Canada’s Oldest First Nation’s Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product Vol. 30 - No. 18 - September 11, 2003 haas^i>sa “ Interesting News ” Sales Agreement No. 40047776
NTC takes top prize at Alberni Fall Fair By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter Port Alberni - The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Fall Fair booth was given the Chairman’s Award; the top award for displays at the popular, 58th annual event. Designed by Kelly Porier (nee Foxcroft), the booth was a magnificent display of Nuu-chah-nulth culture in both modern and past times. The challenge was to meet the fall fair’s annual theme, which this year was ‘sheep’. “I spent quite a few hours combing through museum archives to find a Nuu-chah-nulth connection to sheep and wool,” said Porier. “It was a really interesting and educational opportunity to explore issues of intermarriage and coast-wide trading with other Nations that brought wool and wool clothing into our communities.” Inside a small longhouse-type structure draped with cedar boughs, old black and white photos blended with colourful contemporary pictures of a vibrant Nuuchah-nulth culture. Wool sweaters knitted by the late Rosie
Ross and Ellen Tatoosh hung above intricately woven ornamental grass baskets. NTC staff contributed their time and efforts, working to develop ideas into reality, and staffing the booth throughout the weekend, answering questions about the tribal council and its role in west coast communities. "There is great value in cross-cultural education, and this type of event allows us to showcase some of the many ways in which NCN have in the past, and continue to make rich contributions to society, in both historical and contemporary sense,” said NTC Executive Director Florence Wylie. “Being awarded top prize reflects the outstanding care and committment the dedicated NTC staff have for our organization,” said co-chair Shawn Atleo. “Well done to all who were involved,” he said.
Kelly Porier (Foxcroft) holds the “Chairman’s Award” ribbon in front of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s fall fair booth in Port Alberni last weekend.
Thunderbirds battle BC’s biggest fire By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter The Thunderbirds Fire Crew continues to be exceptionally busy this year, fighting fires around the province in this, the driest summer on record. The Thunderbirds, a largely First Nations crew based in Port Alberni, have been fighting the 10,000 hectare Lamb Creek fire near Cranbrook for the past month, and could be there for at least another month, according to crew member John Swift.
The Thunderbirds, a largely First Nations crew based in Port Alberni, have been fighting the 10,000 hectare Lamb Creek fire near Cranbrook for the past month, and could be there for at least another month, according to crew member John Swift. “We’ve spent the past month in Cranbrook fighting the Lamb Creek
fire,” said Swift. “Before that we were in Hope, Nakusp, and a few other small places in the Interior. We average 12 hour shifts but some days we’ve gone for 28 hours straight. Even though our contract ends on September 6th, and some of the guys have left to go back to university, we’ll probably be here for at least another month, and that’s if the weather cooperates,” he said. There are almost 800 fires currently burning in British Columbia with 284 in the southeast part of the province. The Lamb Creek fire (15 km SW of Cranbrook) was discovered on Aug 7th and is one of the largest fires burning in the province today. The fire remains at approximately 10,637 hectares in size, and more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from 598 homes in the fire area, but there have been no serious injuries, and no structures have been lost. “In my 31 years I’ve never seen this many fires and this complexity of fire,” said Bob Pfannenschmidt, Thunderbirds’ leader, and Incident Commander for the
Alarm bells ring for Nuu-chah-nulth language ....... Page 2 NTC organizes Oil & Gas Symposium ...................... Page 4 Maa-nulth conducts study for Oil & Gas Team ....... Page 5 Controversy over Alaskan Subsistence Rights ........ Page 6 Central Region opens Industrial Park ....................... Page 7 Dick family hosts reunion ............................................ Page 10 NEDC Business News ................................................... Page 20
Lamb Creek and Moyie Lake fires. “The Lamb fire is the ugliest fire you’re ever going to see, steep-terrain wise, and wind wise. We got hammered for 4 days with 30 to 70 km/h winds. There’s nothing you can do but get the people out of the way,” he said.
“In my 31 years I’ve never seen this many fires and this complexity of fire,” said Bob Pfannenschmidt, Thunderbirds’ leader, and Incident Commander for the Lamb Creek and Moyie Lake fires. “The Lamb fire is the ugliest fire you’re ever going to see, steep-terrain wise, and wind wise. We got hammered for 4 days with 30 to 70 km/h winds. There’s nothing you can do but get the people out of the way.,” he said. “No one I’ve spoken with has ever seen anything close to this,” said Swift. “It’s
total destruction. Nothing is left of the forest except for gray dust,” he said. The Thunderbirds constructed primary, secondary and tertiary fireguards. The fire managed to jump almost two kilometers over the first two fire guards, but the third guard has held for the past week. There are 500 Forest Service fire fighters and 170 structural fire fighters battling the blaze, helped by 17 helicopters, 120 pieces of heavy equipment, and 2 boats. “It’s really fatiguing, and not just physically. It’s mentally challenging too,” said Swift, adding there’s a very good chance the crew could go on to fight other forest fires. “Everybody, including the division supervisors, has been really impressed by our crew,” said Pfannenschmidt. “The T-birds are an integral part of the organization here. They’re a top notch crew, that’s for sure. I wish I had more of them,” he said.
If undeliverable, please return to: Ha-Shilth-Sa P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2
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Page 2 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 Ha-Shilth-Sa newspaper is published by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council for distribution to the members of the fourteen Nuuchah-nulth First Nations as well as other interested groups and individuals. Information & original work contained in this newspaper is copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from: Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2. Telephone: (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 Web page: www.nuuchahnulth.org
2003 Subscription rates: $30.00 per year in Canada & $35. /year U.S.A. and $40. /year foreign countries. Payable to the Nuu-chahnulth Tribal Council. Manager / Editor, Southern Region Reporter David Wiwchar (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 wiwchar@nuuchahnulth.org Administration Assistant Annie Watts (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 hashilth@nuuchahnulth.org Central Region Reporter Denise Ambrose (250) 725-2120 - Fax: (250) 725-2110 seasiren@nuuchahnulth.org Northern Region Reporter Brian Tate (250) 283-2012 - Fax (250) 283-7339 hbtate@nuuchahnulth.org Audio / Video Technician Mike Watts (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 mwatts@nuuchahnulth.org
DEADLINE: Please note that the deadline for submissions for our next issue is 4:30 pm on Friday, September 19, 2003. After that date, material submitted & judged appropriate, cannot be guaranteed placement but, if still relevant, will be included in the following issue. In an ideal world, submissions would be typed, rather than hand-written. Articles can be sent by e-mail to hashilth@nuuchahnulth.org (Windows PC). Submitted pictures must include a brief description of subject(s) and a return address. Pictures with no return address will remain on file. Allow 2 - 4 weeks for return. Photocopied or faxed photographs cannot be accepted. COVERAGE: Although we would like to be able to cover all stories and events we will only do so subject to: - Sufficient advance notice addressed specifically to Ha-Shilth-Sa. - Reporter's availability at the time of the event. - Editorial space available in the paper. - Editorial deadlines being adhered to by contributors.
LETTERS and KLECO’S Ha-Shilth-Sa will include letters received from its readers. All letters MUST be signed by the writer and have the writer's name, address & phone number on it. Names can be withheld by request. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. We reserve the right to edit submitted material for clarity, brevity, grammar and good taste. We will definitely not publish letters dealing with tribal or personal disputes or issues that are critical of Nuu-chah-nulth individuals or groups. All opinions expressed in letters to the editor are purely those of the writer and will not necessarily coincide with the views or policies of the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council or its member First Nations.
Alarm bells ring for Nuu-chah-nulth language By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter Every time an Elders dies, it’s like a library has burned down, as volumes of information on language, culture, and traditional teachings vanish. According to linguists Henry Kammler and Olaf Behrend, the Nuu-chah-nulth language is “extremely endangered, being in the last phase of language loss”. With only a few fluent speakers remaining, the youngest being in their 50’s, the Nuu-chah-nulth language is close to being extinct.
Every time an Elders dies, it’s like a library burning down, as volumes of information on language, culture, and traditional teachings vanish. According to linguists Henry Kammler and Olaf Behrend, the Nuu-chah-nulth language is “extremely endangered, being in the last phase of language loss”. The University of Frankfurt (Germany) linguists and anthropologists Behrend and Kammler have been working with Nuu-chah-nulth communities for many years, learning theNuu-chah-nulth language and culture from Elders and leaders. Of the world’s 7,200 existing languages, at least 5,000 are in a critical state of decline and most are expected to disappear by the end of this century. In Canada, 50 of Canada’s 53 distinct Aboriginal language groups (30 of which are in B.C.) are listed as “endangered”, with only Cree, Inuktitut, and Ojibway flourishing. Ten languages have already vanished. Every language represents a unique worldview; a way of seeing things that is unique to a particular group of people.
With the death of a language, so dies that unique way of seeing and understanding the world around us. “Our language is in crisis, and if the trend isn’t reversed we could lose our language within 10 or 15 years,” said Southern Region Co-chair David Dennis who is currently working at learning his language. “As a young person, it is our responsibility to take back what was stolen from us. Our language and identity was stolen from us by the residential school system, and we have to make a commitment to learn our language, and encourage leadership to make this a primary initiative and put resources behind it,” he said. Across Canada, Aboriginal words are the basis for the names of hundreds of towns, cities, lakes, rivers, and our country as a whole. But in residential schools, First Nations children were severely punished for uttering those same Aboriginal words. “We were beaten for speaking our languages,” said Gil Okaboose. “We were ridiculed when we spoke of our customs and teachings. We were taught through your books that our ancestors were godless heathens who talked to rocks and worshipped totem poles. Your ancestors who fought and died were called intrepid pioneers; ours who did the same thing were mindless savages,” he said. “The influence of other cultures, the dominance of other languages, the demise of Elders who were keepers of their language, federal government policies - all of these have played a part in this,” said Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps in announcing federal funding for language programs. “We are moving forward by putting the Indian residential school experience, and any other ways languages were lost and diminished, behind us. I look forward to a day when every Aboriginal child in this country not only speaks an Aboriginal language but dreams in an Aboriginal lan-
Ha-Shilth-Sa belongs to every Nuu-chah-nulth person including those who have passed on, and those who are not yet born. A community newspaper cannot exist without community involvement; If you have any great pictures you’ve taken, stories or poems you’ve written, or artwork you have done, please let us know so we can include it in your newspaper. This year is Ha-Shilth-Sa's 29th year of serving the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. We look forward to your continued input and support. Kleco! Kleco! David Wiwchar, Editor / Manager
guage,” she said. At a recent conference sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute, Elders and leaders from across North America gathered to discuss the plight of Aboriginal languages and come up with ideas to turn the tide on disappearing dialects. “The culture around them wants anything but for them to speak their own language,” said Rayna Green of the Cherokee Nation. “And the overwhelming influence of English-speaking television and popular culture have made native languages seem irrelevant to some Native American youth. There is a sense of urgency about this. In so many tribes there are very few fluent speakers left. And even though you’ve got people that agree that this needs to be done, there’s no one way to do it for so many different tribes,” she said. But Native American tribal nations are often as small as a thousand people and, as is the case with the Tuscarora Nation, only a handful of fluent speakers are alive to pass along their language. “We are hanging on not even by a fingernail. We are lucky to count on one hand our living fluent speakers, “ said Joanne Rickard-Weinholtz of the Tuscarora Nation in upstate New York.
“Our language is in crisis, and if the trend isn’t reversed we could lose our language within 10 or 15 years,” said Southern Region Co-chair David Dennis who is currently working at learning his language. “As a young person, it is our responsibility to take back what was stolen from us. Our language and identity was stolen from us by the residential school system, and we have to make a commitment to learn our language, and encourage leadership to make this a primary initiative and put resources behind it,” he said. Both the federal and provincial governments have initiated programs designed to help save these vanishing languages. The federal government has a $172.5 million fund to assist Aboriginal language and culture projects, and B.C. recently announced a $200,000 contribution to the provincial heritage language program (it should be noted that the three territories spend a combined $4.2 million each year on language programs (Yukon $1.1M, NWT $1.9M, Nunavut $1.2M)). There are many ideas on how to save the Nuu-chah-nulth language from extinction, many of them listed in Henry Kammler and Olaf Behrend’s article, but they require commitment, time, and energy. A small price to pay for a direct connection with ones own history.
Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 3
“Quuquu’aca faces extinction” warns linguists By Henry Kammler and Olaf Behrend for Ha-Shilth-Sa “How can we sleep when the beds are burning” was the hook line of a successful rock song in the 1980s dealing with environmental problems. You may ask what this has to do with language? Very much when you consider that – although it went almost unnoticed on this side of Juan de Fuca Strait – the last two fluent speakers of Nuuchaanulth’s sister language Makah passed away last year. We repeat: MAKAH HAS NOT A SINGLE FLUENT SPEAKER LEFT. Shouldn’t alarm bells be going off in all NCN communities? Especially when we take into account that the Makah have had a much praised language program in place at their schools since 1978. The first serious attempts to implement the language at schools in NCN and elsewhere in BC also date back to same time.
The last two fluent speakers of Nuuchaanulth’s sister language Makah passed away last year. We repeat: MAKAH HAS NOT A SINGLE FLUENT SPEAKER LEFT! Peter Jacobs, linguist and member of the Squamish First Nation of North Van told us recently: “We have taught our language at the school for 25 years and still we had to admit that not a single student graduated speaking our language even at the most basic level. And that hurts.” What is needed now is a very sober assessment of what went wrong so far. As was known among experts already 25 years ago, it was an illusion that a school alone would produce fluent speakers. Does this mean that native language classes at the school are altogether useless? By no means. But schooling can only complement what is going on elsewhere in the community and only in this way it fulfils a vital function. Before we go into detail, let us reconsider some general issues related to endangered languages. When is a language endangered? Out of an estimated 6,000 languages
worldwide, linguists calculate that three fourths will be extinct by the end of this century if determined counter-measures are not taken. But how do we know when a language is endangered? Of course there are no absolute criteria for endangerment. Children acquire their first language at home, hence the term “mother-tongue” (in many regions households have more than one language, so children grow up bi- or trilingual). Basically, a language is endangered as soon as there are no or very few children that still learn it as a first language. That was the case with Nuuchaahnulth already in the 1940s. Even languages that are said to be “stable” can slip into endangerment, above all when they are minority languages with a limited representation in the media and educational system. Take for an example the Hopi, a tribe of about 10,000 members surrounded entirely by Navaho Nation in Arizona. Although their distinct culture seems to be very strong, only three out of ten Hopi children still speak their native language when they enter elementary school. To make it worse, recent studies show that only one out of ten students use their language when they graduate from high-school. For those few speakers it is extremely unlikely that they will find Hopi-speaking spouses so that the language of their households will be English and the children’s mother-tongue will be English as well. It is not only a matter of the relative percentage of speakers in the total population and their age structure but also how scattered the speakers are. A language with only 300 speakers that represent 90% of the total population living in a compact settlement (like some Amazonian peoples) has more chances to survive than a language with one million speakers in their fifties or older scattered over a vast territory (as is the case with several regional languages in Russia). Nuuchaahnulth is extremely endangered, being in the last phase of language loss, look at the facts: - there are hardly any speakers under 60 years of age (maybe 100 in total) - the native language is hardly ever used in everyday communication, no children are exposed to it in a natural environment
- the speakers are scattered and rarely have the chance to use their language (individual fluency depends on practice; studies show that immigrants that have nobody to speak to totally lose their previous mother-tongue after several decades of residence in Canada) What is fluency? One of the magic words heard so often lately is that of “fluent” speakers. Well, a fluent speaker should simply speak “fluently”, one might say. But again there are different kinds of fluency, depending on the spheres where the language is used.
Nuuchaahnulth is extremely endangered, being in the last phase of language loss, look at the facts: there are hardly any speakers under 60 years of age (maybe 100 in total), the native language is hardly ever used in everyday communication, no children are exposed to it in a natural environment, and the speakers are scattered and rarely have the chance to use their language A broad definition of fluency to work with is that a speaker should be able to participate actively in a longer conversation on general, everyday issues in order to be considered fluent. Actually several First Nations of the BC Interior have made this definition of fluency a requirement for language instructors, they are only admitted to teacher training programs and teaching positions if they can demonstrate their conversational ability in the language in front of a jury of speakers. This broad term of fluency also includes second language fluency because after several years of good language instruction a student should be able to pass such a test easily. Mothertongue fluency encompasses of course much more and has a greater depth in all respects.
Among the surviving speakers of Nuuchahnulth there are of course differences. The oldest speakers learned the language when everyone was still speaking it and they used it with members of their own generation. In contrast today’s “younger” speakers mostly learned it through a parent or grandparent who were the only ones they quuquu’aca with and they would converse with their friends and other adults in English. Moreover, there are specialists who know a huge vocabulary relating to their skills or occupations but may have less knowledge of other spheres of the language. Effectively, as in any language, no individual has a complete command of “everything” that is in the language. This is why as many speakers as possible should be involved in documenting the language for each of them is likely to make a specific contribution that nobody else can. Nuuchahnulth is not alone The dire straits in which North American languages are found are not only illustrated by the Makah. In recent years many languages lost their last mother-tongue speakers, to mention just a few: Quileute (Washington), Klamath (Oregon), Ioway-Oto (Oklahoma). But there are on the other hand hope-inspiring cases. Many may have heard of the Hawai’ians who successfully reintroduced their language in the school system and in their communities – it has become natural for young Hawai’ians who do not live away from home to speak their language even though their parents speak mostly English. The Maori in New Zealand have developed “language nests” were pre-schoolers are cared for during the day in an noEnglish-environment, at the same time there is instruction in Maori on all educational levels, including university (of course also open for non-Maoris). Both closely related Polynesian (Maori and Hawai’ian) languages, however, have a simple sound system and a not too hard-to-grasp grammar for English
Continued on page 8
Upcoming Meetings Meeting
Date
Oil and Gas Symposium Sept 18 - 19 NTC Annual General Meeting Sept 29 - 30
Place
Start time
Hupacasath House of Gathering 9 am Tsaxana
9 a.m.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Toll Free Number 1-877-677-1131 Nuu-chah-nulth leadership have now established a toll free number to assist membership with any questions they may have regarding treaty related business.
Paid in full: $1.3 Million loan for House of Huu-ay-aht. Anacla – As of September 1, the $1.3 Million loan held by the Bank of Montreal for the House of Huu-ay-aht has been paid in full. A $3 Million project, the house of Huu-ay-aht was built to realize the dream held by the Huu-ay-aht community to have a place to gather and for the community to meet with its government. “Now the House of Huu-ayaht is fully our home, a much needed place to practice our culture and carry out our recreational activities” says Chief Robert Dennis. Within just 3 years, the Band has been able to pay off this asset due to the successful management of its economic
development fund and other financial settlements. The economic development fund is used to develop sustainable local industries and to provide socio-economic benefits such as infrastructure and employment training opportunities for Band membership. The fund has grown due to profits from a number of business ventures in fisheries, forestry and eco-tourism. Connie Nookemus, Director of Tribal Operations adds, “We welcome all of our neighbours to participate in events at the House of Huu-ay-aht. It is a tremendous asset for all Huu-ay-aht and neighbouring communities who can connect there.
Page 4 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003
Fisheries - ca-~ca-~>uk Home use Sockeye Scant for Ahousaht
NTC organizes Offshore Oil & Gas Symposium
By Denise Ambrose, Central Region Reporter
By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter
Ahousaht - Despite a month away from home, Ahousaht fishermen returned home with a relatively small catch to distribute to Ahousaht community members. Riddled with boat and net problems, the exhausted crew of the Leslie Ellen allocated seven salmon per household, sacrificing their own family share in order increase the shares Chiefs Rocky Titian and Corbett George hand of others. In previous out sockeye to their people. years the allocation was Crowds of tote-bearing Ahousahts fifteen pieces per household. cheered and applauded the fisheries A spokesman for the Chiefs and councrew, thanking them for their sacrifice cil thanked the fishermen for all their and hard work. The Ha’wiih and Elders hard work. The sockeye season was were first to receive their shares folbetter early on and Ahousaht residents lowed by the rest of the community. of Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver While Port Alberni residents did not received normal allocations of fish this receive their home-use sockeye allocayear. According to Councillor Joe tion this year, those that made the trip to Campbell, it was the first time in two or Ahousaht August 27th were given a three years that Vancouver residents share. received home use fish.
Port Alberni - NTC Treaty Manager Cliff Atleo Jr. has been working hard to put together the upcoming Oil and Gas Symposium. Hosted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council at the Hupaèasath House of Gathering (5500 Ahahswinis Drive, Port Alberni) on September 18th and 19th,
Noreen Frank waits in line with other Ahousaht members for her seven sockeye.
Fall Fair Awards: Eagle Rock Materials won an award for being the best Industrial Display (l-r: Elverna Edwards Mailloux, Michael Beley, Fall Fair Chairman Scott Green, and Alana Sayers), and the Tseshaht First Nation won top prize in the non-commercial category Photos: Sonja Drinkwater (Janice Johnson, Scott Green).
BRAKER & CO. Barristers & Solicitors 5233 Hector Road P.O. Box 1160, Port Alberni B.C. V9Y 7M1 Phone: 723-1993 - - Toll free 1-877-723-1993 Fax: 723-1994 Personal injury litigation, including motor vehicle accident injury claims
DRAFT AGENDA DAY 1 9:00 9:10
9:30
the symposium brings together speakers from all sides of the debate, so Nuuchah-nulth-aht can learn about offshore oil and gas drilling, and make informed decisions on how to move forward on this controversial issue.
Hosted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council at the Hupaèasath House of Gathering (5500 Ahahswinis Drive, Port Alberni) on September 18th and 19th, the symposium brings together speakers from all sides of the debate, so Nuu-chah-nulth-aht can learn about offshore oil and gas drilling, and make informed decisions on how to move forward on this controversial issue. “The issue of offshore oil and gas will play a dominant role in the lives of coastal peoples for generations to come, and it is important for Nuu-chah-nulth people to understand as much about this complex issue as possible before making any long-lasting decisions,” said Atleo. “The issue of offshore oil and gas will test every principle of what it means to be a Nuu-chah-nulth person. We must examine ethical, environmental, social, cultural, human rights in addition to economic issues,” he said. “The issue of offshore oil and gas is another example of how corporations and governments require our consent. Nuu-chah-nulth must be involved in the decision making process, wherever that leads.” “The symposium is open to everyone who has an interest in rights and title,” said Southern Region co-chair David Dennis. “This will be an issue that will dominate discussion for the next 50 years, and so far none of the questions about it have been asked or answered,” he said. The NTC Oil and Gas Symposium is the perfect place to ask those questions, and hopefully have them answered as experts from the University of Victoria, Living Oceans Society, BC Offshore Oil and Gas Team, and many others will be on hand to offer their thoughts, and bring clarity to this important topic.
11:00
1:30
2:30
3:30
Opening Prayer and Welcome Judith Sayers, Chief Councillor Hupaèasath First Nation Opening Comments Co-Chairs David Dennis, Shawn Atleo and Archie Little Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Panel Discussion: Diverse Perspectives on Offshore Oil and Gas Dr. Michael Whiticar, UVIC Earth and Ocean Sciences, Oonagh O’Conner, Oil and Gas Researcher, Living Oceans Society TBA, Pacific Offshore Energy Association Panel Discussion: First Nation and Government Processes José Villa-Arce, Chief Negotiator, BC Offshore Oil and Gas Team TBA, Huu-ay-aht First Nation Phil Jennings, Director Frontier Lands Management Division, Natural Resources Canada Nuu-chah-nulth Elders Presentation Barney Williams, Sr. Che:k’tles7et’h’/Tla-o-qui-aht TBA, Central Region and Southern Region Elders Provincial Political Perspective Chief Ed John, Task Group Member, First Nations Summit TBA, Union of BC Indian Chiefs Arnie Narcisse, Chairman BC Aboriginal Fisheries Commission Open Floor Discussion/Follow-up on Outstanding Questions
DAY 2 9:00 9:10 10:45
1:30 2:30
Opening Prayer First Nation Information Sharing Open Discussion Where do we go from here? – Continuing the process of understanding Open Discussion – Developing a coastal position/protocol Closing Comments
Note: Agenda subject to slight changes and adjustments as required.
Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 5
Maa-nulth conducts study for Offshore Oil and Gas Team By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter Four Maa-nulth First Nations will receive almost a half-million dollars to write a report for the BC Offshore Oil and Gas Team. The report will focus on Huu-ay-aht, Uchucklesaht, Ucluelet, and Toquaht First Nations’ claims on the marine resources and seabed areas within their hahoulthee (traditional territories).
Four Maa-nulth First Nations will receive almost a half-million dollars to write a report for the BC Offshore Oil and Gas Team. The report will focus on Huu-ayaht, Uchucklesaht, Ucluelet, and Toquaht First Nations’ claims on the marine resources and seabed areas within their hahoulthee (traditional territories). The four nations will conduct a “comprehensive public consultation program for members”, and will combine their individual Traditional Use Study (TUS) documents to form one cohesive report with the assistance of anthropologist and archaeologist Kevin Neary, professional engineer Brian Chatwin, and lawyer Gary Yabsley, with Jane Peters (Huu-ayaht), Charlie Cootes Jr. (Uchucklesaht), Maureen Touchie (Ucluelet), and Dave Johnsen (Toquaht) contracted as First Nation Researchers. “Most of the research will be done by the Maa-nulth researchers within their own communities,” said Neary. “It’s an assessment of cultural and marine heritage sites and activities, and some documentation regarding title. According to the Maa-nulth First Nations’ (MFN) proposal to the BC Oil and Gas Team, “the project will allow the MFN to participate more fully in resource planning and management by having collated information concerning marine cultural heritage sites in a standardized mapped and database format, as well as organized information, from ethnographic, oral history, and other sources, on traditional and contemporary usage of marine resources and associated activities”. The 12-member BC Offshore Oil and Gas Team is mandated to “involve First Nations in planning for offshore oil and gas development and ensure development reflects their legal and other interests” as “First Nations’ right and interests related to offshore oil and gas development are uncertain”.
In an effort to fulfill its mandate, the team awarded Maa-nulth $490,000 to conduct a “Culture and Heritage Study of the Marine Resource Sites and Activities”, and submit a report detailing claims and interests that could have an effect on offshore oil and gas tenures. Most of the offshore oil and gas tenures along the west coast of Vancouver Island are owned by Shell Canada, with PetroCanada and Exxon-Mobil owning a few tenures between Nootka Sound and Brooks Peninsula. Although there are billions of dollars at stake, the oil companies are not actively pursuing drilling permits now as there are both provincial and federal moratoriums on exploration, and current market conditions would not support expensive offshore operations while there are still oil and gas resources to be tapped in northern BC and Alberta. Oil and gas exploration off the B.C. coast has been subject to provincial and federal moratoriums dating back to the mid-1970s, when a handful of wells were drilled. Shell drilled six exploratory wells off the west coast of Vancouver Island, mostly between Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds, the closest one less than 15 km from Ucluelet. The Geological Survey of Canada has estimated there may be as much as 9.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Tofino Basin, and another 25.9 trillion cubic feet of gas and 9.8 billion barrels of oil in the Queen Charlotte Basin. “The Geological Survey of Canada suggests that the Tofino Basin is gas prone, and have not made an attempt to estimate any quantity of oil,” said geologist John Gunton of the Pacific Offshore Energy Association. According to Gunton, the gas volume estimated in-place (in-place, not recoverable) is 9.4 trillion cubic feet (TCF) for the Winona Basin, Tofino Basin and Juan de Fuca Sub Basin combined. This is a large area and includes the deepwater Winona Basin extending almost to the southern tip of Haida Gwaii. The GSC estimate that the total estimate of 9.4 TCF of gas will be found within 41 fields with the largest field estimated to contain an in-place volume of 0.9 TCF. Given the costs of finding and extracting this gas, the industry would not likely find these estimated volumes to be worth extracting. “The conclusion is that the GSC assessment is insufficient in allowing a meaningful assessment of the Tofino area basins,” said Gunton. “Given the size of the area and comparing what we know of it with other similar areas in the world, there is no reason to think that the Tofino
offshore doesn’t have significant volumes of both oil and gas waiting to be discovered,” he said. Both BC and Canada have formed their own independent panels to examine offshore oil and gas issues and report back to their respective Ministers whether the moratorium should be continued or cancelled, and why. The moratorium is not a legal or formal moratorium, but merely a policy and procedural direction of the federal and provincial government.
There may be 9.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Tofino Basin, and 25.9 trillion cubic feet in the Queen Charlotte Basin. “Clearly, there is much more work to be done before any decision to allow exploration or development can proceed,” said Richard Neufeld, BC Minister of Energy and Mines. “An offshore oil and gas industry could create enormous economic benefits for British Columbians, particularly northern communities and First Nations, and we are working with the federal government to pursue those,” he said. Federal Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal and Environment Minister David Anderson have said the public process should not be interpreted as a sign Ottawa is currently considering lifting its moratorium, only a recognition there are “scientific knowledge gaps”. “Scientists from governments, industry, universities and First Nations will be asked for input into the report which is to be made public,” Dhaliwal said. “I have given a commitment to all Canadians that the science review will be objective, credible and conducted at arm’s length,” he said.
Anderson said the reviews would help determine what science would be required to safely and economically conduct oil and gas exploration off B.C.’s remote and rugged coastline, and that he opposes any drilling until its long-term effects are known, regardless of cost. “My ballpark figure, which I will not be held to because it’s a rough figure, is $100 million to $120 million. And it could be double that,” said Anderson. “I cannot support the lifting of either moratorium until such time as we’ve done the science work which we know needs to be done,” he said. Anderson noted at a meeting with Hupacasath that the onus to fund studies would fall on the province and coastal communities, as the oil and gas industry is not stepping forward to help fund or create any such studies. Hupacasath Chief Councilor Judy Sayers met with the Oil and Gas Team in April of this year, and told them if they didn’t want duplicate processes they should have asked Hupacasath who they wanted to hire and what the terms of reference would be. “We could have all participated in one study, but now they’re going to put their study together, Maa-nulth will put a study together, and we want our own study,” said Sayers. “We need to have all of our concerns addressed and we require a full consultation process. That’s our bottom line,” she said. “They said they would be getting back to us on a consultation protocol but we haven’t heard a thing from them. Meanwhile Richard Neufeld is saying things are moving ahead, and if that’s the case we’re going to have to do something serious about it.”
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Controversy continues on Alaskan Subsistence Rights By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Agreement (ANCSA) was signed in 1971, Aboriginal Rights in Alaska ceased to exist. Aboriginal Rights were replaced by “Subsistence Rights” which applied to all Alaskans, whether Native or nonNative, rural or urban. The term “subsistence” refers to the hunting, fishing, and gathering activities which traditionally constituted the economic base of life for Alaska’s Native peoples and which continue to flourish in many areas of the state today. Subsistence is more than the right to hunt and gather wild and traditional foods; it is a way of life in rural Alaska that is vital to the preservation of communities, tribal cultures and economies.
When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Agreement (ANCSA) was signed in 1971, Aboriginal Rights in Alaska ceased to exist. Aboriginal Rights were replaced by “Subsistence Rights” which applied to all Alaskans, whether Native or non-Native, rural or urban. While some urban Alaskans exercise their right to take fish, fowl, and game for their own consumption, the subsistence rights are most valuable to rural Alaskans, of whom almost half are Alaska Natives. One in every five Alaskans lives in a rural area, about 125,000 people in more than 250 communities. Most rural settlements are off the road network and are comprised of fewer than 500 people, the majority made up of Native villages. Subsistence hunting and fishing provide a large share of the food supply in rural Alaska. According to the state Division of Subsistence, about 44 million pounds of wild foods are taken annually by residents of rural Alaska, or about 375 pounds per person per year; the replacement value of which is $220 million.This compares to 22 pounds per year harvested by Alaska’s urban residents. The entire subsistence harvest accounts for only 2% of the combined fish and game harvest in Alaska. Sport fishing and hunting account for 1% of the total harvest, and according to a 1998 report by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the commercial fisheries take roughly 2 billion pounds, or nearly 97% of the total weight of fish and wildlife harvested in Alaska. Of subsistence foods taken by Alaskans, 60% of the catch is made up of fish, land mammals make up 20%, marine mammals make up 14%, and birds, shellfish, plants, and berries make up the remaining 6% of the rural harvest of wild food. Subsistence foods harvested include: halibut, moose, pike, harbour seal, sockeye and chum salmon, steelhead, deer, muktuk, dall sheep, razor clams, arctic hare, berries, mussels, grouse, king crab, elder ducks, caribou, walrus, beluga and bowhead whale, and ptarmigan. Subsistence wasn’t a controversial legal issue until the late 1970s, when the demands of a growing state population started to create competition for Alaska’s available fish and game, and resource managers increasingly were
Subsistence whaling is allowed under regulations established by the International Whaling Commission and the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission. The village of Kaktovik is allotted 3 whales. forced to choose between users. But the underpinnings of the management controversy can be traced to Alaska statehood in 1959. On becoming a state, Alaska took over responsibility for managing subsistence from the federal government when it gained authority for managing fish and wildlife. State control of fish and wildlife was a leading argument for statehood, as Alaskans criticized federal fishery management as favouring outside interests and being unresponsive to resident needs. The new Alaska Constitution established that fish and wildlife “are reserved to the people for common use” and that “no exclusive right or special privilege of fishery shall be created or authorized.” For the United States federal government, the question of subsistence surfaced in 1971 when Congress was drafting the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The act addressed Native land claims that clouded construction of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. It extinguished Aboriginal hunting and fishing rights in Alaska in exchange for almost $1 billion in cash and 44 million acres of land. ANCSA didn’t explicitly protect subsistence, but said subsistence practices and subsistence lands would be protected by the State of Alaska and U.S. Department of Interior.
Subsistence wasn’t a controversial legal issue until the late 1970s, when the demands of a growing state population started to create competition for Alaska’s available fish and game, and resource managers increasingly were forced to choose between users. Congress made good on that promise in 1980, when it passed the landmark Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). Besides creating new national wildlife refuges and public recreation lands, ANILCA mandated that the state maintain a subsistence hunting and fishing preference for rural residents on those lands or forfeit its management of subsistence uses there. The State of Alaska, which had established its own subsistence law in 1978, took note of the discrepancy between the laws and amended state law in 1986 to match ANILCA by limiting subsistence uses to rural residents. This solution, however, didn’t last long. In 1989, the state Supreme Court ruled that the rural preference violated the “common use”
provisions of the Alaska Constitution. As the state no longer guaranteed a rural preference for subsistence as required by ANILCA, the federal government moved to take over management of subsistence on federal public lands. Several attempts by the state to reconcile the two laws by amending the Alaska Constitution failed when supporters couldn’t muster enough votes in the Alaska Legislature to send a constitutional amendment to the state’s voters. Federal managers took over authority for subsistence on federal lands on July 1, 1990. In 1995, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in adjudicating Katie John vs. United States, ruled that ANILCA’s subsistence priority extends to freshwater bodies within and alongside federal public lands. The decision pushed the federal government into management of subsistence fisheries. Realizing that federal subsistence fisheries management would impact fishing statewide, the State of Alaska again attempted to regain management. The federal management program is administered by the Anchorage-based Office of Subsistence Management and regulated by the six-member Federal Subsistence Board. The Board is comprised of a voting chairman appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Interior, and the regional directors of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. In British Columbia, anti-Native protesters such as Phil Eidsvik of the BC Fisheries Survival Coalition have long argued for the elimination of Aboriginal fisheries, and one law for all British Columbians, similar to that of Alaska. But the plan hasn’t worked in Alaska. The State of Alaska and the United States Federal Government are fighting over control of subsistence hunting and fishing. The U.S. has management authority, and Alaska wants it.
Meanwhile, Alaska Natives are satisfied with federal management, and say they would fight against State management since they do not trust the State of Alaska to honour agreements with Alaska Natives. This parallels the situation here in B.C.. Rural Alaskans argue they should have a larger subsistence quota than urban Alaskans, since they don’t have modern conveniences such as grocery stores in their villages. But urban Alaskans have fought this notion every step of the way.
In BC, anti-Native protesters have long argued for the elimination of Aboriginal fisheries, and one law for all British Columbians, similar to that of Alaska. But the plan hasn’t worked in Alaska. “Subsistence rights are looked upon by non-Natives as ‘hunting’, not our view of ‘going to get food’”, said Nelson Angapak, vice president of the Alaska Federation of Natives. “Just because we don’t have biologists doesn’t mean we don’t know how nature works. We can manage ourselves and our resources quite well, as we have done for thousands and thousands of years,” he said. Unlike British Columbia, subsistence hunters, fishers, and gatherers in Alaska are allowed to sell a portion of their catch for money. Alaska challenged the ‘customary trade’ rules, but the federal panel found the state’s appeal did not meet the criteria for reconsideration. The issue of trading fish for cash has been one of the touchiest topics since the federal government took over subsistence management. “Unfortunately in Alaska there are some urbanites who do not think Natives should have a subsistence pref-
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Gillian Trumper MLA Alberni – Qualicum Community Constituency Office
3075 - 3rd Avenue Port Alberni, BC V9Y 2A4 250-720-4515 email: gillian.trumper.mla@leg.bc.ca TOLL FREE: 1-866-870-4190 FAX: 250-720-4511
Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 7
Central Region Opens Industrial Park
Education - h=a-h=o-pa NTC Summer Students return to school By Ruth Ogilvie Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter NTC summer students ended their stint as employees and journey once again into the world of academia. NTC would like to extend gratitude for the assistance and experience each summer student brought to the various departments. The NTC Summer Student Employment Program completed its 20th year of this
Ucluelet Tyee Ha'wilth, Lawrence Jack cuts ribbon officially opening Muu-kuus-tas Industrial Park By Denise Ambrose, Central Region Reporter Ucluelet- Central Region First Nations members along with citizens of Ucluelet gathered near the entrance of town for the official opening of the Muu-kuusTas Eco-industrial Park on August 29th. Spearheaded by the Central Region Chiefs (CRC), the industrial park concept began in 2001 when the chiefs approved the purchase and development of the land. The CRC purchased 15.5 hectares of land from Weyerhaeuser then developed an ecological sustainability site plan. The plan outlined the best way to develop the property with minimal impact to the environment.
The Central Region Chiefs purchased 15.5 hectares of land from Weyerhaeuser then developed an ecological sustainability site plan. Over the last two years the site was cleared with 22 lots available for sale. The first lot was sold to Co-op where a full service station is now under construction. Atleo says the sale provided a ‘healthy’ return on investment for the region. Under the supervision of Jacquie Godfrey, Central Region Executive Director, Ma-Mook Development Corporation purchased the land behind the Petro-Can gas station in Ucluelet and began development. Over the past two years a paved access road through the property was built and the area was cleared and subdivided for sale to interested buyers. Atleo says funding was secured through the Central Region Economic Working Group (Clayoquot Sound
Interim Measures Extension Agreement) and ‘a great return on investment is expected’. Shawn started the ceremony with a traditional prayer. Speaking in his own language, he asked the Creator to guide the project to success. He thanked the people of the Ucluelet First Nation for allowing the project to occur in their territory and that this was an example of the Central Region working together to pursue benefit for our future generations. He also said he thought it was a good example of First Nations and the town of Ucluelet partnering to develop opportunities that would be mutually beneficial. The name chosen for the park came from the Ucluelet First Nation Elders since the park is located in their Hahoulthee. The name ‘Muu-kuus-tas’ is the traditional name for the area where park is located, meaning “a high point” as it was used as a landmark from the ocean for Ucluelet fishermen. Ucluelet Tyee Ha’wilth, Lawrence Jack marked the official opening of the park with the cutting of the cedar bark ‘ribbon’. Guests toured the site and then went to enjoy a salmon barbeque lunch at the new Central Region Group office located at 100 Ittatsoo Road on Ucluelet IR No 1.
The name ‘Muu-kuus-tas’ is the traditional name for the area where park is located, meaning “a high point” as it was used as a landmark from the ocean for Ucluelet fishermen. Tyson Touchie welcomed everyone on behalf of Ucluelet and Atleo thanked Ucluelet for hosting the Central Regions new office on behalf of the region. He paid tribute to previous leaders like Nelson Keitlah for their vision and hard
program on August 15th, 2003. NTC makes students a priority for summer employment. “This program is intended to tie students’ academics to practical experience here (at NTC),” said Blair Thompson, NTC’s Education Manager. While employed, all students gained a greater understanding of NTC, including how it runs, what resources there are available to them and gained an awareness of the variety of issues within NTC. They also enjoyed the demeanor of the staff of NTC. “I got to know more people, which is nice,” said Caroline Thompson, administrative assistant. “It was more professional than any other
Subsistence continued from page 6 erence in rural Alaska, and say the drive to establish such a preference is racially motivated. At the same time many studies, including a recently released report from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, claim that a rural subsistence priority is an important step toward a healthy Native community,” said John Active, a Yupik Inuit from Bethel Alaska. “Subsistence is so important to us Alaskan Natives for many reasons. Subsistence is not a sport to us. Subsistence is very spiritual and we are always very thankful when we have something to eat from the land or sea,” work. The purpose behind the gathering at the new Central Region Group Office was to invite guest to tour the facilities in their first Open House at that location. The rest of the afternoon was filled with acknowledgements and words of congratulations. Ma Mook Development Corporation formally acknowledged the following for the success of the project: The Central Region Economic Working Group; Project Steering Committee members Howard Tom, Dave Jacobson, Norman Taylor, Matthew Lucas and Gary Johnson; Jackie Godfrey for overseeing initial stages of the project; the crew who received quality training: Terry Touchie, Kirk McCarthy and Bruce Lucas; Al Grozel of AG Project Management and Ray Godfrey.
place I’ve worked and the atmosphere was more positive,” she said. Jennifer Dubourg worked for the Treaty Department and found her experience there to be beneficial personally “I became a little more independent; learned to take my own initiatives,” Jennifer said. “I found the people here good people and felt comfortable.” NTC budgets annually for this program so students have an opportunity to reapply for the summer student positions, as long as they are enrolled in school. NTC would like to wish the summer students all the best in their future academic endeavors: Jennifer Dubourg, Caroline Thompson, Trevor Ginger, Roland Ginger and Ruth Ogilvie.
Editor’s Note: We at Ha-ShilthSa would like to publicly acknowledge and thank our summer student Ruth Ogilvie for her three months of hard work, and her dedication to Nuu-chahnulth-aht. Thanks “Scoop Jr.”! he said. “Most Americans think of hunting as a sport. For me it’s an obligation, the sharing obligation,” said Alutiiq leader Perry Eaton. “I don’t keep everything I harvest, there is a distribution responsibility. The harvest culture makes demands on everyone in the community who participates,” he said. “The subsistence fur seal harvest is all about carrying on the culture within our community,” said Robbie Melodivov. “We pass it on to the generations that are coming up. And it’s my job to teach the young people, to put it in their hearts to participate in the harvest, to continue to eat our cultural foods and to carry these practices on for generations to come,” he said. By eliminating Aboriginal Rights in Alaska, more problems resulted as more groups became directly involved in the issue. Disagreements occur between and within different groups, including urban and rural Alaska residents, Natives and non-Natives, subsistence users and nonsubsistence users, state lawmakers, federal representatives and other groups. Disagreements include who should get rights to subsistence, how resources are allocated under subsistence provisions, and how such decisions are made. And while the issue in Alaska will not be resolved anytime soon, it serves as an important example of the dangers of eliminating Native rights and replacing them with rights for all. (With files from Subsistence Management Information, www.subsistmgtinfo.org)
Home Support / Resident Care Attendants Grads August 23, 2003 Funds for the grad were raised in part by a raffle. The winning tickets were drawn at the Grad Celebration in Campbell River.
The winners are: Painted drum donated by Felix Harry – Tara Hansen, Kyuquot Drum donated by Ray Seitcher Sr. – Hilda Hansen, Kyuquot Crocheted afghan by Hilda Hansen – Lynne Norberg Thanks to all for your support! Kleco Kleco on behalf of grads, Kathy Seitcher
Sizes 7 to 16 Casual Wear ~ Formal Wear for Boys & Girls London Blues - Point Zero - Joe Boxer (these are just a few brands) Hours 9:00 - 5:00 Monday to Thursday 9:00 - 9:00 Friday 10:00 - 5:00 Saturday 48 15 Johnston Road, Port Alberni, B.C. 723-7905
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“Language in peril” continued from page 3 speakers. When the Mohawk of Kahnawake south of Montreal realized in the 1970s that none of their youths were using the language anymore they took immediate measures: Mohawk was made a requirement at their schools, evening courses helped parents with their language proficiency and a radio station started broadcasting into the whole Montreal area in Mohawk daily. And it worked: the youth speak Mohawk now and it is considered “cool” to be able to. In California, where one of the cruellest genocides took place in the 19th century, several tribes (e.g. Washo and Karuk) have introduced novel language programs. Besides the usual language classes and immersions, they hand out grants to so called master-apprenticeship pairs: willing elders each take one selected individual in to teach him/her the language in an everyday environment, thus providing a core of a future generation of speakers who will be passing on the language. Among the Tolowa in northern California a man who happened to be the youngest speaker through his upbringing made the decision to make Tolowa his household language, speaking to his children from their first days in his native tongue – at least they will be naturally fluent. Let’s have a look at BC where out of 36 language communities only two have children speakers (Chilcotin and Dak’elh/Carrier). One of the Shushwap (Secwepemc) bands runs a school where the children are taught all subjects in Secwepemctsin, except for English as a foreign language, from preschool through grade four. Further language instruction is implemented up to grade 12. The first generation of children is currently going through the elementary school and they obviously pick up the language to the extent that they can use it among themselves. The future will tell whether they keep on speaking it. The Upper St’at’imc (Lillooet) Tribal Council has adopted a policy that will require all tribal politicians to pass a language proficiency test from 2006 on (i.e. they have to demonstrate a basic fluency in the language!). The St’at’imc situation is not very different from NCN in that their youngest fluent speakers are in their 50s. The expected scramble for language classes can nevertheless be met because the six bands of the tribe have been running a joint Language and Culture Center since 1991. It trains language teachers, develops curriculum and offers language classes so that they can count on this infrastructure that the NCN lacks (by the way: the Lillooet language also has differing dialects, so that is not necessarily a divisive issue). Returning to the Squamish: Peter Jacobs added to his above statement that teaching the language at the school for decades did have one positive effect which was that the attitude towards the language had changed in the community from indifference to an awareness of its cultural value. Finally, Peter concentrated on a group of eighth-graders and within a year got them to acquire a vocabulary of 120 items and the ability to use these in meaningful phrases, using a method of “no English allowed” combined with total physical response (TPR) six hours a week. By the end of the school term they started writing the language which will be further developed alongside additional language skills in the course of the 9th grade.
The silence of a fog-draped Tofino harbour is broken by the gentle slapping of cedar paddles on salt water. Tla-o-qui-aht business owner, Gisele Martin guides a traditional dug-out canoe through the swirling waters of Tofino harbour toward the open ocean. Her passengers are the last few tourists of the season, eager to climb aboard the canoe in the early morning greyness for a Nuu-chah-nulth cultural experience. What can be done? As we said in the beginning, teaching the language at the school is extremely important. However, schools can reach their goals only when it is done properly – with enough time in the course of a week – and if there is a community-wide awareness and support. Otherwise, frustrated teachers, students and parents will be the only long-term outcome. All those who have enthusiastically taught and documented the language across the NCN communities in the past years deserve the greatest respect and gratitude. That Quuquu’aca is still being replaced by English at an ever faster pace is not any individual’s fault but is attributable to the fact that few and isolated activities cannot solve a problem that concerns the whole speech community (all Nuuchahnulth-speaking tribes, that is) and that can only be solved by community-wide action. What is really needed would be an institution that coordinates all language related activities, staffed with specialists in education and language. Any new project on a band level should be funded with the perspective to make it available und useful for all other bands so that a coordinated sharing of tasks results. When we look at ongoing projects we should ask how do these tie in with previous projects and other activities in the tribes. Hypothetically asking: do we really need a thirtieth method to teach animal names? The development of a new method for teaching the phonetics (writing and pronunciation, to be specific) is only worthwhile when the use of new media couples with an enhanced content that is much superior in quality to what was done previously (this seems to be the case, at least, with the Toquaht CD project). Otherwise, two “alphabet books” are already in existence and also the T’aat’aaqsapa was bundled with a bunch of tapes for people to practice pronunciation. It is also a matter of using what is already there and to go beyond that because the language is more than numbers, colors and animals. All possible projects nevertheless provide an excellent opportunity for people to get involved with language work, combining computer skills and other interests with working on and learning the language - which may prove more valuable than the immediate project outcome itself. To be realistic: putting the language on a computer or into a nicely done book is good and important but neither the book nor the computer learn the language for you. As much funding as possible should be obtained for language work if the tribes decide to make it a priority. But again, it does not take money in the first place for a grandmother to talk to her grandchildren (exclusively) in
Nuuchahnulth - but yes, it takes a lot of encouragement, trust, warmth, interest and compassion around her for her to be able to. Several attempts to work across band boundaries were made in the past. Haahuupa’yak’s adult classes 1996-98 and 2003 as well as courses a the NIC were a promising start but continuity is the key to success. As many different tasks have to be mastered simultaneously it will take many enthusiasts to make it happen and to have it running continuously over years. What is the timeframe? For an adult learner it takes about two-three years of language instruction several times a week to acquire second language fluency (as mentioned above). Currently there is no place where such a teaching could happen and no method that would span such a time. It is the next five years that will prove to be crucial for the future of Quuquu’aca, beginning from today: curriculum is needed, and learning must start in earnest. If in that time no community-wide change concerning the language has taken place it will be irretrievably lost as a spoken medium for the tribe. The following is a short list of possible measures to be taken, just suggestions, taking up some of the ideas expressed above (some of these are already happening in some places). They are located on different levels of action and partly depend on each other. Suggestions: #1 Documentation of the language with as many speakers a possible (video or audio taped, subsequently written down; people that are trained in language transcription are needed) #2 Keeping the speakers speaking (providing places and occasions for them to meet and quuquu’aca). #3 A central language and culture institution either for all NCN that coordinates all the language preservation efforts (a long term goal could be establishing an immersion institute). The language has always been culturally unifying factor and it can only be saved when all bands cooperate. This is the only and last chance Quuquu’aca has. #4 Teachers’ training for all levels of schooling, training for specialists in transcription (even experienced transcribers need at least an hour to write down and translate four minutes of recorded speech!), updating the existing teaching grammar for adults. The language is best learned through real interaction with real people, books and CDs are just the icing on the cake and the cake needs to be baked yet. Many well trained language workers are needed for teaching and for documenting the living language. #5 Language classes in school from
grade K through 12 (other First nations have made this a reality). This includes curriculum development, defining learning goals for each grade (a very good curriculum was developed at Haahuupa’yak for elementary grades in the 1980s, it could be reactivated, updated and it could be useful in all NCN schools. Had it been applied over a longer period as intended, the students would have been able to converse in the language; an update and expansion of the existing curriculum would however be necessary). The language should be taught at least 6 hours a week (maybe combining with other subjects). In kindergartens a language instructor should simply accompany the children through the day, talking to them in Quuquu’aca and encouraging them to reply in the language, so that the language is naturally embedded in everyday activities. #6 Language classes for parents (using a progressing, step-by-step curriculumbased method) so they can learn at the same pace as their children and use the language with each other. Learning in groups is more fun and helps individuals to overcome motivational lows. #7 Use of all teaching materials that are available (two storybooks from Haahuupayak, as well as alphabet and counting book, another alphabet book and a Christmas carol book from Nuuchaanul’iic ciciqi, Harald’s and Henry’s Quuquu’aca grammar in the latest version (continually updated), teaching aides developed during Haahupayak’s language classes) #8 As much Quuquu’aca in public as possible. What about small lessons in Hashilthsa (again) and band bulletins, what about a “phrase of the day” in band and tribal offices? Language writing should be in as many places as possible. It is advisable to use the alphabet that has been used for more than 20 years (it would be unwise to change it now, it simply has advantages and disadvantages as any writing system) and to write correctly and not to put some arbitrary dots and wedges in order to make it look fancy (those elders that use the alphabet will be glad to give their advice). #9 Encouraging semi-speakers and “understanders” to become speakers and even teachers. Besides language at school this is the second immediate and urgent thing to do. Provide funds for speakers/teachers to each train one or two persons on a regular basis so that they become fluent and to ensure there are enough mother-tongue speakers for the 20 years to come. #10 Language learning as an integral
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Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 9
Sports - @im-c^ap-mis Triple Gold Medal Winner Lee Lucas 2003 proved to be a year that will always be remembered for Lee (Linus Jr.) Lucas. In January of 2003, he was given the official final notice of being a member of the provincial bantam boys fastball team. This team would represent British Columbia at the Western Canada summer Games in Selkirk, Manitoba. This was only the start! In March, he decided to play with and pitch for a team out of Nanaimo in his attempts to take his team to the provincial championship. In the first weekend of July, the Nanaimo Black Diamonds competed in the Bantam Boys Provincial Fastball Championships in Sooke BC. He threw for 45 innings, striking out 105 batters and had three home runs in the tournament on his way to the provincial gold. Though there were no individual awards it was evident from comments from players, coaches and parents that he was by far the most valuable player of the tournament. With this win, the Nanaimo Black Diamonds represented BC at the Western Canadian Bantam Boys Fastball Championships at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Mid July. Even though the load was lighter from picking up an extra pitcher, he managed to attain 5 of the teams 8 wins with an ERA of 1.19. He batted an incredible .588 and excelled at other positions on the field. With this, he came away from this championships with another gold medal, the Top Batter award, the Top Pitcher award and the Most Valuable Player award. Tournament organizers commented on his outstanding leadership qualities and stated he was very deserving of the awards.
As the pitcher for the Nanaimo Black Diamonds at the Western Canadian Bantam Boys Fastball Championships in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in July, he came away from this championships with another gold medal, the Top Batter award, the Top Pitcher award and the Most Valuable Player award. Next came the Western Canadian Summer Games in the first week of August. Here he faced many of the same players he faced in Saskatchewan
The Native Investment and Trade Association is pleased to announce its support for the Shudokan (East Vancouver) Aboriginal karate club. The club is free to elementary school kids (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) and Aboriginal secondary students. The instructor for the club is Sensei Toshiaki Nomada. Sensei Nomada has been studying martial arts for 40 years. For over 26 years he has been teaching Gojo-Ryu karate, and holds a 4th dan black belt. Aboriginal youth in the inner
By Denise Ambrose, Central Region Reporter Ahousaht - Community members gathered for four days of sports and games from August 24-29. Organized by Recreation Worker, Travis Thomas, this years sports days involved people of all ages in team sports and individual sporting competition.
Community members gathered for four days of sports and games from August 24-29. Organized by Recreation Worker, Travis Thomas, this years sports days involved people of all ages in team sports and individual sporting competition.
only this time he had to face the best of the best each province had to offer. He did not disappoint. Team BC (later on called Team Lee) had lost one game in the playoffs and fought their way to the finals. Here they had to beat the team from Saskatchewan twice to win the gold medal. Lee got the call in the first final game and came away with an outstanding performance striking out 19 out of 21 outs and winning the game 4-0 forcing a final deciding game. He got the call once more, threw a no-hitter, and won the game in 5 innings to win 80 and giving him his third gold medal of the season. What a great year! There are a number of people and organizations we want to thank for his great season. There are as follows: sister Lynnette Barbosa, bro Jonsson (for practicing with him); Grandpa Joe Tom, Pat Charleson Jr., Roberta Jamieson (Six Nations), George and Gwen David, Coulson’s men’s fastball team, Quality Foods Men’s Fast-ball team, Les Sam (batting cage), Allen Brooks, Doug Chase, Kirk McGiffin, Brent, Nuu-chahnulth HSC Board, Central Region Chiefs, Hesquiaht First Nation, and The Coulson Group. Through it all Lee stayed humble and said that it was an “Okay” season. Yet he was the reason those gold medals were won. We are very proud of our son and we look forward to his climb to international fame. All of you contributed to his great year. Thank you. Linus and Donna Lucas
Nita Supports Aboriginal Youth Shudokan Aboriginal Karate Club Opens - Offers Free Lessons to Inner City Youth
Ahousaht Sports Days
city are very fortunate to be able to receive free instruction from such a highly experienced and accredited teacher. Sensei Nomada comments that “the training and discipline from karate can be applied to any endeavour undertaken in life. It requires dedication, constant practice and perseverance. The serious study of karate can be important means for making a better life.” The club is also open to senior students that wish to join. Details on the club location, start times, etc. can be found at: http://www.native-investtrade.com/karate_club.html or by calling Calvin Helin at (604) 275-9170.
The first day saw three-on-three basketball under rainy skies. Thomas says it rained the first two days while basketball and track and field events were held but people were happy to stay and participate. People participated in events such as basketball, volleyball, slo-pitch, rac-
ing and other track & field events. Thomas himself won the ever-popular marathon, a grueling event where runners of all ages cover an estimated five miles of track, gravel road and sand beaches. Thomas won the event last year as well. When asked how many marathons he won in years past, he modestly replied, “I don’t know.” The youngest participant to complete the estimated five-mile run was five year-old Janessa Little, who completed her run in one hour, twenty-two minutes and twenty-two seconds. Thomas says this was the highlight of the sports days for him, seeing the little ones cross the finish line after hours of running under the hot sun. Another punishing event was the triathlon, which involved running, swimming and biking. The 25 athletes that participated in this event were divided into age and gender groups. Taking first place for the men was Luke Robinson with Michelle Campbell taking first place for the women. In the ten and under age group, Cassandra Thomas and Tony Williams placed first.
Six year-old athletes Rosalie Little and Bridgette Underwood participate in various events at the Ahousaht Sports Days.
I would like to take this time to thank all those teams and persons who helped us with our 1st Annual Brandon Erickson Memorial Tournament that took place at Rec Park in Port Alberni on Aug.8, 9, 10th. Coulsons took 1st place, Victoria placed 2nd place and the T-Birds placed third. Thank you very much to Tseshaht First Nations for donating the perpetual trophy and Thank you to the Tribal Council for their $200.00 donation to help us pay for Brandon’s headstone. Once again. Thank you very much to everyone for helping us at this time. Next year is going to be an even bigger event with more teams and events. We look forward to seeing all of you next year. In Friendship, Jerilynn, Warren and Kyle Erickson.
TSESHAHT MARKET FULL SERVICE GROCERIES, GAS BAR, HOT FOODS, SNACKS & SO MUCH MORE! Hours of operation - 7:00 am - 10:30 pm Phone: 724-3944 E-mail: tseshahtmarket@shaw.ca ~ Web address: www.tseshahtmarket.ca
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First Nations to flourish in future says report By David Wiwchar Southern Region Reporter Results of a recent socio-economic report on the state of Western Canada’s economy shows First Nations are poised to play a greater role, as the economic performance of Canada’s Aboriginal people lies well below its potential. Western Canada has the highest proportion of Aboriginal population to total population in Canada, with British Columbia having the largest population at 170,025 First Nations people. More than 17 per cent of the total Aboriginal population in Canada lives in British Columbia. Western Canada’s Aboriginal population is younger than the non-Aboriginal population. While non-Aboriginal people between 35 and 44 years of age outnumbered all other age groups in the year 2001, Aboriginal peoples under 14 years of age outnumbered all other age groups of the Aboriginal population. While Canada’s overall population matures into retirement, Canada’s young Aboriginal population is ageing into the workforce.
While Canada’s overall population matures into retirement, Canada’s young Aboriginal population is ageing into the workforce. The question is how to ensure participation of this large population in Canada’s socio-economic wealth. According to the report, education needs to be one of the top priorities for the next decade to turn the demographic opportunity into economic potential and socio-economic success. By the 2020s, the non-Aboriginal population will care mainly for its elders while the majority of the Aboriginal population will be in their working years. Recognition of Aboriginal residence in Canada’s urban areas has risen sharply during the past 10 years. Canada’s urban Aboriginal population: • is growing faster than the nonAboriginal population; • is significantly younger than its nonAboriginal counterpart; • has a higher proportion of single parents; and • has a particularly high unemployment rate in western cities. The National Aboriginal Economic Development Board expressed that if Aboriginal Canadians were to have any kind of involvement in a knowledgebased economy, education and training were the key issues. The need to encour-
age young people to stay in school was formulated as the ultimate goal. The early years and overhauling education systems were seen as the focuses of human capital development. The Conference Board of Canada has previously pointed out that secondary education will become a bare minimum for employment. The educational attainment of the Aboriginal population has improved Canada-wide. In 1996, about 45 per cent of the Aboriginal population aged 25 to 64 had not completed high school. In 2001, this proportion had decreased considerably to 39 per cent. In comparison, Canada’s non-Aboriginal population improved over the same period, from 37 per cent to 29 per cent having less than high school completion. In Western Canada, full-time school attendance was higher among the Canadian Aboriginal population aged 20 to 64 than among the non-Aboriginal population. Participation rates were 9 per cent for the Aboriginal population and 7 per cent for the non-Aboriginal population. More Aboriginal individuals above the age of 25 are enrolled in fulltime school programs than nonAboriginal individuals. Provinces and regions will, in the future, need to determine what reforms in knowledge institutions are required to ensure a contribution to the economic and social development of Aboriginal people. It will also be necessary to identify specific strategies or approaches that have been considered successful in narrowing knowledge and learning gaps. It may also be necessary to provide room and resources for experimental and innovative approaches. Learning technologies can promote the development of essential skills and increase employment opportunities. Aboriginal involvement in curricula development and school management is a necessary element in an education system that is available to Aboriginal people. Concern has recently focused not only on socioeconomic disparity, but also on the persistence of it. Previous approaches to foster economic development appear to have failed, and Canada’s Aboriginal people continue to be less healthy, have shorter lives, earn less money, and have less formal education than the average Canadian. Even though the socio-economic situation of the Aboriginal population has improved during the past few decades, a new approach to economic development is necessary. Its focus needs to be on capacity building and wealth creation rather than on service provision, the report concluded.
Dick family hosts reunion By Sonja Drinkwater for Ha-Shilth-Sa The family of the late Thomas and Veronica Dick held a third family reunion recently at Maht Mahs Gym. There were approximately 300 family members that attended and made this one the biggest to date. This included not only the late couples children but also their aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces and cousins. The emcee for this event was Jack Little. The Dick Family originally came from Port Alberni and Thomas Dick worked as a longshoreman, trestle builder and boom man. His mom and dad were Isabelle Dick of the Tseshaht First Nation and his Dad was Alfred Joseph from Hupacasath First Nation. Thomas was born on May 6,1916 and passed away in August 8, 1995. Veronica (maiden name Guss) was born on April 15, 1922 and passed away on April 22, 1997. Veronica was originally from the Squamish First Nation. Together they raised 17 children. The surviving children are Alfred and Euphrasia Dick, Judy Joe, Ron Dick Sr. and his wife Marlene, Peggy and Earl Tatoosh, Fanny and Eric Mack, Sarah and Ellery Cootes, Catherine and Robert Watts, Elizabeth Dick and partner Carl Charlie, James and Gina Dick, Mary and Brian Braun and Sidney and Sharleen Dick. Children of the late Rose Dick and Leonard James, Guy, Lola, Darrin, and Jesse attended as well as children from Harold Little Jr. and the late Barbara Little were, Richard, Jack, Ruth, Alphonse, Jane and Michael. There were also children from the remaining children present as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren. Katherine Smith a sister of the late Thomas Dick came from West Saanich to attend and also some of her children. First cousin to Thomas Dick, Allan Dick and his family attended. Howard Dick also a first cousin to the late Thomas Dick was in attendance.
This reunion was a dream come true for all of the children. Ron Dick Sr. and his wife Marlene were two of the main organizers of this reunion and they invited everyone that was related to them including family members from the mainland. They said, “We are meeting some of our relatives for the first time. It is great to see everyone, all in one place.” Peggy Tatoosh had drawn a family tree and as relatives came in they filled in their names. By the time the reunion was complete there were 230 names on the current family tree. Everyone was treated to lunch and dinner, this being served by family and friends. The dinner was a traditional dinner with halibut and salmon. After dinner Dancing Spirit performed for the Dick family and their guests. The family of the late Veronica and Thomas Dick would like to give a huge thank you to the many friends and family who gave their help, donated financially brought food to make this reunion so very memorable. They would also like to thank Patrick Amos for making a design to commemorate this event. Every t-shirt had his design on the back and each of the children received a print with this design. They would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to family from near and far for coming and sharing in their special moment. Many thanks to Dancing Spirit for providing the excellent entertainment.
Veronica and Thomas Dick
Attention Huu-ay-aht First Nation Members
General Membership Meeting @ House of Huu-ay-aht on September 13th, 2003 at 10:00 am Also we are trying to update our mailing list. Please call the Band Office Toll Free @ 1-888-644-4555 to insure we have your correct address. THANK YOU
Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 11
New Farm Site Slated for Muchalaht Inlet By Brian Tate Northern Region Reporter “On August 28, Grieg Seafood announces that they have received all Federal and Provincial permits and licenses necessary to move forward with the development of a new finfish (Atlantic Salmon) farm in Muchalaht Inlet, Nootka Sound near Gold River,” said Grieg’s Operations Manager Tim Davies. “This new farm site will be licensed to raise 750,000 Atlantic salmon to harvest size on top of the 4,000 tonnes it already produces annually,” said Davies. When asked about how they felt about this new farm site being added into their territory Mowachaht / Muchalaht had this to say. “I am concerned, very concerned,” said Mike Maquinna. “It makes my blood pump, to hear of this,” said Mike. “I am upset, that’s all I can say,” said Jerry Jack.
“I am concerned, very concerned,” said Mike Maquinna. “I am upset, that’s all I can say,” said Jerry Jack. “We are very excited about the development of this new salmon farm and the economic contribution which it will play,” said David Lewis the Mayor of Gold River. “We anticipate that the employment opportunities will be a tremendous benefit to our town given the reality that the other well paying employment opportunities are limited here,” he said.
“Grieg Seafood BC Ltd is a part of its Norwegian parent company Grieg Seafood who acquired five existing salmon farms in Esperanza Inlet 40 km northwest of Zeballos and a hatchery in Gold River. These farm sites and hatchery employ 45 individuals from the Nootka Sound area, and with this new farm site it will have an added 7 employees on the farm site and 25 employees at the Campbell River processing facility for six months,” said Davies.
Grieg Seafood announces that they have received all Federal and Provincial permits and licenses necessary to move forward with the development of a new finfish (Atlantic Salmon) farm in Muchalaht Inlet, Nootka Sound near Gold River “The new site is part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Pilot Project Technologies Initiative. The farm site is linked directly with an on-land salmon farm site near Nanaimo that has been selling fish under the Eco-salmon label. Grieg Seafood BC Ltd is a direct contributor to the on-land site research,” he said. “The continued health of the marine environment will remain a priority for Grieg Seafood BC Ltd. Sustainability of the site will be maintained through rigorous monitoring of the farms practices, equipment, fish health and reporting to Provincial and Federal fisheries authorities,” said Davies.
Grieg Seafoods plans to bring another fishfarm, similar to this one in Nuchatlaht territory, into Nootka Sound, despite the protests of Mowachaht / Muchalaht ha’wiih and leaders.
SCOTT HALL LAWYER WORKS FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE STUDENTS AT RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SCOTT, PHONE FREE 1-800-435-6625 ANY TIME Clip & Save
Language ... con’t from page 8 part of the healing process. The focus here is that it can amount to a lot of self esteem for an individual to become able to come up with meaningful expressions in the ancestral language. Also, in order to explore the full meaning of a word, it has to be used. You can describe a hammer to someone a thousand times but he will still not be able to knock a nail into the wall, until he practices himself. Terms in the language unfold their emotional and metaphorical expressiveness through the many ways they can be used by a proficient speaker. There is no way for the elders to explain it fully, only through learning how to speak you can “feel” the meaning the elders struggle to get across via English. #11 Elders talk to their grandchildren in Nuuchahnulth (in those cases where they have daily contact). This is of course a part of the healing process, as the elders have gone through so much hardships and times of embarrassment with their language. A lot of encouragement will be needed and even then most of them will not be able to speak it in their family context exactly because of the painful history - in fact, it is a miracle that there are still people speaking it at all. Little children pick up naturally although you won’t see the results immediately, even if they keep answering in English, they absorb and one day will use the language. It is the only way that natural fluency can be acquired. #12 A dictionary project: take up the good work that was started with the T’aat’aaqsapa, edit out the typos, put everything in alphabetical order, recompile according to dialect region (Barkley Sound, Central, Northern=Kyuquot), add missing vocabulary items (many!), provide sample sentences with every word, list synonyms, explain metaphors. #13 Radio broadcast in quuquu’aca. Prospects We have identified three possible scenarios for the future of this language. A conscious decision inevitably needs to be made now. What could the future look like, twenty years from now? Scenario 1: Nuuchahnulth as a symbolic language. The language will be seen on signposts, individuals learn a few isolated words at school that they can utter when asked by an outsider to “say something in Indian”. Ceremonial speeches will be learned literally by heart from written sources by those entitled to. Linguists will work with the corpus of previously transcribed material, documenting and analysing a dead language. In this case, things may continue as they are, maybe considering suggestions #1 and #2. Scenario 2: Nuuchahnulth as a folkloristic and ceremonial language. Native language will be taught as a second language from grades K through 12 in band schools. People will be able to say some meaningful things according to the situation. Some specialists will be able to creatively use their second language fluen-
cy for the ceremonial needs (speeches), consult older texts and understand them. Nuuchahnulth will maintain cultural significance but play a marginal part in the culture as a whole. For this goal to be accomplished, at least suggestions #1-8 seem to be necessary. Scenario 3: Nuuchahnulth as a spoken language. Nuuchahnulth will be spoken by members of all generations in core communities. All possible language maintenance efforts (suggestions #1 through #13 and beyond) need to be applied.
Our suggestions are meant as an encouragement for those who might be able to take the time out for the language, that the struggle is not lost yet and there are still things that could be done. Nobody else can learn or save the language for you, saving the language has to start right here and right now. This is the last call. Whatever the language programs of the future will look like, future speakers will speak differently than today’s elders. Even viable languages change with every generation and in this case more so because the next generation of speakers will learn it as a second language additionally to English. Scenario 2 is the one with most chances to be realized but even that will take an enormous effort. Among all the Nuuchahnulth settlements Maqtusiis (Ahousat) has the most realistic chance to be a place of spoken fluent Nuuchahnulth in the future. Among the village’s 800 (?) First Nations inhabitants there are several dozen speakers and “understanders”, several elders hold linguistics diplomas and a major collection of texts in the Ahousaht dialect has recently been published. This article is the expression of our deepest concern with the language and its speakers. It is our responsibility as scholars to inform you in clear terms from our perspective about the dramatic situation that Nuuchaahnulth is facing. Our respect for Nuuchaanulthiic culture and our friendship with the quqwaas simply demand that we be honest. We are very much aware that many individuals and families in the community have more urgent problems to solve than to worry about the language. Our suggestions are meant as an encouragement for those who might be able to take the time out for the language, that the struggle is not lost yet and there are still things that could be done. Nobody else can learn or save the language for you, saving the language has to start right here and right now. This is the last call. We invite everybody to contact us directly and are willing to give input for funding proposals and advice on how to learn, teach or document languages in general.
H.Kammler@em.uni-frankfurt.de
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Nuu-chah-nulth Healing Project Nuu-chah-nulth Healing Project
Contact List
Main Office (Southern Region) 5120 Argyle Street, PO Box 1383 Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2 Ph: (250) 724-3233 Fax: (250) 723-6010 Tofino Office (Central Region) 151 First Street, PO Box 279 Tofino B.C. VOR 2ZO Ph: (250) 725-3367 Toll-free: 1-866-901-3367 Fax: (250) 725-2158 Gold River Office (Northern Region) 100 Ouwatin Road, PO Box 428 Gold River, B.C. V0P 1G0 Ph: (250) 283-2012 Fax: (250) 283-2122
Nanaimo Urban Office: 204-96 Cavan St. Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2V1 Ph: (250) 753-8567 Fax: (250) 753-8933 Victoria Urban Office: 853 Fisgard St. Victoria, B.C. V8W 1S1 Ph: (250) 413-7303 Fax: (250) 388-5120 Vancouver Urban Office: 455 East Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1P5 Ph: (604) 254-9972 Fax: (604) 254-7919
NUU CHAH NULTH HEALING PROJECT
Call out for Victoria and Duncan Residents If you wish to be contacted about NCN Healing Projects events please come by our office or call in and leave your number so I can keep you posted about events.This is going to be the best exciting year call now and leave me your phone number.Victoria NCN Healing Project Office Call Between 9:00—4:00 REGISTER AT NCNHP URBAN OFFICE VICTORIA 853 Fisgard St FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER Michael J. McCarthy, 250-413-7303 TEACH MIS UKQIN ALL THAT NASS HAS PROVIDED US TO LEAD A FULFILLING LIFE
Nuu-chah-nulth Healing Project SUPPORT GROUP Residential School Healing Project Office Every second Monday - 6:00-9:00 pm Vancouver Friendship Centre, Elder’s Room We meet Monday twice a month at the Vancouver Friendship Centre. Open to all Nuu- chah -nulth First Nations interested in finding support, and creating a stronger community. Different topics every meeting.
FOR MORE INFO CALL Jody Olsson @ 604-254-9972 or 604-312-6539
NCN Healing Project Upcoming Events EVENT DATE LOCATION nd Vancouver Support Group 2 & last Monday Vancouver AFC Meeting 6 pm – 9 pm 1607 E. Hastings St. nd Women’s Support Group 2 & Last Thurs/ea.month VAFC Meeting 6 pm – 9 pm 1607 E. Hastings St. nd Support Group Mtg 2 & last Tues. of each month St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 228 S. Dogwood St., Campbell River Cultural Night Last Thurs of ea. month Nanaimo, 204 – 96 Cavan St. Storytelling, Language, 7 pm Singing, Dancing, Crafts, etc. nd Support Group Meeting Every 2 & Last Monday, 6-8 pm Victoria, 853 Fisgard St. Support Group Mtg last Thursday of each month, 6-8 pm Duncan Native Friendship Center, 205 – 5462 Trans Canada Highway For more information contact Nuu-chah-nulth Healing Project Staff: Vina Robinson @250-731-6271, Michael McCarthy @ 250-413-7303 or 604-3126539, Shawn Sinclair @ 250-616-3674.
Chaa-Maak-Sap Family Trauma Program 2003 Session Dates Kakawis Trauma Program Sept. 15 to Sept. 26, 2003 Sept. 29 to Oct. 10, 2003 Oct. 13 to Oct. 24, 2003
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Women’s Program Hawii - Hereditary Chiefs Youth Program
A Visit to Oclucje By Carol Clutesi - Nuu-chah-nulth Residential School Healing Project Supervisor for Ha-Shilth-Sa On August 27th 2003, the Nuchatlaht Tribe’s Ha-wiiah, Walter Michael, invited the entire community plus the Mental Health and Healing Project staff to a Ceremony to honour Tanya Rose Michael. Thank you for sharing your Nuchatlaht inheritance at a village health-giving community initiative. Phillis Scott, Rick Lebeau, Andrew Kerr (partner Darcy), Ray Seitcher and Carol Clutesi accepted the request to witness. Traveling by motor vehicle, boat taxi, and/or seaplane is necessary in order to fulfil the Healing Project’s mandate of serving 14 Tribes and six Urban centres. Nuchatlaht is part of the Northern Region. Zeballos is about 350 kilometres from Port Alberni, one way. And Oclucje is another 25 minutes away on gravel road. In the early evening, the atmosphere was roasting, one of the warmest summers on record. The air was hot, clean, pure and sweet. The sun, still high in the horizon, reflected sparkles of stars on the water in the protected harbour of Oclucje. Inside the community hall, Cultural Counsellor Kelly John, welcomed and informed the guests (in our own language) on the procedure of the traditional custom. Rose Michael blessed the hot-from-the-oven grub. And then Kelly called for young people to help serve. Rose’s daughters, Florence and Lydia, initiated filling platefuls for the elders. Maggie and Darcy showed the way to help serve the guests. Platefuls of shake n bake Spring salmon heads, smoked bones, pan fried crispy sockeye, potato salad, green salad, spagetti, a vat of meat sauce, fresh buns, butter and oolichan grease were consumed. The Oclucje hall was jampacked with babies in diapers, teens in basketball jerseys, moms, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents. And the buffet style tables were full of delicious food with plenty for second helpings. Dessert was constantly served, until we jumped up and down to make room for more. Thank you to all the good cooks from
Nuchatlaht, Ehattesaht and friendly neighbours from Zeballos. Marc Michael presented Phillis Scott and Tanya Michael with a gift to recognize that he’s happy they are getting their strength back after Tanya’s accident in July of this year and Phillis’s accident two years ago. On behalf of Alvin Michael, Kelly described the reason a name was looked for and given to Tanya. The name is Qwii n’a t?ay. On behalf of the Healing Project, Carol Clutesi wrapped a shawl (donated by Irene Robinson) around Tanya’s shoulders. The shawl-type scarf is finely woven cotton with a design of three women standing beside each other. The message is that we stand beside Tanya and are thankful she is safe. Wrapping something around shoulders symbolizes a gesture of care and protection. “Times can get rough and when you stick together, people are stronger,” says Josephine Johnston. The Project office thanks Tanya for being a good friend and co-worker. We acknowledge the training and education you have accomplished so you can work to strengthen Nuu-chah-nulth values. On behalf of the Community and Human Services Board, Ray Seitcher presented a paddle. The paddle is hand carved yew wood. The message is that the yew wood represents the healing qualities that Tanya brings to the people. The logo for the Healing Project is a canoe with five paddles. The paddle signifies that Tanya is important and we want you to strengthen yourself so we can all paddle together again. Completion of the events included drumming and singing by the men and dances by the women in shawl regalia, holding eagle feathers or eagle nuch yacs (wands). It is a pleasure to witness and be part of this restoration of cultural and family identity. Once again, thank you to everyone involved. Please accept my apologies for any omissions or errors they are not intentional. I am interested and invite comments on the spelling and meaning of names of people and places. Notes may be sent c/o C. Clutesi at PO Box 1383, Port Alberni or emailed to Cuu, Huup Kwis t’a ?aqs Healing Project Coordinator
TV Show pays tribute to Tsa-qwa-supp Victoria — The New Canoe, a weekly television series that celebrates the arts and cultures of Aboriginal people in British Columbia, pays tribute to the late artist Tsa-qwa-suup (Art Thompson) in a special presentation on Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. The New Canoe is broadcast on The New VI which can be seen throughout Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Thompson, whose father was Dididaht and his mother Cowichan, was considered a world-class artist who produced totem poles, house posts, masks, silk screened prints, acrylic paintings, and silver and gold jewelry. His works are in private and public collections throughout the world. He was one of three artists who designed the Queen’s Baton and medals for the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, BC. Barbara Hager, Producer and Host of The New Canoe said: “The Aboriginal arts community lost a shining light this year. Tsa-qwa-suup was an ambassador
for the Nuu chah nulth people and a community leader who generously gave his time and his art to countless organizations, from the Victoria Symphony Orchestra to Camosun College to the North American Indigenous Games. We are honoured to be dedicating an entire episode to Art Thompson.” Though he is best known as a First Nations artist, he will also be remembered for raising awareness of the abuses that many Aboriginal people have endured in the residential school system. He testimony at a court trial in the late 1990s, revealed horrific abuses that he experienced as a young boy at the Alberni Residential School. His commitment to justice gave many Aboriginal people who had also been abused in residential schools the courage that they needed to start their own healing journey. Art Thompson was also a devoted family man: husband to Charlene Thompson, father to ten children, grandfather to fifteen children, and great grandfather to one child.
Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 13
An Invisible Epidemic – Prescription Drug Abuse Article by Patti Geier, CSW, practicing therapist for 16 years with extensive experience helping clients with drug abuse problems A great deal has been written about alcoholism and drug addiction over the last two decades. However, information regarding prescription drug abuse and addiction only seems to surface when someone famous has a problem and needs treatment or dies.
Chronic Pain: Sylvia’s story — Like many other people, Sylvia’s doctor put her on a prescription drug because she suffered from chronic migraines. The pills worked effectively. They took away her headaches and allowed her to live her life. But, like other narcotics, it lost its effectiveness over time. Sylvia began to increase her dosage. She had built up a tolerance to the medication. She was physically dependent on the drug. Fearing that her doctor would stop prescribing the medication if she told him that she had increased the dosage, she kept it a secret. She did not believe that she would be able to function without the pills. She began to change the numbers on the prescriptions so that she would get more pills, with more refills. Over the next two years, she went from a physical dependence to a physical and psychological addiction. She had to continue to take this drug in increasing dosages in order to feel “normal.” She went from taking the medication as prescribed to a drug habit of 30 pills a day. She started to “doctor shop” in order to obtain several prescriptions at a time. She would make appointments with a number of doctors to get what she needed. She switched pharmacies often so that she could drop off each prescription at a different one. She went to a number of pharmacies in different neighborhoods so that no one would become suspicious. She could not use her insurance since she was buying several prescriptions of
the drug at one time. She used different names at each pharmacy. She spent hundreds of dollars a month. She kept a careful record of who she was at every one. As her habit increased, she had to find new ways of getting pills. She stole a prescription pad from one of her doctors and began to forge her own prescriptions. One day, she made the mistake of writing a date on the forged prescription that happened to be a Sunday. The pharmacist became suspicious and confronted her about it. She quickly left the store. He called the police. By the time the police raided her house, she had hundreds of pills hidden in the bathroom, the kitchen, and bedroom. The police thought she was selling them. They had no idea that the amount she had wouldn’t even last her two weeks. This may seem like an unbelievable story, detailing extreme measures to obtain narcotics. Unfortunately, Sylvia’s story is not unusual or unique. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information reported in May of 2001 that approximately four million people aged twelve and up misuse prescription drugs. That is roughly 2-4% of the population, four times the amount it was in 1980. Prescription drug addiction accounts for roughly a third of all drug abuse problems in the United States. Prevention of prescription drug abuse requires a community wide strategy. It requires information and support for families and individuals. It requires an integrated approach involving all the different types of staff at the First Nation and Tribal level. There will be a series of articles about prescription drug abuse in the Ha Shilth Sa over the next few months. If you have ideas or questions about prescription drug abuse, please contact either your local First Nation staff such as Counsellors, Community Health Representatives, Band Social Workers, Teachers, NTC Staff including social workers, education staff, nurses, mental health counsellors, Healing Project and Elders.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENT OUT OF PROVINCE AND COUNTRY Recent situations have been embarrassing to some people who Depart Canada without acquiring any type of medical coverage insurance. Non-Insured Health Benefits Program through health Canada does not cover anyone who departs Canada, nor does your BC Medical Plan unless you have written authority form them stating that they will cover you, and what they will cover. (Remember the price is much higher in US than here - I suggest you check it out to protect yourself and your family). Ensure you get coverage by contacting your local travel agency - they can and will help you! It is also understood that once you have departed Canada and you change your mind and decide you wish to have coverage - - it is too late...Travel policy insurance will not cover you in outside the country if you try to obtain insurance after you have left. Protect yourself and your family! Questions on this matter are encouraged and welcomed through the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program Coordinator (Robert Cluett) 1-888-407-4888 or 250-7243232.
Tylenol - Its Use and Misuse Submitted by: Christine Curley C.H.N. Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Tylenol (or acetaminophen) is an over the counter pain medication and has many different uses. It is an effective and relatively safe medication if used according to the directions from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, because Tylenol is so well known and so widely used, it has developed the potential to be misused and overused.
Tylenol (or acetaminophen) is an effective and relatively safe medication if used according to the directions from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, because Tylenol is so well known and so widely used, it has developed the potential to be misused and overused. Tylenol is an effective medication that is used to reduce pain, and to reduce fever. It is important to know the dosage of Tylenol that you are taking, as there are many different brand names of Tylenol on the market, (such as Tempra, Atasol, Panadol, Tylenol Extra strength etc.) and also many different doses (ranging from 80 mg. to 500 mg). The usual adult dose is 325 mg to 650 mg every four hours, as needed. If using extra-strength Tylenol, the recommended dosage is 500 to 1000 mg every six hours, as needed.
You don’t want to give your child too much Tylenol. If unsure, contact your local pharmacist, doctor or nurse. Children’s dosages are usually based on the weight of the child. However, there are recommended dosages based on age on each package of Tylenol. Once again, be sure to read the directions on the bottle that you are using, as different brands of Tylenol have different dosages. You don’t want to give your child too much Tylenol. If unsure, contact your
local pharmacist, doctor or nurse. It is very important to read the labels of any other over-the-counter medications that you are taking. Many of these medications also contain Tylenol. Look for the name “acetaminophen” on the listed contents. Again, if you are unsure about what is in any medicine, ask your pharmacist, doctor or nurse. There are some important guidelines for using Tylenol that should be followed.
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Tylenol can cause severe liver damage if overused. Tylenol should not be used by anyone with known liver disease Tylenol should be used very cautiously in anyone with a history of chronic alcohol use, as it can be toxic even when used as recommended. Tylenol is recommended only for short-term use. Adults should not take Tylenol for more than 10 days. Children should not take Tylenol for more than 5 days. If you are having severe pain that is unrelieved by Tylenol, consult your doctor for a stronger painkiller. Do not take more Tylenol than is recommended. Only use Tylenol for its intended purpose, which is for pain control and fever reduction. Use with caution. Don’t forget to try other methods for reducing pain, such as cool or warm compresses and rest. Tepid baths and increased fluid intake will also help to reduce a fever, and will help the Tylenol to work more effectively.
PRE-NATAL DROP IN With Liz Thomsen Every Monday, 1:30pm – 3:30pm Knee waas House, 3435 4th Avenue, Port Alberni Friendship Centre For more info, please contact: Delavina @ 723-8281
IMMUNIZATION With Liz Thomsen Every Thursday, 12:00pm – 2:00pm Knee waas House, 3435 4th Avenue, Port Alberni Friendship Centre For more info, please contact: Delavina @ 723-8281
HEALTH EDUCATION DROP-IN With Liz Thomsen Every Thursday, 2:30pm – 3:30pm Knee waas House, 3435 4th Avenue, Port Alberni Friendship Centre TOPICS September 4th: Family Stress Management September 11th: Open Discussion September 18th: Reducing Illnesses September 25th: Shaken Baby Syndrome For more info, please contact: Delavina @ 723-8281
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Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Congratulations Happy Happy 5th Birthday. Remember me. Sweetie. I love you. Love granny smith, Trudy Rose Smith and fiancé Terrance Rose. Pretty pretty girl Sierra. Sept. 12 – Happy 44th Birthday to A happy belated birthday goes out to my two lil angels Cassidy Little on July 10. Happy 2nd Birthday my little miracle. Mommy loves you so much. I especially love the new things you learn every day. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. If someone else looked after you, I’d definitely walk through blizzards just to see you every day! I love you hakum. Shannelle Fran on July 24. Happy 8th birthday my lil smiling angel. Words alone cannot explain what a special gift you are to me, to be able to spend this special day with you. I love you so much Shaye and I’m glad to have you back home. Don’t ever forget how much Mommy loves you. Love Jo Mama Greta John. A very happy 20th birthday to Ashley Watts/Keitlah on Sept. 11th. We love you very much Ash.....Love Mom, Dad, and Kyle. Happy Birthday to Eileen Watts on Sept. 20th...Lotsa luv Jer, War. and Kyle. Sept. 13 – Happy Birthday Doug. Love Lisa, Michael, Marvin, Violet, Samara & baby, Ang & family, John and family, Darius & Katelyn, all your sisters and brothers. Sept. 10 – Happy Birthday gramma Linda. Love Tyler, Randolph, Sheila and Al, Cindy & family. Sept. 1 – Happy 16th Birthday Mermaid my niece Alicia Titian. Have a fantastic day. I love you pretty girl. Love auntie Trudy Rose Smith and fiancé Terrance Rose. Sept. 7th – Happy Birthday my little brother Ronald Mark Johnson Sr. 43 yrs we’re still young heh bro. I love you handsome bro. Big sis Trudy Rose Smith and fiancé Terrance Rose. Sept. 10 – Happy Birthday to the most beautiful flower – Daisy Andrea Rose Johnson pretty girl – have a great time. I love you niece, your smiling, love always auntie Trudy Rose Smith and fiancé Terrance Rose. Sept. 10 – Happy Anniversary to Chance and Dawn Amos you both have a great day. I love you both. Love auntie Trudy Rose Smith and fiancé Terrance Rose. Sept. 11 – my very special Rose princess Granddaughter Sierra Kelsey Rose Alexander.
my husband Bill Smith – tho we’re not together – hey we’re still close and best friends. Trudy Rose Smith. Sept. 12 – Happy Birthday pretty girl my niece Lea Dionne Nicole Murphy. I love you. Love auntie Trudy Rose Smith and fiancé Terrance Rose. Sept. 15 or 16 – Happy Birthday to neph Danny Savey. I know your birthday is somewhere in Sept. But Hey! I remembered right. You have a fantastic day – Bobby spoil your husband and send me a red rose – my birthday is Sept. 21 too. Love auntie Trudy Rose Smith and fiancé Terrance Rose. Sept. 20 – Happy Birthday to my bro-in-law Michael Savey. You are 44 same age as Bill – have a fantastic day. Love sis-in-law Trudy Rose Smith and fiancé Terrance Rose. Sept. 21 – Happy b-b-b-birthday to little little me. No one wants to wish me a birthday so I am still young Trudy Rose Smith. Someone has to wish me a birthday. Giggle giggle. Sept. 26 – Happy happy birthday pretty little girl granddaughter Mia Rochelle Johnson. Your big 7 years and you have a fantastic day. I love you granddaughter. Love gramma Trudy Rose Smith. Remember whenever you see a red rose always think of me because that red rose is me. I love you all. Love sister, auntie, grandma, bingo dabbing little me. Trudy Rose Smith. I’ll make this short and sweet, but think it’s really neat. All I have to say, is have a wonderful birthday. To c.c. from T.C. Happy 1st Birthday to our baby girl, Dianna Irene Samantha Dick! On Sept 9. Love Always, Mom And Dad. Happy 1st Birthday to our baby sister, Dianna Dick, On Sept. 9. Love Always, Carmen, Krystal, Allen and King Jay. Happy ?? Birthday to Richard S Lucas on Sept.18 Hope you have a good day!! From Jessie, Man, JR and Rakaylyn. Happy 13th Birthday to my daughter Sarah Billy on Sept. 8th. I love you always, think of you always. Love Mom. Happy 57th Birthday to my brother on Sept. 9 (it’s also my 68th birthday on Sept. 11). From Tat.
Very special congratulations to our daughter and sister Ashley Watts on her marriage to Levi Keitlah on September 6, 2003. The wedding took place at the Rollin Art Centre at 3:00p.m. and the reception took place at the Maht Mahs Gym at 6:00 p.m. A big Thank you to all who helped with this joyous event. Ashley and Levi and Brison are residing in Ucluelet. Once again, thank you to everyone who helped.. Sincerely, Jerilynn, Warren and Kyle Erickson.
Here is a poem my oldest daughter wrote before she had her baby girl, Faith Samantha Rose Shae-Lynn Jordana Robinson. Congratulations Heather. I love you both so much (Sorry I got it in so late, better late than never though.) Congratulations also to Skylar Robinson, you gave me a beautiful granddaughter. We’re always thinking of you. Jo mama Greta John I'm Gonna Be There 13 more days until you’re in this world with me, I promise baby I’ll be the best mommy as can be. I'm gonna be there to comfort you if you have nightmares at night, I'm gonna be there for a shoulder to cry on and tell you "baby everything’s gonna be all right" I'm gonna be there when you take your first step to walk, I'm gonna be there for your first word and start to talk, I'm gonna be there the day you turn a year old, I'm gonna be there to warm you up if you ever get cold, I'm gonna be there for your first day at school, I'm gonna be there when you swim for the first time at a pool, I'm gonna be there when you go on your first real date, I'm gonna be there by the window to make sure you make it home o.k. and not too late, I'm gonna be there the day you finish school and you graduate, I'm gonna be there to see you on your wedding day, I'm gonna be there even when you don't need me, I just wanna make sure everything's o.k., I'm gonna be there when you have your first baby, I'm gonna even try be the best gramma as can be, I’m gonna love you with all my heart, just like I always have right from the very start, I promise you my precious baby that mommy's always gonna be there, I will never leave or walk out on you I wouldn’t even dare, because I LOVE YOU my baby and that's how much mommy really cares!
Margaret Rose Amos Every time I see your smile, My life goes on hold, My sister I respect what great style Words of wisdom you have told Appreciation, respect I need to say, You’ve accomplished so much in what you’ve done, Life of great memories forever your way My sister Marg – You are # one. I want you to know that I often think of you, Recognition… so important we need to see, My sister Marg – I admire all the things you do. Your empathy and understanding have helped me. Thanks Marg… I love you sis. Remember whenever you see a red rose Always think of me, because that red rose is me. Love Little Sis Trudy Rose Smith
My daughter Jacqueline Alexander I would like to let all you people, my family, relatives and friends that I am the luckiest Mom to have a beautiful daughter, Jackie is very special – why because I love her. One thing about raising your only daughter is tell her you love her every day and that’s what I did. I was a single parent and just Jackie had so much going for her. We had our ups and downs but we survived it all. Jackie had dreams and she fulfilled it all. She said “Mom, I am going to graduate, get a car, become a hairdresser, get married, house and later have my children.” She totally did this – she became a mother at 24. Her husband Randy Alexander is one son-in-law I simply am grateful for him. Jackie gave me 2 beautiful granddaughters, Sierra Kelsey Rose Alexander and Jordon Stephanie Alexander. I am so lucky. You have to trust your children and they will respect you. I live day-by-day thinking about my daughter because she was diagnosed by an incurable disease called sclerderma and rhynauds syndrome at age 25. Sclerderma is hardening of the skin it affects your kidneys, liver and lungs. I’m learning about this disease, I know it affects woman ago 20 – 55 it’s not hereditary. There is no cure or medication for this disease. I live day by day constantly worried about my daughter. I say to myself why does this have to happen to the one and only daughter I have. tthough times are tough always make sure you tell your children you love them. I am struggling so hard because my daughter’s disease is affecting her. I have tried all ways to get help for her. She needs someone to help her with housework. I only cry alone by myself because I’m scared of losing her. I love my daughter so much with all my heart. I am so proud of my daughter because she is so strong and she lives day by day with her wonderful husband and 2 daughters. She is so independent and stable. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Not even a million dollars would make me happy. It’s my daughter Jackie because she’s worth a million of love too me. I would like to hear from you, any of you. Jackie, I want you to know I am so lucky to have a great daughter like you. I love you so much. Love Mom, Trudy Rose Smith. Write me at: Trudy Rose Smith, 102 – 734 Dogwood St., Campbell River, B.C., V9W 2Y8 Or phone 250-286-0739.
Would you like to wish someone a happy birthday, anniversary, or congratulate them for an accomplishment or a job well done? You can e-mail, fax, or mail your message into Ha-Shilth-Sa and we’ll broadcast it to the world! Our address, fax number and e-mail addresses are listed on page 2. The next deadline is September 19th for the next issue which comes out September 25th.
Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 15
poets nook Fly On High... Right on by... Fly on high.. Right on by Fly on high.. To them skies Fly on high.... To them skies... Take my hand.. Just one more time Take my hand.. Just one more time Hold me close to your heart.. Hold me close to your heart... Fly on high.. To those mountains Rise with wings and fly on by... Let me see you just one more time Let me see you just one more time.. All I want is to tell you... Of how I love you so..
Hold me close to your heart Hold my hands.. Just one more time All I want is to see your smile All I want is to see your smile.. Hold me close.. Just one more time Hold me close.. Just one more time Can you hear me calling you? Rise above so I can set you free Hold me close to your heart Fly on by... Them skies.. All I want to say to you.. Is that I love you through and through Fly on high... Right on by... Fly on high.. To them skies... Written By Norma - Ann Webster Ahousat/ Kelsmat Band
In Loving Memory of Grampa Harold Little Sr.
on his birthday July 21st Dearest Grampa Harold Sr. #1 Hello grampa! Today would’ve been your birthday, so I wanted to say Happy Birthday grampa and I love you all the way up to heaven and back! My daddy had my 2nd birthday party at gramma Carrie’s house. I know you were there smiling down at me from God’s paradise. I’m too small to be with you grampa, but I know you’re always with me. Wasn’t it so cool when I blew out my candles? You helped me out a little bit didn’t you? My other grampa and three of my other gramma’s watched me too! Everybody was cheering for me, they were so proud. Does that mean I’m a big girl now grampa? Or will I always be your little girl? You weren’t here on earth when Mommy and Daddy found out mommy was pregnant, but I could hear mommy praying for you when I was in her womb. She always asked you for answers and that you always keep me safe, warm and
always healthy. I know you’ve always been there grampa, because when daddy would take me to gramma Carrie’s; I saw your picture everywhere and I’ve always known that it was you! I only wish you were here to let me sit on your lap, so I could kiss you and say “Grampa I love you!” But I know your with me everyday. I know you’re watching me playing, and I know you’re sending me your warm embrace when I’m sad and crying, and you’re kissing all my owie’s away. On your birthday today grampa, don’t forget to make a special wish when you blow out your candles, I’ll know you blew them out when I feel your warm breath come my way. Just remember to leave one candle burning, that way I’ll be able to see it way up in the sky. Don’t forget to listen for me saying Happy Birthday to you today. I love you always Grampa, thank you for watching over me and I hope you caught my kiss that I blew up to you today. Xoxo. Your granddaughter “Hakum” Cassidy Little
ATTENTION EHATTESAHT MEMBERSHIP
Ehattesaht Wellness Conference September 19, 20 & 21, 2003 In Zeballos, B.C. If you have any questions, please contact Dawn Amos, Coordinator @ 1-888-761-4155 Correction: In the last issue of Ha-Shilth-Sa, the boundary agreement between Toquaht and Tla-o-qui-aht was called “the first of its kind amongst Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations”. Apparently there are several examples of other agreements that are already in place. We apologize for the error.
In Memoriam - >a>ak^#ap In Loving Memory of our Dad Allan Charles Ross “Kaanowish” September 30, 1925 – 02/20/2002 Here we stand on solid ground Reaching up to you Begging for the strength and will That we pray will see us through We feel you there inside our hearts Asking us, "please, not to cry, Just live for all we shared together, There's no such thing as good- bye." The courage you showed throughout it all As the battle raged on inside You never stepped down or lost your ground You fought with dignity and pride And it's pride we have for all you were For everything you gave You never questioned the way things were You just kept on true and brave You opened our eyes to a brighter world Side by side, we rose above You graced us with your friendship And you honored us with your love We can't promise to always be strong And never shed a tear in your name But we will never regret and we will never forget
And we will never quit the game So we lay a rose beside your name And we wipe away a tear And we hear you whisper inside our hearts Saying, "Remember me here. "
Thinking of you on your birthday and always... From your family… Kaanowish Allan Ross Jr. (Joanne), Georgina Livingstone (Cyril), Gloria Ross, Sherry Ross, Annie Watts (Dave), Darrell Ross (Lena), all your grandchildren... John (Kim), Jim, Carole, Sherry (Ernest), Melanie (Aaron), Rosalee, Dawn (Glen), Dustin (Alana), David Jr, Nathan, Jennifer, Ed (Jocelyn), Darrell Jr, Melissa, and great-grandchildren Erin, Nick, James Jr, Tia, Vincent, Carlito, Kristen & Destiny.
In Memory of my Mother Mary Rose Johnson June 11, 1933 – September 5, 2001 Mom – I miss holding your hands, I miss your laughter. I miss your voice saying “Gert – time to get up!” I miss your time, you spend with me. I miss our games you and I played... Dominoes, scrabble and the homemade Yahtzee I made. Special for you and I (We played a lot of yahtzee together). My sister Marg Amos bought me – my own special colorful dice for my homemade yahtzee. Mom – two years have gone by. It’s hard to put down words – I know that you Are in Gods hands and at peace. My tears, my pain – but you know Mom. I know your watching over me, dad & family. You and dad implanted good wisdom to me. Mom – I miss the time you took to listen to me. I miss the way you and I liked the same things. Dressed and wore the same size clothes and shoes. Dad called you and I the popsy-twins. You and I are people person. I miss you Mom…. So… so… much. Life hold very special memories and that memory is you. I love you Mom. Daughter – Gertrude Rose Smith (Trudy) Granddaughter Jacqueline Mary Margaret Paula Alexander Great-grandchildren – Sierra Kelsey Rose Alexander + Jordon Stephanie Alexander + Randy Alexander (daughters husband)
A poem for Adam's family from New Zealand Though oceans lie between us, Our spirits are entwined, We share with you the sadness, You all are feeling at this time, We love you all so dearly, It hurts us much to know, That at this very moment, You all are hurting so,
We ask the Gods to comfort you, And pray that time will soothe your pain, And soon you all will smile again From Hanna and Christopher Anderson Sending their prayers from New Zealand
Page 16 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003
Attention Nuu-chah-nulth membership... · · · · ·
Please notify your First Nation if you have any events that happen in your life such as Marriage, Divorce, Birth, Death, Name Change and especially “Transfers”. Submitting these documents to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council office is just as important as submitting these documents to your First Nation. Being on the D.I.A. list does not mean you are on your First Nation's Registry Band List, you must apply for Band Membership. Your First Nation needs your current address and phone number so they can contact you regarding Treaty developments, letters and bulletins. First Nation phone numbers and addresses are listed below for your convenience.
Ahousaht
(250) 670-9563 - Fax: (250) 670-9696 General Delivery Ahousaht, B.C. V0R 1A0
Ditidaht First Nation 1-888-745-3366 - Fax: (250) 745-3332 PO Box 340 Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M8
Ehattesaht 1-888-761-4155 - Fax: (250) 761-4156 PO Box 59 Zeballos, B.C. V0P 2A0
Hesquiaht First Nation 1-877-232-1100 - Fax: (250) 670-1102 PO Box 2000 Tofino, B.C. V0R 2Z0
Hupacasath First Nation (250) 724-4041 - Fax: (250) 724-1232 PO Box 211 Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M7
Huu-ay-aht First Nation 1-888-644-4555 - Fax: (250) 728-1222 PO Box 70 Bamfield, B.C. V0R 1B0
Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ (250) 332-5259 - Fax: (250) 332-5210
ATTENTION UCHUCKLESAHT DESCENDANTS Will all of those people, who are descendants of the Uchucklesaht First Nation, PLEASE contact Tina Robinson at the Uchucklesaht Office. As a part of our pre-treaty process, we are contacting people who have a direct bloodline and seeking their interest in transferring into the Uchucklesaht Tribe for the purpose of gaining treaty rights. Phone – 250.724.1832 Toll Free – 1.888.724.1832 Thank you
Tseshaht First Nation Cultural Resource Centre Open to anyone interested in learning more about Tseshaht history. Located at 5000 Mission Rd. – Chi-chu-aht House/ Tseshaht Treaty office. We have a toll free number available for Tseshaht members (which also houses our membership and Natural Resources Office. If you want your addresses included for treaty updates and Tribal bulletins call us (email: cap@tseshaht.com) with your address. 1-866-724-4225. Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Except holidays) For more information contact us at (250) 724-4229 or toll free at 1-866-724-4229.
HAVE YOU MOVED? Hello Ucluelet First Nation Members! We need your phone number, address & email addresses. We are currently updating our member’s list for: - Distribution of Food Fish. - Tribe Newsletters and - Treaty Updates ********************************************** Does anyone recognize or know the whereabouts of the following members? - Gordon Bryson - Roberta Charlie - Richard Feveile - Jeffrey Fromme - Alexandria George - Jami Manson - Alice Peters - Norman Rivera - Ryan Rush - Sabrina Suprenant - Michelle Touchie - Kimberly Redmon - Jackie Hartman & Son, Adrian - Teresa Grieve - Joshua Schellenberger Please call if you have information. YOUR HELP IS APPRECIATED! CONTACT: Vi Mundy at (250) 726-2414 or email: vmundy@island.net OR Leah Bill at email: leahbill@telus.net
Important Notice to all Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations members, Band Managers, CHR’s, Health Clerks and Band Membership Clerks:
General Delivery Kyuquot, B.C. V0P 1J0
Mowachaht / Muchalaht (250) 283-2015 - Fax: (250) 283-2335 PO Box 459 Gold River, B.C. V0P 1G0
Nuchatlaht First Nation (250) 332-5908 - Fax: (250) 332-5907 PO Box 40 Zeballos, B.C. V0P 2A0
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations (250) 725-3233 - Fax: (250) 725-4233 PO Box 18 Tofino, BC. V0R 2Z0
Toquaht Nation (250) 726-4230 - Fax: (250) 726-4403 PO Box 759 Ucluelet, B.C. V0R 3A0
Tseshaht First Nation Toll Free: 1-888-724-1225 - Fax: (250) 724-4385 PO Box 1218 Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M1
Uchucklesaht Tribe (250) 724-1832 - Fax: (250) 724-1806 PO Box 1118 Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M7
Ucluelet First Nation (250) 726-7342 Fax: (250) 726-7552 PO Box 699 Ucluelet, B.C. V0R 3A0
ATTENTION ALL UCHUCKLESAHT MEMBERSHIP We need names, addresses & phone numbers of all Uchucklesaht Decendents. The Tribe has now initialled an Agreement in Principle with BC Canada. Now we need to hear from you! Please contact the office at: Phone: (250) 724-1832 Fax: (250) 724-8106 Address: PO Box 1118, Port Alberni, BC, V9Y 7L9
MEDICAL COVERAGE NOT AUTOMATIC Reference: Recently, many bills were received at the NTC (Non-Insured Health Benefits Section) (NIHB) from parents requesting payment under this plan. If a child is not registered with Indian Affairs and the province there is no medical coverage. Therefore, FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAYMENT OF MEDICAL VISITS, X-RAYS, ETC. WILL FALL ON THE PARENTS! Indian Affairs cannot and WILL NOT PAY any bills without full coverage. Remember, unless a child is REGISTERED with both Indian Affairs (Status Card) and the provincial medical plan (MSP Card) two very important medical factors apply: a. The child is covered under the parent medically, for only three months; and b. Once the child reaches 1 year of age then they are no longer covered under the NIHB program for: equipment; supplies; drugs; dental; and optical. Normally, a child reaching 19 years of age requires (her or his) own medical care card. A child can maintain medical coverage up to age 25 when in full-time attendance at a post secondary institution, that is approved by the provincial medical commission. It takes 6 – 8 weeks to obtain these coverage cards! Start the process immediately! Do not assume it is done! Follow up with this until you have both cards! Questions to be directed to the Band Membership Clerks, or the NTC Registry Office 724-5757. Robert Cluett, CD - NTC NIHB Program Supervisor
MAILING HA-SHILTH-SA TO NUU-CHAH-NULTH MEMBERS Ha-Shilth-Sa is looking for addresses of Nuu-chah-nulth (NCN) members who are NOT receiving the paper. Ha-Shilth-Sa is free for Nuu-chah-nulth members. If you want to receive Ha-Shilth-Sa please send name (including your middle name or initials) to: Ha-Shilth-Sa, P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C., V9Y 7M2 First Name: _______________ Initial: ____ Last Name: _______________________ Apt. #: _____ Mailing Address: ____________________________________________ City: ________________________________________ Postal Code: ______________ * In order to quality for a free subscription you must fill in Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation i.e. Ahousaht, Ditidaht, etc: _______________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________________ Change of Address (Previous address) _______________________________ New Subscriber? ______________________________________________
Reminder ~ Returned papers are deleted from the mailing list. It’s up to you to keep us informed of your address!
Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 17
Vol.5 No.3
25 Years Ago in Ha-S Shilth-S Sa
July 13, 1978
Fall Fair Organizer says thanks Diabetes Forums in November The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council booth for this year was extremely successful, winning the Chairman’s Award of Excellence Ribbon. The NTC display came together beautifully, but could not have gone so well without the creative energy and efforts of many, many people. I would like to say many Kleco’s to Annie Watts and Louise Tatoosh for donating sweaters and other items knitted or used by their mothers. Such a personal touch really made the display wonderful. Cindy Vanvolsem - the Collections Curator at the Alberni Valley Museum, who assisted me greatly in finding information and images for the display and then proceeded to print them for me in record time. The staff at the Graphics Factory who made up banners for the display, in very, very short time, and still did it with a smile! Yvonne Lucas and Elizabeth Gus who helped a great deal at crunch time, making sure that everything came together...and for always laughing. Gail Gus and Melissa Gus for their energy and creativity with the concept of the booth, and for using their time to track down photographs, type stuff, cut out sheep, get designs, and
almost anything else that was needed. Eileen Haggard for searching for photographs and creative input, and generally for taking out some time for us, when I am sure you were very busy! Big HUGE Klecos, from myself and all Nuu-chah-nulth people to Nene Vanvolsen for the best PowerPoint presentation ever! Thank you for all of your hard work and effort to create such a beautiful presentation to share with the community. It really brought everything full circle! Thanks to Terry Dorward for setting everything up and doing most of the heavy and hard work in putting everything together - as well as his crew! Thank you to Cathy Watts, Maria Jimmy and Lucille David, and Mike Watts too..for cutting out endless sheep...thank you so much. Also thank you to Cathy for running around and getting us stuff at the eleventh hour. Thank you to Anna Masso for bringing refreshments for the volunteers, it was very thoughtful and very appreciated. Thank you to everyone in our community and Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council staff for making the 2003 Fall Fair display so successful. Until next year! Warm Regards, Kelly Poirier (Foxcroft)
West Coast Vancouver Island Wildlife Advisory Committee LOGO CONTEST. The WCVIWAC will award $500 to a Nuu Chah Nulth artist to come up with a suitable logo for use on letterhead, T-shirts, (etc.) when the WCVIWAC communicates. The selected logo would become the property of the WCVIWAC while the others would be returned to the artists from which they came. Submissions should be in hard copy form (on paper) or in digital form and the Theme of land-based (and perhaps Sea Otters) Wildlife of the West Coast of Vancouver Island should be the focus. Participants are advised that the WCVIWAC consists of Nuu Chah Nulth and non-Nuu Chah Nulth representatives dedicated to conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Artists are reminded that the terms Hishuk is tsawalk and Isaak should be part of the Logo. The Deadline is September 15th, 2003. The submissions should be mailed to, or dropped off at, the Nuu Chah Nulth Tribal Council, C/0 West Coast Vancouver Island Wildlife Advisory Committee Administrator Gail Gus at P.O. Box 1383 Port Alberni B.C., V9Y 7M2 If you require further information please contact Gail Gus at (250) 724-5757.
The Canadian Diabetes Association’s Pacific Area will host a special health forum to mark Diabetes Month in November. The day-long session of speakers, presentations and information will take place Nov. 8 at the Vancouver Airport Conference Resort in Richmond. Called Diabetes and You: Taking Charge of Your Health, the forum will include an exhibit and a lunch time presentation by Barry Spilchuk, co-author of A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Mark Davies, project coordinator for the University of Victoria’s Diabetes SelfManagement Program, is one of several volunteers involved in planning the event. ‘Giving people a sense of control over diabetes is so important,’ said Davies. ‘Thankfully, diabetes is one of the few chronic diseases that can be directly influenced by lifestyle changes, including weight loss and exercise,’ he said. Letting diabetes slide can lead to health problems worse than the disease itself, including blindness, amputation, heart disease and sexual dysfunction. Davies is confident the forum will highlight the importance of diabetes management. ‘There’s no magic cure for diabetes on the horizon, so people need to get involved in taking charge of their health,’ he said. Davies has been project coordinator for the University of Victoria’s Diabetes Self-Management program since 2001. To his surprise, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in May 2002, at the age of 51. ‘Thanks to my work, the risk factors for diabetes had been sitting in front of me at my desk for months,’ he said. ‘That’s what got me to see my doctor to
get my blood tested.’ Since then Davies has lost over 30 pounds and now exercises at least three times a week. He understands that people with diabetes are responsible for 95 per cent of their own care. The steps he’s taken to manage his diabetes and prevent complications have sent a powerful message to his family— take care of your health. In light of his diagnosis, Davies’ oldest son and daughter-in-law, both in their early thirties, have recently shed about 50 pounds each. ‘When someone you love is affected by diabetes, it hits close to home,’ he said. ‘My folks didn’t know enough about exercise and proper nutrition to pass that knowledge down to me. I wish they had.’ Davies wants people to realize that small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in managing or preventing diabetes. He’s one of several volunteers involved in planning the Canadian Diabetes Association’s upcoming Diabetes and You health forum this November. ‘I think the forum will be a great opportunity for people to come together to learn more about diabetes and find out what they can do to deal with it,’ he said. ‘Some folks manage diabetes on their own, but it can be easier if you do some planning and work on personal change,’ said Davies. ‘I believe the forum will help people get, or keep, going.’ The early bird registration fee of $15 (until Oct. 10) includes lunch, parking and a program guide. A similar forum will also take place in Victoria in November. To register, or for more information about these events, call 1 (800) 665-6526.
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Klecko’s - +ekoo I would like to give a big heartfelt thank you to the people that helped me financially and emotionally when my oldest daughter had her 7 lb 12 oz girl, Faith Samantha Rose Shae-Lynn Jordanna Robinson. A big thank you especially to the band that I’m from, Ahousaht. Thank you for helping me financially to visit my daughter and for helping me to be there when my granddaughter was born. To my family and friends for helping me out and having that shoulder to cry on. Thank you to my older sister Beverly McEwan for putting up with Cassidy and me in her home in Victoria. Thank you sis for watching Cassidy while I waited at the hospital until Heather had her baby. I love you so much sis! Thank you to my dad Chester and Grace for bringing my mother, my kids and I to visit Heather during the holidays and for coming back a week later to pick us up. Love you guys. Thank you to my friend Bertha Melinda for bringing us back and forth to the custody centre during the holidays. Thank you to one of my best friends Ina Lou for the money you gave so that I could visit my daughter. It’s not only the money bud, you’ve always been there for me whenever I needed to talk, and I will always respect our friendship. Thank you to my buddy Carlene Paul for just one day out of the blue, phoning me up and telling me to get ready so she could bring to visit Heather. You didn’t care if I was broke, you waited in the waiting room while Cassidy and I visited. You bought us chums and lunch, and you had me laughing all the way home when you knew it hurt me to leave. Thanks for being there for me bud! Thank you to my favorite Gramma Delores Ducky Keitlah for letting Uncle Pat us to Victoria for the night. You’ve always been there for me Gramma. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me and you’ll always hold a special place in my heart. I love you! To Evelyn Marshall for driving us to and from Nanaimo. Thank you and Grace for watching Cassidy, your gratefulness will forever be rewarded for what you’ve done for me. Thank you to my friends and family who have been there for me, my oldest sister Carol, it was always good to have you here with me or just being able to talk on the phone. You’ve always been there to help me out emotionally and financially. You mean the world to me sis. I’m so thankful to have someone such as you. I love you. Thanks to my brothers, George, it was always good to hear your encouraging words. Thank you Evans and Peter I love the three of you so much. Thank you to my family from Ahousaht, Auntie Rosie, Auntie Greta, Auntie Winnie, Uncle Murray Sr, Johnny and Roye John. Thank you also to uncle
Thank you Terry (T.C.) A very special heartfelt thank you to my special man Terrance Rose. You have been there through all my trials and tribulations 1½ years of the residential impact. Helping me deal with the loss of my late mother Mary Rose Johnson. My only daughter Jacquelynn Mary Alexander who has scleroderma and Rhnauds syndrome and my health. I have all this on my plate and yet you have put up with this and have had a lot
Community Events and Celebrations Q#aaq#inakc^is - >aaktuu>a - Joey Dennis’ – Memorial
Cliff Thomas and Auntie Helen Charleson, words alone can never express what your love and thoughtfulness has meant to me. Love you all so much. Thank you Wendy and Randy Atleo for being there and praying for God to be with us. And for the rides I needed when I was running late to go to the courthouse. Love you both so much! To Colleen and Mike Lambert for always being there to listen to me and for the rides to the courthouse, your friendship will always go a long way. To Phyllis Morretto for your continued support and also to Brian Deimert. Thank you to Auntie Agnes for listening and talking to me, inviting me for supper when you knew I was hurting. Also thank you for the ride to the courthouse. I love you so much Auntie. Thank you to the staff in Esperanza! Wendy, Ralph, Sharon, Dean, Kevin, Carol, Tim, Cindy, and my friend Julie. Thank you all for accepting my calls, your prayers always helped me to carry on with my day. Love you all! Thank you to Jemima and Bruce Martin for bringing Earvin and Shanelle to see me, especially when Heather had her baby. Kleco. Thank you goes out to my best friend, my mother, D. Shirley John. Thank you mom for the comfort, the support and for your helping hand. Thank you for looking after Cassidy whenever I needed you, so that I could listen in on Heather’s court. You’ve always been there for me Mom, through thick and thin. I never understood what you meant when you would try explain why you spoiled your grandchildren more than your own children. I understand now that I’m a gramma now. It tears my heart apart that I cannot be with my granddaughter. You’ve never judged my kids; you’ve always been there to listen. Your love goes, a long way Mom. You’re the true definition of what a mother and grandmother should be. You’ve never hurt or hated anyone and you’ve never ignored anyone regardless of what they’ve done. I love you for everything you’ve taught me and everything you’re still teaching me and my children today. I love you so much Mom, always! Thank you to those I missed, your name may have slipped my mind but it was not intentional. Kleco! God bless you all. From the bottom of my heart! Yours sincerely, Greta F. John and family of patience with me. I couldn’t have survived all this because of you. Terry I couldn’t imagine my life without you. I want you to know that I love you with all my heart and I appreciate your hugs and love you’ve given me. I hope you and I will be together for along time because I need you Terry (T.C.) Thanks honey ever so much. I love you T.C. Love c.c. (Cupcake) Trudy Rose Smith
The family of q#aaq#inakc^isit - late Joey Dennis will be having a >aaktuu>a (memorial feast) to put to rest our mourning and celebrate the life he lived! We the Dennis/Haipee Family invite you all to witness the ceremonies/events we have planned for this special day. Date: October 18 2003. This is an announcement of the date only we will be going around to various First Nations to formally invite in a traditional manner. If you would like to suggest a good day for our family to visit your Community during the summer, contact uut-sii (Rob Dennis JR) Cultural coordinator Huu-ay-aht First Nation @ Work (250) 728-3414 or Toll Free 1-888-644-4555, Home (250) 724-0169. Or Email c_c_huuayaht_first_nation@hotmail.com c^uu +eekoo - uutsii-cultural coordinator H.F.N.
There has been a change of date for Barry Wayne McCarthy (Bear) Memorial Potlatch from October 25 to November 29, 2003 at the Alberni Athletic Hall, starting at 12:00 noon. We would like to acknowledge the people that came close to us in the time of need. Hosts: Laura McCarthy and Johnny McCarthy Sr.
Mack Family Reunion October 11th 2003! Bring your tents, drums and good feelings RSVP REQUIRED The Toquaht Mack family is planning a reunion on the weekend of October 11th, 2003 in Ucluelet. It’s been too long since we all got together. The date is now set and would like people to bring their drums, bring your songs and of course bring the dancers! Volunteers for food and cooking urgently required. Suggestions and input greatly appreciated. Let’s make this an event to remember! We also require $10.00 donation towards the cost of the event. And please R.S.V.P the Toquaht Band Office. We would like to gather and renew family ties and new family members. We need to connect! Any members from the late Chief Cecil Mack our late grandmother Jesse Mack please contact via email. Gjmack@hotmail.com or phone the Toquaht Band office 1-877-726-4230 CLASSIFIEDS CONTINUED BOAT FOR SALE: 1992 - 25 foot Raider. Aluminum cabin, open fore and aft deck, adjustable outboat bracket, tandem galvanized trailer. $19,900 without engine, $29,900 with 2001 - 225 Merc Optimax. Call Roger Franceur 723-4005 BOATFOR SALE: MV Ropo – no license. 40’ fiberglass. Ex-freezer troller. Fully equipped. Freezer system only 2 years old. Harold Little (250) 670-2477. FOR SALE - 40’ Ex-troller and Spring nets made to order. Call Robert Johnson Sr. (250) 724-4799. FOR SALE: 2 cannon deep lines, used only one season. $400 each. 723-4374.
FOR SALE: Area "G" AI Troll License 37.5 ft. Contact Louie Frank Sr. at 250670-9573 or leave a message at the Ahousaht Administration Office at 250670-9563. FOR SALE: 25' Mark 7 Zodiac. Call Leo Manson at (250) 725-2662 for more information. CANOE BUILDING: Will build canoe, or teach how to build canoe. Call Harry Lucas 724-1494. FOR SALE: New & Used Barclay Sound Sockeye Nets. (250) 923-9864. FOR SALE: 38 1/2 ft “C” license $450.00 a foot. Donald Mundy (250) 720-5841.
Hi...I would like to thank the Ahousaht Band for helping my niece Christina Pritchard (my late sister Charlene Pritchard (Charlie) daughter) and her boyfriend Randy Staab, for helping them when they lost their daughter Miranda Charlene Staab. I have so much to thank. Thank you to all that donated money, thank you very much Auntie Ina, Lea Louie and Louie Frank for singing, my cousins Darlene and Dorothy, also my uncle Angus and Brenda and uncle Joe and his wife. It meant a lot to us to see you there everyday. Auntie Ina, brought back lots of memories, made me miss my late Uncle Percy, and how close he was to us. I would also like to say thank you to Lea for coming and sitting with the family and having laughs and cries also. Uncle Angus it meant very lots to us to have you here with us and for also talking on our behalf, thank you so much Uncle. I would like to thank Angie Pritchard, my niece, for just being there for you lil sister Christina. You reminded me so much of my sis Charlene. Just the way you are, just being so helpful. I know that must
have been very hard for you. Love you tons, both you and Christina. Thank you Lana and kids. Sugar, Charlie Tom for BBQ the fish, and whoever else done the cooking for us, was great, thanks. Lana you have taught your kids well. To be there to help cooking thanks so much to my grandkids. I would also like to say thank you to Rose Chester Nelson for coming all the way from Bella Coola just to be here with your cousins, thank you. I want to say thanks to Gordie Pritchard for giving life to my nieces Angie and Christina thank you, to you and your family Gordie and would like to thank Randy’s friends and family and thank you Shawna and Jena for standing by Chrissy, stay close, And thank you to my family Bernice, Albert, Marion, Elmer, Edgar, Frank, Bertha, Flo, Charlie and all the kids for staying by Chrissy and Randy in their time of loss. If I didn’t get your name on here it wasn’t intentional. I’m very grateful to all that was here, so Thank You All. From Ann Shears in LA. Smiles. (Langford Area). Later, take care all.
Arts FOR SALE: Native designed jewellery; silver, copper, gold engraving, stone setting. Contact Gordon Dick by phone 723-9401. FOR SALE: Carvings for sale. If you are interested in native carvings such as: coffee table tops, clocks, plaques, 6" totems, canoes, leave message for Charlie Mickey at 724-8609 or c/o Box 40, Zeballos, B.C. V0P 2A0 WANTED: Hide for school projects. Call Julia Landry @724-0512 (8-4pm weekdays). NATIVE BASKET WEAVING made by Kathy Edgar. Show case of all sizes of baskets. Weaving classes are held throughout the year. For more information phone 416-0529. Address box 863 – 8140 York Ave. Crofton, B.C. V0R 1R0. FOR SALE: Genuine Authentic basket weaving grass. Linda Edgar, phone 7544462. BASKET WEAVING FOR SALE: Grad Hat Regalia, Baskets, Weaving material, specializing in Maquinna Hat Earrings. Available to teach at conferences and workshops. Call Julie Joseph (250) 729-9819. FOR SALE: carved whale teeth, whale bones and bear teeth. WANTED: whale teeth, whalebones, mastodon ivory and Russian blue cobalt trade beads. Lv. msg. For Steve & Elsie John at 604-833-3645 or c/o #141-720 6th St, New Westminster BC V3L3C5. FOR SALE: Native painting. Call Bruce Nookemus (250) 728-2397 Whopultheeatuk - Sandra Howard, Mowachaht Cedar Weaver. Hats, Caps, Pouches, Baskets, Mats, and Roses for Sale. Price Negotiable. Barter or Trade. Ph: 250-283-7628. e-mail: oomek@hotmail.com.
Ha-Shilth-Sa - September 11, 2003 - Page 19 Miscellaneous
CLASSIFIEDS Automotive D&M AUTOCLEAN
Employment Wanted/ Services Offered
"WE'LL DO YOUR DIRTY WORK" Automobile cleaning and renewal. CARS - TRUCKS - RV'S - BOATS. 7429 Pacific Rim Highway. Phone 720-2211.
COU-U$ CA$H - Need Cash between paydays. We loan $100, $200, up to $500 dollars. 100% owned and operated by First Nations. Phone (250) 390-9225. Or (250) 741-6070 cel. 401 Harvey Road, Nanoose Bay, B.C. ANITA’S ALTERATIONS: Sewing, hems, etc., etc. Ph. 723- 8890. T.S.G. TRUCKING SERVICE: Moving And Hauling, Reasonable Rates. Tom Gus, 5231 Hector Road, Port Alberni, B.C. Phone: (250) 724-3975.
FOR SALE: 1 1999 Safari Van - 7 passenger, excellent condition - $12,000 (OBO). Contact (250) 726-7144 or fax (250) 726-2488. FOR SALE: MotoMaster Cartop Carrier. Good Condition. Offers, call 723-3880 WANTED: Digital speedometer for 1988 Olds Cutlass Supreme. Call 7239706, or 731-6222 Will do professional bodywork and painting. Over 10 years experience. Marcel Dorward (250) 720-0155 1989 Ford Econoline 17 passenger bus. Auto, runs great. $5500 obo
Employment Wanted /Services Offered
James Swan - Wih=ayaqa%ci*k Traditional Artist Original paintings, carvings (small totems and plaques). Wa>s^i>nis‘ prints and a few t-shirts available. Ph: (250) 670-2438, Cel: (250) 735-0790 Or e-mail wihayaqacik@yahoo.com
Jacko Graphics: First Nations Graphics. Specializing in Native Vinyl Decals. (Custom Made/All Sizes). All types of Native Graphics. Call Now! Celeste Jacko. www.decalmakers.homestead.com or Email: ladybrave05@hotmail.com
Room & Board (0pportunity): Looking for Adult tenants for August 1 and September 1, (3 available), Non-smoking & non-drinking Home. Located in Port Alberni (south), close to bus stop. Clean private room. Tenants must be clean & responsible. $350/month - Hydro, cable and Internet access included. (References Required). Call 250-7235503 for info. FOR SALE: SMOKED FISH, vacuum packed (by the sides), bags of Upsqwee. Call 250-724-6341.
+`um>k`a Advisory for Histories, Governance, and Constitutions (forming governments). contact Harry Lucas, at 724-1494. FREE LANGUAGE CLASSES: at Hupacasath Hall. Language Instructor Tat Tatoosh. Monday and Wednesday Nights. 7 pm to 9 pm. (Bring your own pen & paper). Parenting Skills for Parents & Tots. Fridays from 3 – 4 pm. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. cuu kleco. Edward Tatoosh, Certified Linguist. TSAWAAYUUS: SHARE YOUR TALENTS WITH YOUR ELDERS: Volunteers required for the following: 9Give demonstrations 9and/or teach basket weaving, carving, painting, etc. 9We also need cultural entertainment. Contact Darlene Erickson at 724-5655. WANTED: Nuu-chah-nulth women that would like to join my exciting team of Mary Kay Independent Sales, not pyramid. For more information please phone me, Rosalee Brown @ (250) 385-9906. FIRST AID TRAINING: Canadian Red Cross Certified First Aid Instructors Laverne and Alex Frank are available to teach First Aid to your group, office, or community. Classes can have up to 24 students. Phone (250) 725-3367 or (250) 7262604 for more information. NUU-CHAH-NULTH NATIVE LANGUAGE: Transcribing in phonetics - for meetings, research projects, personal use. Hourly rates. Phone Harry Lucas at 7245809. SWEEPY’S CLEANING SERVICES: Samantha Gus: Need some Cleaning done? Don’t have enough time? Good rates. Call 723-7645 or leave a message @ 724-2763. Windows, dishes, vacuuming, laundry, walls, shelves, etc. Custodial/ Janitorial certified. Commercial house keeping/ home making certified & Food safe. GROWING THE CIRCLE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP: Video / music / CD-Rom or DVD production, website design or enhancement, book publishing, public relations, marketing, and training. Top quality professional productions at very reasonable rates. Contact Randy Fred, 530 Cadogan Street, Nanaimo BC V9S 1T4; Tel. 250-741-0153; e-mail: randyfred@shaw.ca. Chuu! TOQUART BAY CONVENIENCE STORE: Open Year round! Located on Macoah Reserve. Status cigs available. (250) 726-8306. Shirley Mack Proprietor. MOUNTAIN BOY (2000) - FAST-FOOD TAKE-OUT: 1627C Peninsula Road, Ucluelet, B.C. Pizza, Chicken, Ribs & Ice Cream. Open 7 days a week from 11:30am - 10pm. Deliveries after 5:30pm. Tel: 7262221. Owners: Vi & Crystal Mundy. NITINAHT LAKE MOTEL: New Manager is Lucy Edgar. I can be reached at Office # - 250-745-3844, Home # 250-7456610, Fax # 250-745-3295. PO Box 160, Port Alberni, BC, V9Y 7M8.
HOUSE FOR SALE: Tseshaht members only. 2 bedroom. Call Al @ 7243215 for more information. HOUSE FOR SALE. 3-bdrm house with 3 bdrm basement suite. Close to all amenities. Fruit trees. 3909-9th Ave., Port Alberni. $95,000. Call 723-0308. HOUSE FOR SALE to TFN member on Esowista Reserve. Newly added 1 bdrm suite. Views of ocean & forest. Info: (250) 725-3482. PRICED TO SELL. 14 ft. X 70 ft. Princeton 1993 Mobile Home. 2 Bedroom, plus 12 ft. X 18 ft. addition, Located at Sproat Lake Mobile Home Park. Can be moved, relocated. By appointment only. NO AGENTS! Phone: 724-5290. WANTED: Medical Equipment such as wheelchairs etc. Can be dropped off at the Tseshaht Band Office. 5000 Mission Road, Port Alberni. Contact Gail K. Gus at 724-1225. FOR SALE: Beautiful Native Design Dress. New condition. Size 5-7. 7243049. FOR SALE: Custom built food cart with grill, deep fryer, sink, water pump, and lots of storage. 1 owner. $6500, obo. 7244383. FOR RENT: A non-profit organization has rooms to rent, by the day, week or month. Very reasonable rates for Room & Board. Also, there is a Boardroom available for rent. For more information phone 7236511. BOARDROOMS FOR RENT: At the Tseshaht Administrative Buildings, Port Alberni. For more information call the Tseshaht First Nations Office at (250) 7241225. WANTED: Serger Sewing Machine to buy. Please call 724-4987 WESTCOAST TRANSITION HOUSE EMERGENCY SHELTER: For Abused Women and their Children on call 24 hours toll free 1-877-726-2020. PORT ALBERNI TRANSITION HOUSE: Call 724-2223 or call the nearest local shelter or crisis center. HELP LINE FOR CHILDREN: 310-1234. FOR RENT: 3 bdrm Bsmt Suite, heat, hotwater, hydro, blinds, w/d hookup, f/s, phone incl., Port Alberni old hospital area. $750/month. Available Sept. 1st. Phone 723-0308. MISSING: White, toddler size Canucks jersey with “C. Little, #99” on back. Jersey of sentimental value taken from a Port Alberni home. Call 724-6434 or 7242935 with information. MISSING – 30 HP Yamaha. Any information please contact Boyd or Josh Fred at 723-5114 or 724-6491. Reward!
Employment Wanted / Services Offered Elegant Advantage Decorating and Catering Services Tracey Robinson @ home:723-8571, Margaret Robinson @ home:723-0789. We do all occasions: Weddings, Showers, Graduations, Banquets, Brunches, Dinners, * Super Host & Food Safe Certified* ADAY INDUSTRIAL SEWING: Ceremonial Curtains & Drum bags, Boat tops, Awnings, Custom Orders. Quality work @ the Best Prices on the Island! Free estimates. Christine & Luke Aday 7236956.
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N.E.D.C. BUSINESS NEWS
NEDC PROGRAMS & SERVICES NEDC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NEDC was incorporated to provide the Nuu-chah-nulth with ongoing access to commercial financing and a stable lending environment. To provide these services NEDC must identify potential sources of funding, make application to receive this funding and when successful make the funding available to its clients in the form of loans and contributions. The reporting and delivery processes involved in accessing these programs require a high level of integrity and accountability to both the clients and the government agencies. NEDC has been very successful in developing and maintaining partnerships with the various funding agencies and has earned a reputation as one of the three most successful Aboriginal financial institutions in Canada. The partnerships that the Corporation has formed provide its clients with the opportunity to access virtually all economic and business programs available in Canada through one source, NEDC. The programs and services offered by NEDC include: 1. Business Equity Program (BEP): part of the Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) Program the BEP provides a business equity contribution of up to a maximum $50,000. Contributions are strictly limited to the following four focus areas: tourism, technology, youth and innovation. You can apply on-line at abc-eac.ic.gc.ca. 2. Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) Program: provides business equity contributions for requests over $50,000. Contributions are strictly limited to the following four focus areas: tourism, technology, youth and innovation. You can apply on-line at abceac.ic.gc.ca. 3. General Business Loan Fund: this fund provides loans to all industry sectors and all sizes of business 4. Western Economic Diversification (WD): this is the funding agency for the Community Futures Program and provides loans and business support for small to mid-sized businesses 5. Persons With a Disability Program: small business loans for persons with a disability. This loan fund is meant to assist clients with any type of disability whether mental or physical by offering them a reduced equity requirement 6. First Citizen’s Fund: provides business loans to all industry sectors. The advantage to a First Citizen’s Fund loan is that it includes a 40% forgivable component to each loan. This fund has a lifetime maximum of $75,000 per person.
7. ABC/WD Youth Program: offering small business loans (to a maximum of $15,000), lower equity requirement, training and business counselling for youth ages 19 to 29 years inclusive. 8. ABC Youth Forgivable: a contribution applied to an ABC youth loan, this program forgives the last 25% of the loan. 9. NACCA Youth Program: offers small business loans to a maximum of $3,000 and a lower equity requirement to youth ages 15 to 29 years inclusive 10. NACCA Youth Training and Mentoring: a contribution program offering equity matching, mentoring, training and business counselling to youth from 15 to 29 ages of age inclusive 11. NTC Forgivable Loans: a program partnered with the NTC and offered only to Nuu-chah-nulth borrowers for NEW business loans. The forgivable loan component has a ceiling of $10,000 for individual and $25,000 for tribes. 12. Fisheries Fund: this partnership supports commercial fisheries related business loans by offering them both a reduced equity requirement and interest rate 13. Feasibility Studies and Business Planning: funds may be available to assist with large projects 14. Preferred Client Status: NEDC offers this status to clients we have dealt with for 3 years or more who have an excellent credit rating and demonstrated business viability. The benefit to the client includes a lower interest rate and a reduced requirement for project information. 15. Business Training: NEDC has a limited fund that is available to assist the business training needs of its clients. This can be used to help build the capacity of a business, upgrade skills and access new training. 16. FirstHost: a one-day customer service training program developed specifically for First Nation front line service givers. This program is available to all clients on a fee for service basis. 17. Community Economic Development: NEDC offers a variety of services in this area and actively seeks community input. Each year there are a number of business and or economic development workshops, conferences and training sessions held throughout the Nuu-chah-nulth region as well as community and/or group planning sessions. All loans and programs are subject to NEDC eligibility criteria. If you are interested in starting, purchasing and/or expanding a business please do not hesitate to visit our office at 7563 Pacific Rim Highway, give us a phone call at (250) 724-3131 or visit our website at www.nedc.info, our staff will be pleased to assist you.
Each year, as required by the Corporations Directorate, the NEDC Board of Directors hold an Annual General Meeting to review and accept their audited financial statements and appoint an auditor. This year’s NEDC AGM was held on August 23rd at the Huu-ay-aht Treaty office in Port Alberni Cory McIntosh of Degruchy Norton & Company presented the audited financial statements to the Board, highlighting areas of change – new loan fund programs, fund growth and program completions, etc. Cory also informed the Board that Degruchy Norton & Company were giving NEDC a clean audit. The audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2002/2003 showed positive growth for the Corporation in all their loan portfolios: youth, fishing, forestry, disability and the general loan fund – meaning our clients have access to larger loan funds.
The audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2002/2003 showed positive growth for the Corporation in all their loan portfolios: youth, fishing, forestry, disability and the general loan fund – meaning our clients have access to larger loan funds. The Board of Directors accepted the audit and passed a motion making
Degruchy Norton & Company the NEDC auditors for the fiscal year 2003/2004. The NEDC Board of Directors is the governing body for the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation. Its members are comprised of one representative from each the fourteen Nuuchah-nulth Tribes, an NTC Co-chair and a possible four members-at-large. The current Board membership is as follows:
THE NEDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pamela Webster – Ahousaht Jeff Cook – Huu-ay-aht Jerry Jack – Mowachaht/Muchalaht Charlie Cootes – Uchucklesaht (vice-chair) Andy Amos – Fishers’ Representative Arlene John – Ehattesaht Caroline Michael – Nuchatlaht Gale Johnsen – Toquaht Ida Mills – Ditidaht Barb Audet – Tla-o-qui-aht Chris Jules – Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tkes7et’h’ Darleen Watts – Tseshaht (chairperson) Vi Mundy – Ucluelet Brenda Read – Hupacasath Simon Lucas – Hesquiaht David Dennis – NTC Co-chair
Logo Contest for Aboriginal Youth sponsored by The Aboriginal Business Services Network Secretariat We are inviting Aboriginal Artists, up to the age of 30 years, to submit a Logo Design for the Aboriginal Business Services Network (ABSN) in B.C. The Aboriginal Business Services Network Secretariat would like to adopt a logo with an Aboriginal concept that reflects our mission, diversity, culture and activities. The Aboriginal Business Services Network is a Secretariat whose mandate is:
to assist Aboriginal people realize their economic goals by improving access to and use of business information and services The activities of the ABSN include; maintaining an Aboriginal Website (www.firstbusiness.ca ), establishing Aboriginal reach sites, leveraging resources, strengthening partnerships and linkages, facilitating the exchange of information, building community capacity and participating in national initiatives with an economic development component. A $500 design fee will be awarded to the winning artist upon he or she signing a contract giving exclusive rights of the design to the ABSN. The artist will also be invited, as a guest of the ABSN, to the public announcement of the ABSN Website. The B.C. Aboriginal Business Services Network Secretariat was convened under the Federal Sponsorship of Western Economic Diversification to plan and implement the ‘Aboriginal Business Services Network’ in B.C.
TO ENTER Submit designs by September 30, 2003 to Arnold Adolph, ABSN Coordinator Suite 880 – 355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 2G8
Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation 7563 Pacific Rim Highway, (next door to Tseshaht Market) Office Hours: MON - FRI: 8 am to 12 pm, 1 pm to 4:30 pm, SAT, SUN, & HOLIDAYS: CLOSED
The purpose of NEDC is to promote and assist the development, establishment and expansion of the business enterprises of the Tribes and Tribal members of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.