February 2015

Volume 11 • Issue 01

FEBRUARY, 2015

CLEANSING OURSELVES SLIAMMON ELDER TALKS IN TRADITIONAL BATHING FEATURE

PAGES 6-9

HOMALCO LOOKS AHEAD PAGE 2

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EDITORIAL

SHINING A LIGHT ON OUR CULTURE

T

he photographs of a man bathing in our feature article this month are not meant to be shocking.

But when we first posted one on our Facebook page a couple of weeks ago, there were comments that objected to a public photograph of someone taking a traditional bath in a river and brushing off with cedar.

But others, including cultural people from Coast Salish nations, said the photograph brought them joy and even tears

to their eyes for an often forgotten way of practicing traditional beliefs.

The purpose of the photos was to illustrate the powerful words of Elsie Paul of Sliammon that is central to the feature article in this issue. The words are from her wonderful book; Written As I Remember It: Teachings from the Life of a Sliammon elder. It is the start, in this New Year, of a commitment to focus on the strong cultural practices that are at the heart of our Coast Salish culture.

That commitment comes on direction from Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s board of directors who recently asked for more cultural activities to be featured on

these pages. In the coming months we will continue to tell our important stories and focus on the things that has kept Coast Salish culture alive in the face of colonial thinking, even when some of our cultural practices were outlawed.

We understand that it can sometimes be shocking to see photos of things that once had to be hidden from the law in order to keep practicing; things considered sacred. But as our nations values and culture begin to be revitalized, we think that it is vital to tell all of our stories in a respectful way.

Your comments are always appreciated.

Send them to: editor@salishseasentinel.ca

NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS EDITORIAL: Mark Kiemele, Editor editor@salishseasentinel.ca | 250-246-3438 Patricia McDougall, Reporter patricia@salishseasentinel.ca | 250-203-2120 Tricia Thomas, Reporter triciathomas@salishseasentinel.ca | 250-709-2929 ADVERTISING: Manoj Sood ads@salishseasentinel.ca | 604-723-8355 PUBLISHER: Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 1921 Tsawwassen Drive, Tsawwassen BC V4M 4G2 Gary Reith, CAO 604-943-6712 | 1-888-382-7711 The Salish Sea Sentinel is published monthly, eleven times a year, by the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, representing 6,500 people in 11 member nations.

Design by Footeprint PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT # 42922026 Undeliverable mail may be returned to: 1921 Tsawwassen Drive, Delta, BC, V0R 4G2 circulation@salishseasentinel.ca

www.salishseasentinel.ca Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 15th of every month.

1. HALALT (250) 246-4736 chief@halalt.org www.halalt.org 2. HOMALCO (250) 923-4979 m.enevoldsen@homalco.com 3. KLAHOOSE Qathen Xwegus Management Corp (250) 935-6536 www.klahoose.com 4. MALAHAT (250) 743-3231 lawrencelewis@malahatnation.com www.malahatnation.com 5. SLIAMMON (604) 483-9646 clint.williams@sliammon.bc.ca www.sliammonfirstnation.com www.sliammontreaty.com 6. SNAW-NAW-AS (Nanoose) (250) 390-3661 administrator@nanoose.org nfnbandmanager@nanoose.org www.nanoose.org 7. SNUNEYMUXW (Nanaimo) (250) 740-2300 johngwesley@shaw.ca www.snuneymuxw.ca 8. STZ’UMINUS (Ladysmith) (250) 245-7155 Ray.Gauthier@coastsalishdevcorp.com www.stzuminus.com 9. TSAWWASSEN (604) 948-5219 chartman@tfnedc.com www.tsawwassenfirstnation.com 10. TSLEIL-WAUTUTH (604) 929-3454 bbaptiste@twnation.ca www.twnation.ca 11. T’SOU-KE (Sooke) (250) 642-3957 administrator@tsoukenation.com www.tsoukenation.com

COVER PHOTO: Elsie Paul from Sliammon fillets a salmon. This photo is from the cover of her book featured on pages 8-9.

SALISH SEA SENTINEL 1

AROUND THE SALISH SEA

Homalco leaders were pumped after the workshop

HOMALCO LEADERS ENVISION BRIGHT FUTURE

By Patricia McDougall

HE ENERGY WAS DYNAMIC and positive at Homalco (Xwemalhkwu) First Nation in early January when the new chief and councillors laid out plans for the next three years.

The visioning workshop focused on setting priorities for the nation over the next three years. As the two-day session ended, this vision statement was created: “The Homalco chief and council work together with respect, trust, consistency and open communication to empower a united, culturally-grounded, proud, wealthy and healthy nation.”

Potential priorities for the coming year included governance policy and procedures, a housing strategy, youth council as well as healing and wellness plans.

Councillor Darren Blaney said, “Healing must come first”. This comment led to an avid discussion on healing within the community, including members, staff and council. Areas of focus are organizing traditional ceremonies and workshops including sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies and culture camps.

Traditional teachings were a big part of Maryann’s early years and she said that she wants to reintroduce culture back into the community…“How our ancestors taught us about our culture and beliefs.” Along with those teachings and beliefs, traditional healing and revitalization of culture are priorities for chief and council to initiate for the benefit of the entire community.

Other objectives during the three-year term are one-year and three-year plans that include a constitution, bylaws, capacity building and a youth council.

It is also important to note the principles for leadership Homalco chief and council adopted. Respect, trust, transparency, community-focus, policies and procedures, accountability and teamwork round out the top priorities.

NmTC staff and project managers— Valerie Cross-Blackett, Bronwen Geddes and Eric Blueschke—facilitated the event along with Jessie Hemphill who is the community-planning mentor and peerto-peer coach for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

T

2 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

Key elements of the visioning session included confirming roles and responsibilities, agreeing on a collective vision, creating a draft work plan, developing principles for working together, outlining objectives for the term and building the team.

New Chief Maryann Enevoldsen expressed her gratitude to the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council (NmTC) for facilitating the forum at which council could bridge and build relationships while bringing them closer together as a team.

Maryann was clear in her vision of transparency and wants membership to know what is unfolding during council’s first session together. “The more information our nation has, the more united we will be,” she said. The chief added that this was the first time that the full council had come together since the November election.

She said the workshop enabled council to come together as a team while having respect and personal connection throughout the discussions. “It has shown how much we really have in common and how we can move forward,” she said.

COAST SALISH ART AT VIU Work by 14 leading contemporary Coast Salish artists is on display until April at the Vancouver Island University campus gallery in Nanaimo.

Record, (Re)create is the name of the exhibit. It opened on Jan. 9 and continues until April 12. Artists’ works included in the show include the creative Marston family from Stz'uminus (Jane, John, Luke and Angela) as well as the groundbreaking artist Susan Point of Musqueam, Maynard Johnny Jr, Chris Paul and lessLIE. Pictured is Margurit James of Penelakut.

More info at nanaimoartgallery.com Craig Galligos with the pole

GALLIGOS IS SLOVENIA BOUND WITH HIS TOTEM When Craig Galligos of Sliammon was working on the totem for Powell River’s Kathaumixw choral festival last summer, travel plans were in the back of his mind.

That’s because he was going to accompany the pole when it was delivered to the ‘choir of the world’ named during the festival’s closing ceremonies. It could have been awarded to a choir from Kenya, Russia, the USA or even Abbotsford, BC. The winning choir was from the St. Stanislav Academy from Ljubljana, Slovenia, a country on the north Adriatic Sea bordering Italy and Austria.

Galligos, along with people from Powell River and possibly a Sliammon group, will travel with the pole to Slovenia in May. Kathaumixw is a Sliammon word, meaning “many nations coming together.” Galligos told The Sentinel last year that his design for the six-and-one-halffoot pole was meant to represent both First Nations and Canadian imagery.

A bronze-eyed beaver gnawing on a piece of wood is carved into the bottom of the pole, while the top is an eagle.

SALISH SEA SENTINEL 3

LAND CODE VOTES

SNAW-NAW-AS TAKES ANOTHER STEP

TOWARDS SOVEREIGNTY

M

ORE THAN three years after Snaw-naw-as members first voted in favour of a new community land code policy, the First Nation on Nanoose Bay north of Nanaimo is finally able to take control of their reserve’s resources and start to determine their own economic future.

Chef David Bob said the vote opens the doors for a variety of projects. “We have a whole different array of things that we can do now and to me it’s all positive.”

A land code vote in August 2011 resulted in 90 per cent approval from the community, but the process was delayed because a land surveyor’s error (made 120 years ago) needed to be corrected. But the community voiced a similar level of support in a second vote in mid-December 2014.

The new land code gives Snaw-naw-as the power to make laws in respect of the development, conservation, protection,

working together for sustainable communities

By Tricia Thomas

Traffic on the busy highway at the turnoff to Snaw-naw-as

management, use and possession of its land as stipulated in the First Nation Land Management framework agreement. Decisions on these matters no longer require approval from the Federal Government.

Snaw-naw-as joins several other Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council nations who have signed on to the framework agreement.

Others include Sliammon, Stz’uminus, Tsawwassen and Tsleil-Waututh.

Chief Bob said that developing a gas station on the Island Highway is the first step for his community. “The vision is to

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4 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

have gas, diesel, propane and a charging station for electric vehicles and offer a place to occupy time while consumers wait,” commented Bob. “The community has wanted a gas station on reserve for 30 years, and with the new land code, that dream will soon become reality.”

Info at http://www.labrc.com

MALAHAT VOTERS GIVE THUMBS UP TO CODE Voters overwhelmingly approved the Malahat First Nation land code in ballots cast on Jan. 12.

The vote was 78-10 in favour of the final version of the land code and the agreement between Malahat and the federal government.

“This is a significant step towards our own self-governance,” Chief Michael Harry told the community last November after chief and council voted unanimously to present the code to eligible voters.

“When Malahat nation controls our land, the nation controls our own future…the federal government will no longer have a say in how we govern ourselves as it relates to our reserve land.”

“This land code will give our community the tools to make our own land use decisions,” said councillor Russell Harry.

“We can ensure a community-driven process so that all voices are heard. And we can base our decisions on what works best for us as a community.”

TFN SKYLINE GROWS UP… AND DOWN

CALENDAR February 11-12 Matrimonial real property toolkit training workshop for leaders and managers at the Coast Bastion hotel in Nanaimo.

More info from Kirstin Sware at Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 1-888-382-7711 or kirstins@nautsamawt.com

February 16 Deadline for students to apply for Indspire bursaries and scholarships. http://indspire.ca

T

RAVELLERS on Hwy 17 going to or from BC Ferries have been watching the massive retail developments being built on Tsawwassen First Nation treaty lands.

But just north of the two new malls, scheduled to open in 2016, another sort of development is underway—the Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School. It is a collaboration between the nation and the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at Kwantlen University.

Applications are now being accepted for the school that will operate on a 20acre parcel of Tsawwassen traditional

Mall development photo by Kama Sood

lands. The school fuses sustainable agriculture and traditional indigenous food systems. Coordinator Corine Singfield said: “The school program is open to all with curiosity on how to feed a growing population while restoring the land.”

More info at www.kpu.ca/tfnfarm or by emailing tfs@kpu.ca

February 18 & 20 First Nations Housing Symposium – Feb 18, Smithers; Feb 20, Vancouver. CMHC and AANDC event exploring alternative housing options. Contact Kirstin at 604943-6712 or toll-free at 1-888-382-7711 or kirstins@nautsamawt.com

For First Nations rates, contact Maria Chen, Sales Manager

February 19-20 BC Aboriginal Women in Business conference at UBC Sauder School of Business. Details on Facebook.

March 2-4 Exploring Self-Government workshop for up to three representatives from Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council communities.

Relevant to administrators, managers and elected leaders. At the Coast Bastion hotel, Nanaimo. More info at www. nmtcevents.com

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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 5

By Tricia Thomas

T

RADITIONAL CLEANSING CUSTOMS have existed throughout time, in virtually all cultures around the world. Along with medicinal herbs and rituals, bathing practices often play a role in spiritual, emotional and physical healing. They may be used in times of depression, stress, illness, anxiety, grief and insomnia as well as to strengthen and promote a sense of balance, vitality and overall wellbeing.

Staying healthy through this simple, ancient practice would benefit most people, but very few are aware of the traditional teachings. With advancements of modern medicine, lifestyle changes, and disconnection from community and family, traditional ways have lost their value in everyday life.

6 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

Isaac Jack from Penelakut, who agreed to be photographed for this featured article, believes bathing represents not only a cleansing of the physical self, but also the mind. “I go in the water because it helps me to disrupt my ‘normal’ patterns, and altering my normal patterns is a way of expanding my awareness of self. It helps to strengthen the relationship between body and mind.”

Snuneymuxw Chief John Wesley said: “In order for you to find out what really heals you, you have to understand your Coast Salish culture and traditional values.”

As Canada’s fast-growing Aboriginal population becomes more urbanized, younger people need to know where they can go to stay connected and to learn traditional values while living in this changing world. Years

CLEANSING FOR MIND AND BODY Who will keep traditional knowledge flowing if it is not being shared?

of mistrust and disrespect for our culture have led to much protective secrecy by those guarding the old ways.

Who will keep traditional knowledge flowing if it is not being shared?

Darren Blaney, a councillor and former chief of Homalco First Nation, said he supported public discussion of topics such as traditional bathing in this magazine and on our social media sites.

“In our part of the Salish Sea, there are many who have lost these traditions and our elder is wanting to teach this in her book. It is the young people who have lost these ways and they can be reached in social media…

If they are inspired by material like this in social media and they heal, what harm is there in that? Without these

teachings, they are susceptible to alcohol and drugs…

Got to reach the kids. Got to help them.”

Halalt Elder Judy Wilson said: “You have to really believe in our culture and what you are doing…but nowadays, with the industry and population growth, some of our bath waters are disappearing, so using your house water will also work."

Many of us who live in cities away from nature are at risk of losing touch of our cultural roots. We need more ways of sharing traditional knowledge so that we are able to develop a sense of belonging—of being naut’sa mawt—and connecting to each other and all living things around us. Whatever form those teachings take, we are grateful for them.

ELSI E PAU L TALK S ABO U T CLEANSI N G, PAGES 8-9

SALISH SEA SENTINEL 7

IT’S LIKE OPENING THE DOORS Here are excerpts from the book by Elsie Paul—Written As I Remember It: Teachings (ʔəms tɑʔɑw) from the life of a Sliammon Elder. With her permission, we used her words to offer our readers a look at an important part of our cultural heritage, traditional bathing and cleansing.

There are many strong elders in our communities who credit daily bathing for living long lives on the right path. Whether as a daily practice or dealing with grief or other life challenges, mindful bathing is important. But, as Elsie realizes, many people have lost touch with the old ways.

Others learned to keep such things hidden because of restrictions placed on our culture by others’ laws and ways of thinking.

Elsie’s book is a symbol of a life well lived in the service to others, much of it dedicated to the well-being of First Nations people and as a cross-cultural communicator.

Our hands are raised to her for allowing her words to be shared.

EXCERP TS O N BATH I N G AN D CLEANSI N G F RO M ELSI E 'S BO O K ...

ß WE HAVE DIFFERENT TRADITIONAL practices, styles of practices.

We use different tools in how we practise our traditional ways. Our spiritual kinds of ceremonies are different in how we do it where I come from, through the teachings of my ancestors, my grandparents especially. That we practise differently than other tribes or bands of people. Theirs is different, different style. But unique to them.

And it’s important to remember to respect all of the other practices and how they do it, the tools they use.

ß YOUNG MEN WERE, right from puberty, brought to the river for morning baths and brushin’ and cleansin’ themselves. Cleansin’ their minds—not just their body but their minds. To focus on what do you want in life.

It’s like opening the doors. It’s like thinking about what you’re gonna do today. Not only today but your future. How are you going to be strong? How are you going to toughen yourself up, to be able to go out there and be a provider? Whereas if you’re laying back in your bed by a cozy fire, you’re never ever going to find your strength.

ß SO IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT when you go to the river to—in your mind and in your thoughts and in your prayer, you’re brushing that away. sohoθot. sohoθot. You would send your cedar down the river, and your cedar will drift away.

It’s taken all that tiredness and the grief and the sadness. It’s gone down the river.

That’s why they use the river a lot.

But if you’re not near a river or anything, you just use the shower. And while you’re in the shower you think those same thoughts. You know, all the negative energy—if there’s negative energy on you, it’ll go down that drain.

So you have to keep that in mind and talk to yourself. It’s so important to do this. Not just go in there to take a shower so you will be clean in body. You have to be clear in mind. You’re clearing your mind. You’re clearing your inner self. That grief, you’re lettin’ it go. You’re allowing it to go. So those are really important teachings, ʔəms tɑʔɑw.

8 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

This is ~ ELSIE PAUL

ß WHEREAS THE CEDAR is just pretty much for cleansing. It’s more spiritual, spiritual purposes. Yeah. Brushing off any negative or evil spirits around you, you use the cedar branches. But the hemlock was more to give you strength.

And men use that. I think it’s a little rougher. It’s got kind of piny needles on it.

So, that’s the importance of the brushin’, and with women, it wasn’t necessary for women to go to the river, but they did their own cleansing at home. In, like, a basin of water. Or if they have access to a little creek or something, that’s where they would go and use that cedar boughs to brush themselves too, and especially if they’re grieving, going through a hard time with different losses.

ß AND SHE WOULD TALK TO US: “You must have heard me cryin’ out there. But I do that. That’s my medicine. I have to release my pain in the morning. Otherwise, it’s too heavy. It’s a burden for me to carry that. Then I brush myself. I sweep myself with a cedar bough. I even take some of that water and I gargle, and then spew it out.”

And that’s not only cleansing the surface of your body, your outer surface of your body, but you’re cleansing your mouth—you’re spewin’ it out. You say, “Leave me. Go away.” And you spew it in different directions, some of that water. So that’s releasing? That was good medicine for her. And she’d come in and, “I’ve done what I needed to do,” and get everybody up and get busy. And she would say, “It’s okay to grieve. It hurts, because I’ve lost someone I love. But we don’t stay in bed and cry all day.

Life goes on. You have to get up and get things moving. So you brush yourself…

So you have to, at a time like that, take that back. That’s why you do the brushing.

WIN a copy of Elsie's new book!

The Sentinel is giving away copies of Elsie Paul's book to some lucky (and observant) readers. To be eligible, simply answer the following question:

Q: Elsie says the branch of another tree, beside

cedar, is sometimes used for cleansing. What is that tree?

SEND YOUR ANSWER plus your full postal mailing address to: triciathomas@salishseasentinel.ca by February 20th. Winners will be chosen from those sending in the correct answer.

Elsie Paul was born in 1931 to Gilbert Francis and Lily Timothy.

Her grandparents, Jim and Molly Timothy, raised her in Sliammon.

She married William Paul in 1948 and the couple had nine children.

In her early years, Elsie worked at various jobs from hospital housekeeping to oyster shucking.

Her first job with Sliammon was in social development and she spent weekends attending UBC for her certificate in social work.

She was an original board member of Tsow-Tun Le Lum (helping house) at Snaw-naw-as when it opened in 1988. Elsie also served as a justice-of-the-peace.

She became Dr Elsie Paul in 2010 when she was awarded an honorary doctor of letters from Vancouver Island University.

“

IN HER OWN WORDS Elsie Paul will be speaking about her book, along with collaborators Paige Raibmon and Harmony Johnson, at the following locations: TUESDAY, FEB 24 7-8:30 P.M. Vancouver Public Library Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level 350 West Georgia Street SUNDAY, MARCH 1 2-4 P.M. UBC Museum of Anthropology 6393 Northwest Marine Drive

SALISH SEA SENTINEL 9

AROUND THE SALISH SEA

TLA’AMIN TREATY DATE DRAWS NEAR

By Patricia McDougall

ONE BUILDING, MANY USES The new community building at Snuneymuxw First Nation is beginning to take shape. Chief John Wesley said the multi-use structure looks to be on schedule for completion this summer. It will include a gym, multi-purpose room, kitchen and store all with the purpose of promoting the nation’s culture, traditions and ceremonies.

Located on Stz’uminus First Nation land, this space is ideally suited for a single or multiple aboriginal-owned organizations who can benefit from tax-free status. Close proximity to major transportation hubs allows for easy commuting and access to major business centres.  12 private offices + shared space

 30’x50’ board room/ Classroom

 3 washrooms, kitchen  Tax Benefits for Aboriginal Organizations

 Beautiful Location,

Steps to Waterfront

For further information call

250-924-2444

referrals@coastsalishdevcorp.com

10 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

S

LIAMMON FIRST NATION is putting in place a new game plan in the run-up to the Tla’amin Treaty becoming effective in just over one year.

That’s the word from Roy Francis who is the nation’s chief treaty negotiator and president of the Sliammon Development Corporation. Part of the new plan is informing and sharing with membership the variety of services and programs that are available to the community.

It also means the many departments in the nation—from housing and emergency services to education and language—moving into self-government mode outside the Indian Act. Francis said moving towards self-determination means “being bold, being responsible, and being decisive as there is no Roy Francis security living under the Indian Act.” Currently law making and creating trusts for future generations is underway in preparation for the treaty effective date in the spring of 2016. The focus is on managing finances in a responsible sustainable way.

Treaty lands and resources have increased by 6,000 hectares, 70 kilometers of that are waterfront. There are 120 leases of waterfront property that will generate about $15 million in revenue.

With a land use plan endorsed by the community, business development in forestry, minerals and fisheries will start to create a sustainable future for generations to come, Francis said. Development for minerals, gravel, fisheries, businesses and forestry are underway. A new governance building will be built along with new residential subdivisions.

Sliammon will become the taxation and law making authority through its governance and election laws when treaty comes into effect. The legislative arm will be the law-making body consisting of five executives.

All these things are parts of the new game plan, said Francis. He added that Sliammon is leading by example, already sharing and networking with other member nations on their own paths to treaty.

All these things are parts of the new game plan.

AROUND THE SALISH SEA

STZ’UMINUS, LADYSMITH ARE ACTING NEIGHBOURLY

S

OME OF OUR NATIONS have little or no formal relationships with their neighbouring municipalities or regional districts. And sometimes relations can get downright ornery when it comes to service agreements and other matters. Not so with Stz'uminus First Nation and the Town of Ladysmith.

That’s why all eight members of the nation’s chief and council were on hand to celebrate the water and sewer agreements Rob Hutchins that will see Ladysmith extending services to the Stz'uminus #12 Reserve that borders the Island Highway 2 kms north of the town.

But the celebrations were really about the decade of working together by the two governments. And one of the key people—former mayor Rob Hutchins—was recognized, along with his wife Sue, in a blanketing ceremony.

Back in 2005, Mayor Hutchins heard about the accord between Sliammon and its Powell River neighbours. He and his council met with then chief Terry Sampson and the Stz’uminus council. Those regular meetings led to a 2007 accord that was updated in 2012.

Stz’uminus singers sang and councillor Tim Harris drummed as the blanketing took place.

Meanwhile, Chief John Elliot raised his hands to Hutchins’ relationship-building skills and said the new services coming to IR#12 will be a big improvement for residents as well as the core area for future economic development at the nation.

Johnny Hanuse played his guitar and harmonica

HOMALCO ROCKS FOR ITS YOUTH

Things were rockin’ in the Homalco First Nation community centre when famed guitarist George Leach played for a concert/ dance supported by two local musicians.

Leach, from Sťáťimc (Lillooet), won a Juno award for the Aboriginal album of the year in 2014 for Surrender. Currently living in Regina, Leach stopped by Homalco for the concert as part of his Island tour.

George Leach with young fans

Opening the show was Larry Hanson from Homalco who featured some of the songs off his Rez Warriors album. Johnny Hanuse, from Klahoose First Nation, followed him.

Curtis Blaney, the Homalco councillor who coordinated the event, said it was a great success and all proceeds would go to youth programs in the community.

SALISH SEA SENTINEL 11

NAUT'SA MAWT NEWS & EVENTS WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE

SELF-GOVERNMENT FOCUS OF MARCH WORKSHOP Developing tools, best practices

A

N IMPRESSIVE LINEUP OF EXPERTS will be on hand when Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council hosts a workshop entitled ‘Exploring Self-Government’ for leaders from its 11 member nations on March 2-4.

Regional Chief Jody-Wilson Raybould from BC’s Assembly of First Nations as well as former Tsawwassen chief Kim Baird will be on hand to help provide participants a vision for self-governance and the tools to help get them there.

Other featured guests at the three-day workshop at the Coast Bastion hotel in Nanaimo include: Gwen Phillips from Ktunaxa Nation and Westbank councillor Chris Derickson and Dr. Tim Raybould. The latter two worked on the Westbank agreement in 2005, the first stand-alone selfgovernment agreement under Canada’s inherent right of selfgovernment policy.

The multi-day workshop is geared toward administrators, governance managers and elected officials. Participants are asked to attend with existing community materials related to self-governance including vision statements, nation objectives, and existing plans and priorities.

Regional Chief Jody-Wilson In addition to developing Raybould tools for self-governance, the workshop will also be an opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned from nations who are already self-governing.

NmTC’s governance coordinator Valerie Cross-Blackett is a Tsawwassen member and was involved in her nation both before and after its 2009 treaty came into effect. She said: “The tribal council is pleased to support its member nations in working towards their respective visions for self-government. Within the 11 member nations, one has a completed modern treaty and another’s treaty comes into effect in April 2016.

“Other member nations have completed comprehensive community plans (CCPs) or have their own land management codes.

NmTC can provide a platform for sharing the experiences of these and other nations and supporting member nations in the development of a vision for governance and a plan for how to get there.”

She said space at the workshop is limited, so those interested should apply as soon as possible.

Contact Valerie Cross-Blackett at 604-329-6815 or Bronwen Geddes at 778-999-5924 or by email at either valeriecb@nautsawmawt.com or bronweng@nautsamawt.com. More information is on the NmTC Events site at www.nmtcevents.com

BOARD MET AT HALALT Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s board of directors heard about plans for the coming financial year when they met for a quarterly meeting at Halalt First Nation in mid-January.

Strategic planning and a program of work for 2015/16 were on the agenda for directors as well as discussion of finances for the current and coming years. They also heard about the plans for NmTC’s AGM scheduled for late January.

Directors include: chair Chief James Thomas, Halalt; Chief Maryann Enevoldsen, Homalco; councillor Russell Harry, Malahat; councillor Kevin Peacey, Klahoose; Chief Clint Williams, Sliammon; councillor Lawrence Mitchell, Snaw-naw-as; Chief John Wesley, Snuneymuxw; councillor Terry Sampson, Stz’uminus; councillor Deanna George, Tsleil-Waututh; Chief Bryce Williams, Tsawwassen; and Chief Gordon Planes, T’Sou-ke.

Governance coordinator Valerie Crosse-Blackett talks with directors.

urbansystems.ca

Coast Salish Insurance and Risk Management Solutions Inc. Are you getting all you deserve and worked for? Are all your government benefits coming to you? Let Coast Salish Insurance and Risk Management Solutions Inc. work for you!

No obligation…no fees.

Check it out!

250 246 5275 cpegg@telus.net

PRIVATE HOME INSURANCE • CONTENTS INSURANCE • COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT • EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND PENSION SERVICES

One Solution. One System.

Our Business is First Nations

The First Nation business landscape is constantly evolving. Today, many First Nations and their band-empowered entities are under constant pressure to deliver high levels of accountability and financial transparency due to regulatory requirements.

At Xyntax, we understand the challenges First Nations face and are dedicated to providing the single, most comprehensive, software solution to meet your needs. Unlike most accounting and financial management software, Xyntax is developed for only First Nations; therefore, our software is uniquely equipped to help you better manage your First Nation and its different business entities more efficiently and cost effectively.

As the software manufacturer, we do not rely on other third party software products to complete our software suite. Our main objective is to increase productivity without increasing workload. We accomplish this by eliminating redundant data entry and the usual import/export procedures common with other accounting software.

Isn’t it about time that you had a financial system built for your needs?

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Band Membership & Community Database General Ledger Budget Management Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Housing & Asset Management Payroll Human Resources Management (Q1 2014) Post-Secondary (Q1 2014) Purchase Orders Income Assistance Patient Travel (Travel Warrents) Child Welfare Electronic Requisitions G/L Bank Reconciliation GST Tracking & Recovery Electronic Banking DoculinX™ - Electronic Filing Cabinet Report Writer & Designer Remote Backup & Disaster Recovery Service

®

A Canadian Aboriginal Company

Systems

Call 1-866-699-6829 www.xyntax.com