Special Features - National Aboriginal Day 2015

JUNE 21 l a n o i t Na y a d l a n i g i r o Ab Honouring the Heritage and Cultures of Aboriginal Peoples WESTERN FOREST PRODUCT

National Aboriginal day

HAPPY ABORIGINAL DAY!

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Photos by Todd Peacey

y a d l l a a n i n g o i i r t o Na Ab

O

n June 21, you and all your friends are invited to a very special celebration!

That date, the first day of summer, has been chosen as National Aboriginal Day. It’s an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the cultural richness and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

Why June 21? Well, on that day, for centuries, many of the first inhabitants would celebrate the arrival of the warm weather and the pleasures of the summer solstice. The summer solstice is the day of the year with the longest light. It is a day with spiritual significance for many people and is a good time to celebrate Aboriginal people and cultures.

The growing recognition of Aboriginal rights in Canadian law led to calls for greater recognition of the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canadian society. Shortly after the adoption of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood, the leading body representing First Nations in Canada, called for the creation of a yearly “National Aboriginal Solidarity Day” on June 21. Pressure for a national day of recognition continued to grow during the following decade as new ways were sought to bridge the divide between Aboriginal peoples and Canadians,

especially in the wake of the 1990 Oka Crisis. In 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a “National First Peoples Day” as a way to focus attention on the history, achievements and contributions of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

This message was repeated later that year during the Sacred Assembly, a national conference chaired

by Elijah Harper, which called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples.

On June 13, 1996, after considerable consultation with Aboriginal organizations, June 21 was officially declared National Aboriginal Day. Since its inauguration, National Aboriginal Day has become part of the annual nationwide Celebrate Canada! festivities held from June 21 to July 1. June 21 was chosen because of the cultural significance of the summer solstice and because many Aboriginal groups mark this day as a time to celebrate their heritage. Setting aside a day for Aboriginal peoples is part of the wider recognition of their important place within the fabric of Canada and the ongoing contributions to Canadian society made by First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

National Aboriginal Day is for all Canadians, so share in the celebration!

Agenda Laichwiltach Family Life Society invites you to

Come Celebrate

Aboriginal Day on June 21, 2015

10:00 am Big House 11:30 Walk to Spirit Square 12:00 to 1:30 Lunch served 12:00 to 4:30 Spirit Square Entertainment, Bounce-o-rama, crafters, face painters, crafts, games

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National Aboriginal day Unique Training Program Inspires Career Success The unemployment rate for the working-age Aboriginal population is more than twice the rate for other Canadians of the same age, and it’s even higher for those living on reserves – especially remote First Nations communities such as Ahousaht in the Clayoquot Sound.

The Ahousaht Nation has 25 reserve sites within the nation’s territories, the largest being on Flores Island, all accessible only by floatplane or boat.

With over 2,000 members, Ahousaht Nation is the largest of the Nuu-chahnulth nations, and the largest single nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Approximately one third of Ahousaht live within Ahousaht traditional territories.

Cermaq Canada, B.C.’s second largest salmon farming company with 27 sea sites around Vancouver Island, has had a protocol agreement with Ahousaht for more than a decade. The agreement was renewed, and broadened, in 2010 with a goal of working together to develop a sustainable salmon aquaculture business, incorporating Ahousaht’s respect for and balance among all living things. One of the cornerstones of the partnership is to collectively develop aquaculture training programs for Ahousaht people that lead to long-term, well paying, year-round employment.

Cermaq and Ahousaht have partnered with Excel Career College to deliver a unique Aquaculture Technician Diploma Program. One of the most important keys to the success of the program is that it does not require students to travel to larger centres like Nanaimo and Campbell River, but rather takes place in the remote communities with customized curriculum for each community to effectively train students, preparing them for the realities of the job.

In order to give the students the best possible education in their remote communities, the Excel team tries to hire a liaison and some instructors from within each First Nations band. As part of the curriculum, they have elders and cultural leaders speak specifically to the students about bringing their culture to the workplace, and the adaptations they might experience – encouraging them to move forward.

The entire program (six months of training plus a practicum) is geared towards the job – what happens on the job, what it feels like on the job, and how to respond to situations on the job. It’s very specific to what the students will encounter working in the aquaculture industry in British Columbia.

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CELEBRATING ABORIGINAL DAY

Interfor honours the cultures and values of our First Nations partners. We look forward to continuing our work together to build value by supporting a healthy economy and environment.

National Aboriginal day “We have worked with some amazing students delivering this program, and are proud to say we have a hiring success rate of over 95% for students upon graduation,” said Pauline Stevenson, founding President of Excel Career College. “By delivering the program in their community, working with local people, and tailoring it directly to the job we’ve managed to put great people to work in rewarding careers.”

One of the recent graduates, Beau Campbell, in his early 20s from Ahousaht is a perfect example. He was struggling to find full-time, long-term employment, having worked at a fish plant in Ucluelet and as a water taxi driver in the summer. He didn’t want to worry any more about where he would be next week, or next month – he wanted a stable job – so he decided to take the program because he has friends in the industry. It wasn’t until Beau was on his practicum at a Cermaq farm near Tofino that he realized the importance of the classes he was taking and how prepared he was to be on the job.

“It’s something that I could see myself doing and maybe keep climbing the ladder to better my position with the company,” said Campbell.

His advice to anyone entering the program is to “show up and have a mind ready to learn. If you put your mind to it then there’s nothing holding you back from finishing the program and getting a good job.”

Since its inception, the program has changed slightly, adapting to different recommendations based on changes in the industry. The fundamentals, however, have stayed the same from day one – training for the job to ease the transition into employment with some of the industry’s most recognized companies, such as Cermaq Canada, Grieg Seafood, Marine Harvest Canada, Creative Salmon, Robertson Creek Hatchery, AKVA Group North America and Seed Science.

“Cermaq Canada’s commitment is to provide opportunities for employment in the remote communities, while supporting training and education for First Nation and community partners,” said Laurie Jensen, Communications & Corporate Sustainability Manager. “Programs such as

these are extremely valuable as they provide the necessary skills to succeed on the job.”

So far the program has been offered by Grieg Seafood and Muchalaht First Nation in Tsaxana, Cermaq Canada and the Ahousaht First Nation, and Marine Harvest and the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw First Nation in Port Hardy but, as the aquaculture industry continues to expand, Excel is looking to forge more partnerships with other First Nation bands.

“It seems that between growth, attrition, and upward mobility we haven’t even come close to filling the need in the industry for trained, certified employees,” said Stevenson. “We expect to take the program on the road so we’re ready to go almost at the drop of a hat.”

What it comes down to is that the program acts as a conduit for the students to see what they’re capable of, which then fuels a drive to succeed and pursue their aspirations.

Laichwiltach Family Life Society invites you

Come Celebrate Aboriginal Day on June 21, 2015 Agenda 10:00 am Big house 11:30 am Walk to Spirit Square 12:00 to 1:30 Lunch served 12:00 to 4:30 Spirit Square Entertainment, bouncerama, crafters, face painters, crafts,games

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for 12 years of taking the lead in organizing a collaborative approach for National Aboriginal Day

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or more than 4,000 years, First Nations people have cultivated many different kinds of corn. For example, by the 1500s, the Iroquois were already growing 150 varieties of corn, which were used for food and trade.

This grain that we find so frequently on our plates was the very basis of the First Nations diet for a very long time.

Pumpkins, squash and beans have also been

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grown for a very long time in our country. Also, small fruits like raspberries, blueberries and wild cherries.

All these foodstuffs enabled Aboriginal people to prepare some delicious dishes. On June 21, why not celebrate National Aboriginal Day by enjoying a traditional meal?

You could try to prepare a complete meal, or maybe just your favourite recipe.

Gigo-kiniginige (Salmon chowder) A Sechelt recipe. 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

4 big cattail roots diced, and cooked in butter (The cattail roots may be replaced by 2 cups [500 ml] of chopped leeks sautéed in a bit of butter and vegetable oil and then simmered for 15 minutes.)

5 cups (1.25 L) of water 1 1/4 lb (675 g) of fresh salmon cut into large pieces 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) pepper 2 tsp (9 ml) sea salt

Method:

Simmer the cattail roots in water for 40 minutes. Add the other ingredients and let simmer for another 10 minutes.

Fried Bannock

A Métis recipe. 6 servings

Ingredients: 3 cups (750 ml) sifted flour 1 tsp (5 ml) salt 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) baking powder

Water Vegetable oil or lard

Method:

Mix half of the flour with the remaining dry ingredients. Add water until the mixture becomes thick, like paper maché paste. Add more flour until the dough feels like a soft earlobe. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Break off small pieces of the dough, and flatten each to the size of your palm. Place the pieces in the hot oil. Turn over after 3–4 minutes, or when golden brown. Place the bannock on a paper towel to soak up the excess grease. Serve plain or with maple syrup or blueberry jam.

Happy Aboriginal Day from Fusilli Grill Come Celebrate Tradition with us!

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Celebrating First Nations, Inuit and Métis heritage and culture on National Aboriginal Day

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Behind the gold veil Rande Cook Closing Reception + Artist Talk moderated by Andrea Walsh (U.Vic)

Thursday June 25, 7PM 1235 Shoppers Row

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National Aboriginal day SASAMAN’S SOCIETY

Overview of Sasamans Society

Sasaman’s Society would like to take this time to acknowledge Laichwiltach Family Life Society’s years of commitment in taking the lead role in organizing Campbell River’s Aboriginal Day events at the Spirit Square. They bring many organizations and First Nation bands together to do the planning. Our team gladly participates and contributes to the day.

Sasamans provides advocacy services to youth and families who are involved with the child welfare and/or youth justice system.

We help our clients find their voice and ensure they are aware of their rights and all the resources that are available to them.

SASAMAN’S SOCIETY: 680 Head Start Crescent, Campbell River, BC

Ph: 250-914-2212 · www.sasamans.ca

Sasamans Society’s vision is to strengthen our children and families in a community-driven and culturally appropriate manner. In the Kwak’wala language, Sasamans means “our children”; the society’s name reflects our intention to listen, acknowledge and honour the voices of the communities that we serve. Sasamans is supported and guided by the Board of Directors (BOD), comprised of 16 community representatives from our partnering communities and organizations.

Sasamans was funded through Ministry of Child & Family Development under the Indigenous Approach to co-develop creative traditional service delivery models that meets the needs of our communities.

The work undertaken by Sasamans is designed to identify the gaps in service and complement the Aboriginal Urban agencies and/or First Nations Bands.

A Proud Supporter of Aboriginal Day!

We measure our accomplishments by the success we achieve in balancing our limited resources with the needs of the communities we serve. We do this by identifying high priority COMMON needs across our various communities.

Proud to celebrate the unique heritage of First Nations peoples in Canada

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TEL: (250) 286-0074

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