Volume 11 • Issue 03
APRIL, 2015
OUR FOODS SPECIAL FEATURE ON WHAT FEEDS US PAGE 6-9
BUILDINGS RISING PAGE 4
SCULPTURE UNVEILING PAGE 10
Building energy solutions for B.C. As a Canadian company, FortisBC understands the unique needs of British Columbians. From natural gas, electricity or propane, we serve approximately 1.1 million customers in 135 communities every day. Together with local communities, First Nations and government, we are building B.C.’s energy infrastructure to meet customers’ energy demands—now and in the future—safely, reliably and at the lowest reasonable cost. Learn more at fortisbc.com.
FortisBC uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. (15-377.4 03/2015)
OPINION
JUST WHO ARE THE TERRORISTS?
A
s if we hadn’t enough to worry about, Bill C-51 comes along to complicate things. The fact that two months ago over 80 per cent of Canadians largely supported the government’s new anti-terrorist bill makes the legislation even more disturbing. And it makes us wonder whether the Idle No More demonstrations 15 months ago or the ongoing demonstrations against the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion suddenly marks many of us as ‘terrorists’.
Stz'uminus Idle No More Dec 31, 2012
Are the Tsleil-Waututh in canoes in Burrard Inlet terrorists? How about the T’Sou-ke people holding a summit on marine risks? Or the Stz’uminus blockading commercial geoduck harvesting? Or Halalt or Snaw-naw-as blockading the road through their reserve lands?
These worries arise because of an internal RCMP report titled ‘Criminal Threats to the Canadian Petroleum Industry’ that said the “anti-petroleum” movement was a growing violent threat to Canada’s security. The report said the movement “jeopardizes the health and safety of its participants, the general public and the natural environment.” Well, it’s nice to know the RCMP is so concerned about the natural environment. But as the rhetoric heats up over fossil fuels around the Salish Sea, as well as Bill C-51, actions will be taken on all sides. We can only hope that the true terrorists in the debate will be identified.
NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS EDITORIAL TEAM: Mark Kiemele editor@salishseasentinel.ca | 250-246-3438 Tricia Thomas triciathomas@salishseasentinel.ca | 250-709-2929 ADVERTISING / DISTRIBUTION: 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: Grace Edwards (left) and her mother Mary Lou prepared a salmon for the feast at Snaw-naw-as. See more on Pages 6-7. Photo by Tricia Thomas.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 1
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
LEAH CALLED TO THE BAR A posting on Twitter said it all. “Leah, official call to the bar! #XwelmexwSleney” That was Leah George-Wilson’s way of announcing that she is now, officially, a practicing lawyer in BC. The call to the bar was a final step in a journey through law school at University of British Columbia. The former three-term chief of TsleilWaututh Nation is currently the public speaker on behalf of her nation on resource issues. Last year she spoke before the National Energy Board hearings on the proposed expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. She has been a member of the TWN negotiating team since 1995 and helped build the treaty, lands and resources department since being appointed director in 2001.
GALLIGOS IS SLOVENIA BOUND WITH HIS TOTEM When Craig Galligos of Sliammon was working on the totem for Powell River’s Kathaumixw choral festival last summer, travel plans were in the back of his mind. That’s because he was going to accompany the pole when it was delivered to the ‘choir of the world’ named during the festival’s closing ceremonies. It could have been awarded to a choir from Kenya, Russia, the USA or even Abbotsford, BC. The winning choir was from the St. Stanislav Academy from Ljubljana, Slovenia, a country on the north Adriatic Sea bordering Italy and Austria. Galligos, along with people from Powell River and possibly a Sliammon group, will travel with the pole to Slovenia in May. K at h au m i x w is a Sliammon 2 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
word, meaning “many nations coming together.” Galligos told The Sentinel last year that his design for the six-and-onehalf-foot pole was meant to represent both First Nations and Canadian imagery. A bronze-eyed beaver gnawing on a piece of wood is carved into the bottom of the pole, while at the top is an eagle.
POLITICS GOES COAST SALISH Bill Yoachim of Snuneymuxw was elected to Nanaimo city council last year. At the same time, Natasha Bob of Snaw-naw-as was elected to her area’s school board. Now others with connections to Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council nations are dipping their toes into politics. North Vancouver federal NDP members have selected Carleen Thomas, a long-time Tsleil-Waututh Nation councillor and an anti-pipeline activist, to run in this fall’s election. And further north on the Salish Sea, Rachel Blaney, whose husband Darren is a Homalco councillor, is running for the NDP in the North Island-Powell River riding. Thomas has been a TWN councillor for 16 years and currently works for the Sacred Trust Initiative that was created to voice her nation’s opposition to the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion. She was named one of Vancouver’s Remarkable Women in 2014. On a commerative poster were the words: “Constantly on the road talking to any who will listen, Carleen honours the responsibility of aboriginal people to protect sacred mother earth for future generations.”
YOU WANT WILDLIFE? THEN HEAD TO BUTE Homalco Wildlife Tours is expanding from its popular ‘Bears of Bute’ excursions in late summer to a spring and summer program. “We are expanding our very successful wildlife tours into the summer focusing on
cultural tours” said Shawn O’Connor, the tours manager. The new journeys to the ancestral lands of the Homalco people will include singing, drumming and dancing, celebrating culture and traditions. The new tours will make use of the information centre near the bear viewing towers on ther Orford River in Bute Inlet. Official launch will take place this June and the cultural tours will run until the bear season begins in August. Training for staff starts in mid-April. O’Conner said that pride and honour is evident in the trained guides through previous training thanks to customer service experts at London Drugs. That company operates the nearby resort on Sonora Island whose clients are regular visitors to bears of Bute.
WINNERS ARE READING ELSIE PAUL’S BOOK Eleven readers of the Salish Sea Sentinel are reading the words of Elsie Paul this month. They were winners in a contest in the February issue. Their prize was a copy of Elsie’s book Written As I Remember It: Teachings (ʔəms tɑʔɑw) from the life of a Sliammon Elder. Book winners were from around the Salish Sea and included: Roger Smith - Lantzville; Sandra Tom – Powell River; Amritpal Singh Dhillon – Victoria; Chad Harris – Ladysmith; Karen Whitehouse – Duncan; Sara Malloway – Deroche; D. Cowie – Tsawwassen; Anne Walsh – Vancouver; Arlene Hope – Cortes Island; Tracy White – Nanaimo; and Kerry McKellar – Quadra Island.
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
THE CULTURE OF THE CANOE By Tricia Thomas Canoe racing season is approaching. Pullers, or paddlers, have begun to focus on their vigorous training regimes. They can be seen daily, often in early mornings or at the end of the longer days of Spring, training on land and on the Salish Sea. In Coast Salish communities along the coast, canoe races attract thousands of spectators each weekend from May until September. The season starts in Nooksack, Washington, on May 9-10 and will carry on until the end of August. If you are a part of the canoe culture, then you understand the power behind
the races. Being a canoe puller means more than just being an athlete. It is an honour that demands commitment to a clean lifestyle, a clear mind and positive energy. It is a physical, spiritual and emotional battle that involves the individual, the team, and the community that the canoe represents. Racing canoes are lighter and more slender than the canoes traditionally used for hunting and transportation. Much skill and strength are needed to pull together as one and to avoid capsizing the narrow canoes. The tradition of the canoe races gives participants a chance to connect with the land and sea, Coast Salish culture, friends and relations and to enjoy songs and food.
For First Nations rates, contact Maria Chen, Sales Manager
CANOE RACING SCHEDULE 2015 MAY 9-10 16 23-24 30-31
Nooksack, near Lynden, WA Coupeville/Penn Cove, WA Skwah, Chilliwack Landing Seabird Island, near Agassiz
JUNE 6-7 13-14 19-21 20-21 27-28
Cultus Lake, near Chilliwack Lummi Stommish, near Bellingham, WA Cowichan Tribes, Cowichan Bay Scowlitz, near Harrison Mills Harrison Hot Springs
JULY 4-5 Ambleside, West Vancouver 11-12 Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park), North Vancouver 18-19 Kulleet Bay, Stz’uminus, Ladysmith 25-26 Tsartlip, Saanich
AUGUST
First Nations hotel choice in meetings, leisure and dining Complimentary shuttle to and from the airport Complimentary wireless internet for all First Nations guests Hilton HHonor Reward Points
604.232.5020 Web: vancouverairport.hilton.com Email: maria.chen1@hilton.com
1-2 Tulalip Tribes, near Marysville, WA 1-2 Tsawout, Saanich *tentative* 8-9 Swinomish, near La Conner, WA 15-16 Chief Seattle Days, Suquamish 22-23 Songhees, Victoria 29-30 Makah Day, Neah Bay, WA
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 3
BUILDING THE FUTURE
A rendering of the Tla'amin Governance House
TLA’AMIN GOVERNANCE HOUSE
The groundbreaking ceremony at Sliammon
TSLEIL-WAUTUTH HEALTH COMPLEX
The Tsleil-Waututh complex will be for a variety of uses
WATERFRONT AT SNUNEYMUXW
Work on the Snunewymuxw project is an attraction for school children
4 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
BUILDINGS ARE RISING IN OUR NATIONS Some major building projects are underway among Coast Salish First Nations. Buildings are taking shape, ground is being broken and architect’s plans are being studied. In early March, there was a groundbreaking ceremony at Sliammon for the Tla’amin Governance House. Work starts this summer on a recently cleared parcel at the junction of Klahanie Road and the Sunshine Coast Highway. The building will be a centrepiece as the Tla’amin treaty effective date in April 2016 draws closer. Meanwhile at Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the membership is having its first look at plans for a new administration and health complex. The 25,000 square foot building will house the health centre, offices for all departments and will serve as a community-gathering centre. Malahat Nation is looking ahead to a groundbreaking this spring for its new health centre. And, on the waterfront at Snuneymuxw, residents are beginning to see the final shape of a structure that will have a gymnasium, multipurpose room, a commercial kitchen and the new space for the Tuytaxun general store.
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
NANAIMO HARBOUR ‘JEWEL’ HAS A NEW GLEAM Everywhere you walk on Newcastle Island, there are the footsteps of our Snuneymuxw ancestors. The island was much used for the foods that it provided our people.
Au’ si:em siyeyu
In our language, Au’ si:em siyeyu, is our form of welcome for honoured friend.
From the shore of Newcastle Island, the city of Nanaimo
Those were the words from a 2007 brochure welcoming visitors from around the world to Saysutshun or Newcastle Island, the 336-hectare provincial park under management of Snuneymuxw First Nation. The island has been an escape for boaters, hikers and campers for most of the past century. Now it’s about to get a major boost, thanks to a two per cent municipal and regional tax. Snuneymuxw is in the process of hiring fulltime workers and inviting the community’s artists, craftspeople, dancers and even yoga teachers to get involved. Chief John Wesley is upbeat about the possibilities. “As a nation with our own world class tourist destination at Newcastle Island, we are pleased that our partners in Nanaimo have secured this strategic investment in tourism for all our communities. “We have a strong partnership and will continue to make great progress working together as we confirm the plan forward to support our Nation’s vision for tourism and cultural experiences."
SALISH SEA CALENDAR APRIL 15-16
APRIL 30
Environmental Stewardship Seminar land use planning session, arranged on behalf of AANDC by NmTC. Delta Vancouver Suites, 550 West Hastings. Go to nmtcevents. com for more info.
NmTC Housing Network members workshop will cover Housing as a Business and Interim Shelter Agreements. Vancouver, Coast Plaza Hotel, 1763 Comox Street. Go to nmtcevents.com for more info.
APRIL 25 Unveiling ceremony for Stz’uminus carver Luke Marston’s Shore to Shore monument at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park, Vancouver at 2 p.m. Reception at the Musqueam Cultural Centre from 5:30-9 p.m.
MAY 9-10 Canoe racing season begins at Nooksack Indian Tribe, near Lynden, WA. See story in this issue.
WANT TO WRITE ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY? We need someone like you to help tell our stories.Take a look at our web site—salishseasentinel.ca—and tell us what stories you would like to see and how you can help make them happen. Then write to: editor@salishseasentinel.ca SALISH SEA SENTINEL 5
OUR TRADITIONAL FOODS
PROJECT AIMS TO HELP YOUTH INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF TRADITIONAL DIETS AND CREATE A HEALTHIER, MORE SELF-RELIANT FUTURE.
YOUTH TAKE ON TRADITIONAL FOODS CHALLENGE
Words and photos by Tricia Thomas
S
naw-naw-as and Homalco communities challenged their youth to learn about the traditional foods of their ancestors. And youth responded when the first part of the challenge took place on the shores of Nanoose Bay in early March. Three weeks later, the challenge was revived at Homalco as the young people continued to identify, collect, prepare and, of course, eat. “Learning how to survive though traditional food knowledge will stay with you for the rest of your life,� Snaw-naw-as elder Doreen Sport said as she shared her teachings about how food from the land has nourished us throughout time. Christopher Bob demonstrated how to cut and prepare salmon for roasting over the fire using cedar and ironwood, while his nephews, Walker and Damion, prepared a pit cook for clams and oysters at the beach. After the demonstration, youth were challenged to pick up a fillet knife and prepare salmon for the fire on their own. They worked together in groups and were observed by elders Doreen Edwards, Annie and Jim Bob and Barbara Barltrop. The groups were presented awards for their efforts. Everyone walked to the bay with their prepared fish where Christopher continued to show the youth how to cook the salm6 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Chief David Bob (seated) joined elders and others for a feast on the waterfront
on over the fire. He talked about how to prepare the fire and described some cooking techniques. When the pit cook was ready, clams, oysters, carrots and potatoes were wrapped in salal and ferns and roasted underground. The result? Delicious! The second part of the challenge took place in Homalco territory on March 21. Youth participated in the Walk Away From Racism in the morning and enjoyed a traditional seafood lunch. Later they participated in sports skills testing and painting paddles with Homalco councillor Darren Blaney. The day ended with youth presentations on their knowledge of traditional foods.
OUR TRADITIONAL FOODS
IN PRAISE OF BLUE CAMAS
T Youth from two nations on the beach at Nanoose Bay
Christopher Bob (top left) prepares the salmon on sticks for cooking
he blue camas lily—camassia— grows from a bulb that flowers from late April to mid-May. This native plant often escapes notice because its main habitat around the Salish Sea is the Garry oak ecosystem, an environment that is rapidly disappearing because of development. But these aren’t just pretty flowers. The cooked bulbs were a vital source of carbohydrate (sugar) for our Coast Salish ancestors. Families had areas where they tended and harvested the bulbs after flowering. After flowering, bulbs were dug up and prepared by steaming in pits to produce a sweet Digging sticks mash that could be used in all kinds of cooking. Camas bed maintenance was usually a women’s work. A digging stick made from ironwood or other hard wood would be used to gather bulbs, often as much as 2,000 kilograms in a season. Care was taken not to harvest any white camas, also called Death camas, which are highly poisonous when eaten. The bulbs were important trading items between coastal and interior peoples, traded for other foods such as cranberries and blueberries. SALISH SEA SENTINEL 7
OUR TRADITIONAL FOODS
Stz'uminus herring egg fishers circa 1998
TSUM’USH means ‘delicious’
F
or the Coast Salish people, the traditional season of the herring roe harvest begins late February and early March. The Hul’qumi’num word for the herring eggs is tsum’ush. In specific areas around the Salish Sea, cedar or hemlock branches are placed in the water to gather the herring spawn. Along the shorelines, the sticky eggs naturally collect on seaweed and kelp which makes it easy for harvesting off the beaches. After collecting the spawn on the branches, it is brought home and hung up to dry. When the roe easily comes away from the branches, it is removed and left to dry some more before being stored away. Michelle Antoine from Halalt First Nation (see photo) recalls: “When I was a kid, I remember going to the beach to see all the cedar boughs people put out for herring season and I couldn't wait to eat the eggs! I remember having big feasts around my late Gran’s table—a tradition I now share with my kids.” Herring roe on kelp were dried and the kelp were laid flat on top of each other, tied and stored in a box. Today the roe is often stored in the freezer. This nutritious spring food can be eaten fresh, dried or rehydrated and cooked. It was traditionally served with salmonberry shoots and provided a good source of vitamin D after the dark winter. Herring roe is still featured at feasts and special occasions and often served with salmon, halibut and other seafood. It is delicious as a crunchy side dish or added to soups.
8 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Michelle Antoine enjoys herring roe
OUR TRADITIONAL FOODS
Dropping the lines with seeds into the harbour
Preparing the seeds for suspension in the harbour
By Tricia Thomas
OYSTER HARVEST returns to T’Sou-ke
Reconnect... with nature, family, friends, colleagues, yourself
O
ysters will soon be harvested again from Sooke Basin, the waters off the main T’Sou-ke First Nation reserve. T’Sou-ke recently entered into a joint project agreement with the Chinese Canadian Aboriginal Development Enterprise. Instead of seeding oysters along the shoreline, the shellfish will be farmed sub-tidally, using long-lines in the basin. Long-line oysters are hung in the water from line columns that are sunk five meters below the surface, allowing boats to pass over without interference. According to project coordinator Andrew Moore, T’Sou-ke has attracted the investment from China and plans to expand its aquaculture operations to include sea cucumbers. It’s all part of the four pillars of the nation’s vision—energy and food security, cultural renaissance and economic self-sufficiency. The loss of shellfish harvesting has left a huge gap in maintaining the T’Sou-ke traditional food practices. There are issues with sewage outfall and, Moore said, the town of Sooke doesn’t have the funds to redirect drainage away from the Sooke River and basin. He said T’Sou-ke is looking at developing its own treatment plant on-reserve that its neighbours could tap into to reduce seepage from old septic fields that finds its way into the harbour.
Regroup
in the heart of nature 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible conference space Day meeting packages from $29 Vancouver Island’s Natural Choice 1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC
1-800-663-7373 or 250-248-2072
TIGH-NA-MARA.COM
Oyster seeds
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 9
ARTISTS AT WORK
SHORE TO SHORE UNVEILING THIS MONTH Years of work by Stz’uminus carver Luke Marston will be revealed on April 25 when his bronze sculpture—Shore to Shore—is unveiled in Stanley Park. The work celebrates the connections of Portuguese adventurer Joe Silvey and his first and second Coast Salish wives, Khaltinaht and Kwatleemaat. Marston is the great great grandson of Portuguese Joe and Kwatleemaat. Portuguese Joe and his wives return to Stanley Park in the form of three life-sized human figures facing outward, surrounded by the fins of a 14-foot traditional cod lure. The setting is fitting, Marston said in a recent Facebook posting. Marston carved pieces of the sculpture from yellow cedar at his Kulleet Bay workshop before sending them to a foundry last year for casting in bronze. “My dear friends and family following the unveiling of the Shore to Shore monument the reception will be held at the Musqueam Cultural Centre… I feel it's fitting considering this is where Joe met pkultinat and was greeted and welcomed with open arms from the great chief Kiapilano.”
Luke carves a yellow cedar figure for the sculpture at his Kulleet Bay workshop two years ago
10 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Luke Marston with his Shore to Shore sculpture in Stanley Park. Photo by Wawmeesh G. Hamilton
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
MALAHAT MARINE DEVELOPMENT FOR A GROWING NATION
Dean Harry, left, and Chief Michael Harry with the plans for the waterfront site.
Malahat First Nation’s marine development plan took another step forward on March 18 when the Cowichan Valley Regional District held a public hearing on the proposal. Chief Michael Harry talked about the waterfront complex and said the driving force behind it was the fact that Malahat people want to come home and participate more in their community. That’s why he and his council are focused on building the nation’s economy and creating jobs, especially for younger people. In addition to building the boat launch, café, gallery and other facilities, Malahat is planning to build 26 new homes by 2020 to house its growing population.
It was all smiles at Snuneymuxw First Nation when Chief John Wesley introduced Ken Cossey, the new executive director, to senior staff. He was previously director of local government services at Songhees First Nation.
working together for sustainable communities
Aboriginal communities have always invested in planning for future generations. We partner with communities to understand collective vision and build sustainability. We offer: • Land use and community planning Burnaby office: 604-293-1411 • Climate change adaptation services www.summit-environmental.com • Facilitation and community engagement services www.ae.ca • Environmental consulting services • Infrastructure, buildings, transportation, water, wastewater, solid waste, and energy services
Chief John Elliott introduced children at Stz’uminus to geoduck. He told them about the important and valuable clam that grows in the waters around Kulleet Bay. Photos courtesy of Chad Harris
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 11
AROUND THE SALISH SEA NAUT'SA MAWT NEWS & EVENTS
WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE
SELF-GOVERNANCE EXPLORED AT WORKSHOP “Think big!” and “Remember who you are”. Those were two key messages to delegates from Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council nations who attended a three-day Exploring SelfGovernment workshop in Nanaimo in early March. The advice to think big came from Kim Baird. She is the former Tsawwassen First Nation chief who saw BC’s first urban treaty implemented at her nation in 2009. The ‘remember’ advice came from Gwen Phillips of Ktunaxa Nation. Those two along with Chris Derickson, a Westbank First Nation councillor, headed a spirited panel discussion about ‘Knowing where you want to go’ on day two of the event. They later facilitated small group discussions as delegates sat with them, rolled up their sleeves and talked about the many issues involved in moving from the Indian Act to self-governance.
Leaders from many nations spoke with Chris Derickson
Derickson stressed the importance of meandingful and continuous community engagement. And Phillips said: “Don’t forget who you are and where you came from…and work traditional values and principles into the self-governance model.” More great advice came from Regional Chief Jody WilsonRaybould and Dr. Tim Raybould who talked about the BC Assembly of First Nation’s governance toolkit.
Creating a circle of prosperity together. Whether you are looking to finance a home, start a business or support your community, we can help. With a national team of Aboriginal banking specialists working together with eight First Nations branches, three First Nations agencies, two First Nations commercial banking centres and six North of 60 branches, you can trust us to provide the complete financial advice and resources you need to succeed and prosper.
Banking | Community | Employment | Procurement
Cynthia Blackstone
Commercial Account Manager, Vancouver Island 250-741-3506 cynthia.blackstone@rbc.com
Troy Myers
Commercial Account Manager, Lower Mainland 604-665-9864 troy.myers@rbc.com
urbansystems.ca
Visit us at rbcroyalbank.com/ aboriginal to learn more.
® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada.
30079 (09/2014)
Coast Salish Insurance and Risk Management Solutions Inc. Are you getting all you deserve and worked for? Are all your government benefits coming to you? Let Coast Salish Insurance and Risk Management Solutions Inc. work for you! No obligation…no fees.
Check it out! 250 246 5275 cpegg@telus.net
PRIVATE HOME INSURANCE • CONTENTS INSURANCE • COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT • EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND PENSION SERVICES
One Solution. One System. Our Business is First Nations
The First Nation business landscape is constantly evolving. Today, many First Nations and their band-empowered entities are under constant pressure to deliver high levels of accountability and financial transparency due to regulatory requirements. At Xyntax, we understand the challenges First Nations face and are dedicated to providing the single, most comprehensive, software solution to meet your needs. Unlike most accounting and financial management software, Xyntax is developed for only First Nations; therefore, our software is uniquely equipped to help you better manage your First Nation and its different business entities more efficiently and cost effectively. As the software manufacturer, we do not rely on other third party software products to complete our software suite. Our main objective is to increase productivity without increasing workload. We accomplish this by eliminating redundant data entry and the usual import/export procedures common with other accounting software. Isn’t it about time that you had a financial system built for your needs?
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Band Membership & Community Database General Ledger Budget Management Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Housing & Asset Management Payroll Human Resources Management (Q1 2014) Post-Secondary (Q1 2014) Purchase Orders Income Assistance Patient Travel (Travel Warrents) Child Welfare Electronic Requisitions G/L Bank Reconciliation GST Tracking & Recovery Electronic Banking DoculinX™ - Electronic Filing Cabinet Report Writer & Designer Remote Backup & Disaster Recovery Service
®
A Canadian Aboriginal Company
Systems
Call 1-866-699-6829 www.xyntax.com