Volume 12 • Issue 05
JUNE 2016
AY LELUM
NEW ERA FOR THE GOOD HOUSE PAGES 12-15
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NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS
OPINION Coast Salish 24/7 Naut’sa mawt-Working together as one EDITORIAL TEAM Mark Kiemele - Editor editor@salishseasentinel.ca Cara McKenna - Writer caradawnmckenna@gmail.com Tricia Thomas - Photographer Bronwen Geddes - Copy Editor DESIGN Salish Eye Productions ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Manoj Sood ads@salishseasentinel.ca 604-943-6712 OR 1-888-382-7711 PUBLISHER Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 330-6165 Highway17A Delta, BC V4K 5B8 Gary Reith, CAO 604-943-6712 OR 1-888-382-7711 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT # 42922026
The Salish Sea map was created in 2009 by Stefan Freelan at Western Washington University
Undeliverable mail may be returned to: 330-6165 Highway 17A, Delta, BC, V4K 5B8 circulation@salishseasentinel.ca
SalishSeaSentinel
@SalishSentinel
www.salishseasentinel.ca Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 15th of every month.
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: The photograph of Sophia Seward-Good and Aunalee Boyd-Good was taken by Tricia Thomas.
1. HALALT (250) 246-4736 chief@halalt.org www.halalt.org
7. SNUNEYMUXW (Nanaimo) (250) 740-2300 johngwesley@shaw.ca www.snuneymuxw.ca
2. HOMALCO (250) 923-4979 m.enevoldsen@homalco.com
8. STZ’UMINUS (Ladysmith) (250) 245-7155
3. KLAHOOSE Qathen Xwegus Management Corp (250) 935-6536 www.klahoose.com
www.stzuminus.com
4. MALAHAT (250) 743-3231 caroline.harry@malahatnation.com www.malahatnation.com 5. TLA’AMIN (604) 483-9646 clint.williams@sliammon.bc.ca www.sliammonfirstnation.com www.sliammontreaty.com 6. SNAW-NAW-AS (Nanoose) (250) 390-3661 chris.bob@nanoose.org www.nanoose.org
Ray.Gauthier@coastsalishdevcorp.com
9. TSAWWASSEN (604) 943-2122 info@tsawwassenfirstnation.com www.tsawwassenfirstnation.com 10. TSLEIL-WAUTUTH (604) 929-3454 bbaptiste@twnation.ca www.twnation.ca 11. T’SOU-KE (Sooke) (250) 642-3957 administrator@tsoukenation.com www.tsoukenation.com Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 8017 Chemainus Road Chemainus, BC V0R 1K5 (250) 324-1800 www.nautsamawt.org SALISH SEA SENTINEL
1
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
SEX!
THERE, WE SAID IT.
HOW ABOUT YOU? CHEYENNE HOOD, TSLEIL-WAUTUTH NATION’S HOUSING COORDINATOR, AND A FRIEND RECENTLY LAUNCHED THE COMMUNITY’S PASSING THE FEATHER SEX EDUCATION PROGRAM. Words and photo by Cara McKenna SEX IS A DIFFICULT SUBJECT to breach for most families. For Indigenous families dealing with the impacts of Canada’s residential school system, it can be even more challenging. But at Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, things are starting to change, thanks to a new program started by band member Cheyenne Hood. Like many other First Nations families, Hood, 42, and her parents never talked about even the most basic aspects of sex. Her father was in a residential school and her mother was in an Indian day school. “You think about the sexual abuse and the physical violence and the emotional and mental abuse that went on,” she said. “For those reasons, you don’t talk about sex, you don’t say the word ‘sex’.” Hood didn’t want her son and two daughters – who are 18, 20 and 22 – to have the same experience she did, which she describes as “trial and error”. “I know a lot of people my age. People are surprised that I tell them I have no grandchildren,” she said. “I’m 42 years old.” A little over one year ago, Hood’s friend Iris Yong Pearson, a youth worker, approached her with the idea of starting education programming at Tsleil-Waututh around sexual exploitation. The two applied for a grant to fund the program, then forgot about it. Applying for grants was part of Hood’s job at the time as a community services coordinator. Months later, she got a call from Yong Pearson saying they were approved. “Then we started the process of ‘OK, what does this look like? 2 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Cheyenne Hood
AROUND THE SALISH SEA What do we call it? Who do we do it in partnership with? Who are we targeting?’ “And it became very personal for me, I think, because of my daughters and the fact that they are First Nations, and the exploitation of First Nations women is extremely high.” The program was named Passing the Feather in homage to Indigenous talking circles. The group began having sessions last fall. It includes about six regular attendees, who are high school or university age, and they meet weekly. Subjects talked about range from defining sexual exploitation, to how young men and women are treated differently by society, to the possible dangers of social media and technology. The aim is to start a conversation and to educate young people. The program includes cultural aspects as well, Hood said. That includes teaching young men their role, both societally and culturally. “Passing the Feather is different in the sense that there’s no way that I wanted to continue to only engage girls,” Hood said. “We’re always teaching our young girls … how to prevent themselves from being harmed, from being raped, from being sexually assaulted. “But we never actually talk about the perpetrator’s responsibility and accountability. We don’t talk about the acceptance of that behavior, of, you know, ‘oh, boys just being boys’.”
Hood said the group is next going to start facilitating workshops at high schools and within the community. She wants to see her own community and others become “fearless” about tackling hard subjects and believes this is just the beginning.
“How do you start the conversation? Well, first you have to be brave enough to actually say the word,” she said. “The only way you’re ever going to change anything with your community, with your people, with your nation, is by willingness to be a part of that change. Don’t wait for someone else to come up with a great idea and do it.”
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SNAW-NAW-AS PROJECT NO PIPE DREAM
Words and photos by Mark Kiemele
THE PARKING LOT OUTSIDE the administration offices at Snaw-naw-as First Nation has been an unusual sight for the past two months. On the asphalt leading to the boat ramp, contractors are building a 2,000-meter pipeline that will soon replace the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) marine outfall. The project is providing employment for some Snaw-naw-as members as well as daily interesting activity for the community.
Sections of pipe waiting to be fused
And it is also a source of revenue that will be used to further work on the nation’s latest economic development project above the waterfront along the Island Highway. Sections of 54-inch high-density polyethylene pipe are assembled on land and floated from the assembly area into the Nanoose Bay. When complete, the pipeline will be towed to Morningside Park in Nanaimo for installation during the June to September 2016 fisheries window. The new outfall will replace a pipeline installed in 1973 that is reaching the end of its functional life. “I am excited to see this work coming closer to completion,” said RDN Chair Bill Veenhof. “This is an essential project which will protect the surrounding environment and offer area residents dependable and reliable wastewater discharge for many years to come.” The RDN provides wastewater treatment for the City of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation and parts of the District of Lantzville adjacent to Snaw-naw-as. Treated effluent is discharged from a treatment plant through the pipe two kilometers into the Strait of Georgia along the sea floor. McNally International is building the marine portion of the outfall.
Chris Bob and Gary Bob at work on the project manning a small tug inspecting the floating line
4 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Work is progressing along the Island Highway on infrastructure for the Snaw-naw-as gas station and other facilities
Large smiles were worn by Serena Seymour, 7, and her sister Ciara, 5, who were visiting with their parents from Stz’uminus First Nation
Proud neighbour, committed to community. At Port Metro Vancouver we are committed to the development of long-term working relationships with Aboriginal groups who share an interest in the lands and waters we manage. As we monitor the safety and efficiency of traffic on the water, we wish all mariners safe and enjoyable passage. For marine-related assistance within Port Metro Vancouver’s jurisdiction, call our 24/7 Operations Centre at 604.665.9086.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 5
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MORE TENANTS ANNOUNCED FOR NEW MALL
Structures began rising more than eighteen months ago as evidenced in this January 2015 photo by Kama Sood
SALISH EYE PRODUCTIONS PHOTOGRAPHY | VIDEOGRAPHY | DESIGN
THE DEVELOPER behind one of Tsawwassen First Nation’s massive mall projects has announced some of the stores and restaurants that will open when the centre opens on Oct. 5. Ivanhoe Cambridge satiated Lower Mainland shoppers’ curiosity about Tsawwassen Mills with a list of 25 stores and two restaurants that have signed on as tenants. Until now, there have been just two previous announcements that Bass Pro Shops and high-end Saks Off Fifth will be tenants. The 1.2 million square foot centre is currently under construction and is expected to open its doors this fall. Newly announced tenants will include a Nike Factory Store, H&M, Winners, Old Navy and Sport Chek as well as the restaurants Milestones and Montana’s. The developer calls the announcement a “small dent” in its full roster of about 200. The rest of the tenants will be announced closer to the mall’s opening date. About 3,000 full-time and part-time jobs will be created once the centre opens while there were about 4,500 jobs during peak construction.
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6 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
An artistic rendition of one of the entrances to the new mall
PHASE 1 STARTS
AT STZ’UMINUS
CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY at Stz’uminus First Nation on the first phase of its Oyster Bay development. Infrastructure work is progressing and a construction tender is going out shortly for the first 10,000 square foot retail and office building. The nation’s Coast Salish Development Corporation (CSDC) is finalizing agreements for a Tim Horton’s and Esso drive-thru with a construction start due in June or July. A hotel development is slated to start later this year. The Sentinel announced last July that Ladysmith & District Credit Union would be opening its Coast Salish Credit Union branch as an anchor tenant on the site. Other retail and office units are available on the first and second floors of the Phase 1 building. CSDC expects that there may be options available for co-working space for Aboriginal-owned businesses. Contact Chenoa Akey of CSDC at 250-924-2444
Infrastructure work continues (above) with a concept of the planned commercial area at Oyster Bay
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 7
GOVERNANCE
An information slowdown in 2007 first made the public aware of the problem
ROAD TOLLS LOOM FOR TRAVELLERS
AT HALALT Words by Mark Kiemele Daniel photo by Tricia Thomas. Traffic photos from Sentinel archives. DANIEL PAGE DID HIS PART earlier this year when he made a sign on his living room floor and held it up for the hundreds of logging and chip trucks and other traffic that every day pass through the main Halalt First Nation community. Now the rest of the nation is deciding what to do next in the wake of the Halalt Road Traffic Bylaw 2016 that was passed and has received serious attention from the local municipality as well as from commercial vehicles heading to the nearby Catalyst pulp mill and Timberwest dry land log sort in Crofton.
8 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
“Our community has suffered by having a major highway cut us in two.” Those were the words of Chief James Thomas in July 2007 as Halalt supporters turned out to hold a traffic slowdown and information picket of traffic on Chemainus Road. Drivers were stopped and handed a leaflet that included the message: “Sorry to inconvenience you, but… The road you are driving on has been ‘inconveniencing’ the Halalt First Nation people for decades.” Since then, new administration offices and a large community centre have been built. The latter is located adjacent to the nation’s playing fields. Digital speed alert signs are on the adjacent road informing drivers that they are in a 30-kilometersper-hour zone, but speeders are frequent and heavy commercial traffic is almost constant during the day. But things have changed since the road bylaw was adopted in early March. Weekend industrial traffic has stopped, according to a community member who lives alongside the road.
Daniel Page got fed up with cars and trucks speeding on Chemainus Road through Halalt First Nation so he made a sign that he shows to passing motorists.
“I heard they closed the log sort on weekends,” the man (who did not want to be named) told the Sentinel. As he spoke, cars and trucks registering well above the speed limit passed by. The new bylaw calls for monthly permit fees for commercial vehicles. But Chief Thomas said that: “Residential traffic is welcomed on the condition that visitors respect our village and be courteous to our community members.” Meanwhile, the council at the municipality of North Cowichan has directed its staff to provide a report commenting on the Halalt bylaw and an April letter from the nation.
Marston starts work on big
school ‘reconciliation’ project STZ’UMINUS CARVER JOHN Marston has begun work on a project that he says will transform the entry lobby at Ladysmith Secondary School into a space that will revel in Coast Salish culture. On the day that Marston was announced as one of three artists whose works will decorate new BC Ferries vessels (his will be the Salish Eagles), he talked about the year-long project that will include a 20foot Coast Salish welcome figure in the school’s foyer.
Meanwhile, school principal Margaret Olsen said: “The Nutsumaat syaays (working together as one) is an exciting project.” Organizers, who have raised about half the $75,000 needed to complete the job, said: “We would like to bring Aboriginal education to the forefront of our school’s journey. We would like to continue a conversation with our school community about truth… about reconciliation.”
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NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL PROUDLY PRESENTS
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FOR REGISTRATION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: Gail or Caitlin, Event Organizers 604-943-6712 | assistant@nautsamawt.com
THANK-YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Accommodation has been made available at local hotels.
The Nau’sa mawt Tribal Council Nations: Halalt • Homalco • Klahoose • Malahat • Snaw-naw-as • Tla’amin
10 SALISH SEA SENTINEL Snuneymuxw • Stz’uminus • Tsawwassen • Tseil-Waututh • T’Sou-ke
CHIEF JOHN WESLEY (foreground) of Snuneymuxw was on hand to to offer a traditional Coast Salish welcome to the 3,800 passengers on the Explorer of the Seas when it visited Nanaimo on May 18. The largest cruise ship, owned by Royal Caribbean, stopped in Victoria and Nanaimo during its cruise from Seattle to Alaska.
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 11
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
A new era for the Good House TWO SISTERS ARE HONOURING THE LEGACY OF THEIR PARENTS BY STARTING A CLOTHING BUSINESS – AY LELUM: THE GOOD HOUSE OF DESIGN – FEATURING THE TRADITIONAL COAST SALISH DESIGNS OF THEIR FATHER WILLIAM GOOD. Words by Mark Kiemele Photos by Tricia Thomas Sophia Seward-Good wearing a vintage wool Ay Ay mut blanket cape designed by her parents in 1997
Sophia Seward-Good (hummingbird blouse) and Aunalee Boyd-Good (hummingbird tunic)
12 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
SITTING AROUND THE KITCHEN table at the Good house on the Snuneymuxw reserve beside the Nanaimo River, it’s not difficult to see what drives this family – art with a capital A. As Aunalee and Sophia talk excitedly about their new venture Ay Lelum – The Good House of Design – father William Good carves, with a small knife, some of the thick calluses on his hands, son W. Joel (he’s a William, too) paints a cedar box and little Liam, a budding artist at age two, tries to make himself useful. William has just come from his carving shed, putting the finishing touches on a carved panel that will soon be on display on Nanaimo’s waterfront. His two daughters pulled into the drive from their day jobs with Liam hightailing it into his grandfather’s arms.
SENTINEL PROFILE
William Good works on the Art in the Park project
The first things the eyes see when welcomed into the house are two large, impressive modern paintings by their mother Sandra Moorhouse-Good. Below them sit some of William’s exquisite cedar boxes with their decidedly un-modern Coast Salish designs. Around the living space is evidence that ‘art happens here’. It must have been quite a lot like that when Aunalee and Sophia were growing up in Nanaimo, surrounded by carvings, pottery, paintings, jewelry, silk screening and clothing created by William and Sandra.
Joel Good working on his Toolbox for Change project
Over the years, Sophia and Joel became familiar with their parents’ art and the creation process. They helped out by sanding and polishing while Aunalee learned how to market and sell the art works. As young children, when needing a break, they headed to the swing hanging from the rafters in the large studio and living space. “Our parents did everything then,” said the sisters. It’s difficult to say which sister, because they start and finish each other’s sentences. “Mom produced clothing and screen printed using dad’s art work. It was an amazing legacy our parents built up.” The learning continued outside the home as Sandra passed her classical art training to students around Nanaimo. “We did every art class our mom did,” said the sisters. “Our entire childhood was one big art class.”
Learning from masters
Sandra Moorhouse-Good
Years before, William began his artistic journey. “A big artistic influence on me was Leslie John who told me in 1964 that I was going to be an artist.” He worked with other master artists from that era including Simon Charlie from Cowichan. “Dad is a master of the traditional Coast
Salish style from this area,” says one of the sisters. “He is also a knowledge keeper and cultural historian,” adds the other. “Now we are trying to bridge the gap from this amazing legacy and build a bridge to the younger generation.” After William and Sandra met, the Goods began to make their living creatively. They eventually set up the Art of the Siem gallery in downtown Nanaimo that showcased their own works as well as other contemporary First Nations art.
Toolbox for Change Joel Good’s artwork was on display in many Nanaimo businesses in May. His steam-bent and painted boxes depicted stories of the beaver, eagle, raven, bear and wolf. The work was called Toolbox for Change: A Local Perspective on Indigenous Culture. The boxes contained books and graphic novels all to help people learn about residential schools, reconciliation and other Indigenous issues. The toolbox initiative was a project by the Leadership Vancouver Island development program. SALISH SEA SENTINEL 13
SENTINEL PROFILE
An anniversary celebrated The sisters’ collective creative juices began to flow last year as they coordinated a two-month show at the Nanaimo Museum celebrating Ay Ay Mut, the 35-year artistic partnership between William and Sandra including their clothing line. “We researched their past work and had to go and find some of the original collectors who bought mom’s clothing and dad’s carvings and prints. The anniversary show ignited us. We were so inspired by our parents.” Since then, Aunalee and Sophia have been doing all the hard work that’s necessary to create a successful business, taking practical courses, transforming artwork into wearable clothing and sourcing suppliers. Last December they launched their fashions to much acclaim at the Awaken the Spirit art show and cultural festival at 14 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo. Since then they’ve exhibited their clothing at pow-wows and other Aboriginal community events, something they’ll continue to do this summer. Now, they’ve just launched their spring collection featuring artwork by their father William and brother Joel. “Our goal is that eventually we are able to do the art,” said the sisters. “We’ve been immersed in art as a visual language since we were children. It has always been part of who we are. “We want to do so many things and access new technologies, and we have learned from our parents to be respectful of traditions. “We feel good about this because the foundation for the House of Good Design was made by our parents.”
Where available Fashion from Ay Lelum: The Good House of Design can be found at these stores and galleries: Cheryl’s Trading Post, Surrey Hill’s Native Art, Vancouver Port Hardy Visitor Information Centre Songhees Wellness Centre Gift Shop, Victoria Spirit Gallery, Horseshoe Bay Strong Nations Bookstore and Gifts, Nanaimo Wei Wai Kum House of Treasures, Campbell River More info is on www.facebook.com/AyLelum
SENTINEL PROFILE
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 15
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
SEWAGE WORKS FOR TSAWWASSEN By Cara McKenna Photos by Kama Sood
The $27 million facility on 41B Street
Chief Bryce Williams, with hat, natural resources manager and member of the Legislature Laura Cassidy and chief administrative officer Tom McCarthy got a tour of the facility
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16 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Darryl and Virginia Splockton opened the ceremony with a song
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
Tsawwassen youth helped the chief unveil a grand opening commemorative plaque The new facility took two years to complete. It paves the way for Tsawwassen’s next phase of development – massive industrial, commercial and residential projects, including its mega-mall projects, a large industrial centre and thousands of new homes.
Chief Bryce Williams said in a statement that the infrastructure will help to secure the band’s long-term financial future. “The completion of the new sewage treatment plant is a proud moment and reflects how far our community has come since signing the treaty in 2007,” he said. “It also paves the way for us to move for-
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 17
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
Homes ‘wash up’ AT T’OQ
ONE NIGHT IN mid-April, large valuable objects washed ashore at T’oq (Squirrel Cove). They were five homes, prefabricated in Penticton and barged to Klahoose First Nation on Cortes Island. Concrete foundations for the structures were already in place. People began to think about moving in
to their new homes, all members that were on the nation’s long housing waitlist. The nation’s leaders are already planning to get more names off that waitlist. During a visit in March, Chief James Delorme unveiled a concept map that included planned subdivisions, sewage and water facilities, a recreation centre and other amenities for the community. Tracy Girling coordinated sending The Sentinel photographs and took the daytime photos while Cheyenne Hope took the night photos. The photo of the chief is from Sentinel files.
Chief Delorme with the concept plan (above); home arrives during the night by barge at T’ok (left)
18 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
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STUDENTS AT Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulth Community School at Snuneymuxw are eagerly looking forward to graduation and the year end awards on June 22 at the nation’s new recreation centre.
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 19
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
SOLAR ‘THANKS’ TO TSLEIL-WAUTUTH By Cara McKenna TSLEIL-WAUTUTH FIRST NATION has been gifted with solar panels that will help power its new super-green administration building. The panels were given to the nation by environmental organizations Greenpeace and 350.org to commemorate the nation’s ongoing work to fight fossil fuel development in its territory. Melina Laboucan-Massimo of the Lubicon Cree First Nation from north-central Alberta presented the gift to leaders from Tsleil-Waututh on May 12. Both nations have been fighting against Kinder Morgan’s proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which carries crude oils between Alberta and B.C. “We wanted to offer this as just a token of our sincere gratitude for your hard work against this pipeline because we know that will affect our homelands in the tar sands,” she said. “The solutions are transitioning our communities back to where we’re not raping and pillaging Mother Earth.” 20 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Laboucan-Massimo said she felt inspired when Tsleil-Waututh built the large solar panel next to its daycare building several years ago.
“I was in the process of actually doing the same thing back home and last summer we solarized our healthcare centre in the heart of the tar sands,” she said. “That’s the first time I’ve ever cried tears of joy and I felt like, this is the future, this is what I want to see.” Tsleil-Waututh Chief Maureen Thomas said the nation has put out extra money to ensure their administration building is ultra-green and she is grateful for the gift of solar panels. The new building is expected to be complete by early 2017. She said the existing solar panel, which is very visible on the reserve, is like a “beauty mark” that she hopes will inspire children attending the daycare. “To me it’s very powerful for our young ones to grow up knowing that’s a part of them and that’s where the future is going to be.” Former chief Leonard George, councillor Carleen Thomas and Reuben George of the Sacred Trust were also in attendance to accept the new solar panels.
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
BAIRD ON PANEL
AS PIPELINE GETS
NEB GO-AHEAD
FORMER TSAWWASSEN First Nation chief Kim Baird will be on a three-person Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project ministerial panel. Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr announced the panel, which also includes Tony Penikett and Dr. Annette Trimbee two days before the National Energy Board gave its go-ahead to the project.
Kim Baird
“I’m excited to have been appointed,” Baird told the Sentinel. “The purposes of the panel is to meet with stakeholders and indigenous groups who wish to share their views on the project. “The panel will also review and consider input from the public via an online portal. The panel still needs to establish the schedule and process and details will be forthcoming.” Work starts in June for the panel and continues through November. It will then make a report to Minister Carr, which will be made public. The federal government has seven months to make a decision on the multibillion dollar project. Kinder Morgan must meet 157 conditions set by the NEB including 49 environmental requirements.
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 21
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
TLA’AMIN, UBC STUDENTS PREPARED THE GROUND By Grace Adams, Shauna Johnson and Kelsey Taylor ON APRIL 5, Tla’amin Nation once again became self-governing. Self-governance requires a lot of planning work, so to assist, Tla’amin hosted twoMasters students, Shauna Johnson and Kelsey Taylor, leading up to effective date. They were from the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) at the University of BC. The school offers a specialization in Indigenous Community Planning. In their second year, pairs of students are partnered with a host First Nation for an eightmonth practicum. The Tla’amin partnership began with the students’ first trip to the community last September to meet the nation’s planning team and discuss their needs as they prepared for self-governance. The students worked collaboratively with the Tla’amin planning team, developing a learning agreement that provided a framework for working together, guided the relationship-building process and identified mutually agreed-upon deliverables. Relationship-building is a key aspect when working in Indigenous communi22 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
ties to support, acknowledge and respect Indigenous ways of planning. A planning process was co-designed based on three planning pillars: 1. Tla’amin comprehensive community plan (CPP) reflection; 2. Tla’amin Hegus youth strategy; and 3. Tla’amin self-governance visual communication tools.
Grace Adams, Shauna Johnson and Kelsey Taylor with head treaty negotiator Roy Francis
It was powerful to bring community together during this process. For the youth strategy, we facilitated youth workshops and brought youth and elders together.
Grace, a member of the planning team, observed how important this was. “Having an elder in the room is very grounding. It slows things down and returns us to our teachings through song and story.” Reflecting on the CCP brought community members together in an open house in March, where Tla’amin community members discussed issues relating to youth and self-governance and viewed the communication tools. The practicum partnership provides an opportunity for the community of Tla’amin to celebrate and build upon their accomplishments in the Tla’amin CCP, with reaching self-governance as their successful goals met. The youth strategy developed in this practicum provides a solid foundation to give youth a voice now and into the future. “What do we need to do? They’ve [Tla’amin youth] got to start thinking, right now, because they’re the future – they’re the ones that are going to look after the future of our land.” - Elder Elsie Paul More information about the UBC program is at icp.scarp.ubc.ca
AROUND THE SALISH SEA NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL PROUDLY PRESENTS
GOLFERS TEE-OFF
FOR OUR ELDERS
WIN A CAR & MORE!
AFTER PARTY!
Silent Auction Dinner & Dance Extravaganza
TOP HOLE-IN-ONES
State-of-the-art sound system
CA$H PRIZES LONGEST DRIVE
Fantastic contests
NmTC THEY’LL BE DRIVING, AND PUTTING, FOR A GREAT CAUSE in the NmTC Elders of the Salish Sea golf tournament on the Tsawwassen Springs course on Sunday, July 17. As well as raising funds for our elders, Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council has lined up an impressive list of prizes for keen golfers. They will be able to win some top prizes including hole-in-one booty. Those who achieve the feat on hole #17 can win a hybrid car or a pickup truck while #4 carries a $10,000 prize and #2 a $5,000 cheque. “Put some spring into your swing and join us for a round of golf and an evening to dine and dance with great entertainment and prizes,” said tournament organizer Gail Sczerkowsky.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
FUNDRAISER
a non-profit initiative of the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council
JOIN US FOR A GREAT TEE-OFF TIME!
The par-70 SUNDAY, course has been recently JULYredesigned 17THwith ten new holes on its south side. The old back-eight holes feature a serpenTSAWWASSEN SPRINGS GOLF IN DELTA tine watercourse through wildlife habitat with golfers often sightRegisteraonline at www.golfsquid.com ing a Great Blue heron. That bird is in the logo of NmTC. HELP SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE
The Nau’sa mawt Tribal Council works together as one to support and strengthen its eleven Coast Salish member communities through economic development, strong governance, community planning, financial management and technical services.
FOR REGISTRATION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT:
Gail or Caitlin, Event Organizers For more information, look at the ad on Page 10 of this issue. 604-943-6712 | assistant@nautsamawt.com
ALL FUNDS TO BENEFIT THE ELDERS OF THE NAUT’SA MAWT COMMUNITES.
THANK-YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Accommodation has been made available at local hotels.
The Nau’sa mawt Tribal Council Nations: Halalt • Homalco • Klahoose • Malahat • Snaw-naw-as • Tla’amin
10 SALISH SEA SENTINEL Snuneymuxw • Stz’uminus • Tsawwassen • Tseil-Waututh • T’Sou-ke
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30079 (09/2014)
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 23
CEDAR WOVEN
INTO CURRICULUM Words and photos by Cara McKenna
STUDENTS IN BC are learning about Coast Salish culture as part of a new Indigenous-focused curriculum. Elementary students from several schools came to John Oliver high school in Vancouver recently for its inaugural Aboriginal education festival. For part of the day, students gathered in a classroom for a cedar-weaving workshop led by Tsawwassen First Nation elder Loretta Williams. An experienced weaver, Williams explained traditional and modern practices before having the children make bracelets of their own. Students also learned about canoe protocol, West Coast design and more as part of BC’s new curriculum that requires learning of Aboriginal culture and history. It will be fully launched in September. 24 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
ABORIGINAL DAY
HIGHLIGHTS JUNE
ALTHOUGH EVERY DAY is Aboriginal Day for people in our nations, June 21 – the first day of spring – is the 20th anniversary of the day that Canada officially recognizes the culture and accomplishments of its Indigenous peoples. One of the highlights of the day around the Salish Sea will take place in Powell River when Tla'amin Nation celebrates its first holiday as a self-governing nation. Tla’amin is holding events at the Willingdon Beach village site that is traditionally called Ay jumish. There will be drumming, singing and dancing. But the feature attraction of the day will certainly be a play performed by School District 47 students based on the book by Tla’amin elder Elsie Paul. In 2014 she published Written As I Remember It: Teachings (ʔәms tʔw) from the life of a Sliammon Elder to much acclaim. There are many other National Aboriginal Day activities in nations around the coast, so check them out and help celebrate what we’re all about. Another major event takes place in Victoria where the Royal BC
Museum will again host the Aboriginal Cultural Festival, a threeday celebration of Aboriginal peoples, arts and culture, beginning on Friday, June 19 and wrapping up on Sunday, June 21. The festival is hosted on the traditional territory of Esquimalt and Songhees Nations in Victoria. And just across the USA border, Coast Salish Days will be held in Birch Bay on June 25–26. The festival is intended to build community ties between the Coast Salish tribes and the residents. Meanwhile, canoe pullers will be on the water throughout the summer for races at Coast Salish nations in BC and Washington State. JUNE 4-6 Cultus Lake water festival, Chilliwack, BC 10-12 Stommish water festival, Lummi, WA 17-18 Cowichan Days, Duncan, BC 18-19 Sasquatch festival, Scowlitz, BC 25-26 Sasquatch Days, Harrison Hot Springs, BC JULY 2-3 Ambleside Park, West Vancouver 9-10 Tsleil-Waututh canoe races, Whey-A-Wichen/Cates Park, North Vancouver 23-24 Stz’uminus hosts races at Kulleet Bay near Ladysmith
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Contact us, and pay less for your insurance. Learn more at strategiq.ca Phone: (250) 319–6412 Email: greg@strategiq.ca
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 25
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
ALARMS RAISED AGAINST FIRES FIRE IS MUCH ON THE MINDS OF EVERYONE THESE DAYS AS AN UNUSUALLY DRY SPRING, AND CARELESS HUMANS, CAUSE WILDFIRES IN OUR FORESTS. BUT THINGS CAN BE JUST AS DANGEROUS IN OUR HOMES, WHICH IS WHY SMOKE ALARMS ARE A VITAL ‘FIRST RESPONDER’.
Scott Wimpney hands out another smoke alarm
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Smoke alarms are being installed in Snaw-naw-as First Nation homes at an unprecedented pace. The same is true in many communities, especially those who have experienced tragic fires like the 2012 incident in which two children died at the community overlooking Nanoose Bay. As Scott Wimpney handed out the alarms from his reception desk at Snaw-naw-as, Karen Bob said that at least ten cartons containing more than 100 of the devices had recently been distributed to members. The alarm hand-outs come as shocking BC statistics reveal that the odds of deaths in First Nations residential structure fires are more than double that of the general population. Those figures represent real persons, families, elders and children. The aftermath of home fires is devastating, not for just those involved directly, but for entire communities.
DOYOU YOU HAVE HAVE AAGREAT DO GREATSTORY STORYTO TOTELL TELL, ...a photo or artwork to share? A PHOTO OR ARTWORK TO SHARE? The Salish Salish Sea Sea Sentinel Sentinel is always looking for contributors Theour Salish Sea Sentinel always forwith from 11-member nations toisshare wordslooking and photos contributors from our 1 1-member nations. If our readers.
you know someone that is a high achiever,
Tell us your story! – If you know someone who that is a high a cultural leader, someone you respect – we achiever, a cultural cultural leader, leader someone or is a person you respect you respect – we would – we would toand hear from you! like would to read likelike towhy read why how and you how honour you honour them. them. Send us an email with your story idea and we will do the rest. Send us anwho email with your idea and And everyone who offers offers an anarticle articleorstory orartwork artwork that that is used is we used in do theorrest. in thewill the magazine magazine on orour on salishseasentinel.ca our salishseasentinel.ca site will sitebewill given be given an honourarium. an honourarium.
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editor@salishseasentinel.ca editor@salishseasentinel.ca Tell us what’s happening! Vancouver Island Office Halalt First Nation 8017 Chemainus Road Office 250-324-1800 Toll free 1-888-382-7711
26 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
The Sentinel Lower Mainland Office 330-6165 Highway 17A Delta, BC Office 604-943-6712 Toll free 1-888-382-7711
editor@salishseasentinel.ca
Hayleze Reyburn from Seabird Island is at left with Katelin Henry of Seton Lake at one of the boot camps
AROUND THE SALISH SEA Steven and Gwen Point of Skowkale First Nation are among those involved in the BC Working Smoke Alarm Movement. Its catalyst is Len Garis, Surrey fire chief and a professor in the school of criminology at the University of the Fraser Valley. The movement began in 2012 with a goal of ensuring there is a working smoke alarm in every BC home. More than 40,000 smoke alarms have been installed in homes with half going to First Nations. Youth from Seabird Island and other First Nations have been involved in boot camps on the issue at the Gathering Our Voices youth conference and other venues. Participants learned about the principles of fire as well as the importance of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. They also put on firefighter gear, climbed ladders and used fire extinguishers and hoses. Everyone is reminded to make sure smoke alarms have fresh batteries and to never take down a smoke alarm because of a false alarm caused by cooking. New technology is helping too with newer devices having sealed batteries that last 10 years and advanced sensors that help reduce false alarms. If the date of manufacture of any alarm is more than 10 years old, it must be replaced with a new one.
Further safety information can be found at www.safeathome.ca. This article was prepared, in part, by Kidde Canada, a Salish Sea Sentinel advertiser and Canada’s top manufacturer of alarms.
BUTT FREE ZONE AT T’SOU-KE Cigarette smoking is always a fire danger in the forest, in homes and outside office spaces Here’s a recent Facebook from T’Sou-ke First Nation: “Due to the fire in the butt bucket on Saturday things have changed. There is now no smoking around the band hall. The designated area is by the picnic table. There is a bucket with water in it to extinguish the smokes.”
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 27
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
SENTINEL DIGITAL READS RISE PAPERLESS SUBSCRIBERS TOP 1,100 THE NUMBERS OF READERS of the digital edition of the Salish Sea Sentinel are on the rise. Thousands of people around the Salish Sea read paper copies of the magazine every month that they get at First Nation offices, on BC Ferries and other locations. But more than 1,100 are going paperless. Take, for example, a recent email from Jodi Mucha, who is the executive director of the BC Healthy Communities Society in Victoria. She wrote: “We have been receiving your Salish Sea Sentinel for the past several years. It is a great publication.
“I am writing to ask if you could remove us from your subscription list specifically for the hardcopy mail out that we regularly receive. We would prefer to read up on your updates online and are doing our best to become paperless. “We will continue to read your website and other communications on line and repost through our social media channels when possible.” Then there are all the teachers at École Mary Hill elementary school in Port Coquitlam, a duel English and French Immersion institution.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES... ENGINEERING... SALES AND MARKETING
NmTC Mentorship Opportunity Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is looking for people from our eleven nations who want to know about our new Mentorship Program. We want to link applicants with our partners to provide a paid, professional work environment for up to one year. The idea is to help you realize your career and personal goals and eventually secure permanent, full-time employment based either in the Lower Mainland or on Vancouver Island. We want to know if the NmTC Mentorship Program sounds interesting to you. Let us know by sending us an email, including your resume.
jobs@nautsamawt.com 28 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
WE COVER THE
SALISH SEA
Robyn Weisner wrote the following to us: “I sent the web-link to the Salish Sea Sentinel subscription page to the school principal. She is going to encourage each teacher to sign up individually so they can receive the digital magazine directly to their inboxes. She thinks it would be a great resource for them as there is more emphasis on incorporating First Nations' knowledge and information into classroom activities.” Thank you to both Jodi and Robyn. If you would like to do likewise, go to salishseasentinel.ca and click on the E-Edition link at the top of the page to keep informed about all the good things happening in the nations of Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council.
WE’RE MAKING WAVES! The Salish Sea Sentinel is your company’s best choice for advertising to BC’s rapidly growing and highly lucrative Aboriginal market. We distribute up to 10,000 copies each issue by direct mail to readers including to every First Nations administration office in BC as well as to key decision makers at every level of government. Copies are also available on major BC Ferries routes and popular tourist attractions. Our focus is all about burgeoning Coast Salish nations on topics including including culture, economic development, governance and infrastructure. Please contact us at ads@salishseasentinel.ca to find out how we can help you reach Aboriginal markets throughout British Columbia.
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