SENK’LIP NEWS JUNE - 2016 EDITION - OKANAGAN INDIAN BAND 12420 WESTSIDE ROAD VERNON, BC V1H 2A4 - FREE
had already been completed and fully illustrated. Dorothy sidled around the request to “endorse” her work, by asking permission to acknowledge the OKIB in the dedication on the inside cover. Her request was met with a resounding “NO.” The OKIB cultural representative advised that there were a number of glaring inaccuracies with the book because of Dorothy Hawes’ lack of research - including the use of Coast Salish imagery not consistent with the Okanagan culture, incorrect use of Okanagan language, and improper portrayal of oral history. During an interview on May 8, 2016 with CBC Radio, Dorothy Hawes tried to make a connection to the Okanagan Indian Band because it would help with the sale and promotion of her new book. In response to the CBC article and interview with Dorothy Hawes and her false claims of consultation and support by the OKIB, Chief Byron Louis released the following statement:
Children’s book author makes false connections to Okanagan Indian Band
“The Okanagan Indian Band was not consulted during the writing of this book; OKIB is not affiliated in any way with Dorothy Hawes; and we do not support her exploitation of our people, culture and knowledge. This is just another example of a non-indigenous person seeking to profit from our stories. Our stories are our own to tell and illustrate, as VERNON, British Columbia – May 13, 2016 – When au- such, books not written or approved by us infringe on our thor Dorothy Hawes approached the Okanagan Indian own voice and are not authentic representations of OkanaBand about her new children’s book “Ogopogo Odyssey” it gan people.”
SENK’LIP NEWS Editor: Shaylen Smith
Ph: 250-542-4328 Fx: 250-542-4990 shaylen.smith@okanagan.org
Chief: Byron Louis Councillors: Homer Alexis, Lyle Brewer, Barbara (June) Cole, Tim Isaac, Allan Louis, Coola Louis, Dan Wilson, Raymond Marchand, Russell Williams and Leland Wilson
Community
Page 2 Okanagan Indian Band Important Numbers CUT AND PLACE ON YOUR FRIDGE! EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Council Meetings Schedule Regular Scheduled Meetings First Tuesday of the Month:
Emergency OKIB Volunteer Fire Dept. Water Buildings
911 250-545-4111 250-308-8075 250-306-1363
Main Band Office Toll Free Administration Education/Training Human Resources Membership Finance
250-542-4328 1-866-542-4328
Health Social Development and Training Head of the Lake Hall New Horizons Snc’c’amalta?tn Daycare and School Cultural Immersion School Public Works and Housing/Lands Territorial Stewardship/Research
250-542-5094 250-558-3706 250-558-1414 250-545-2402 250-545-3800 250-260-3616 250-542-3444 250-542-7132
9:00am to 4:00pm
Second Tuesday of the Month: 5:30pm to 9:30pm Third Tuesday of the Month:
9:00am to 4:00pm
Changes to the schedule and community meetings/emergency meetings will be communicated to the membership in the following ways: www.okib.ca www.facebook.com/OkanaganBand www.twitter.com/OkanaganBand Process All requests to be added to the Chief and Council’s agenda must be submitted to the Executive Director by Wednesday at 4:30pm the week before the next meeting. Agenda items are reviewed and approved by the Executive Director and Chief on Thursday afternoon. Contact Stacy Yow, Executive Assistant to Council: 250-542-4328 ext. 210, or by email at stacy.yow@okanagan.org
OKIB members, if you have moved, please update your address with the Band Office. Members who sign up for the Senk’lip will receive the other important mail outs including: community engagement information and annual/quarterly reports. Call the band office, or email okibadmin@okanagan.org to sign up.
General Band Meeting
OKIB Aboriginal
June 15, 2016
Day Celebration
Head of the Lake Hall
June 21, 2016 Komasket Park
Dinner: 5:00 - 6:00pm Open House: 6:00 - 8:00pm
Strategic Plan Updates by division
General Discussion: 8:00 - 9:00pm Closing: 9:00pm
Agenda: 4:00 - 4:30 Run for the Drum Registration 4:30-5:30 Run for the Drum 5:30 - 6:30 BBQ 6:30-8:00 Entertainment: music, dance, storytelling, kids activities Open Stick Game Tournament (registration open from 5 6:30pm) 3-5 players per team. $50. per team. Double knock out. Tour-
For more information contact: Stacy Yow, Executive Assistant - C&C 250-542-4328
nament starts right after dinner
Vendors welcome with a donated a door prize
For more information, contact: Health Department at 250-542-5094
Culture & Language
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E hee-a-thinaugh checkwook “tl” ap il skwook “tl” eelt I’ll “tl” ghugh “tl” hap. The sun rising over the hill on the fawn and the older people. Language Nest Way ya ya t swit (Hello everyone) The Language Nest Program has been granted funding for the next two years. This is awesome for our little xixutems (little girls) and ttwits (little boys). It means that we can offer more language learning opportunities for our children, so that they can absorb and increase their fluency of our language. Our program will also be offering Traditional Parenting and Tupa’s Kitchen, and continuing with Language Nights. Everyone is welcome, bring your slaxts! Nest Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays 9am-Noon 0-4 years Noon – 3pm – Preschool
Head Start class staff members Jordyn or Rae.
Snc’c’amala?tn News From the Manager Lorraine Ladan Closures All programs at the Early Childhood Education Centre and School will be closed: Tuesday, June 21 Friday, July 1
Aboriginal Day Canada Day
End of School Year Tuesday, June 28 Preschool Graduation 10:00 am Wednesday, June 29 Last Day of School, Noon dismissal Term 3 Report Cards Kindergarten Graduation 10:30 am Last Day of Head Start Infant/Toddler Way from the Infant Toddler Room Happy Birthday Teal, Brielle, Owen, Lincoln, Tucker We have been very busy in the infant toddler room! Tucker and Lincoln will be moving on to the 3-5 room this month and we will miss them here in the baby room but they are so excited to move into the other room!
We have been enjoying all the beautiful Okanagan weather and look forward to many trips to the park. Please ensure your children are ready for the day by being prepared for the weather and that you have signed the sunscreen permission form at the centre as we apply before going outdoors! Also send a change of clothing for your children as we will begin water play and will be getting wet The children have been very interested in bugs so we have been doing big hunts and exploring all the places a bug may be. The children get so excited when we find one; we then ask Tupa what the Okanagan word is for the bugs found. It’s a great way to learn new words in the language. Lim Limpt Infant Toddler Staff
We would like to wish Tucker, Lincoln and Denise a very Happy Birthday. We all miss Denise our Head Start Coordinator very much. The Head Start class would like to give parents a friendly reminder to bring hats and proper footwear for Head Start as it is getting hot out. Summer is just around the corner. Have a happy summer from the Head Start Staff. Jordyn Alexis, Rae Cohen, Karen Herriot, Tupa (Virginia) Preschool Way! From the Speplina Room In May the Preschool were learning about bug, birds and Spring. We are going on a fieldtrip to Brewers Pond. We will walk from the barn to the pond, which is a short distance away. At the pond we usually see turtles, ducks and other birds. Thank you to Barry Brewer for letting us visit the pond.
3 to 5 Year Old Daycare / Head Start Way’ / Hello from the Head Start Room!
June is coming upon us fast. Preschool graduation will be on Tuesday, June 28 starting at 10:00 am. A lunch and cake will be served afterwards.
We would like to say goodbye to another great school year. Our year end Head Start dinner will be on June 23 at 5:00 pm. Please RSVP with the
Happy Birthday May 10 – Wacey and Kimora May 27 – Landon Happy Birthday June 2 – Owen
Culture and Language continued
Page 4 June 11 - Luke Thank you, Karla, Ramona, Marnie and Tupa Kindergarten Wai from the P’qel qin room, We are nearing the end of the school year already and the students are getting excited about summer holidays. June is always a busy time of the school year. In Okanagan Language Virginia has been teaching the children names for colours, clothing, foods and animals. For culture Mona helped the children loom bead their own belts with their names on them and we took a fieldtrip to the Armstrong Art Gallery to view the ‘School Crossing Exhibit’ which included artwork from our Kindergarten class.
it’s time for some well-deserved fun. We will celebrate the end of the year by having a family day picnic and pirate day. June 29 is the date for our kindergarten graduation ceremony where we will acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful achievements of our students! Congratulations to Eric, Tajai and Katherine for finishing their 3rd home reading sheets this year and having read a total of 90 books, and to Avery for finishing his 2nd home reading sheet by reading a total of 60 books so far this year. Awesome reading! Happy Birthday to Eric who celebrates his 6th birthday in June. Mrs. Alexis and Trish Cultural Worker – Mona Tronson
passing of the late Emery Robins Sr. He was the “Master of Ceremony “at all our mini powwows’ that his drum group Little Hawk performed at. He always had new students at his drum each year as he encouraged and shared his cultural knowledge the best way he knew through singing and drumming, laughter and stories. Emery was one of our community members that I called upon to share his teachings of The Art of Drum Making, Hand drumming and Singing. Staff members along with the children and their families enjoyed Emery’s presence here at the daycare. We will miss him. Mona Tronson
This year we will not be hosting out Annual The students have worked hard all year and now Snc’c’amala?tn Mini Pow wow in respect to the
Summer Day Camp for 6 to 12 Year Olds Session 1 Session 2
Monday, July 11 to Thursday, July 28 Tuesday, August 2 to Friday, August 19
The Summer Day Camp is a fun recreational program with a focus on outdoor play and sports, a weekly field trip, arts and crafts and cultural activities. A morning and afternoon snack is provided. Children bring their own lunch and any extra healthy snacks. We encourage everyone to drink lots of water and to wear sunscreen and a hat every day. The fees for each 14 day session are $84.00 for status children and $140.00 for non-status. Fees must be prepaid in full before children can attend any days. Registration forms may be picked up at Snc’c’amala?tn? If you would like your child to attend, please register by Friday, June 24. Call Nicole or Lorraine for more information at 250-545-3800.
Chief and Council
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North Peace Tribal Council visits OKIB Chief and Council Left to Right: Chief Trevor Mercredi (Beaver First Nation, Fred Didzena, Chief Byron Louis (OKIB), CEO Cameron Alexis (NPTC) and Councillor Leland Wilson (OKIB)
Health Building - May 2, 2016 - Chief Byron Louis, Councillors Tim Isaac, June Cole, Leland Wilson, Russell Williams and Lyle Brewer welcomed three chiefs from the North Peace Tribal Council.
out “how does Tolko deal with the Okana- process of developing a new relationship gan Indian Band in their own backyard?” with Tolko and were in Vernon, BC to meet with Tolko and sign a Letter of UnTolko has been in the North Peace area derstanding. for 60 years and have tenure control over 82% of the NPTC’s traditional territory. The visit was a great opportunity to supThe North Peace Tribal Council (NPTC) Issues that the NPTC face when negotiat- port other First Nations and develop new traditional lands cover Northern British ing with Tolko include conflict around tra- relationships. The discussion was engagColumbian and Northern Alberta. Tradiditional land management, declining cari- ing and honest with OKIB providing a tional gifts were exchanged with OKIB of- bou herds, woodland buffalo (not endem- background on the history of its relationfering sage and NPTC offering a blanket. ic to the region) pushing out the caribou, ship with Tolko and how that relationship trap lines not being respected. has turned out. The Chiefs from the NPTC came to find The North Peace Tribal Council is in the
Chief Louis Visits with Elders New Horizons Building - May 25, 2016 The elders welcomed Chief Louis to their weekly Wednesday lunch; the dinner featured baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables with Jello for dessert. The elders shared updates , fundraising events and concerns. The Elders are fundraising for a trip to Arlington, WA. They had discussed the option of attending the Elders Gathering in Williams Lake, but the cost and limited availability of accommodation has deterred the group from attending. Current fundraising events include: Okanagan Elders’ Raffle for $100 (only 100 tickets printed) June 2 - Loonie Auction
June 4 - Garage Sale June 29 - Bingo Byron provided updates and answered questions on current initiatives including UXO projects, the Round Lake Treatment Centre Referendum, Traditional Territory claims, and the Ogopogo book that was released (see front page for details).
Education
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“Stepping Forward� Program Graduation Okanagan College – Continuing Studies 22-week Stepping Forward Program offered in partnership with Okanagan Indian Band, was a significant success with 12 students completing the program. Since November 23, 2015 students have worked to overcome barriers; increased Math and English skills; gained useful workplace certificates; reconnected more deeply with their culture and language; and identified the next steps in their lives.
program, "I am not the same timid person who started this program 22 weeks ago. I have grown and moved forward in so many ways!"
As a group we came up with the following descriptions of the members of the group:
Jonnie: comic, friendly, encouraging, good friend, like a team captain. Mekaila: poet, writer, creative, happy, outgoing, deep (not a surface person). Lisa: is the law, kind, generous, Mom, funny, resilient. Ken: comedian, knitter, business entrepreneur, got license, sense of humor. Colton: gamer, hard-working, people person, expressive, funny. Cassidy: traveler, creative, humorous, sassy, knows who she is, confident.
The students rose to the occasion, drumming and singing the Okanagan Nation song for the 50 plus guests attending their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 6. This was a proud moment for all involved and in attendance. After completing the program, students are now planning to continue their education In the words of Mekaila John, graduate of the Stepping Forward and/or find employment.
Jaime: rock star, shiny, poet, lover of all things, activist for cute stuff, internet pioneer, kickboxer, designer, photographer. Jerry: wise, old soul, smiling, never mad or sad (in public), polite, a joy to be around, good writer. DJ: internet addict, pool player renowned, good cook, smart, funny, in his own world, introvert, good ideas, good looking.
Youth & Education
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YOUTH PROGRAM CALENDAR
Here is what’s happening in June: Canoe Journey Mural project Ball hockey until the end of June Taekwondo belt exam Wednesday 22nd of June Youth PALS (firearms licence) who’s interested? (14- 18 years old) Youth Hunting Training 4 youth to participate starts August 15th. Must have PALS. Anybody wants to do Food Safe or Babysitting course? If you need more information on the Youth Programs, contact: Mario Richard, Youth Worker Office: 250-542-5094 Cell: 250-306-1300 Email: Mario.richard@okanagan.org
Snc’c’amala?tn Photos
TOP: Preschool class enjoying themselves at Komasket
LEFT: Abilynn and Gabriel making art.
BOTTOM: Kindergarten class at the Armstrong Art Gallery
Health & Community
Page 8 Patient travel hours Monday – Friday 9am- noon, 1- 3pm Due to it being high season anyone requiring accommodations for appointments should try to have their appointments submitted as early as possible as many hotels get book to full capacity during the summer months. Laurie Peters 250-542-5094, extension 206
Hearing Clinic- Connect Hearing WHAT:
Hearing health
WHERE:
Community Service & Development Department (Health)
WHEN:
June 23, 2016 from 1:00 – 4:00 Drop-ins are most welcome!
Are you looking for a new doctor? If you have access to the Internet, type this in: BC College of Physicians Or http://www.cpsbc.ca/physician_search follow the prompts and not only type in Vernon, also type in Enderby, Armstrong or Lumby, etc. Try other communities. Something to remember though, patient travel does not cover costs to family doctors or general practitioners. There is also the Downtown Primary Care Centre, though if you have a doctor, they would encourage you to make an appointment for a medical visit with the doctor. The Nurse Practitioner is at this office from Monday to Friday. A doctor is available on Thursdays for patients who do not have a doctor. Please call 250.541.1097 for further information.
WHY: Connect Hearing visits the CS & D Department (Health) and provides a free service to the OKIB Community. If you are experiencing hearing loss, or if you have not had a hearing test, or even repairs to an existing hearing unit, please call us to book an appointment. As an added bonus, if you know of anyone that would attend this free clinic and has Contact: not had a test with Connect Hearing mention that you gave your guest a referral and Rosalie Saddleman, Community Outreach Worker Connect Hearing will mail you a Tim Hortons gift card. 250.542.5094 (ext.214) e-mail: rosalie.saddleman@okanagan.org