Feb. 26, 2009 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 9
Polar bears spotted in Hesquiaht territory In February, a few of the children and staff of Hesquiaht huuhtiksiihuwit Place of Learning participated in a fundraiser to benefit the Heart & Stroke Foundation of British Columbia. Staff member Nathan Tom was instrumental in organizing the event. Tom pointed out the number of Nuuchah-nulth people who have suffered heart attacks or strokes and felt that as a school we should do something. He perused the Heart & Stroke Foundation Web site to see what we could do to contribute. We discussed different events and the Polar Bear Dip caught our eye and decided that it would not only be fun but we could probably raise a bit of money doing it.
Nathan and the students went door to door to solicit sponsors for those who were going to take a chilly dip in the Pacific. Incredibly, they were able to get over $500 in donations. The Polar Bear Dip took place the morning of February 12, and was followed by a potluck luncheon to acknowledge the brave souls who participated. The community of Hot Springs has high unemployment, but the generosity of the people is touching and shows the children of the school that despite hardships we can still give a little to benefit such a worthy cause. Hesquiaht huuhtiksiihuwit Place of Learning (population 19) extends a challenge to other First Nations schools to beat or meet the amount raised.
Students from Hesquiaht huuhtiksiihuwit Place of Learning take a chilly dig in the Pacific to raise funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Nurses attend continuing education forum Submitted by Chris Lemphers Community Health Nursing Supervisor Nuu-chah-nulth nurses in the Community Health and Home Care areas attended the annual continuing nursing education forum in Vancouver this past month. This year’s theme was, “Aboriginal Nursing and Relational Practice.” For nurses working with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) member communities, this was very meaningful. NTC nurses base their day to day work on the four traditional foundation values: 1. Each life is a journey: Together we hold life’s sacred gift, acknowledging our strengths, surviving on land and sea. 2. Each life connects: Together we respect and promote individual needs, family systems and community development. 3. Each life seeks fulfillment: Together we promote the full spiritual, emotional, mental and physical potential of individuals, families and communities. 4. Each life completes its cycle: Together we ask for protection, strength
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council nurses pose in from of a poster display depicting the integrationof traditional and Western approaches to caring practice. Back Row: Sonia Somerville, Jackelyn Williams and Chris Lemphers. Middle Row: Meghan Bennett, Pearl Dorward and Kelly Lemphers. Front Row Michele Eng. and guidance from Naas. Together we show compassion, respect and dignity from conception to death. The reference to ‘together’ is important because it means the journey to wellness is not done alone but with
others—Naas, family and health staff, as well as the member themselves. It is these values, combined with nursing knowledge, that gives a framework for a caring practice. Relational nursing is another way of
saying nurses at NTC work with members through building trust and relationships. For example Home Care nurses work with the member, their family and local health services when assessing care needs and making care plans. Community Health nurses immunize children only after the parent has a full understanding of the benefits of the immunization to their child’s health and supports this prevention of illness by the nurse. The presentations at the forum included a wide range of learning opportunities from transporting vaccines and mask fitting to electronic health records and updates on the tripartite health agreements. NTC nurses also got a chance to showcase their work through a poster presentation. The poster presentation included information from all nursing program areas of Community Health, Home Care, Healthy Living, the TB Team and our Aboriginal Nurse Advocate at West Coast General Hospital.
Birthdays & congratulations Correction for the last issue of the Ha-Shilth-Sa. I must have spelled a name wrong. It should read Rakaylyn Charleson for Feb. 7. Happy belated birthday to the Rev. Larry Swan for Feb. 20. Many more to come coz. Love from Mena, Gene, Teralyn and Omari. Happy birthday to our uncle/grandpa Harvey Mark Sr. on Feb. 6. Wish for
you to have an awesome day today. From Chuck, Michelle, Blair, Rebecca and Jordanna. Happy birthday to Elizabeth Savey on Feb 7. From Michelle, Chuck, Blair, Rebecca and Jordanna. Birthday wishes to Matthew Savey on Feb. 10. From Michelle, Chuck, Blair, Rebecca and Jordanna.
Many birthday wishes on Feb. 16 in Gold River. Happy “20th” birthday wishes to the twins Jack and Thomas Johnson. You boys make us so proud. Love ya lots sons. Love Michelle, Chuck, Blair, Rebecca and Jordanna. Happy birthday wishes to Jamie Jack on Feb. 16. From Chuck, Michelle, Blair, Rebecca and Jordanna.
Residential School Compensation There is a Time Limit on Claiming Compensation! Any survivor who was hurt sexually or physically at Residential School should make a claim for compensation as soon as they can.
Scott Hall, Lawyer
1-800-435-6625 FREE Victoria
Scott Hall Lawyer
Margaret Eaton Legal Assistant
Erin White Legal Assistant
Shirley White Legal Assistant
Happy birthday Warren McLean on Feb. 16. From Chuck, Michelle, Blair, Rebecca and Jordanna. Another happy birthday to Max Johnson on Feb. 16 from Chuck, Michelle, Blair, Rebecca and Jordanna. Happy birthday to our grandpa Joe Campbell Sr. over in Nanaimo. Wish you well and a good day. Love Michelle, Chuck, Blair, Rebecca and Jordanna. Happy birthday to Memphis on March 2. From the Ross family. Happy birthday 12 to my son Thomas Gilburt Mack on March 1, also to my niece Allison Vincent and brother-inlaw Paul Vincent Sr, my sister Velina Vincent on March 5, my sister Doreen John on March 7 and my niece Georgina John and to anyone else I’ve missed. Love Mom, sister, Auntie Jessie Mack (Smith) and kids.
Happy 20th birthday to Julian Gomez for Feb. 25. Love Mom, Dad and brother Nick.