Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations Nations
October October 12 12 2010 2010
BAND OFFICE
NEWS Find out what’s happening in the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Band Office and community!
Deadline for next newsletter: October 22 E-mail submissions to jessieh@gwanakplan.org
CONTENTS p2 p3 p4
Staff Contact Information
From the Band Manager’s Desk
Elders’ Update & Schedule
Staff Updates p5-6 p7 p8 p9
Treaty Public Works CCP Forestry
Miscellaneous p10-11 Eke Me-Xi Sign Unveiling p12-14 Visit to Royal BC Museum p15-17 Job Postings p18-19 Colouring p20 Calendar
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a sign of the times
On Friday, October 1st, there was a celebration at the Eke Me-Xi School to unveil their new school sign. The Eke Me-Xi School used to be in the low buildings right beside the Elders’ Centre, but now they are in the old college building. To make it easier to find them, and to celebrate the school, they got past student Raymond Walkus to design a sign for the new Eke Me-Xi building. (Continued on Page 10)
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Staff Contact Info The Band Office News is prepared by Jessie Hemphill, Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Executive Assistant and Communications Coordinator. This newsletter is delivered to all houses on the Tsulquate Reserve every second Week. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, contact Jessie at 949-8343 or e-mail jessieh@gwanakplan.org.
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Band Office
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Band Office Front Desk: (250) 949-8343 Fax: (250) 949-7402 Les Taylor, Band Manager manager@gwanak.info / 902-2307 Margaret Bernard, Finance finance@gwanak.info / 902-2308 Conrad Browne, Economic Development ecdev@gwanak.info / 902-2301 Pat Dawson, Social Development patriciad@gwanak.info / 902-2309 Colleen Hemphill, Treaty colleenh@gntreaty.org / 949-8424 Jessie Hemphill, Communications & Exec. Assistant jessieh@gwanakplan.org / 949-8343 Lorna Henderson, Housing housing@gwanak.info / 902-2303 Grace Smith, Education education@gwanak.info / 902-2320 Ted Stevens, Forestry forestry@gwanak.info / 949-8393 Elisha Taylor-Child, Native Courtworker etaylor-child@nccabc.ca / 902-2223 Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Elders Centre Front Desk: (250) 949-7406 Silena George, Elders’ Coordinator silenag@gntreaty.org Crystal Walkus, Treaty Resource Assistant crystalw@gntreaty.org Natasha Walkus, Treaty Resource Assistant natashaw@gntreaty.org
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Health & Family Services Front Desk: (250) 949-8131 Sandra Charlie, Health Director scharlie@gwanakhealth.info / 902-2286
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
From The Band Manager’s Desk
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here have been no council meetings for the last couple of weeks. The primary reason for no council meetings is no quorum established (Not enough council members present.) It is very hard to maintain any sense of effective governance when we can’t get enough council members present for our council meetings. This has been an ongoing problem. Council members who are elected have a duty to ensure that council meetings are attended. I do recognize however work commitments. Since my tenure as your band manager, this problem has been consistent and regular. Our funding proposals to Coast Opportunity Funds have been approved. They are our Economic Development and Stewardship Proposals. We are meeting to ensure our target dates are met for reports, plans, meetings, etc. We are trying to get the Elders Building renovations done to the kitchen. We hopefully will have that completed by December. The Elk meat from last year is being delivered to individual households.
We have applied for some emergency funds to fix our bridge. I took it upon myself to get some of the work done prior to getting any funds due to the children jumping down on the logs under the bridge. I was worried the they might fall in and get stuck underneath the logs, roots and debris. Our fall cleanup will be announced shortly and I’m hoping to see you all out there helping to clean up our village!!
Les Taylor, Band Manager 3
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Elders Update For those of you that are wondering about the clean-up fee when you rent the Elders’ Centre: There is no janitor for the centre. After an event, either the elders’ come in to clean and get compensated for their time, or I have to hire someone to come in and thoroughly clean, disinfect, do the floors, etc. This is in the building policy, which I can give you a copy of if you have any other questions about using the Elders’ Centre. Also, thank you to all the people who have been renting it and respecting the policy, we really appreciate it!
Silena George, Elders Coordinator
Elders Schedule Tues. Oct. 12
Wed. Oct. 13
Evening
Afternoon
Morning
Mon. Oct. 11
1-4pm Drop-in Exercise Session
12 noon Elders’ Lunch Meeting 6pm 6pm Singing at Button Sacred Wolf Blanket Friendship making at Centre Sacred Wolf
Thurs. Oct. 14
Fri.
8am 1-3pm Preparing for catered Bakwamgala Tea & lunch Conversation Group 1-4pm Drop-in Exercise Oct. 15 GN School Oct. 22 Elders Centre Session Oct. 29 GN School Nov 12 Elders Centre Nov. 19 GN School Dec. 3 Elders Centre Dec. 10 GN School 4
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Treaty Update Your Questions, Answered! We are receiving many questions from community members about Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw treaty negotiations. Here are some answers to questions we have heard so far. Q: Will I lose my status if we vote in favour of a Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Treaty? A: No, all members who have status before Treaty will still have status after Treaty. There are two main differences. Firstly, status members will continue to benefit from all programs and services available to status Indians, but the G-N Government may take over the delivery of some of those programs and services. Secondly, if the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Treaty no longer provides a tax exemption, tax exemptions for status Indians on reserve will be phased out for G-N members. Other Treaties recently concluded in BC phase out income and sales tax exemptions in eight to twelve years. Taxation is a complex issue under negotiation. The Taxation Chapter in the Treaty and taxation agreements outside the Treaty will set out how many taxation issues will work, such as who the First Nation Government can collect taxes from, First Nation Government tax exemptions and how the First Nation Government will be taxed. Q: Will I lose benefits and health and education funding if we vote for a Treaty? A: No, there is a standard clause in all Treaties stating that members are eligible for all programs that are available to status Indians outside of Treaties. You will still receive the same basic health, education and other funding and programs. The only difference will be if G-N takes over administering these programs. G-N will have the option to take over these programs and allocate the funding in the way that makes most sense to the community. If G-N takes over specific programs and services, some of the funding formulas or criteria may change but the basic funding will still be there. If you would like more information, or if you have questions about Gwa’sala‘Nakwaxda’xw treaty negotiations that you would like answered, please contact Natasha Walkus or Crystal Walkus, our Treaty Resource Assistants, at natashaw@gntreaty.org or crystalw@gntreaty.org (or you can find them at the Elders’ Centre in the morning on weekdays).
Colleen Hemphill, Chief Treaty Negotiator
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Treaty Timeline Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw •had established governance structure •control and jurisdiction over lands, seas and resources - “ownership”
Precontact
1993 Initiation of Treaty Process
Contact
Federal and Provincial Governments •“assume” control over lands, resources, monitary, lawmaking •“assimilation” policy
“Douglas” Treaties
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw •way of life and governance largely controlled through “Indian Act” and Department of Indian Affairs •reserve lands held by Federal Gov’t “in trust”
Establishment of Reserves
Court Cases •Canadian courts rule that Federal and Provincial Governments’ assumptions of power are not legally established •must share power with First Nations •how power to be shared best defined through negotiation
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw •G&N governance structure defined by G&N •control and jurisdiction over lands, seas and resources defined in Treaty
Initiation of Treaty Process
2010 Land and Agreement Land and G&N 2008 G&N Separate Cash Offer in Principle Cash Offer Treaty Treaty Separate voted on and Treaty voted on G&N Lands G&N Treaty Process document Negotiations Finalized
G&N Treaty
Treaty Implemenation
TRIVIA j j More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes Oranges, lemons, watermelons, and tomatoes are berries. The plant life in the oceans make up about 85 percent of all the greenery on the Earth. Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day. An albatross can sleep while it flies. It apparently dozes while cruising at 25 mph. 6
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Public Works Update Emergency Preparedness Meeting Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 at Wakas Hall kitchen Start at 1:00 p.m. WE NEED AT LEAST 8-10 DEDICATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO BE THERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY WHEN DISASTER HITS. Cardboard Recycling You can either burn it or take it to the bins by the municipal office in town. Do your part in helping to keep our community green! Street Lights
If you see any that are burnt out please notifiy me at 230-0087, thank you. The Chlorine reading for this week is 0.56.
I am currently finishing off the staining of the Eke-me-xi and College buildings and will, in the next while, be putting up a fence near two fire hydrants (#3 and #4) to protect them from being bumped. After those two projects are completed I would like to do my survey on fire extinguishers/smoke alarms of all homes in our community.
Bob Swain, Public Works
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Forestry Update There was a recent Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) done at Burnt Island Harbour in Smith Inlet. An AIA is when an archaeologist, usually with a Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw community member, surveys an area where there might be bark-stripped trees, grave sites, old village sites, etc. They record anything culturally important that they see, and create an AIA report. A copy of this report goes to our band, a copy goes to whoever requested the survey, and the results go to the provincial Archaeology branch. Here are some pictures of Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs) from the Burnt Island Harbour AIA. Harry Puglas and Jonathan Walkus helped the archaeologist Ginelle Taylor to do this AIA.
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Eke-Me-Xi School Sign Unveiling (Continued from Page 1)
Lots of people came to show their support for the school and students. Spruce Wamiss said a prayer and offered some advice to the students to “use your heart knowledge, not your head knowledge”. The students, dressed in traditional regalia, sang a song composed by Walter Brown for the school. Kaleb Child and Malcolm Fleeton both shared some thoughts with the group on behalf of School District #85 Teachers Leah Hubbard and Stephanie Nelson made heartfelt speeches about how much they love working with the students. Then everybody went outside into the street and the students did a Tla’sala dance and a fun dance. It was a lot of fun, congratulations to Eke Me-Xi on your new sign! 10
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010 Clockwise, starting below: 1. Walter Brown leading a song he composed for the school. 2. Malcolm Fleeton, Vice Principal of PHSS 3. Leah Hubbard, Raymond Walkus and Steph Nelson 4. & 5. Students from EkeMe-Xi shared their singing and dancing with the assembled crowd
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
the Royal BC Museum The Royal BC Museum (RBCM) is near Victoria’s inner harbour, right next to the government buildings. The IMAX museum in Victoria is in the same building as the museum. Many of you might have seen the museum’s exhibit on the First Peoples of British Columbia, which shows many tools, baskets, artifacts, totem poles, etc. from our culture and others across BC. What you may not know is that there are thousands of other items in storage in the museum’s ‘behind the scenes’ collections. These are items that they don’t have the space to display or have chosen not to display. Last week on October 6th I got the chance to take a look at where those ‘behind the scenes’ items are kept. (by Jessie Hemphill) 12
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
The week before my museum trip I was preparing to go to Duncan for a workshop. and I thought it would be great to go down to the museum and look at the Gwa’sala and ‘Nakwaxda’xw items they have in their collections so I could take pictures for the newsletter.
Brian Seymour showing how the baskets are stored
I sent an e-mail to the museum’s receptionist, who put me in touch with Brian Seymour, a staff member at the RBCM. We sent several emails back and forth and settled on a good time for me to meet with him. He also told me about a database on the RBCM website, where you can type in the name of your community or cultural group and find pictures and information for items that are from that community or cultural group. (See instructions on the next page for accessing the database yourself!)
When I showed up at the museum on Thursday I had to sign in and get a pass for going into the collections part of the museum. There are three main parts that you can visit: • Ethnology, which has items from 1880 to the present, although some may be a little older. Martha Black and Brian Seymour work in this section. • Anthropological Photographs, which is run by Dan Savard. You have seen many of these photographs around our community, such as the two in the Gwa’sala’Nakwaxda’xw School of Takush and Ba’as. • Archaeology, which is run by Grant Keddie and Martina Steffen. This is where they keep items older than 1880, such as arrowheads, shell tools, and even human remains (although they try and contact the families so that human remains can be returned.) are drawers full of items careThey keep the items in the collec- There fully placed in their own foam trays tions in protected conditions. For example, the bentwood boxes are on plywood trays so that if you want to take one out and look at it, you can lift it with the tray and not touch the box itself. You have to wear rubber gloves when you touch the items, and many of them are wrapped in plastic. Woven hats have little pillows inside them Cedar bark, fur, blankets, and other to keep the shape of the hat. Masks with beaks that open are fragile materials are placed in plastic kept with the beak tied, and they try to keep them covered. They or other protective materials are very sensitive about the sacredness of these masks, and I was not allowed to take any pictures with a mask in it, not even in the background.
Everybody that I met at the museum was very nice and I would like to thank them for being so helpful. 13
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
(Royal BC Museum Cont...) IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT THEY HAVE IN STORAGE: 1. Go to the website [ www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca ] 2. Go to the button that says “Search Our Collection” on the left of the page, and under “New Search Engine” click on “Ethnology” 3. You will see a page with a bunch of boxes where you can type stuff in - Beside “Culture” you can search for Kwakwaka’wakw - Beside “Cultural Group” you can search for ‘Nakwaxda’xw (try spelling it Nakwoktak) or Gwa’sala (try spelling it Gwasilla) - Beside “Community” you can search for Smith Inlet, Blunden Harbour, or Takush IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE RBCM AND LOOK AT ITEMS: 1. Contact Brian Seymour at bseymour@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or call him at (250) 387-2440 at least two weeks before you plan to visit.
Brian Seymour
2. If you have internet access, it’s a good idea to go on the website mentioned above, and get the catalogue numbers for the individual items you want to look at. If you give these numbers to Brian he can take the items out for you to look at all at once. Otherwise they are all over the place in drawers and cupboards, and it will take a long time to find them all.
IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE RBCM AND LOOK AT ARCHIVAL PHOTOS: 1. Contact Dan Savard at dsavard@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or call him at (250) 387-2434 at least two weeks before you plan to visit. 2. Up to ten people at a time can go to the place where the photos are stored and look at them. Really, though, there is space for 3-4 people to be comfortable.
Archival Photo of Takush
IF YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT Archaeology AT THE RBCM: 1. Contact Martina Steffen at msteffen@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or call her at (250) 387-2499 at least two weeks before you plan to visit. 2. They are really good about getting the remains back to their families for burial, and have been doing this for a long time. Martina Steffen
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Job Postings from Service Canada & NIEFS Job Title: Early Childhood Education Worker Employer: Kwigwis Day Care Location: Port Hardy Terms of Employment: Full Time Salary: Depends on Experience Other Information: Mon-Fri Team player, provide/ maintain safe healthy environment for children,appropriate activities, snacks, cleanup. Respect ethics,confidentiality, work within flexible schedule.Require ECE; prefer with IT cert. Requires current Childsafe First Aid, criminal record check, TB test, immun. Dr. note of health, 2 personal ref, good communication skills. To apply: Bring cover letter, resume and references to Betty Jean Dziekan 99A Tsakis Way, Fort Rupert Box 1440 Pt. Hardy, BC V0N 2P0 Fax: 949-9015 Closing Date: October 15, 2010
Job Title : Second-Class Power Engineer Employer: Halliwell Consulting (Placement Agency) Full/Part-Time : Permanent, Full Time, On Call, Shift, Overtime Location : Port Hardy Salary : $100,000.00 to $120,000.00 Yearly for 40 hours per week, Bonus, Gratuities, Other Benefits, Medical Benefits, Dental Benefits, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance Benefits, Group Insurance Benefits, Pension Plan Benefits Details : Need Post-secondary training (college, certificate, etc.) 3 -5 years experience, specialization in Heating, Ventilation, Light and power. To Apply Contact Chris Halliwell by Fax: (866) 569-8215 or by E-mail: jobs@halliwellconsulting.com Closing Date: October 23, 2010
www.niefs.net/jobbank
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Job Title: Cuberman Employer: Gold Band Shake and Shingle Ltd. Location: Port Hardy Terms of Employment: Full Time Salary: Depends on Experience Other Information: Cube and grade cedar blocks into shakes. Must be experienced and fit, with a strong back. Require steel toe safety boots. Will start Oct 25. To apply: Contact Bruce Evans: Phone 250-902-1009 Fax: 250-949-2689
Job Title : Process server (Enforcement Officer (red-light violation tickets)) Employer: Dye & Durham Corporation Full/Part-Time : Casual, Part Time, Weekend, Day, Evening Location : Port Hardy Salary : Piece Work, Commission Details : Need High School Graduation, Criminal Record Check, and Drivers’ License. Must not have outstanding debts to ICBC. To Apply By Mail: 620 Royal Avenue, suite 10 / New Westminster, BC / V3M 1J2 By Fax: (604) 713-7275 By E-mail: jobs@dyedurhambc.com Closing Date: November 5, 2010
Job Title : Cook Employer: Quatsino Chalet Holdings Ltd. Full/Part-Time : Permanent, Full Time, Weekend, Day, Evening Location : Port Alice Salary : $14.00 Hourly for 40 hours per week, Other Benefits, Medical Benefits Details : Need some High School, 1 to 2 years of cooking experience. The restaurant of our hotel serves both Canadian and Chinese food. Experience in both Canadian and Chinese cooking is required. Salary is negotiable depending on experience. Room and board provided, must have own transportation. To Apply By Mail: 1111 Neigi Street, suite Box 10 / Port Alice, BC / V0N 2N0 By Fax: 250) 284-3383 By E-mail: ericashshum@gmail.com Closing Date: November 5, 2010 www.niefs.net/jobbank
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Job Title: Home Maker Employer: Quatsino First Nation Location: Coal Harbour Terms of Employment: Part Time Salary: Depends on Experience Other Information: Quatsino First Nation (Northern Vancouver Island) is looking for an outgoing, cheerful person to provide home making services (mostly cleaning) to several clients living on reserve. Experience working with Elders preferred. To apply: Contact Angelika Starr, Health Director, astarr@quatsinofn.ca fax:250-949-9224 Job Title: School Bus Driver Employer: School District 85 Location: Port Hardy/ Port McNeill Terms of Employment: Casual Salary: $22.56/hr Other Information: On call school bus drivers needed for Port McNeill/Hardy area. Must have clean Drivers Abstract, Class 2 license with air brake end. Willing to train for Class 2. North Island College offers air brake course. For more info contact Randy Ball 949-8155 Ext. 222 To apply: Applications available from NI schools or SD 85 office or online at www.sd85.bc.ca. Job Title: Custodian On Call Employer: School District 85 Location: Port Hardy/ Port McNeill Terms of Employment: Casual Salary: $20.52/hr Other Information: On call custodian required for Pt.Hardy and Pt.McNeill schools. Experience preferred. Job requires good health and stamina to perform a variety of routine cleaning tasks. Subject to criminal record check. Contact Randy for more info. To apply: Applications available from NI schools or SD 85 office or online at www.sd85.bc.ca.
www.niefs.net/jobbank
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
Colour Me!
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Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations
October 12 2010
OCTOBER CALENDAR Sun
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Sat
Oct. 10
Oct. 11
Oct. 12
Oct. 13
Oct. 14
Oct. 15
Oct. 16
Thanksgiving Monday
6pm Singing at Sacred Wolf
10am Council 1pm Emergency 1-3pm Meeting Planning Meeting Bakwamgala Tea @ @ Wakas Hall GN School 12noon Kitchen Elders’ Lunch GN Time Sheets Meeting 1-4pm DropDue in Exercise @ Closing Date for Elders’ Centre ECE Job Posting!
Oct. 17
Oct. 18
Oct. 19
1-4pm Drop-in Exercise @ Elders’ Centre
Oct. 24 Billy Williams Memorial Soccer Tournament
Oct. 25
1-4pm Drop-in Exercise @ Elders’ Centre
Oct. 20
Oct. 21
Oct. 22
10am Council Meeting
1-4pm Dropin Exercise @ Elders’ Centre
1-3pm Bakwamgala Tea @ Elders’ Centre Band Office News Deadline
Oct. 26
Oct. 27
10am Council Meeting
Oct. 28
Oct. 29
Oct. 23 Billy William Memorial Soccer Tournament Closing for SecondClass Power Engineer Job Posting! Oct. 30
1-4pm Drop1-3pm in Exercise @ Bakwamgala Tea @ Elders’ Centre GN School 3-5pm Pumpkin Carving @ Wakas Hall GN Time Sheets Due
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