18 minute read
Inspiring Young Tahltans – Jaelie Young
ELDER
Mona Carpentier
Raising children is a full-time job with non-stop responsibility. When Mona Carpentier was only twelve years old, she was put in charge of caring for her seven siblings when her mother and father would go trapping and hunting.
Mona worried about her siblings not listening to her, but her dad Archie told her, “You are the boss” and she was known by her siblings as “The Boss.” She grew up fast to ensure the family’s survival which taught Mona life lessons that she brought into raising her own family.
Mona Carpentier is a Tahltan Elder who is part of the Crow Clan and the Cawtoonma family. Her parents are Nina Chief and Archie Nehass and her grandmother is Lucy Nehass. Mona has seven children and a plethora of grandkids and great-grandkids. She currently resides in Whitehorse, Yukon.
Mona was born in Dease Lake on December 18, 1928. She spent most of her childhood travelling between her family’s fishing camp operated by her auntie Nellie Nehass and uncle Willie Campbell at Nine Mile and “Family is everything to Mona. She has been responsible for raising not just her children but her grandchildren too. She teaches them traditional lessons of always helping others, being kind, and about harvesting and using traditional medicines, which she learned from her mother, aunties, and grandmothers.”
Dease Lake where they would fish in the summer and trap in the winter. She started school at the church in Tahltan where she was taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. The family would use a dog sled in the winter and horses in the summer to move from Nine Mile to Dease Lake.
As the eldest in charge of her seven siblings, while her parents were gone, Mona would cook, get wood and water, change the children and everything in between. The family lived off the land, so Mona oversaw making sure the house stayed moving. When she was sixteen years old, the police asked Tahltan families in Dease Lake to go to the residential school in Lower Post, but Mona’s dad said for them to get going and if he wanted to take his kids to school, he would take them himself and they moved to Telegraph Creek after that. Archie also taught his children when the school was shut down in Dease Lake in January 1946.
At seventeen years old Mona had her firstborn child, Carl, at their Nine Mile camp. She was then unexpectedly married in 1946 at eighteen years old when she was called to the Indian Agent’s office where an arranged marriage took place to Claude Carpentier, a priest from France who came there to teach
but had left the priesthood to marry. Mona lived in Dease lake where Claude worked as a cook for the Department of Transportation for fifteen years and had three more children until she moved to Beaton River, BC and then Fort Smith, Northwest Territories.
In 1962, Mona joined her second husband, Joe Courtoreille, with whom she had a daughter in 1962 and then a son in 1964. They lived together in Hay River, Fort St. John, and Haney for two years where Joe completed a small motor mechanic course, then they moved to Port Moody then Terrace. The family then moved to Kitimat where Joe worked at the mill and stayed there until his three children finished high school. The family then moved to Whitehorse, Yukon in 1985 where Mona has lived ever since.
Family is everything to Mona. She has been responsible for raising not just her children but her grandchildren too. She teaches them traditional lessons of always helping others, being kind, and about harvesting and using traditional medicines, which she learned from her mother, aunties, and grandmothers. Archie also taught her about potlaches and Tahltan law called Kuwegānh.
Mona always made regular visits to her home territory to spend time with family and to fish at Tahltan. She still gets out to enjoy a dance, something for which she and Joe were well-known. Through years of travelling and living in remote places, Mona has always kept her family first and passed down the values that were taught to her by her ancestors.
CULTURE
Felix Jackson
UNCLE FELIX JACKSON AND ME – A LIFETIME OF STORIES
By Vera Asp Uncle Felix was one of the best friends of my life, I adored him. He lived to be in his nineties. He was Grandpa Big Jackson’s only son. He was Grandma Asp’s brother. He never married and he had one son, Norman Jack. He lived in Telegraph Creek his whole life. He was very strong, funny, loving, and super smart. He had an incredible memory and shared his memories through stories with all of us who visited him. He liked to have a shot of scotch once in a while.
He told me, “me and Charlie Callbreath are the only one hundred percent Tahltans left, even you – you got a bit of Swede in you.” He shared his photographic memory with the research team in the 1980s while researching Tahltan history. George Asp and others were documenting our placenames and rich history to ensure we had documentation to support our sovereignty of our unceded territory. To this day, his information is of great value to the Tahltan Nation and Tahltan worldview. He would come to Whitehorse to stay with Auntie Jean and visit my Mom, Thelma, when we were kids. Once, when I drove him down to “the 98”, he told me of making camp in the Rabbit’s Foot canyon before Porter Creek was there.
When I was fresh out of Trent University in 1976, I owned a little red Vega with white interior. It was a hatchback. I went to visit him, as I always did, in his little house by Edna and Henry’s, and he told me stories and we laughed. He was so proud of me for going to school “way over there in Ontario.” When I left, he filled the back of my hatchback with fresh salmon from the mighty Stikine River. “Oh my,” I thought, “what am I going to do with all this fish?” I went to the store and got some ice and as I travelled back to Whitehorse, I was fortunate to have gifts for friends en route and some fish for my mom and grandmother.
It is hard to know where to start with my memories. So, I will begin with my favourites. A week after Julio and I were married, I had the opportunity to visit Uncle, as usual, he was the first place that I stopped. I got to his blue house across from the store and found him watching the Iraq war news super loud. He was starting to have a hard time hearing and would not wear his hearing aids. He turned off the TV and was really happy to see me.
I told him, “Uncle, I remarried an Indian from El Salvador.” He replied, “Oh you married one of the old ones, we came up, we never came down. Those white guys are wrong.” As an archaeologist, I loved it and appreciated his memory. I asked him why he never told me this before and he said, “you got to know the real old Indian stories to know this, and you never hang around long enough to tell you.”
Another time I was driving Auntie Lizzie from Tahltan and of course, we went to see Uncle. She spoke loudly to him saying, “That’s Chaudaquock, Thelma matooaa”. He said, “Gee even the kids are getting old?” She said, “I thought you said you can’t see.” I loved it. On most occasions, I would visit him and make a big pot of soup. We would eat and visit. One day he said, “honey girl, don’t make soup today because when you leave, I have to eat it for three days you make so much.” I laughed and said, “ok I will make a smaller pot next time.”
Uncle always tried to give me money. I, of course, would not take my Elder’s money even with how much he insisted. He would instead give me food; big bags of oranges, dry fish or meat, jarred fish, whatever he had. I could not say no. He was always trying to take care of me, his great-niece. He so loved family, especially my parents, Thelma Norby and Phillip Asp.
He told me that Tahltans are the “boss” of this land. He said, “We have the Declaration of the Tahltan people and never forget that your Grandpa Big Jackson was one of the leaders to sign it in 1910 and you also have the blood of Nannock from your Grandpa George Agouta Edzerza.
“That’s our law, Vera,” he would say. “Don’t ever let people forget it.” What a big task I thought, but I have tried my best to live up to my promise to him to this day. I think we all have this responsibility.
One day, he asked me if I know Joe Cobern and Dandy Jim. I said yes, I have heard of them. He said, “They were real smart.” I said yes, my grandpa Edzerza told me about them. He said, “Cobern took that declaration to London to the Queen, he was seeking answers. They never answered us.” and “Dandy Jim could speak Tahltan, Tlingit and English. That is why he led the work of that white man, James Teit.”
That man Teit did good and accurate research about our people. He came to our country from Spences Bridge in the south after his wife passed. He worked as a horseman with the hunts before he even began doing his research. He wanted to know the people first. He interviewed everyone and that is why his research is so good. I think Uncle Felix was also really smart. He never forgot a detail. He was always willing to share his knowledge with me and others. Uncle Felix was so encouraging to me. He loved that I went to university and always told me so. “You got to learn how they think so you can use it to Tahltan benefit,” he would say. When I was doing my doctorial research in Tahltan village he told me to always pray asking the Ancestors to help and I know they did. We excavated and the gifts from the Ancestors were many: obsidian tools, trade items, and more. I was privileged to work in our territory for years and always followed his direction and was always gifted. I never forgot his direction. He is gone now but I know he is still guiding me and would be proud.
He shared ancestral knowledge with me, as did Grandma Emma Brown, George Agouta, Grandma Edzerza, my Mom and others and for that, I am eternally grateful. I appreciate the guidance. It led to my life’s work. I have relied on their knowledge that they shared with the 1980s study and when we digitized the study and shared it with the original team, we were grateful for their work and could only imagine the many ways this ancestral knowledge would be there for this generation and future generations. We are truly blessed that George Asp and team had the insight and fortitude to complete the work complete with audio, transcripts, and maps. Uncle Felix has hours of interviews and gave much to the study. In one such case, he was interviewed by Wenda Day, he told her of a multitude number of our place names. The transcript is seven pages in length.
If there was a meeting at the community hall you would see Uncle Felix. He was well informed for 50 years. He is a great example for us all. I do not think he ever let his name stand for a political position, he always made his point clear. At the founding meeting of the Association of United Tahltans, which I coordinated in 1976, he spoke strongly of protecting our land title and reminded us of the Declaration. Uncle Benny echoed this message and so did many of the Elders. This was the only purpose of our organization. I believe this to be our mandate still. The young ones were not born at this time and maybe they need to be reminded of this. My mother and her cousins; Aunties Doreen, Ann and a couple of others cooked for the 500 plus Tahltans who came to Telegraph Creek, without per diem. They cooked salmon, rice, and Bannock. I had no funds for anything. People came from all over at their own expense. We danced every night until the wee hours to the sounds of great Tahltan musicians, and when it was over, we all worked, sweeping ole dusty storm and mopping and setting the hall back up for the meeting the next day. Times sure have changed.
Not sure what else to tell you about Uncle. He was a strong, hard-working man. I heard it said that he worked enough for two men. He worked all his life. No job was too big or too small, he was always game. He hauled his fish up from the river by himself. He supplied many with salmon, including me.
The last time I saw Uncle, age had taken his sight and his hearing. I visited him at the longterm care facility in Smithers. I came into his room and said, “Hello, Uncle,” and he replied, “how’s Vancouver?” He recognized my voice. He was wearing headphones so he could hear. He and I were both happy to be together. He immediately started calling his male nurse, who called him Grandpa. He wanted his wallet because as usual, he wanted to give me money and as usual, I told him “Oh no Uncle, I’m ok,” but he refused to take no for an answer. He said, “I am giving you twenty dollars for cigarette money.” He told me he hated being blind, “everything is black, and I hate it,” he said. I cried then. We visited for a while and then he sent me away. “I need to sleep now,” he said. I left and softly cried all the way back to the hotel knowing I would not see him again. His work on earth was done.
INSPIRING YOUNG TAHLTANS Jaelie Young
Creativity can be expressed in many ways including music, art, and sport. Developing these skills builds a rounded individual who can balance a busy life. Jaelie Young is a busy young Tahltan who plays soccer and music, runs track and field, paints, and more. Expressing herself in a variety of ways has shaped her into who she is today where she works hard and plays hard to find balance in her life.
Jaelie Young is part of the Etzenlee family and the Wolf Clan. Her parents are Toni Harvey and Chris Young, and her grandparents are Barb and Gerry Harvey. She is currently 15 years old and lives in Calgary, Alberta.
Creativity has been a cornerstone of Jaelie’s life since she can remember. When she was just three years old, she would colour in books with her mother for hours on end and when she was seven, she started playing the guitar and learned the piano. She likes to paint pictures of a variety of things but is inspired by natural landscapes, birds, silhouetted skylines, and mountains. She has won two awards for her artwork including being named the 2017 Indigenous Art and Stories Emerging Artist and she won first place in the 2019 Toyota Dream Car Contest which is a national competition with hundreds of applicants.
Furthermore, she currently works as a face painter where she is mentored by a professional artist who does special effects and body art. Jaelie face paints at big events like the Calgary Stampede, Christmas parties, the Calgary Zoo, and many others. She creates professional works of art that allow her to connect her love of painting with hands-on work experience.
Aside from creating beautiful art pieces, Jaelie also plays soccer, runs track and field, skis and more. She has been playing indoor and outdoor soccer since she was young and she loves being part of a team. She plays defence and midfielder for the tier 1 outdoor Calgary club team and during the winter of 2022 she competed in provincials with her indoor soccer team and placed 2nd in Alberta. In 2021 she started running track and field where she competes in running events, shot put, and high jump. She enjoys running the most and recently went to the finals in a tournament in Edmonton where she competed in the 60-meter sprint. She says that waiting at the starting line, feet on the blocks, ready to push off is exhilarating as her heart pounds before the race.
If Jaelie is not playing soccer five times a week, running track, or practicing art, she is in school where she loves to study biology and math. Next year she will be entering high school which is a big change and a new start where she plans to continue to take art as an elective and develop her style. Art and sport give Jaelie a nice balance; she says she can play soccer to expel energy and practice art to relax. Her art also gives her an outlet to express her feelings constructively. This inspiring young Tahltan stays busy but keeps a balanced life allowing her to stay on top of her academics while practicing art in all its forms. “Art and sport give Jaelie a nice balance; she says she can play soccer to expel energy and practice art to relax. Her art also gives her an outlet to express her feelings constructively.“
INSPIRING YOUNG TAHLTANS
Blaine Lindstrom
Out of high school, Blaine Lindstrom explored his artistic side and studied digital animation where he soon found it was not his calling. After navigating life, he found himself back in school studying ecological restoration where he makes positive impacts in Tahltan Territory daily working for Environmental Resource Management (ERM) Consultants as an environmental monitor. His life experiences accumulated to help him protect the environment by implementing skills learned through education.
Blaine Lindstrom is part of the Cawtooma family and the Crow Clan. His grandparents are Fannie and Brian Lindstrom, and his parents are Vivian Lindstrom and Don Reimer. He is thirty-three years old and currently lives in Vancouver, BC. “Hard work and dedication have gotten Blaine to where he is today. He says that there is nothing wrong with taking your time to find your passion or changing careers if things are not working the way you want.“
Blaine was born in Edmonton, Alberta where he spent a few years while his mom studied accounting. Growing up he found himself moving across BC living in Vancouver, Chilliwack, and Dease Lake. Upon graduating high school, he worked with his grandpa in Dease Lake helping with construction projects, home repair and general renovations. Looking for his next steps, Blaine realized that he was always interested in art, so he enrolled in Capilano University’s two-year traditional animation diploma and then their one-year digital animation course. Here he refined his artistic skills and in the summers he worked for Rescan in Tahltan Territory as an environmental monitor.
Working for Rescan gave Blaine diverse experience in how environmental monitoring works. He would inspect work zones, work to prevent environmental incidents and report incidents that occurred.
He loved working in Tahltan Territory and after graduating from Capilano University, he had difficulty finding work in digital animation. Instead, he landed a full-time job with Rescan working on the Northwest Transmission Line, returning to the environmental monitoring field, and after a year he transitioned to working full-time at Red Chris Mine as an environmental monitor/technician.
Blaine spent three years working at Red Chris for Imperial Metals until he felt his career was plateauing, so he decided to return to school. He attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to study for a two-year diploma in Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation followed by a two-year Bachelor of Science in Ecological Restoration. He says this was the most challenging four years of his life, full of ups and downs, but he had a great cohort of classmates and they all pulled through together.
Upon graduating from BCIT in April of 2021, Blaine joined ERM Consultants where he completes environmental work in Tahltan Territory. Utilizing his past education in digital animation software and his environmental studies, he operates highlevel environmental monitoring software and data management systems to complete hydrology work and more. He works on a variety of projects in Tahltan Territory including Eskay Creek, Kutcho Copper, and KSM. Maintaining the pristine Tahltan environment is his passion and being able to return to the territory and connect with the land makes this his dream job.
Hard work and dedication have gotten Blaine to where he is today. He says that there is nothing wrong with taking your time to find your passion or changing careers if things are not working the way you want. Take your time, and things will unfold as they should. This inspiring young Tahltan has levelled up his education multiple times so he can have the skills and abilities to protect Tahltan land for years to come.
