January 2010

Volume 1, Issue 1 Winter 2009/2010

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE NUU-CHAH-NULTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CELEBRATES 25 YEARS ABORIGINAL TOURISM BC MAKES PLANS TO CAPTURE THE TOURISM MARKET and other Stories Celebrating Canadian Aboriginal Businesses

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Shawn A-in-chut Atleo - National Chief

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION

IT WAS NOT UNTIL the last century that words have been transcribed to paper and circulated widely to mass audiences.

We’ve chosen the name of our magazine to reflect the long history of Aboriginal people but also the progress to recording that information to enlighten their non-native brethren.

“Since ancient times, drums, drumming and dancing have been a part of Aboriginal life,” states a unique website — www.nativedrum.ca. “From before we are born, in our mother’s womb, to the day we die, we hear the drumbeat of the heart. Rhythm is all around us and in everything we do. Over countless millennia, our cultural systems developed based on our ancestors’ accumulated knowledge. The stories handed down to us are one of the greatest gifts we Aboriginal people have.”

We couldn’t have said it better. Drums and drumbeats are an integral part of our lives.

The website also talks about how sound moves through the air in different ways depending on the landscape, the

climate, and the surrounding vegetation or animals.

“The presence of bodies of water whether as small or large rivers, ponds or lakes, provides sound in itself as well as impacting on the quality of the sound waves heard.”

Yes, there’s an intimate embrace with nature and the land through drums and drumbeats.

The first word in our name, Quill, is a reflection of the writing tradition which is fairly new, in terms of the lengthy heritage of Aboriginal people.

The quill pen was man’s principal writing instrument from 600 A.D. to 1830 A.D., some 1,300 years, yet to the present day the quill pen has basically remained unchanged as a writing instrument, according to Encyclopedia Americana.

The feather quill pen was adopted by Aboriginal people because of the availability of feathers. Other attractions are that it’s “long barbed shaft provides the unique feel of ‘feather wind’ and a sense of light balance, stability and leverage to the fingers as they manipulate the pen; its hollow barrel provides a perfect natural cavity to serve as an ink reservoir; and the natural and environmentally compatible composition of the feather, according to the encyclopaedia article”.

Of a more sublime connection is the fantastic culture represented in the art created with quills — another area we plan to support and promote with our magazine.

Enjoy the following pages.

CONTENTS Hot Off The Press Aboriginal Economic Forum Shawn Atleo Nuu-chah-nulth 25th Anniversary West Coast Communities Celebrates Court Victory Aboriginal Pavilion The Flame Is Lit Where People Feast Beverley O’Neil Your First Course Seven Sacred Teachings Hot Off The Press Birch Bark Biting Sepass Poems Xá:ytem National Historic Site Aboriginal Tourism AtBC Governance

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OUR CONTRIBUTORS PUBLISHERS Kiwetin Marketing & Publishing Ltd. OWNERS Noel and Diane Mineault CONTACT US 2219 14th Avenue Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 2Y4

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Toll-free: 1-866-558-7997 Phone: 250-723-7095 Toll-free Fax: 1-866-245-0868 Email: kiwetin@shaw.ca Website: www.kiwetin.com ISSN 1920-874X Printed in Canada Support Staff: Colleen French Judy Michaud

Joseph Quesnel is a policy analyst

with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, where he writes about Aboriginal and property rights issues. He is a former reporter with the Drum/First Perspective newspaper, a nationally-distributed Aboriginal newspaper. He writes a regular column in the Winnipeg Sun and the Drum. He has Métis ancestry from Quebec, but was born and raised in the Sudbury region of Northern Ontario. He currently calls Lethbridge, Alberta home where he lives with his wife, Melanie and two cats.

Steve Dills is an award winning

journalist, who for the past 20 years has been reporting, editing and publishing community newspapers in Western Canada. He has a journalism degree and is also a third generation publisher. Steve has been assisting Kiwetin Marketing & Publishing in all of their publications for the past 6 years. His actual career is Editor, Sylvan Lake News.

Cassandra Redding is a freelance

designer and writer with experience in research, development, copywriting, design and branding.

She enjoys working with new entrepreneurs, micro-businesses, and small businesses. Currently she runs a small, home-based marketing and design company in Vernon, BC.

Noel and Diane Mineault, owners and

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publishers for Kiwetin Marketing & Publishing Ltd began their company August 2004 in Dawson Creek, B.C. Their main publication was Whispering Winds, a Voice of the BC Metis. After 6 years they realized it was time to expand. They moved to

Port Alberni, B.C. and began working on a new publication, The Quill & Drum. This is the official launch of this exciting magazine. Next issue March 15, 2010.

The new publication is designed to celebrate Aboriginal Success in Economic Development ventures, arts and culture throughout Canada. For the next few years they will concentrate on economic development stories from Vancouver Island, throughout Western Canada and then expand across our country.

This is a quarterly publication.

Copies are available at Chapters, Indigo Books and newsstands in Canada. Subscriptions are available for $32.00 yearly.

“We would like to thank Nuu-ChahNulth Economic Development Corp for believing in us and assisting us to launch our new publication.” says Noel Mineault, President.

Special thanks to Judy Michaud, Transglobal Business Group Inc. Judy is our business advisor for this new publication. We would also like to thank Colleen French for her hard work.

Kiwetin Marketing & Publishing Ltd is100% aboriginal owned and operated and has 100% Canadian content. With over 30,000 readers we are proud to be a Canadian publishing company.

If you have story ideas or would like to be a sponsor, a subscriber or an advertiser please contact Diane or Noel.

Visit our website at www.kiwetin. com for Media kit and copies of our other publications.

HOT OFF THE PRESS Osoyoos Indian Band Announces Major Eco-Industrial Park in Oliver VOWING TO “deliver one of the most environmentally

sustainable industrial and commercial park developments in Canada,” Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie announced construction will begin soon on Senkulmen Enterprise Park in Oliver.

“Many bands across North America have established industrial and commercial parks and they are proving to be the financial and job creation lifeblood for their communities,” he said during an announcement of partnership funding for the project.

“Realizing this goal concludes a 40-year journey for our band to develop a state-of-the-art Enterprise Park that will attract new businesses to the area, provide year-round well paid jobs and generate economic spin-off benefits for the South Okanagan for generations to come.”

The Senkulmen Enterprise Park will be located on a 207-acre parcel of land at the north end of the Osoyoos Indian Band reserve on Highway 97 near Oliver, with approximately 112 acres dedicated for commercial activity and 95 acres set aside as environmentally protected land.

The enterprise park will be developed in several phases to the highest environmental standards. It expected to take 10 to 20 years to build-out and will ultimately accommodate up to 40 tenants.

Senkulmen Enterprise Park received $2.7-million in partnership funding from Western Economic Diversification Community Adjustment Fund. The Hon. Stockwell Day, Member of Parliament for OkanaganCoquihalla and Minister of International Trade on behalf of the Canadian government made the announcement at a ceremony to officially launch the enterprise park, Dec. 12.

“The Osoyoos Band is once again showing leadership with this initiative,” said Day. “Their vision for sustainable economic growth will bear positive results for years to come.”

Upon completion, the Senkulmen Enterprise Park is expected to attract new manufacturing and supporting jobs

Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie and the Hon. Stockwell Day, MP Okanagan-Coquihalla and Minister of International Trade at the launch of the Band’s newest development – the environmentally-sustainable Senkulmen Enterprise Park slated to open in Summer 2010. Senkulmen means ‘a place to work and create’ in the Okanagan language. to the South Okanagan. These jobs are expected to provide year-round, well-paid employment, with salaries typically higher than those in other local sectors such as retail and tourism.

“Green” components planned or under consideration include: • District heat system using waste heat from the nearby Vincor winery.

• Geothermal cooling/heating from underground water source.

• Solar energy cells mounted on building roofs for heating and lighting.

• Earth roof for the sanitary waste building.

• Grey water recycling from Enterprise Park tenants to be used for irrigation needs.

• Partner with environmental organizations to replant conservation areas such as the utility corridor.

• Conservation of sensitive habitat areas.

• Landscaping with local vegetation.

• Strong environmental and aesthetic guidelines for tenants.

The entrepreneurial Osoyoos Indian Band (www. oibdc.com) is one of the most progressive First Nations in Canada. The 460-member band runs nine businesses, including the largest tourism resort in the South Okanagan region of British Columbia, a desert cultural centre, and NK’MIP Cellars – the first Aboriginal-owned winery in North America. Osoyoos Indian Band businesses have won numerous environmental, architectural, and business awards for their innovation.

QUILL & DRUM 5

Chief Louie

Chief Atleo

Senator Gerry St Germain

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC development

is in making the pie larger together, not in fighting over the pie.

This was a central message at the international forum Building a Better Canada Through First Nations Economies which was held October 22 in Osoyoos, British Columbia at the Osoyoos Indian Band’s new NK’MIP Conference Centre, part of the Band’s Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa at NK’MIP Resort.

The forum, which featured tough-sounding Osoyoos Chief Clarence Louie, focused on helping First Nations succeed economically. Overcoming factionalism and beginning to think strategically was one of the important ways forward for all First Nations, according to Chief Louie. Too many communities, he argued, are busy fighting within themselves and dividing up the proceeds of the pie rather than looking to how the community as a whole can move forward.

The well-attended forum featured Louie, National Chief Shawn Atleo, as well as representatives from Indian and Northern Affairs who discussed the government’s new $200 million Aboriginal economic development strategy.

NK’MIP Conference Centre

The forum also heard from Stephen Cornell, a co-author of the famous Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development.

Moving forward, said Chief Louie, is about all community members thinking along the same lines towards similar goals. Even traditional Aboriginal ideas about how to arrive at decisions may need challenging.

“This is not about waiting for 100 per cent consensus.

You can’t satisfy every single objection that comes up,” he said, pointing out that in the successful First Nations, complete consensus on the desirability of a particular economic development project was not achieved. Osoyoos Indian Band is a perfect example of a First Nation that went from being near bankrupt to being a major economic player in the region. Starting with a golf course, the community expanded into other industries, including wineries.

Louie cautioned First Nation business developers to look outside the confines of the community. First Nations, he said, should work with non-Aboriginals and not be afraid to expand beyond their circles.

“You can’t operate a business based on race,” he

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FORUM

declared, pointing out the majority of customers for the decision making powers to make their own decisions.

Osoyoos-owned businesses are non-Native.

Cornell read off a list of more than 10 major areas of “Don’t be against White people. If you are, don’t go into indigenous interest, like culture revitalization, addictions business,” he said. counselling, that all can be funded through business First Nations should never lose sight of the fact revenues achieved through economic development. economic independence and political independence is “Osoyoos is definitely not alone out there,” said connected. Building businesses is the key for a community Cornell, pointing to an example of a Native community wanting to set its own priorities. in Oklahoma where in the 1970s, the tribe’s only asset If a First Nation has access to its own revenues, it can was a trailer and $550 in the bank account. In 2007, their finance projects that are important to the community, such combined assets are valued at $500 million and the tribe as cultural facilities like elder’s lodges, arenas for youth, owns businesses and a radio station on the reservation. and language revitalization programs.

In other cases, indigenous communities became While securing historic Aboriginal rights, such as land involved in fields as diverse as graphic design, financial claims resolution, is important, it should not be the main management, and even insurance. One community focus of political leadership, said Chief Louie. in Arizona at one point did not even have access to “You should spend your time filling potholes. We need quality telephone service but now boasts its own to help people now. There is no end in sight to old treaty telecommunications utility. Closer to home, Cornell battles, but my focus as chief is “I want to see things happen pointed to the example of Lac La looking after Osoyoos members living Ronge in Saskatchewan where the on my watch, during my own community diversified into several now,” he said.

For many First Nations and other business areas to succeed. lifetime...”

Aboriginal communities, the problem

Breaking stereotypes are also part is fighting treaty and other rights-based battles take away of Aboriginal economic development. One Aboriginal time and resources from advancing local economies and Quebec entrepreneur shared his story of being told, people now.

“Indians don’t own airlines,” but has now established a “I want to see things happen on my watch, during my viable airlines business, Air Creebec. own lifetime,” he said.

Through successful and aggressively-sought business Economic development is also essential because it partnerships, the communities studied began to see is tied into the battle against social problems for all improvement in their livelihood.

Aboriginal peoples. Those communities with no economic At the heart of the successes, said Cornell, is the development prospects, he said, are more prone to belief economic development is about freedom for the problems like drug and alcohol abuse, as well as violence. community. Communities realize they can do and achieve Allowing welfare to spread, he added, is a recipe for more more for their members through their own revenues than social problems. being dependent on the federal government. Developing Representatives from the Osoyoos Indian Band presented a “can-do” attitude involves moving from a culture of good strategies for building Aboriginal businesses which entitlement to a culture of performance. involves willing to become a life-long student and not Aboriginal communities must build relationships to be a “know-it-all.” Be willing to be surrounded with with the outside that will help them tap into distribution good consultants and advisors and establish good mutual channels that are essential for business success. relationships with business partners.

MANAGING THE POLITICS-BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP The development of good business and customer service Prof. Stephen Cornell discussed the importance skills should also be established, which includes pleasant of navigating the relationship between politics and interaction with customers and proper dress attire. business for Aboriginal communities, being as so many INDIGENOUS BUSINESS REVOLUTION communities have band-owned enterprises. Although Forum delegates also heard from Stephen Cornell, a Cornell said the key to success in Aboriginal economic professor and founder of the Harvard Project on American development is through removing politics from business, Indian Economic Development. In his discussion, Cornell the solutions to achieving are not identical for all discussed the burgeoning entrepreneurial sector within indigenous communities. indigenous communities in Canada and the United States.

“This is about providing a framework or a skeleton, not a Central to the success, he argued, is allowing First Nations cookie cutter model for all First Nations,” he said, pointing

QUILL & DRUM 7

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

out features like location and natural resource assets are FEDERAL FRAMEWORK FOR ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC not the most important ingredient for economic success.

DEVELOPMENT He pointed to one important example of a reservation Two officials from the Ministry of Indian and Northern in northern Montana with tremendous timber resources Affairs discussed the government’s new interest in which had two enterprises. When researchers questioned Aboriginal economic development. For the first time, the one business, they discovered problems of political economic development will be front and centre to the interference. The company manager complained of having mandate of Indian Affairs. In particular, the officials stated to report to “seven bosses,” which meant the seven district that Ottawa is looking at economic development as a councillors for the tribal government. He complained they priority area within the Aboriginal file. The government treated the business like an “employment service,” as he has reached a “historic juncture” on Aboriginal economic would receive calls from councillors to hire certain people development which is being driven by the growing from their district. As a Aboriginal population and result, the costs to run the land base. company skyrocketed.

The government intends The costs of hiring labour to develop a three-pronged for political reasons, strategy for Aboriginal as opposed to sensible economic development business decisions, were which involves tackling destroying the venture. challenges within the Meanwhile, the other Aboriginal legal and company did not complain regulatory environment. about receiving calls Both officials conceded from councillors, as they the serious obstacles were overseen by an placed by the Indian Act independent board of on economic development.

Forum was successful directors. If councillor Improving that climate had concerns, they had will be a major priority to speak to the board, as for the government. The a “firewall” was created government will also be between politicians and focusing on developing tribal business managers. skilled labour among After extensive Aboriginals, particularly in research, Cornell building up literacy skills. discovered the central Lastly, the new federal determinant for success framework will focus on was the organizational addressing the “deficit environment that in capacity” among business operated within.

Aboriginal populations.

This involves a clear A central part of the separation between framework will be Official Ribbon Cutting of Conference Centre politics and business, improving access to debt meaning councillors do equity for Aboriginal not interfere in day-to-day operations, good corporate communities and entrepreneurs. Indian Affairs will governance, bullet-proof financial procedures, clear be injecting millions into helping Aboriginal secure personnel policies, and a neutral dispute resolution capital and almost $10 million over four years will go to system. improving Aboriginal procurement programs.

The main finding of their research was that bands and Moreover, the government, they said, will be investing in tribes that had an “insulated” system where politics did providing Aboriginal entrepreneurs with the tools to enter not interfere in business were profitable 89 per cent the economy in a very large way, including the provision of the time, versus “council-run” systems that were of government-backed loans for those facing restrictions profitable 49 per cent of the time. on the use of reserve lands.

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Shawn Atleo NATIONAL CHIEF NATIONAL CHIEF OF THE ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS British Columbia First Nations activist, Shawn A-in-chut Atleo was successful in his bid for the position of national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) at a leadership convention in July.

The former AFN regional chief for British Columbia defeated Perry Bellegarde after eight rounds of voting.

Learn some more about him from the biography below.

National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation. Shawn is supported by, and gains strength from, his partner of 23 years, Nancy, and their two adult children, Tyson and Tara.

Traditional teachings guided A-in-chut to serve First Nations as a leader, negotiator, facilitator, mediator, strategic planner, and president of his family-owned private post-secondary training institute.

Shawn graduated in 2003 with a Masters of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (in partnership with University of British Columbia, University of the Western Cape South Africa, and University of Linkoping Sweden).

A-in-chut is a founding member of the B.C. First Nations Leadership Council. The council was formed when Ain-chut, as B.C. Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, along with the political executive of the Union

of B.C. Indian Chiefs and First Nations Summit, signed a historic Leadership Accord in March 2005, overcoming decades of discord in B.C. This Accord calls on all three organizations to work together to protect the interests of First Nations in B.C. and to ensure that Aboriginal Title and Rights and Treaty Rights are recognized, accommodated and reconciled through government-togovernment relationships.

In 2006, A-in-chut was elected to a second consecutive three-year term by the 203 Chiefs of B.C. In his six years as Regional Chief, he made numerous contributions to the political field within his community, among First Nations, and in/between local, provincial, national and international levels. Some of his work at the national and international level has included International Relations participating in work on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Asserting Rights pursuing reforms to the comprehensive and specific claims processes, and National Fisheries coordinating fisheries policy change in both coastal and inland fisheries.

In 2008, A-in-chut’s commitment to education was recognized in his appointment as Chancellor of Vancouver Island University, becoming B.C.’s first aboriginal Chancellor.

A-in-chut is committed to continue working tirelessly for the rights and freedoms of his people.

QUILL & DRUM 9

NUU-CHAH-NULTH

25th

ANNIVERSARY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

NUU-CHAH-NULTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NEDC) CELEBRATES A MILESTONE hrough a vision and careful planning, hundreds of Aboriginal owned businesses have been financed

by Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC), a milestone that was celebrated during the organization’s 25th anniversary, Oct. 22.

“Organizations like NEDC have made the banks realize that Aboriginal business is not as high of a risk as they believe,” said chair Ida Mills, during the gala celebration.

“Today most of the big banks have Aboriginal banking departments and as a result Aboriginal business people have many more options to finance their businesses.”

Keys to NEDC’s success have been the commitment of our clients to honour their loan obligations; financial accountability and transparency; a clear definition and a goal of NEDC self sufficiency; clear and functional policies and procedures, which are strictly adhered to and consistently applied; long and short term plans which are regularly reviewed and followed; teamwork, dedication and commitment by board members, committee members and staff; and creating an effective business environment which includes ensuring the best deal for the client, providing the best possible mix of loans and contributions free business support and workshops and most

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importantly that all clients are treated with respect, said Mills.

Since its formation in 1984 NEDC has provided loans and contributions in excess of $70 million to assist Aboriginal buisnesses in the region which spans the western portion of Vancouver Island.

Mills said the organization originally received $1.55 million from what is now the Community Futures Program and $3 million from what is now Aboriginal Business Canada.

“I am pleased to advise that today NEDC’s assets total well over $20 million.”

Mills added, “A large part of

our success has been long term partnerships or agreements with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Aboriginal Business Canada program, Western Economic Diversification, the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, All Nations Trust Company, the Business Development Bank of Canada and NACCA (National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association).

“Last but not least, NEDC would like to thank our clients who are the true risk takers. You have demonstrated that you are just as capable of honouring commitments and establishing successful businesses

CEO Al Little

services, business training, commercial term financing, contributions for business planning and feasibility studies, entrepreneurial workshops, business-related workshops, business aftercare, customer service training, community economic planning and a REACH site available to clients to access business information on-line. This year NEDC purchased video conference equipment to improve client access to business training,” according to Little’s report.

The winners of this year’s Business Awards are as follows: as any other business people,” Mills concluded.

In the annual report, she indicated the main focus of the past year was “to assess the specific training needs of community members. Over 70 people obtained Individual Training Program dollars from much needed courses such as Marine Training.

Nineteen workshops were hosted on a variety of topics with over 170 participants.”

Two conferences, Seeking the Silver Lining and Partner to Prosperity (NEDC’s partnership and joint venture conference) were huge successes bringing participants from all over Vancouver Island.

Modelling the business planning assistance and support that NEDC currently provides, the organization is partnering with Business Development Bank of Canada on a pilot project to provide micro loans up to $20,000 through their Aboriginal Business Development Fund.

Mills also said NEDC made history with its first joint board meeting with All Nations Trust at which they discussed each other’s initiatives and best practices.

Discussions also included proactive steps that could be implemented to reduce risk from potential impacts of global financial issues.

“Another year has gone by and once

again, there has been good growth in our loan portfolios. NEDC staff has continued to demonstrate remarkable work ethic and quality service to Aboriginals, Métis and Inuit within the Nuu-chah-nulth region,” the report concluded.

General manager Al Little’s report noted total income in the 2008-09 year of $1.158 million, a little less than the previous year due to lower interest rates.

“NEDC’s portfolio remains well balanced, a majority of our loans are to the tourism, retail/service, forestry and commercial fishing sectors.

The number of loans to youth-owned businesses has decreased over the past two years, largely as a result of the buoyant economy on Vancouver Island and the increased availability of jobs.”

“As a result of effective strategic planning, NEDC has a clearly defined short, medium and long term plan to assist in operating effectively and to ensure that our mandates are met,” Little’s report added.

“As a result of the NEDC financing in 2008-09, a total of 18 new businesses were established and 28 existing businesses maintained.

There were 93 full and part time jobs created or maintained. “ NEDC provides business advisory

Best Environmental & Sustainable Business UPNIT POWER CORPORATION Artist of the Year GORDON DICK Best Cultural Business TLA-OOK CULTURAL ADVENTURES (Giselle Martin & Douglas Wright) Best Youth Business (>36 years of age owner) CUP & SAUCER EATERY (William Miller) Business of the Year BRAKER ELECTRIC LTD (Cliff Braker) The winners for this year’s Business Plan competition are as follows: 1st Place: Barnabus Howard Cafe Arney with a B 2nd Place: Alec Cootes & Josee Tremblay Cootes Fishing Charters and Wildlife Viewing Tours 3rd Place: Michael Porter Secure Real Estate Investments NEDC congratulates all the winners on a job well done.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE NOMINEES AND WINNERS OF THE 2009 NEDC BUSINESS AWARDS. An in-depth story of each of the winners will be in the Spring edition Quill & Drum.

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WEST COAST COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE COURT VICTORY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Party at the Courthouse

CANADIAN COURT RECOGNIZED THE NUU-CHAH-NULTH RIGHT TO FISH AND SELL FISH IN THE COMMERCIAL MARKETPLACE veryday is a good day to be Nuu-chah-nulth, but Nov. 3 was an especially good day, said newly-elected Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Vice-president Priscilla Sabbas-Watts. That was the day that a Canadian court recognized the Nuuchah-nulth right to fish and sell fish in the commercial marketplace.

BC Supreme Court Justice Nicole Garson had been considering the evidence since closing arguments were made in the fisheries litigation case in March, so Nuu-chah-nulth who had gathered at a downtown Vancouver hotel conference room in the early morning on Nov. 3 were understandable anxious to hear her decision.

The case was launched in 2003 and brought before Garson in 2006.

Litigators spent 123 days presenting

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evidence in court. As lawyer John Rich would say, the ruling was a long time coming.

Justice Garson was meeting closeby in a closed courtroom with lawyers to review her judgment. At 11 a.m. the legal team representing the Nuu-chah-nulth stood before their clients and made an announcement that made grown men weep.

Justice Garson had concluded that Canada’s fisheries’ regulatory regime, statues, regulations and policies have excluded the Nuu-chah-nulth from the fishery and infringed their aboriginal right to it. And the right wasn’t limited to a particular species of fish, but extended to all fish found within the Nuu-chah-nulth nations’ territories.

Garson’s decision was met by an emotional outpouring from those

Nuu-chah-nulth that had been pushing for recognition of this aboriginal right for decades.

Joe Tom buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed with joy.

“You just felt like crying,” said the chief councillor of the Hesquiaht nation. Nuu-chah-nulth nations populate the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Hesquiaht is a Nuu-chah-nulth nation located at Hot Springs Cove near Tofino.

“I look at all the leaders before us who have fought so hard for our people over the last hundred years or better, especially in the last 25 years, of all the leaders that have come forward and worked hard…to further the identity of our people. In my heart I thought of all these leaders that have gone before,” Tom said of his

BY DEBORA STEEL reaction to hearing the news.

“To see people who have been fighting that fight for so long, and to see the emotion, it made me very emotional too,” said Sabbas-Watts. “I didn’t have words at that moment. I needed to soak it all in.”

Tom led the people gathered in the singing of a Hesquiaht victory song, a seemly appropriate response considering that Justice Garson had also ruled that Canada and the Nuu-chah-ulth had two years to sit together to negotiate how the recognized right to fish and sell fish could be accommodated. Garson had left the authority to regulate the fishery with Canada.

At the time the victory song was composed, the Hesquiaht and their neighbors, the Nootka, were working to decide how they would share a whale that had landed itself on the beach between the territories. Victory was not about winning or losing, Tom said. It was about sharing.

“They all shared in the meal. There was no loss for anybody,” said Tom. “It was a happy thing. That’s why we always use it as a victory song, because nobody loses; everybody wins.”

“I’m so excited,” said John O. Frank, Chief Councillor of Ahousaht.

“I want to dance and sing...because my future generations are the winners in all of this.” Ahousaht is located at Flores Island off the coast of Tofino.

The court case bears that nation’s name, though only for brevity’s sake.

Ahousaht Indian Band and Nation v. Canada was actually a decision in favor of the Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/ Muchalaht, and Tla-o-qui-aht nations. Hupacasath, Huu-ay-aht, and Nuchatlaht remain connected to the case, but because of lingering boundary disputes, were placed in a second phase of the court

Julia Eaton and Jim Rich celebrate

proceedings.

Though other Nuu-chah-nulth nations began the court litigation, some dropped out of the case when they ratified a treaty known as the Maa-nulth Final Agreement. In that treaty exists chapters that settle their fisheries’ claims, however these chapters provide less than what is now allowed in the litigation decision.

There is a section of the treaty agreement called the “Me Too” clause that could extend the newlyrecognized rights of the Nuu-chahnulth to the Maa-nulth treaty nations.

Victory was not about winning or losing, Tom said. It was about sharing.

But that requires the good will of Canada and the province to reopen the treaty, which received Royal Assent on June 18. Implementation date is April 1, 2011.

Huu-ay-aht was the only one of the five Maa-nulth nations that stayed with the litigation until after closing arguments. Canada refused to ratify the treaty until all nations had removed themselves from the litigation.

Chief Councillor Robert Dennis said the community faced tremendous pressure to drop out of the case so

that treaty implementation dollars could begin to flow to the communities. Still Huu-ay-aht refused.

Dennis said the tyee (hereditary chief) of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations has extended his hand now to the federal government in the hope of activating the “Me Too” provisions.

“We also have the right to sell all species, so the challenge is now on Canada to come out about how they are going to handle the decision,” Dennis said.

Nuu-chah-nulth have been fighting the fish wars in their territories on many fronts over the generations.

“Since I was a kid I was taught to fish in our river and to help use that resource to move forward in life,” said Les Sam, chief councillor of Tseshaht. He said his father, the late Chuck Sam, was determined to fish every day in the Somass River without being interrupted.

“He was challenged, he was charged, and he still, day after day, picked up his net and his gear and went out and fished,” Sam said. “So, today, that’s how I feel. I feel proud for the fight that we continued on for my late father. I feel good about that.”

Tseshaht sits at the border of the City of Port Alberni, some 120 km along Hwy 4 from Tofino. Justice Garson found that the fishing territory of the plaintiffs include the rivers, inlets and sounds within the individual nations’ territory claimed, extending approximately nine miles offshore. The Tseshaht people moved to their present location along the Somass River when resources in their territories on the West Coast out to the Broken Group of Islands became scarce. Sam said Tseshaht members continue to exercise their right in the roadside sale of fish.

The chief councillor was quick to say, however, it was important for

QUILL & DRUM 13

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Nuu-chah-nulth people to fish to their own nation’s management plan.

“We can’t exploit the resources just because we have this big victory. We also have to remember conservation and escapement and fishing methods,” he explained.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s fisheries department has also extended a warning to individual Nuu-chah-nulth who would plan to fish and sell fish before the two year negotiation framework plays out.

“If any Nuu-chah-nulth fish or sell fish in contravention of current regulations, there could be serious consequences for those individuals, as well as for the Nuu-chah-nulth case overall,” a notice in the tribal council newspaper Ha-Shilth-Sa reads.

Chief Councillor Frank was also insistent that a Nuu-chah-nulth plan for sustainability of the sea resources be established and adhered to.

“We need to have a solid plan, a strategic plan to say how we are going to manage our resources and fisheries without exploiting it,” said the Ahousaht chief councillor. “It’s

going to be up to each individual nation to take on this task to make it right.”

He said the Nuu-chah-nulth had won the independence to make their communities great again. Poverty and

Poverty and unemployment plagues the nations, and the Nuu-chah-nulth access to the commercial fishery has dwindled to just a handful of licenses from what was once considerable participation. unemployment plagues the nations, and the Nuu-chah-nulth access to the commercial fishery has dwindled to just a handful of licenses from what was once considerable participation.

Community member Julia Eaton spent 110 of 123 days in court with the Nuu-chah-nulth fisheries litigation team as they presented their case to Justice Garson. Eaton never doubted that the judge would see value in the assertion of their fishing right.

“I was convinced. I was convinced,” she said.

Still, when she heard lawyer John Rich announce the judge’s decision, she was excited.

It was worth sitting in the court all

those days, she said.

Every Nuu-chah-nulth had a stake in the outcome. Leadership had to make hard choices over the years to finance the case, and the larger Nuuchah-nulth community put time and effort into helping the lawyers build the case.

In some way shape or form all Nuu-chah-nulth come from a fishing family, said Sabbas-Watts, whether it be now, or historically.

“We all have a deep connection to [the case] and all of our people understand that,” she said.

“I think it’s going to affect us very positively. This is a first step. It’s not the be all and end all. We know that there are still things that we need to do to have it come into affect for the people. But it has the potential and I think it will have a very positive outcome. There are people that are very dedicated to making their community’s healthier, making their community’s better, and having the right to fish and the right to sell fish is going to make us sustainable.”

KCD Consulting Incorporated is owned by President and CEO Mr. Keith Henry. It was Mr. Henry’s vision to establish an effective consulting company to provide professional and quality client services.

Today, KCD Consulting Incorporated has established corporate values of:

“to assist Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal organizations and clients meet their full potential in the areas of human resources, project development, marketing, and strategic planning.”

KCD Consulting Incorporated

510-580 Raven Woods Drive, North Vancouver V7G 2T3 Ph: 778-338-3422 Cell: 778-388-5013 www.kcdconsulting.ca 14 QUILL & DRUM

1. Integrity 2.Respect 3. Professionalism Utilizing Mr. Henry’s vast networks, KCD Consulting Incorporated established an extensive network of resources to ensure that all services meet the highest standards of excellence and reinforce the corporate values. These resources include expertise and experience in human resources, communications, marketing, policy research, strategic planning, presentation and others.

Pavilion 2010

ABORIGINAL PAVILION

ABORIGINAL PAVILION WILL BE THE CENTERPIECE OF ABORIGINAL INVOLVEMENT DURING THE OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES.

hen the world comes to Vancouver in February, the Aboriginal community will be their to welcome them at a prime location, ready to show visitors the ‘best of the best’ of Aboriginal culture and talent.

The Aboriginal Pavilion, with a gleaming 20 metre sphere atop a contemporary version of a Coast Salish long house, will be the centerpiece of Aboriginal involvement during the Olympic Winter Games.

Inside the pavilion, visitors will experience an Aboriginal trading post, a great hall, a feast house, a theatre and a business centre. It will showcase Aboriginal art, business, culture and sport from every region in Canada.

“When people visit the Aboriginal Pavilion, they will experience a feast of the senses,” said Tewanee Joseph, CEO of the Four Host First Nations Society (FHFN), when the concept was unveiled. “They will watch and listen to the top Aboriginal musicians; they will eat Aboriginal food and they can purchase artwork and authentic Aboriginal

merchandise. People will be able to experience not only the traditional aspects of Aboriginal culture, but also a contemporary forward-looking experience.”

He added, “Our main goal is to let the world know that Aboriginal culture in Canada is very diversified and that we’re not all the same. We’ve been an important part of Canadian history for thousands of years.”

“Everything from the design of the pavilion’s $2.5 million worth of programming to the food served in the $3.5 million pavilion is meant to honour the past, but showcase what Canada’s indigenous people are doing now and with a glimpse of what their future aspirations are,” wrote Vancouver Sun columnist Daphne Brahmam.

In December dignitaries and media were given a glimpse of the structure which is located on the plaza of Queen Elizabeth Theatre in downtown Vancouver — within a stone’s throw of BC Place Stadium and Canada Hockey Place.

QUILL & DRUM 15

Adjacent to the pavilion will be the Aboriginal artisan village and business showcase, providing another opportunity to highlight the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis to the Canadian experience.

“In two months we will open our doors to the world and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Aboriginal peoples across Canada,” said Joseph while proudly showing the curving longhouse.

When the sphere, described by Bramham as a “humungous snowglobe … soaring five storeys high above the courtyard of Queen Elizabeth Theatre”, is inflated days before the games, images will be projected on the surface — lighting up the Vancouver night.

The schedule of events at the pavilion includes traditional and contemporary performances from First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists across Canada. Each night the Four Host First Nations will present “We Are Here” — a multimedia experience showcasing Aboriginal culture.

“The outstanding Métis, Inuit and First Nations businesses, artists and entrepreneurs that visitors will meet while exploring the pavilion will be a wonderful reflection of the energy, drive and talent of Aboriginal peoples in Canada,” said Senator Nancy Greene Raine, who participated in the December ceremonies on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians. The federal government contributed $2.9 million towards the project.

“This pavilion is a symbol of what can be accomplished when we work together,” said George Abbott, British Columbia’s minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “This spectacular venue will be a gathering place for visitors and residents to connect with First Nations communities and businesses. The Four Host First Nations have done a great job leading this project.”

As the planning and scheduling continues, members of the Four Host First Nations are looking forward with anticipation.

“The 2010 Winter Games represent a turning point in our history,” said Chief Leonard Andrew of the Lil’wat Nation.

“For the first time in Olympic and Paralympic history, Indigenous peoples are official partners in hosting the games.”

“We see the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion as a gathering place — a place where visitors of all cultures are

welcome,” said Chief Ernest Campbell of the Musqueam Nation. “We are proud to welcome the world here to our traditional and shared traditional territories.”

Chief Bill Williams, of the Squamish Nation and Chair of the FHFN board of directors, said, “We have invited First Nations, Inuit and Métis from across the country to join us at the pavilion and they have accepted our invitation. We believe that Aboriginal participation will be one of the defining elements of these games and we are honoured to share this opportunity with Aboriginal people across Canada.”

“Each day at the Pavilion will be a unique experience,” said Chief Justin George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

“From traditional performances to intimate rock concerts, the pavilion will offer something for everyone. It will be a great celebration of culture and we welcome all nations of people to celebrate with us.”

Bramham suggested another way to understand the pavilion’s aim is to check the restaurant menu which features unique fare. Hors d’oeuvres include seaweed and smoked salmon cucumber rolls; pemmican on bannock canapes with Saskatoon berry coulee, asparagus spears wrapped in musk ox prosciutto. Then there’s first nation’s paella with venison sausage, mussels, shrimp and wild rice, roast bison with fiddleheads, pasta with wild garlic, seaweed and shiitake cream sauce, and bison or elk chili.

The wine list features selections from Nk’Mip Cellars, Canada’s first aboriginal winery and resort in Osoyoos, B.C. The 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion will open to the public on February 12 and run throughout the Olympic Winter Games.Following the games, the longhouse structure will be relocated as a permanent legacy.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

“The 2010 Winter Games represent a turning point in our history,” said Chief Leonard Andrew of the Lil’wat Nation.

16 QUILL & DRUM

THE FLAME IS LIT

The Spirit of the Games arrives on Canada’s West Coast

Photos courtesy Kama Money, Torch Relay at the Harbour Quay... featuring ADSS’s own Tooie Casavant and Hughie Watts, as well as former ADSS student Julianne Hamilton.

THE OLYMPIC TORCH’S visit to picturesque Port Alberni, a west coast fishing and logging community, set several firsts for the iconic symbol of world athletic competition.

Most important, obviously, was the participation of Aboriginal people, a theme that continues to carry through the historic 45,000 kilometre trek across Canada.

A highlight of the visit, and photographs which have been reproduced worldwide, was the torch’s voyage is the war canoe of the Edgar family from Ditidaht. During the trip from the dock at Maritime Lighthouse it was carried by Julianne Hamilton and Carl Edgar Jr. The 40-foot canoe was paddled by 13 people from both the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations.

“I was pumped and members of our family that were in the canoe were all excited,” said Edgar.

After the canoe ride, potential Olympian wrestling athlete Isaiah Taylor carried the torch in a 1947 Hayes McLean Mill antique logging truck, another first in the torch’s journey.

“It is kind of hard to describe how I felt, but I was really, really nervous, and it seems the ride went by very fast,” he said.

Of course, the main highlight of the torch’s visit to Port Alberni had to be the thousands who gathered at Bob Dailey Stadium on the third day of the torch’s 106 day journey — and the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who made the event such a success.

Celebrations at the stadium got underway with the Tseshaht First Nation singing a welcome song. Then Hupacasath First Nation Chief Councillor Shaunee Cassavant welcomed the entourage to the shared lands of the Hupacasth and Tseshaht.

Speaking on behalf of the Tseshaht First Nation, Willard Gallic said, “The torch relay has given us a sense of community, friendship and unity as a peoples, and also a sense of feeling to get to touch the heartbeat of the torch

— the flame.”

Port Alberni’s past involvement with the Olympic Games was recognized when Travis Cross was chosen to light the cauldron at the community celebration. Stories, which flashed across the country after the event stated, “The little city with the big cheering section did it again”.

A wrestler, Cross was accompanied on his trip to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in China by a cheering section of 64 family and friends, including Mayor Ken McRae. Other torchbearers included Angus Cook, Hughie Watts, Bryan Read, Brendan Lundy Sam, and James Gallic (Port Alberni’s oldest torch bearer at 76).

Prior to arriving in Port Alberni the Olympic Flame made a special appearance at Coombs Old Country Market for pictures with the goats munching happily on the roof in the background.

After it left Port Alberni the torch stopped briefly at Sutton Pass summit for a Tla-o-qui-aht blessing as it entered into their traditional territory. Then it headed to Incinerator Rock at Long Beach where elder John Tom accepted the flame and carried it to the beach where it was greeted by hundreds of spectators. After beachkeeper Barney Williams welcomed the torch, Johnny Tom carried it down the beach and handed it to Melissa Coon who carried it to Ruth Sadler. Sadler then waded into the frigid waters to pass it to surfboarder Ralph Bruhwiler.

The torch then headed to Tofino where veteran skateboarder Scott Rae-Arthur became the first torchbearer ever to carry the torch on his skateboard.

The 106 day relay finishes Feb. 12 at BC Place in Vancouver, where the torch will light the Olympic cauldron to officially start the 2010 Winter Games.

QUILL & DRUM 17

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Where People Mother and Daughter Entrepreneurs Hail from Port Alberni Native peoples who have lived on the land know of its

richness and have developed a cuisine that utilizes fish from its sparkling waters, venison and other game from its forests as well as fruits and vegetables from the earth.

Where People Feast - An Indigenous Peoples Cookbook, celebrates the native cuisine, and the fusion created by the culinary meeting place of the native foods with the European settler.

The culmination of a lifetime’s work dedicated to introducing people to the extraordinary foods that are truly North American, the authors have received many accolades for their book.

Written by the mother and daughter team of Dolly 18 QUILL & DRUM

(Watts) McRae and Annie Watts, the book focuses on west coast Native cuisine, with ingredients both exotic (oolichans, venison, grouse) and common (salmon, crab, berries).

It features 120 delectable dishes (and 16 full colour photographs of the mouth watering creations) that can be easily replicated by chefs at home since the authors offer plenty of handy suggestions and substitution ideas.

The wild game chapter, for instance, features such appetizing entries as Venison Roast with Juniper Berry Rub, Rabbit Pot Pie, Chokecherry Glazed Grouse, and Wild Buffalo Burgers. Seafoods has recipes for all fish and shellfish that run the oceans

Feast

BY STEVE DILLS

and seas of the Pacific Northwest region: salmon, halibut, crab, oysters, clams, scallops, shrimp, Alaskan Black Cod, and oolichan fish that populate British Columbia rivers by the millions.

Other sections include vegetables, salads and sides, sauces and condiments, and a unique and insightful chapter Smoked Foods & Preserves, which provides traditional methods and contemporary recipes for smoking and drying wild game and seafood and preserving berries.

Where People Feast was named Best Local Cuisine Book in Canada when the 2007 Gourmand Awards were announced. In the competition, over 6,000 entries from 107 countries were reviewed the Gourmand Awards committee who consider the awarded books fundamental to the history of cookbook publishing. It was also a finalist for the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award and has made two appearances on the weekly B.C. Adult best seller list.

Dolly and Annie are from the Gitk’san and Nuuchah-nulth First Nation and were proprietors of the Liliget Feast House in downtown Vancouver, the

only First Nations fine dining establishment of its kind, for over 12 years. (Liliget is a Gitk’san word meaning where people feast.) The restaurant won rave reviews, among them a four-star rating from the New York Times. Dolly also won a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for business and commerce during this period.

Their work running the restaurant laid the foundation for the cookbook. Now they’re kept busy doing cooking demonstrations, promoting their book and talking about authentic indigenous cooking during special events.

They sell their books and “Just Like Grandma’s” bannock at the Farmer’s Market at Harbour Quay in Port Alberni every Saturday and Annie’s working on her soon-to-be published Healthy Eating Cookbook, a “cookbook that focuses on eating and cooking whole foods that awaken our bodies and our relationship to food”.

For more information or to purchase a copy of the book, check their website at www.wherepeoplefeast. com. More information on Annie’s newest venture, check www.healthyeatingcookbook.com/.

QUILL & DRUM 19

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

BEVERLEY O’NEIL

CEO Extraordinaire

This is the first CEO profile for the Quill & Drum – Each edition will feature a leading Aboriginal CEO

20 QUILL & DRUM

Involved in a whirlwind of entrepreneurial ventures ranging from consulting on national initiatives to marketing for small businesses, Beverley O’Neil is a leading light in helping First Nations individuals and businesses succeed.

As president of O’Neil Marketing and Consulting, a business she created in 1995, and Numa Communications Ltd. she has worked on many initiatives that have laid the foundation for Aboriginal tourism in Canada, especially in British Columbia.

A citizen of the Ktunaxa Nation and member of St. Mary’s Indian Band in Cranbrook, she was instrumental in creating the Aboriginal tourism Association of B.C. (AtBC), beginning with meetings of the BC Aboriginal Tourism Group, and was lead consultant on the Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Blueprint Strategy for B.C. She’s also been involved in Aboriginal accreditation for business and cultural tourism.

She has helped Aboriginal communities and businesses build their tourism program, marketing plans and image through strategic planning, focus group coordination, training programs, and design of promotional materials.

She developed and delivered training for First Nations communities and post-secondary institutes on topics such as Aboriginal tourism, marketing and planning, cultural programming, community development and the business of arts and crafts.

A favoured guest speaker for many groups, she has spoken internationally (Thailand, Guyana, USA) on Aboriginal cultural tourism marketing perspectives and case studies, planning and approaches to developing Aboriginal business and private sector partnerships including resource development, internet marketing, and home-based business.

That said, from an official biography on her website, the words of Lisa Manfield, in the fall 1998 issue of

Realm, go much further in describing this energetic, enthusiastic success story.

“Despite the often dizzying pace of her days, Beverley seems to have an endless supply of energy, and approaches every new experience as though she were about to get on the ride of her life. Maybe that’s why her business has taken off,” wrote Manfield.

We note from her list of unknown facts, that she’s participated in 17 half marathons and four full marathons, and has six pairs of runners among her 123 pairs of shoes. An apt example that her boundless energy keeps her active outside of work as well.

“The first entrepreneurial venture Beverley ever undertook was way back in Grade 7, in the small town of Windermere, B.C., close to the Alberta border, where she grew up,” Manfield’s article reminisced.

“The second youngest child in a family of kids, Beverley was a good student. “Good work ethics were really promoted in my family.” She remembers how she loved playing on the typewriter at school and how one day she asked her teacher if someone could do a newsletter for her class. “ The teacher looked at me and said,

‘Well, why don’t you do it?’ So a group of us got together and made crossword puzzles and sold ads to cover the cost of production.”

“That ‘Why don’t you?’ challenge stuck with Beverley and has now become somewhat of a guiding mantra for her,” continued Manfield.

“Reflecting back, she describes the point in her life when she knew it was time to strike out on her own. “I was working for my tribal council doing economic development. It was a good, safe job. I could probably still be there today if I wanted to. But I knew things were changing. There was nowhere else for me to go in the organization. I needed to change and I wanted to be self-employed.” That’s when that little voice from her past piped up and said … you know …

“Why don’t you?”

Now she’s logged 15 years of experience on her own, forging partnerships and building her business into a force which is at the forefront when it comes to working “with Indigenous people (First Nations), business, non-profit and governments to create long-term productive relationships that direct change today while ‘designing nations’ for tomorrow.”

A Few Unknown Facts About Beverley

4400.............................................................number of contacts in her outlook address book 124 and 14............................................................number of cities and countries she’s visited 10 ...................................................................number of her high school basket ball uniform 25.......estimated number of basketball games she fouled out of in Grade 12 (says a bit about her aggression) 17..................................................................................number of half marathons she’s raced 4......................... number of full marathons she wondered why she did (The 4th will be /was Sunday, Sept 27 in Bellingham) 123.............................................................pairs of shoes she has of which 6 pairs are runners 2402....................................................................number of songs in her iTunes music library 2225...................number of songs in her iTunes music library that she sings badly… the rest are instrumental songs 450..................................................number of pages she has in the two novels she is writing 28.........................................................................her age when she began self-employment 7....................................grade she was in when she started an elementary school newsletter 29.........................................number of years she has worked in business and administration 15.........................................the year she is now in as an entrepreneur (being self employed) QUILL & DRUM 21

entrepreneur,” she says, “you get to make the music. And when things are great, you get to enjoy the music”. She pauses. “Of course, when things go wrong, they you have to face the music.”

She’s obviously gotten her life more in balance than it was in the early days, as another of the numbers of her list of unknown facts indicates she’s completed 450 pages in the two novels she is writing. And when it comes to music her iTunes library contains 2,402 songs.

“If Beverley had a theme song, it would undoubtedly be “Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop,” wrote Manfield. “Her unshakable enthusiasm gives her an air of unmistakable joie de vivre, even in the face of adversity. When she talks, her conversation is peppered with funny stories and jokes, and she has a knack of looking at every situation in terms of the opportunities it may provide. It’s probably this outlook on life that keeps her soaring when things don’t go her way. “You have to believe in yourself, or no one else will,” she says. “I’ve realized that failure is a big part of success. When the going gets tough, you can’t just sit down and cry and give up.”

Manfield’s article concluded, “As she looks toward her future, with the knowledge that her business is thriving, Beverley sees herself making more time for some of her other passions in life — acting, running, drawing and writing.”

A complex lady, balancing many different projects, working with a myriad of partners to provide clients with vision and success, Beverley is certainly an Aboriginal CEO at the top of her field.

Your Future is with NLC . . .

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1-866-463-6652 nlc.bc.ca Programs include: • Wind Turbine Technician – the only program in B.C.!

Starts Feb 1, 2010 • Biomass Heat Systems • Photovoltaic Panel Installation and Maintenance • Solar Thermal Installer Certification • Geothermal Installation and Maintenance • Rainwater Collection Systems seminars • Green Energy Certificate

Energy House Training facilities with demonstrations of energy saving and renewable energy technology Training Tower Training tower with training platform for the delivery of safety and certification programs.

Operational Wind Turbine To power the training facility and training tower, and contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint at the Dawson Creek Campus.

ATLIN • CHETWYND • DAWSON CREEK • DEASE LAKE • FORT NELSON • FORT ST. JOHN • HUDSON’S HOPE • TUMBLER RIDGE

22 QUILL & DRUM

468/09.11.17.j-Q&D

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Her philosophy, as outlined on her website states, “There are four pillars to a nation — the people, culture, lands and resources, and vision. These pillars are the foundation for the building and advancement of a nation, and it is essential that leaders recognize their inter-relatedness of each ensuring their harmony for successful advancement of their culture.”

“Your success is important to us. We help you achieve this by working with you to design strategies, helping to devise strategies and plans for community economic development, business and media releases, prepare promotional materials and media kits and releases, develop staff through training and to get your message across in a ‘thunderous’ style,” she writes.

“We know that when your message is intended for a First Nation Aboriginal group (Métis, Inuit, Dene and Native), it is especially important to ensure the images and content are appropriate and culturally respectful, and that these messages represent First Nations truthfully.”

Numa means ‘thunder’ in my traditional language of Ktunaxa, O’Neil points out.

“I find it really rewarding to work for myself, although oftentimes I end up working very long hours. I’ve had to pull a lot of all-nighters, because I basically do everything in the company from working on client projects to doing my own marketing and accounting,” she told Manfield in 1998. “The experience is great, although sometimes I go home and realize I haven’t done laundry in a month.”

Beverley frames her experiences within an analogy she calls the symphony of entrepreneurship. “As an

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Your First Course ABORIGINAL CAREERS

Journey to a Cooking Apprentice

“COMPETITION WAS VERY INTENSE,” said Andrew

George Jr., Journeyman Cook / Chef, when he recalled the 1991 Culinary Olympics in Germany where the Native Canadian Haute Cuisine Team rocked the competition. At these Games, it is a race against your opponents and the clock. As with the Jamaican Bob Sled Team at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, the Native cuisine team entered the Culinary Olympics as unknowns. A significant difference between them is the Native team had their cultural traditions from First Nations across Canada guiding them along their journey.

Andrew’s team mates were upcoming Aboriginal Chefs Bertha Skye from Six Nations, Arnold Olson from Saskatchewan, Brian Sappier from New Brunswick, and David Wolfman of Toronto (who now has a show on APTN called “Cooking with the Wolfman”). As unknowns, this team rocked the competition where 13,000 Chefs from 54 countries competed. The Aboriginal team fused their knowledge of Indigenous foods with modern methods and ingredients to earn seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals. The team became heroes and role models to the Aboriginal community just as 24 QUILL & DRUM

professional hockey players often are to young boys.

Similar to sports, Andrew says cooking is a trade where, “Like the Olympics, whether it is winter, summer or the Special Olympics, it takes a special talent to do what you are doing.”

Who would have thought that cooking would be as competitive as sports, and that cooking shows would be as popular among young people today as the Olympics. Television shows like “The Iron Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen” have become as popular to youth today as “Happy Days” and “Beverly Hills 90210” were to other generations.

Culinary Arts though is a competition in which anyone with the love of food and the knack for creativity and perfection can achieve success. NPR Radio host Neal Conan said that to be a great Chef you need to “Combine equal parts imagination and training. Add a heaping dash of talent. Top it off with the ability to stand over a hot stove for hours.

And don’t forget a passion for food.”

For Andrew, his passion for cooking began as a child. Growing up in Northern BC, Andrew is one of six children of WWII veteran and hereditary Chief Andrew George Sr. As is the responsibility of a

Wet’suwet’en hereditary Chief, the young Andrew grew up walking the families’ traditional lands, learning how to care for them and the responsibilities of a hereditary Chief to ensure the continuation of cultural values, traditions and ways. Andrew Jr. learned trapping, hunting, fishing and harvesting, and how to prepare salmon, deer, elk, rabbit, and berries using cultural methods, all by watching his mother. “She is an excellent cook,” says Andrew.

His grandmother taught him at age five to make bannock.

Andrew learned that, “Food in the feast hall, is WHO we are.”

The quality of food you produce and serve at the feast shows your wealth and how well you fulfill your cultural responsibility.

Andrew says, “When you look after the land, the land will look after you.” To him, being a chef for 24 years helps him to bring hunting and gathering into the modern era. He says, “A huckleberry is the same to a First Nation person as the olive to an Italian or Greek.”

The teachings of his parents and grandparents prepared Andrew Jr. for induction as hereditary Chief in 1998, and he was given the name Skit’den meaning “the wise man”, which equipped him as a role model for other aspiring Aboriginal chefs. Andrew’s leadership was recognized by the Industry Training Authority in 2008 when he was named Aboriginal “Top in Trades”.

When Andrew was in Junior High, he began cooking for his household of five siblings and his parents. One would have thought it was a ploy to get out of doing dishes, but Andrew proved this theory wrong when

he took summer jobs in mining camps and restaurants cooking, and then in 1983 enrolled in the Vancouver Vocational Institute in cook training for Core-Short Order Cook, Institutional, Camp Cooking and the A La Carte program. His apprenticeship training was done at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), with the required employment experience gained through various Vancouver

hotels and restaurants, eventually progressing to the high end gourmet kitchens of the Four Seasons Hotel and Chateau Whistler Resort. When Vancouver hosted Expo ’86, Andrew celebrated First Nations foods as the head grill cook for the Folk Life Pavilion First Nations Restaurant. Then, in 1989, Andrew became a Journeyman Red Seal Cook.

Hallmark events like Expo

A Hot Career Starts with an Apprenticeship Become a: Cook Baker Meatcutter Andrew George, Wet`suwetèn, 24 Year Professional Chef, Red Seal Cook

Start Your Journey in the Trades Find Out How at:

www.itabc.ca

Funding for the ITA Aboriginal Initiative is provided under the Canada-BC Labour Market Agreement.

QUILL & DRUM 25

ABORIGINAL CAREERS

’86, the Culinary Olympics, and Winter Olympics to become professional chefs, like Andrew. have been a step in the careers of other Aboriginal In Haida Gwaii, the Old Massett Village Council people who have taken Culinary Arts training.

(OMVC) has started Year 2 of Culinary Arts / Cook Industry Training Authority Senior Aboriginal training for 11 of its Aboriginal citizens. The program Lead, Gary McDermott, began his post-secondary is funded by the ITA through the Canada-BC Labour life by successfully completing his Level 1 Cook’s Market Agreement (LMA). Others in Old Massett training. Those skills came in handy during the interested in cook training can speak with Patricia 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics where he and his Moore at 250-626-3337 about enrolment. classmates operated a food stand at the International The LMA funding program allows organizations Pin-Trading Centre serving buffalo burgers, blueberry like the OMVC and the Kla-how-eya Surrey bannock and other Aboriginal Aboriginal Cultural Society treats. Today, Gary works at When you look after the land, the (SACS) to offer financial the ITA and is responsible for support and benefits to enable land will look after you ensuring the provincial Aboriginal underemployed people to Apprenticeship Strategy is participate in training programs, developed in collaboration with the Aboriginal particularly when they are unable to qualify for other community and makes trades training more accessible support or face financial barriers that deter them from to Aboriginal people all over BC. entering training.

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics also Another LMA-funded program, the Kla-how-eya promises aspiring Aboriginal chefs a chance to SACS started September 21, 2009. The 16-week show off their culinary talents in the Four Host First pre-apprentice Kla-how-eya Culinary Arts Program Nations (FHFN) Aboriginal Pavilion Restaurant. (www.sacsbc.org) has Andrew George as Instructor The restaurant will be operated in conjunction with and Program Coordinator. It helps Aboriginal Vancouver Community College (VCC), who have students explore and develop a comprehensive partnered with the FHFN to offer Aboriginal cuisine understanding of basic culinary techniques blended prepared by Aboriginal people who have trained in with traditional Aboriginal cooking methods, the VCC Aboriginal Culinary Chef program. ingredients and practices.

Cooking does not require starting at the age of There are many other cook training programs five with long hours at a rink or ski hill. Instead, available province-wide, as well other foods-related to become a Red Seal Cook or a journeyperson, trades like baker and meatcutter training programs. registration in a four year apprenticeship program, Skilled tradespeople like these and in all occupations and at least 5,400 work-based training hours under the are needed in every BC region. supervision of a certified cook (sponsored by either that employer or Aboriginal organization) is all that is Start Your Course as a Journeyperson Cook – Visit the ITA website needed. The training can start at any age. to learn how: www.itabc.ca Today BC high school students are getting a head start in apprenticeship programs through Established in 2004, the Industry Training Authority (ITA) is the ITA youth programs. The Secondary School charged with the responsibility of managing BC’s trades training Apprenticeship (SSA) and ACE-IT programs let system to develop the province’s skilled workforce. As a provincial youth earn credits while in school getting a head start crown agency, the ITA works collaboratively with Aboriginal on their apprenticeship with the SSA program letting communities and agencies, industry, training providers, career youth earn up to 480 hours of work experience. In counsellors, labour unions, government and others. The ITA has 2008/09, 37 BC School Districts, delivered the SSA made a special commitment to finding career opportunities in and ACE-IT programs to nearly 5,000 high school trades for Aboriginal people, youth, women and immigrants. students. One of those schools was Chalo School, a school situated on Fort Nelson First Nation.

An Aboriginal Advisory Committee counsels the ITA on matters The cook trade allows you to choose the level you related to increasing Aboriginal participation in apprenticeship want to reach with Level 3 being the highest and training. Funding for the Aboriginal Initiative is provided under offering Red Seal Cook designation which will enable the Canada-BC Labour Market Agreement. you to work anywhere in Canada. Many cooks go on 26 QUILL & DRUM

Gifts for David

EVEN SACRED TEACHINGS

The Seven Sacred Teachings is a message of traditional values and hope for the future.

The teachings are universal to most First Nation Peoples. These Teachings are seen in school communities from coast to coast across North America. They are a link that ties all Native, Inuit and Métis communities together.

David Bouchard is Canada’s most renowned and awarded Metis author. Dr Joseph Martin has spent his life coming to understand the Sacred Teachings. Métis Kristy Cameron took a year out of her life to interpret the Teachings through her art. Swampfox has created seven flutes out of seven different woods, each in the key that is consistent with a particular Teaching.

QUILL & DRUM 27

ABORIGINAL ARTS

This master flute make then dreamed seven songs to accompany this telling.

Look to the East. It is not easy to see how insignificant you are when you marvel at the rising sun? Wolf, who epitomizes the Teaching of Humility, howls announcing the arrival of Grandfather Sun. Through Wolf, we learn that the pack is more important than the individual. The Trembling Aspen models Humility and the song you’ll hear is in the key of C – because C exemplifies Humility.

Rooted in humility and honesty, the creators have tried to respect the cultures and traditions of all peoples.

It is our hope that this telling will unite and thus heal divisions. Prophecies tell that this is the time for One Heart, One Mind and One Drum. We, readers and authors alike, are the one we have been waiting for. There is, nobody else who can revitalize our culture and values except ourselves.

I t is our hope that this telling might move readers toward greater courage and wisdom and ultimately toward achieving and understanding what is true in life’s journey.

From the dust cover of this great book, 2009 “David Bouchard is one of the most sought after speakers throughout Canada and other countries. He promotes Aboriginal culture wherever he goes – France,

HOT OFF THE PRESS The Secret of Your Name - A New Book For David Early December, 2009 – David Bouchard, Métis Author and Dennis Weber, Métis Artist launched their first joint venture and book The Secret of Your Name.

The Secret of Your Name is an incredible Dennis Weber, Métis artist book produced by three famous Métis men. Each man is a king among men for their own talent. David Bouchard, Metis author and poet, Dennis Weber, Métis artist and flute player and John Arcand, Métis master fiddler have worked together for many, many months to produce the most amazing Métis book ever. Be sure to pick up a copy of this truly

28 QUILL & DRUM

England, USA and other countries. He is dedicated to children and literacy issues as well as the most wonderful poet and writer. Before David begins each one of his books he gathers the most successful people he knows together and begins to plan his next book. It takes many months of planning, travelling, writing, developing music and artwork for each book. But at the end of the sessions a masterpiece is created! Many of David’s books are in one or more language – French, Cree, Michif, Ojibwe and other First Nation languages. All of David’s artists and musicians are aboriginal people from Canada. Once you read David’s story there is no question as to why he has won so many awards. He drives himself with such passion, has such great pride in his work and especially for his family and produces only the finest quality work. He is a champion! David Bouchard, Soaring Eagle!”

Please go to David’s unique website to read the rest of David’s story www.davidbouchard.com. You may also order his books online.

Editor: David’s latest honour is to receive the Order of Canada.

Watch The Quill & Drum, Spring Edition, for articles and photos about this wonderful honour!

wonderful book at your local book store. “Canada’s Métis are the only mixed blood people in the world recognized by every level of government as being a nation. The Métis have their own language, flag, songs and stories. They have exciting traditions and a proud history. Unfortunately, today’s Métis have grown up in the aftermath of theresistance of 1885. This was a sad period in Canadian history as it was a time when Métis people, much like their First Nation cousins, were manipulated, deceived and robbed of their land, culture and pride.Canada’s three most prominent and respected Métis artists collaborate in this heart wrenching telling of what it means to be Métis. In The Secret of Your Name, best selling and award-winning poet David Bouchard, C.M., creates yet another aboriginal treasure accessible to people of all ages and cultures.

Bouchard’s heartfelt story is enriched and enhanced by paintings of Métis artist Dennis J. Weber and the music of Métis Master Fiddler John Arcand, C.M. AUTHOR’S COMMENT:Other than the journal I kept for my daughter, nothing has moved me as a writer more than this has. I’ve been writing books of aboriginal focus for years before I knew I was Metis. This is a testimony to inherited memories and the blood that flows within me.”

Taken from David’s website www.davidbouchard.com

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QUILL & DRUM 29

BIRCH BARK BITING

BY STEVE DILLS with Pat Bruderer and Jadeon Rathgeber

ABORIGINAL ARTS

One of the most intricate and least known of First Nations

arts, birch bark biting, is practised by just a few people in Canada, perhaps in all of North America.

Métis artist Pat Bruderer, who now lives in Chase, B.C., is regarded as the foremost birch bark biter. And she’s concerned about the future of the art which was originally an activity shared by Cree and Ojibwa women.

She had known Angelique Merasty of the Cree Nation, perhaps the best known biter in modern times, for over two decades. When she died in 1990 Bruderer began teaching herself the craft.

“I was just concerned about it being a lost art,” she said.

“So I went out to a woodpile and started peeling bark. But you can’t just pick any kind of bark. It has to be a certain colour and shade,” Bruderer said.

The artist, whose native name is Half Moon Woman, was living at Moose Lake, Man. at the time. This gave her a ready supply of the razor-thin, paper-like outer bark of the birch tree.

Now she makes trips back to Manitoba every spring to harvest birch bark. “The bark here in B.C. doesn’t work because the climate is really hot in the summer and it turns the bark like leather.”

Birch bark biting is a 14 step process, according to Bruderer’s website, www.halfmoonstudios.com.

The first step is going to the land and seeking a suitable tree to collect the bark from, then a tobacco offering is made to show respect and appreciation to the birch trees.

True experience is necessary to collect the bark since a good eye and skilled hands are required to make sure the right type of birch tree is selected and that the piece of bark is free of knots and other markings and of high enough quality.

“It is not uncommon to be empty handed after seeking quality bark for six hours or more,” says the site.

30 QUILL & DRUM

Peeling the bark is a very delicate and tedious process where a skilled hand is required.

When Bruderer receives the bark, she sorts out the most suitable pieces, and peels them away until they are only one layer thick. The peeling is a delicate craft in itself, in which one rough motion can destroy a piece of bark.

Then comes the sixth step — visualizing.

Bruderer has her own ceremony to put her in the right mood of calm alertness to work. According to her son, Jadeon Rathgeber, she does not need absolute silence in which to work, but prefers a setting that is quiet where she will not be distracted.

She folds the bark up to 16 times — “like a xylophone”, Rathgeber said, and uses different teeth for different effects, with one tooth for drawing lines, her incisors for shading, and another for large details. She can use only very light pressure, or else the bark will tear.

Even so, she sometimes does as many as five or six pieces before getting one that is up to her standards. Each piece takes a couple of hours to complete, and is usually done in one session.

Only a skilled and experienced artist can foresee the pattern and make the necessary folds required to symmetrically create elaborate and beautiful patterns without creating a star like effect from applying too much pressure along the fold itself.

Once the pattern has been bitten into the bark, unfolding becomes the next careful step as opening too fast may tear the delicate bark due to pressure of the biting process.

The tenth step is the one Half Moon Woman calls ‘crazy’. That’s the burning stage when the bark is exposed to a flame which simply wants to ignite it spontaneously.

“Only a skilled artist can control the burning of the edges which creates an added depth to the entire birch bark transparency.”

The next two steps are wetting and flattening. Then the finished piece is signed and placed in a protective casing ready for framing.

Bruderer believes birch bark biting has many teachings: patience, respect, kindness, creativity, medicine, imagination and sharing. She uses the four elements in her work — earth, water, wind and fire.

Guiding the bark with her fingers, she bites along the folds while visualizing her creation. “You have to think in your mind what you’re going to bite. It’s all thinking and visualizing.”

Biting designs including insects, flowers, people and animals, Bruderer gets her ideas from memories of growing up on the Mosakahiken Cree Nation reserve in Manitoba.

“When I was a young girl — I’m 52 years old now — everybody wore mocassins, mucklucks and beaded jackets and I remember the patterns and I remember the colours and how it looked,” she told Kamloops This Week prior to an exhibit in February 2007.

“When I think about making a flower, it can’t be something that is flat because there’s all these colours that were in there.

“I want people to look at it and actually see all the lines and the depth that are there.”

Of the creative process, Bruderer said, “It’s very healing and very relaxing”. The healing stems, in part, from the concentration required “by taking your mind off everything, helping your thinking to become clear and focused”.

“I have an alcohol and drug free life. I think if I didn’t have that, I wouldn’t even think about touching my work,” Bruderer said in the artistans’ catalogue of the Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations.

Part of the visualization involves using the imagination to project the possible, and just about any design is possible, she believes.

“The only thing stopping yourself from achieving things is yourself.”

Originally birch bark biting was a form of competition to see who would create the most elaborate design. Later they were also used for beadwork and silk embroidery patterns. It has been said that the best designs were used to create the Chief’s regalia (elaborate traditional clothing) and that each bite represented a spirit. Birch bark bitings were also used as part of the construction of certain sacred ceremonial objects.

“Imagine a time not so long ago, where families would go off to gather berries or roots, and while taking a small break, someone would go off to peel some birch bark and create various patterns by biting into it simply to pass time,” encourages an article on the Half Moon Studios website. “Prior to European contact, when the days grew shorter in the winter months, the adults would also entertain the children by creating birch bark bitings with them, these created patterns would light up when held in front of the camp fire depicting dreams and stories that were shared and passed on with the young ones.”

To keep the tradition moving forward, Bruderer said, “I’m trying to develop it more and bring the past into the future.”

She offers community demonstrations and teaches birch bark biting in schools.

A piece of her work is featured in the Grade 10 textbook Aboriginal Perspectives.

“Birch bark biting is like people,” Bruderer says. “No two are the same; everyone is special and beautiful in their own way.”

She’d eventually like to create a book about birch bark bitings and do more workshops for youth and children.

Half Moon Woman has her art featured around the world in such places as the Glenbow Museum, Museum of Man and Nature and several private collections in Canada, Switzerland, Scotland, France, Germany, Africa, China, Malaysia, Hawaii and Alaska.

QUILL & DRUM 31

ABORIGINAL ARTS

S

EPASS POEMS Ancient Songs of Y-Ail-Mihth

Chief William K’HHalserten Sepass; Commemorative edition; $175 with case sleeve cloth (200 limited edition); $79 with dust jacket cloth (1,000 books) 978-09686046-4-9, 156 pp., 6.5x10, Longhouse Publishing, December 2009.

Sepass Poems is an epic collection of ancient aboriginal

poems translated from the original oral Halq’eméylem (Coast Salish) language into English between 1911 and 1915 (before the written language).

The poems tell the story of the beginning of the world and the legends of Xá:ls (K’HHals), the great Transformer who walked this earth in the distant past to put things right.

The poems are ancient. They date to a time, long before Europeans arrived in North America. Chief Sepass called them the songs of Y-Ail-Mihth, or Uailmit - “the ancient singer”. They were part of an epic cycle of songs, traditionally recited at special gatherings, and especially during the ancient ‘sun ceremonies’ that used to be held in

32 QUILL & DRUM

Chilliwack every four years in pre-contact times.

They were passed on to Chief Sepass by his ancestors, and to his ancestors by their ancestors before them.

Significantly, the Sepass Poems represent the only work of ‘classic’ Halq’eméylem literature-in-translation.

Chief William K’HHalserten Sepass (1841-1943) was the last of the great orators; a storyteller, a philosopher and a spiritual person, carefully selected and trained as a young boy to carry the traditional teachings of his culture, the knowledge of his lands, and the stories and songs of the beginning of the world and how the lands were shaped by the emotions and adventures of mankind upon the earth.

Surviving the devastating effects of western diseases, witnessing the influx of European settlers, two world wars, the automobile, the iron lung, telephone, running water and the Indian residential schools, Chief Sepass witnessed the demise of his culture and language. He knew that these teachings would not survive in their original oral tradition.

He saw the different priests of the newly formed churches come and go, but they always read from the same book.

He noticed these stories from the Bible being given great respect and ceremony. It was this method (a written form) that Chief Sepass

saw as the only way to save these priceless poems for his people; that knowing them, Indians would remember their greatness for all time.

It was during this time, when he was nearly 70 years old, that Chief Sepass met a young, crippled white girl named Eloise Street at Cultus Lake, in 1911. Sepass was lamenting the loss of his people’s culture, language and traditions, and expressed to Eloise his desire to have his poems recorded, translated and published in book form, as a legacy for his people.

These stories, widely heard at the annual summer sun ceremonies and gatherings, were always told in the Coast Salish language. Over four years (1911-1915), Chief Sepass, with the assistance of Sophia Jane White, Eloise’s mother, meticulously translated, recited and recorded and transcribed them in English. Sophia White had been raised by Sto:lo nannies and fluent in Halq’eméylem, the everyday language of these women. She understood the importance of adhering to the original rhythms and cadences of the sixteen ancient songs. Together with Chief Sepass who insisted on the original meanings she has left his priceless legacy for everyone to read.

George Clutesi of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, native artist, painter, actor and a friend of Chief Sepass, made the statement: “These poems will be the Indian classic of the future.” (1949) This commemorative edition, due for release December 2009, has been published in honour of this great man.

It is a fitting tribute to the importance and value of these poems among aboriginal people.

As described by His Honour, Grand Chief Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, in his foreword to the book, “… like the Homeric legends of Western thought, the Sepass Poems are a

profound legacy to future Xwelmexw generations as they continue to seek meaning and stability in an everchanging modern world.”

The uncluttered design of 156 pages of text with 18 pieces of original artwork creates a treasured keepsake. These poems, Chief Sepass’ legacy, will capture and change the reader forever.

The poems were out of print until Longhouse publisher Ann Mohs spent two years tracking down the Street family to return the copyright to the Sepass family. She also discovered the “missing” 16th poem.

At the book launch at the Skowkale community hall, Dec. 5, there was a standing room only crowd. “We are very pleased with the response. The book is a work of art,” said Mohs.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be used to start an education scholarship fund for Aboriginal youth.

Lynne Grillmair has beautifully illustrated this book with 16 original watercolours.

She grew up in the Fraser Valley where she attended school in Mission B.C. She completed a Bachelors degree at the University of British Columbia in Art History, and in 1991-92 attended the Alberta College of Art. She started painting full time in 1996, embarking on an artistic journey encouraging experimentation rather than production. Lynne’s work explores a great variety of ideas, themes and mediums.

In 2003, after being an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists for six years, she received Associate Signature Status (AFCA). She is also a member of the International Society of Experimental Artists. Her works can be found in private collections in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia, as well as locally. lgrillm@telus.net www.lynnegrillmair.ca

QUILL & DRUM 33

ABORIGINAL TOURISM

XÁ:YTEM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

BY AUDRY LOCHRIE

The “ Singing Rock”

Xá:ytem is a place of culture and sharing where visitors learn, interact, and experience TRAVEL TO THE LAND OF THE STO:LO (People of the River) this year and visit the only sacred transformer rock site in Sto: lo territory that is allowed public access in order to share, educate and inform about Sto:lo culture and history. Xá:ytem (pronounced “HAY-tum”) is the name for a giant rock situated on an ancient river terrace overlooking the Fraser River, and a 90 minute drive east of Vancouver. In recent years, archaeologists have excavated evidence of a large 9000 year old Coast Salish village site, older than both the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. This site is part of the Sto:lo traditional territory and is one of the richest archeological finds with thousands of artifact s recovered during the archaeological excavations in the area. This is also the first sacred site in Canada to be recognized

by Federal governments as a National Historic Site and 34 QUILL & DRUM

by the Provincial government when it was recognized a Provincial Heritage Site.

Archaeological evidence at Xá:ytem (also known as Hatzic Rock) is physical testimony of long term Stó: lo presence, cultural traditions and spirituality. It also demonstrates that ancestors of the Stó:lo were a socially developed society of people who fished for salmon, systematically harvested the forests, traded over great distances and practiced a life rich in ceremony. The site has impressive collections of aboriginal artifacts and art to explore and archaeological discoveries that depict ten thousand years of ancient life ways Xá:ytem is a place of culture and sharing where visitors learn, interact, and experience Sto:lo history, culture, archaeology and spirituality. The ancient site features

“BC’s oldest house” carbon-dated at 6000 years old.

The centerpiece of the ancient Coast Salish village site is a sacred transformer stone named Xá:ytem, meaning ‘sudden transformation This large transformer rock overlooking the Fraser River represents three ancient Stó: lo “si:yam” , or Chiefs. All three were transformed into stone to teach their people to honor and share the gifts of the Creator. The oral tradition of the Stó:lo First Nation peoples have preserved their ancestor’s stories about this extraordinary monolith’s great spiritual significance and of the people who have lived here for over five hundred generations.

The site interpreters tell the stories connected with the transformer rock history and significance and make this a truly special event for everyone involved. They share their vast knowledge of Xá:ytem, explaining in detail the day to day life of people who lived here 6000 to 9000 years ago from the thousands of artifacts that have been found on this site. The site interpreters share the knowledge of the cedar, they tell of stories written in blankets of mountain goat hair and of an ancient house older than the Egyptian pyramids. Visitors have enjoyed this interactive experience and gained a lasting impression of both contemporary and ancient Sto:lo culture while visiting this powerful ”Singing Rock.” The Longhouse, welcomes visitors year round as well as group and school tours.

Visit the 4,000 square foot longhouse at the site constructed traditionally with massive cedar timbers and planking where visitors can learn more about traditional First Nations’ culture and history. The site also features two pithouses (underground circular dwellings) and overnight experiences with an interpretive guide. There is an artisan centre where visitors are able to interact with master carvers while they work on totem poles. The site houses a premier art and gift gallery that offers carved gold and silver jewellry, carved plaques and masks, Native

art,bent boxes, as well as souvenir items and books.

Visitors should plan to spend at least an hour or two to be able to see and enjoy their experience.

Not only are visitors are offered fully-guided tours of the archeological site and interpretive centre they have an opportunity to book from a choice of a number of handson cultural, archaeology and fishing programs; workshops such as basket making, drum making, Salish weaving, and mask craving; cross-cultural awareness seminars. There is also an opportunity for groups of visitors to book ahead and stay overnight in a pithouse.

The Longhouse

Culture Participants

Dr. Linnea Battel, (Ai:yametkwa: she who brings the

QUILL & DRUM 35

ABORIGINAL TOURISM

A time for Learning

sun) is the Executive Director of the Xá:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre. Her dedication as a steward and protector of this culturally significant site is responsible for the on-site development. Linnea is a well known leader of Aboriginal and heritage preservation and has made sharing the history and culture of the people of the river, the Sto: lo the focus of the site development.

The site provides education for over 15,000 elementary school students each year and has been successfully changing people’s perceptions of First Nations since 1993. She is responsible for managing site projects, staff, and long-term planning. A large part of her time is spent fundraising for capital expansion as she builds a worldclass First Nations interpretive centre at Hatzic Rock. She has raised the finances to build the two pit houses, the traditional cedar longhouse, the archeology shelter and most recently an artisan centre.

The Interpretive Centre began with the discovery of artifacts in a barren farmer’s field slated to be a 14 house sub-division, It was Linnea who led the ensuing fight to protect the land and the sacred rock the way a

36 QUILL & DRUM

mother protects her children. Linnea’s campaign to save a sacred rock in a farmer’s field led to the property to be acquired by the Province of BC. She has transformed the barren field into a First Nations attraction and learning centre where visitors can experience Sto:lo culture, history, archaeology, and spirituality.

Her dedication and advocacy on behalf of British Columbia and Aboriginal heritage preservation has been enormous and she was awarded the Province of BC Heritage Award in 2000 and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2001. In 2003, Linnea was conferred a Honourary Doctorate of Laws degree by the University College of the Fraser Valley. Most importantly ,she always does her best to make herself available to share her knowledge and sing the song of the sacred singing rock. Linnea’s volunteer work includes being the , Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Tourism BC, Chair of the Aboriginal Tourism Blueprint Implementation, a member of the Board of Governors of the University of the Fraser Valley, and a member of the Mission Economic Development Select Committee.

Xá:ytem is Ideally situated on the scenic Lougheed Highway 7, on

Mission’s eastern border. Mission is located approximately 70 kilometers (44 miles) east of the City of Vancouver and a 15 minutes drive north of the US border in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. Nestled on a southern coastal mountain slope the town overlooks the lush valley of the mighty Fraser River.

It is surrounded by the incredible beauty of mountainous vistas and natural forest settings. There are several ways to get to Mission. The two access highways to Mission are the Lougheed Highway #7 and Highway #11. If driving east or west on Highway #1, take the Sumas exit (exit 92) in Abbotsford and head north on Highway #11 until you reach Lougheed Highway (Scenic 7), and head east about 5 kilometres.

There’s a large sign out front and the Longhouse is visible from the highway. The site offers ample free parking and is wheelchair accessible.

If you prefer to visit the site on a guided bus tour, Talking Totem Tours provides 6 hour group tours from Vancouver. The tours follow the Fraser River with an expert native guide interpreting the stories of the land that is traveled on, to this sacred site. A lunch is served on site featuring a Traditional Barbecued Salmon served with Bannock and Rice. Salads, Vegetables, Desserts and beverages are also included.

Tour includes pick-up and drop-off at Vancouver hotels and prices are from $88 - $132 per person, depending on group size. For more information the tour itinerary can be viewed at www. talkingtotemtours.com or contact Audry Lochrie 604.989.2897 Xa:ytem Tel: 604. 820-9725 Email: info@xaytem.ca www.xaytem.ca Open year round Address: 35087 Lougheed Highway, Mission, BC Canada

AtBC Tourism operators and staff attend Annual General Meeting

ABORIGINAL TOURISM Operators of Aboriginal tourism and cultural experiences are taking advantage of changing guest expectations and emerging as leaders in the B. C. tourism industry, according to a recently released report.

Increasing numbers of visitors who stay longer and spend more are increasing employment. By 2012, the industry is expected to contribute over $50 million to B.C.’s economy, up from approximately $35 million today.

“Aboriginal tourism experiences in British Columbia are not only diverse, but provide a culturally authentic opportunity to learn about the traditions, practices and first peoples in this province,” said Keith Henry, CEO of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC). “Travellers are seeking immersive, cultural experiences many of our operators perfected over the years. As our industry recovers from a global slowdown, I don’t have a doubt Aboriginal tourism is going to be regarded as one of British Columbia’s tourism success stories.”

The study, compiled by Dr. Peter Williams, director of the Centre for Tourism Policy and Research at Simon Fraser University made the

following estimates about Aboriginal tourism’s performance in British Columbia:

• More visitors during rough times: Visits to Aboriginal tourism operations increased 67 per cent between 2006 and 2009, while overall provincial tourism flows remained depressed during this time.

• Even more visitors forecast: By 2012, Aboriginal tourism traffic is expected to reach 3.8 million visitor nights – double 2005 levels.

• Visitors stay longer, spend more: Visitors to Aboriginal tourism operators tend to spend the same amount per day as other overnight travellers. However, their trips are about 65 per cent longer, meaning their overall expenditures are more.

• Visitors spending more in tough times: Despite lower overall provincial expenditures, Aboriginal tourism visitors collectively spent 89 per cernt more in 2009 than in 2006.

• More employers, more jobs: Approximately 1,700 full-time and 310 part-time Aboriginal tourism jobs existed in 2009. This is a 16 per cent increase over 2006 levels.

“While the Aboriginal tourism industry in British Columbia is still a relatively small sector, it has made some very significant strides in a very short period of time,” said Williams. “That’s impressive and a good example of how the demand for cultural tourism experiences is taking hold with today’s travellers.

BC’s tourism industry should take note. Aboriginal tourism operators have found a winning niche in a very competitive marketplace. ” “Cultural tourism has been a great fit for Aboriginal tourism operators in BC,” said Sophie Pierre, chair, Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia and involved with St. Eugene Mission Resort in Cranbrook. “This interest in our culture has given tourism operators, like myself, the opportunity to develop profitable business plans that celebrate our traditions, provide employment for our communities and help revitalize our culture for younger generations.”

In his summary, Williams credited AtBC with directly or indirectly contributing to the rapid development of Aboriginal cultural tourism in BC. “During its tenure, Aboriginal tourism awareness, incidence, visitor traffic, tourist expenditures and contributions to taxes have all increased substantially. This is particularly encouraging because it has happened in a relatively short and challenging time frame.” He encouraged the organization to work strategically to retain and strengthen the gains.

“Its role in building awareness and capacity for this province’s Aboriginal tourism industry is critical to maintaining the momentum that currently exists,” Williams’ report concluded.

The 60 stakeholders with AtBC range from gallery curators to jet boat guides, wineries and cultural interpretative experiences and are located in every corner of the province.

Each member is an Aboriginalowned business that guarantees cultural authenticity as part of its attraction. More information about the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia is available at www. aboriginalbc.com.

QUILL & DRUM 37

ATBC GOVERNANCE

ABORIGINAL TOURISM

MORE ABORIGINAL cultural tourism

operators are expected to participate in a greater variety of marketing initiatives organized by the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC), under a new stakeholder structure.

The association’s members approved a change in governance during their meeting in late October, eliminating the annual membership fee.

“Trends in the Aboriginal cultural tourism industry point to the stakeholder model as the approach best suited to place AtBC at the top while positioning the organization to tackle the many challenges it faces,” states information in an overview of the change.

“The stakeholder model calls for the elimination of mandatory membership fees, thereby encouraging … industry participants to join the organization. AtBC will continue to deliver high quality services to all these participants, … promoting both their individual businesses to tourists and their interests through representation and advertising at professional trade shows,” the report states.

Those members interested in being involved in the decision making process can earn a voting right in exchange for investing in an AtBC marketing program.

The organization expects to accomplish two significant goals by removing the membership fee.

The first it that it will become more attractive “for tourism operators

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who will be interested to seize the opportunity to benefit from all services that AtBC offers” and AtBC will be able to represent a broader range of products and services. The second is that participation in tourism partner programs with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts will be available to all eligible tourism businesses in the province.

The report noted that case studies from other jurisdictions show adopting the stakeholder model results in an increase in the number of investors and higher investments in marketing and promotional initiatives. And as more operators become stakeholders, “AtBC can seize the opportunity to build more diverse and dynamic marketing initiatives resulting in higher reach and market penetration, thereby benefitting not only tourists but also the stakeholders.”

The model is described as a win-winwin opportunity for tourists, tourism operators and AtBC. “Tourists will benefit from a larger selection of choices as AtBC would represent and promote the entire spectrum of tourism products and services in B.C. Operators would be able to participate in more marketing initiatives and AtBC will become stronger and more relevant “positioning it as an impactful organization and the destination of choice for all B.C. tourists.

“AtBC must make progressive and bold steps to ensure our long term sustainability,” said AtBC chairperson Sophie Pierre. “AtBC needs to take

our rightful place as a marketing organization and ensure we represent Aboriginal cultural tourism operators who are willing to invest in collective strategies to support our important industry. AtBC’s work to redesign the corporate bylaws and effectively transition to a stakeholder governance model supports this vision.”

During the October meeting, AtBC members attending the Member Forum also received updates on a comprehensive statistical report of the state of tourism in British Columbia that included a comparison in relation to the Aboriginal cultural tourism industry, an update on progress of the AtBC authentication pilot project initiative, training and product development progress, travel trade media information and a final draft of the AtBC 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games time program.

“This weekend was another important step for AtBC to lead the development of the Aboriginal cultural tourism industry in B.C. and arguably the world,” said Keith Henry, chief executive officer of the organization. “AtBC will continue to support such forums in the future and our next immediate steps will be our organized three month transition period to ensure the former AtBC members better understand how the transition to a stakeholder will affect them. The future is very bright.”

More information about the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia is available at www. aboriginalbc.com.

I N S P I RING CULTURES. FA S C INATING TRADITIONS. W E L COMING PEOPLE. Found here.

Across British Columbia, there are countless ways to experience the art, culture and traditions of our Aboriginal people. From museums and interpretive centres that tell our stories, to artists and performers that share our creativity, you’ll discover enriching festivities and welcoming people in every corner.

Visit www.AboriginalBC.com and order a free Aboriginal BC Visitor Guide.

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