewed your driver’s licence or helped you with ordering your birth certificate. I am very excited to be home again and it is with enthusiasm that I embrace this new chapter in my life.

Project Coordinator Wanted The Herons Nest is looking for a creative thinker who can help deliver this innovative grassroots economic development project to the people in the eleven Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council nations. From T’Sou-ke to Sliammon and from Tsleil-Waututh to Klahoose, we represent emerging First Nation economies. Whether it’s the traditional industries of forestry, fisheries and real estate or alternative energy production or even growing wasabi, our nations are leading the way in sustainable living around the Salish Sea. As project coordinator, you would be responsible for things such as: ● Working one-on-one with entrepreneurs, providing advice, direction and support ● Setting up workshops/seminars for community, government and administration leaders ● Compiling First Nation Ec/Dev Best Practices from communities in BC and Canada ● Coordinating NmTC’s work with other Aboriginal organizations and government agencies If you are interested in this part-time 12-month position, send an email outlining your people and organizational strengths to: heronsnest@nautsamawt.com For more information contact 1-888-382-7711 or 604-943-6712

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