Boo Maga Puméke7
April 2022
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - #12
1
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 1
2022-04-01 2:48:32 PM
Contents Councillor’s Message
4
JoAnne Moiese talks about how life has changed since Covid.
Welcome to the Boo Maga (puméke7), which translates to “drum stick”.
LCDC Visit the 150 Mile Ranch
6
The
daycare
children
met
various
different
farmyard animals
Student Highlight
8
Davee
Palmantier
is
currently studying for her Masters Degree.
Staff Member Highlight
10
Willie Hardeman tells us about working as a tutor
Express to Sucess Training
12
Sign up now for a wide variety
of
through WLFN!
Take a look at what your Council have been discussing over the past month!
Contact us: shannon.skeels@wlfn.ca 250-296-3507 ext.185
trainings
Council Meeting Highlights
14
Got an idea or story for future editions?
General Inquiries: lisa.camille@wlfn.ca 250-296-3507 ext.103 Facebook: Williams Lake First Nation www.wlfn.ca
2 BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 2
2022-04-01 2:48:34 PM
Councillor’s Message Weyktp, I hope that this report finds you all in good health and spirits. It has been a crazy last two years plus with Covid. I was thinking this past weekend, that two years ago my young cousin Reggie Sandy (Joseph Sandy and Alethea Andy’s son) told me of a dream that he had that this sickness was over. Well, finally that dream has come true and the light is at the end of the tunnel. Masks will no longer be mandatory, and we may gather once again. When I reflect on how our community
has
navigated
through the times of Covid, we have been so resilient. Our members were able to receive assistance from the initial Covid disbursements of food and a one-time monetary incentive. Our
community
members
were very understanding of the mandates and restrictions that we had to follow to keep our community safe. Now, as we move forward with some
trepidation, I am sure that we
Wycotte family. There is still a
will continue to be safe in body,
good representation of Williams
mind and spirit.
Lake First Nation Students in that
I would like to acknowledge
course. It is so beautiful to hear
that one thing that Covid
Secwepemcstin being used as part
taught us is the importance of
of our greetings and introductions.
our immediate family system.
This is due to the hard work that
We could still communicate
Cody has done. Hands up in honor
via Facebook messenger and
of you Cody!
by Face Timing each other,
I currently am working on a project
which was amazing. We were
for our community. I will be in
able to conduct our lessons
touch with our Elders Worker to
through zoom. I was blessed
reschedule a meeting to take place
to complete a virtual course
with the Elders and Knowledge
taught by Cody William. In this
Keepers of our community. This
course we had over 27 people
will be to revise our Texelc Burial
and at least half of the students
Protocol. I apologize, we had
were descended from the
meetings that were booked but
BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022 3
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 3
2022-04-01 2:48:34 PM
had to be postponed. The
Bowe. Rhona carries great
development. Now, we have
days are getting longer and I
knowledge
Secwepemc
been getting requests to have
will be able to attend evening
spirituality and medicines. It
communities visit our offices.
meetings. Also, I have two
would be great to have her
There will be many great
weeks off from March 21 to
visit our community.
announcements coming in the
April 1, 2022. I know it is short
As a councillor, I feel so
next month or so. I look forward
notice, but I would love to meet
proud of our community. It is
to continued prosperity. In
during this time.
wonderful to see all the young
one way I am sad to be once
I would be remise if I did not
families moving into their new
again
acknowledge
Cultural
homes. It is also great to have
home. However, the power of
Worker David Archie. Kukstemc
some of our membership
technology allows me to still
Dave for all the work that you
arriving home. I would like
be an active council member.
do. The support that you have
to formally welcome Bernie
It is great to be working in the
provided for our community
Bates who will be moving
traditional area of our great
and leadership. We know that
home soon. There are so
grandmother who descended
we may call on you at any time
many people that have been
from Esdilagh.
to be present to offer songs,
blessed with housing. I wanted
Have a great Spring and I will
prayers and cultural cleansing.
to acknowledge Bernie as he
see you all soon, in person.
On behalf of our community,
has been away for so long.
Hugs permitted!
kukstemc.
Welcome back!
We
our
are
looking
used
in
forward to having a Women’s
We
to
tour
Sweat at the end of March and
communities,
fingers crossed that Cultural
Kamloops
resource person may be Rhona
and Westbank to see their
such Indian
other as Band
working
away
from
JoAnne Moiese Councillor JoAnne Moiese
4 BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 4
2022-04-01 2:48:36 PM
Learn Secwepemctsín!
BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022 5
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 5
2022-04-01 2:48:37 PM
Little Chiefs Daycare visit the 150 Mile Ranch The children from Little Chiefs
cows, including a new born
Daycare took a trip out to
calf.
visit the 150 Mile Ranch on
They ended the day by visiting
March 10th. They recieved
the miniture horses and gave
a tour from June Harry and
them lots of pets, cuddles and
Julia Flinton who were happy
scatches.
to introduce them to all the
We would like to say a huge
animals.
thank you to June and Julia
First they visited the chicken
for showing us around and
coop and were able to see the
introducting us all to the
birds up close and give them
animals. The children had a
a pet.
wonderful time and cannot
They also took a trip to see the
wait until they go again.
6 BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 6
2022-04-01 2:48:42 PM
BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022 7
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 7
2022-04-01 2:48:55 PM
Post-Graduate Student Highlight: Davee Palmantier
My name is Davee Palmantier, I grew up in Sugar Cane and moved away to Prince George to attend university immediately after high school. Later, I moved to Kamloops and worked with the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, until 2020 when I moved back home to Williams Lake and began working for WLFN. My hobbies outside of work and
school include sports, such as basketball, rugby, and softball. I also enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and go snowmobiling, snowboarding, mountain biking, and boating. I am currently enrolled full-time in a 2.5-year Master’s of Environment and Management program at Royal Roads
University, a program that I have been interested in for over five years. I have had the opportunity to work in environmental roles within the forestry, fisheries, and clean technology sectors and hope to continue doing so, as well as make an impact in rebuilding these renewable resources.
8 BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 8
2022-04-01 2:48:55 PM
WLFN Celebrates International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 8th, 2022. WLFN chose to host a dinner and paint night, to show appreciation to all the important women in the community. The event was catered by the Fox’s Den who
provided a delicious “breakfast for dinner” that was enjoyed by everyone. Respected Elder, Rhonda Johnson, gave a speech based around the topic of Gender Equality. “I grew up in a family of very strong women,” said Rhonda, “so
gender equality was never something I had to think of before.” The evening concluded with a painting session, led by Sarah Sigurdson, from Cariboo Art Beat. She walked everyone through a step by step guide to paint a beautiful watercolour wolf. BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022 9
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 9
2022-04-01 2:49:07 PM
Staff Member Highlight: Willie Hardeman Q: What is your role at WLFN & what are your job duties? A: I work at WLFN as a tutor. I check on all the students to see exactly what they need and where they are at in their education, and then we work from there. With grad
Chiefs Primary School and some math sessions
coming up, I make sure all the students
with the Kindergarteners and First Graders.
have the credits they need. Some students
Q: What is the best part of your job?
will need a tuxedo or dress, haircuts or grad
A: The best part of my job is watching the kids
photos, so we help to organize and arrange
grow and learn. I worked with a young man
that too.
who was completing a Heavy Duty Mechanic
I check on kids at both high schools and
apprenticeship, but needed to focus on his
make sure they’re up to date with their
math skills for an upcoming assessment. We
studies, if they’re struggling a little bit, I’ll
started with sessions just one day a week but
arrange tutoring sessions to get them up
soon he wanted to come more and more. He
to speed. If they have assignments due,
ended up passing that assessment with 93%.
I will also help them with those and I can
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your
coordinate with their teachers to make sure
job?
everything we do outside of school matches
A: I would have to say the most challenging
up with what they’re learning in school.
aspect is time. We have so many kids in our
I also spend a lot of time at the Education
program and so I have to make sure I’m always
Centre for drop-in sessions, both during
organized so I can meet the needs of the
school hours and after school. I teach
students.
reading sessions with the kids from Little
Q: Where is your favorite place that you’ve
10 BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 10
2022-04-01 2:49:07 PM
travelled to?
Driving the road to Hana
day. It makes me want to seek out
A: I would have to say Hawaii,
was incredible, with the most
the good in people and build up
but Maui in particular. It was
beautiful ocean views and
whatever already exists in that
absolutely
The
waterfalls. It took us 7 hours,
person.
moment you walk off the plan
but the entire trip just blew
Q: What do you enjoy doing
e, everything feels so tropical
me away.
outside of work?
and the vegetation is amazing.
Q: What’s the one thing you
A: I love going to the gym and
I dipped my feet in the water
can’t live without?
golfing. I also play and coach
and it felt just like bath water.
A: It would have to be my faith
basketball. I also really like building
Another time, we were caught
first, and my wife second. I
things, such as garden boxes and
in a tropical storm, so we stood
think she would say the exact
i’d like to try and build a table and
underneath a tree – this tree
same thing. My faith allows
benches this summer.
was so thick we didn’t get wet
me to teach through love,
Q: Do you have a message for the
at all. The colour of the water
because if I don’t love me
community?
was this beautiful aqua blue,
first, I can’t love anyone else.
A: We are moving in the right
the beaches were just perfect
I get very excited when talking
direction. I believe that WLFN is
white sand and we saw turtles
about my faith because that’s
doing a wonderful job and our
swimming.
what keeps me going every
future is bright.
beautiful.
BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022 11
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 11
2022-04-01 2:49:08 PM
Express to Success Training Please note that ages vary depending on training requirements. Date, time, and locations are to be determined. This sign-up is to create interest and we will then organize dates and times.
Trainings will include (but are not limited to):
First Aid Level 1
Confine Space
Super Host
Drug & Alcohol Awareness
WHMIS
Fall Protection
Learner's Driving Course
Bullying Awareness
Food Safe
Babysitting Course
Cooking Classes
Resume Building Workshop
H2S Alive
Financial Literacy
Mental Health Info Session
Open to other training suggestions
To sign up: Call: 250-296-3507 Willie Hardeman ext. 116 Shawna Philbrick ext. 135 Sign up deadline is May 13th, 2022
12 BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 12
Open to: WLFN Registered Citizens Students on nominal role.
Additional Perks: Names entered into prize draw for each completed training course Awards Dinner to celebrate training completion
2022-04-01 2:49:08 PM
Staff Birthdays and Anniversaries
Willie Sellars Chief 8th Anniversary!
Judy Brigham Education Assistant 1st Anniversary!
Deveny Kohlen Early Childhood Educator Happy Birthday
Mimi Sellars Community Health Representative Happy Birthday!
Ira Nelson O&M Worker 6th Anniversary!
Shianne David O&M Admin Assistant 2nd Anniversary!
Brittany Cleminson Natural Resources Coordinator 4th Anniversary!
Kiera Dolighan Senior Manager, Social Dev. 2nd Anniversary!
Willie Hardeman Tutor 1st Anniversary!
Steve Simms Equipment Operator 1st Anniversary!
Dana Alphonse On-Call Receptionist Happy Birthday!
Aaron Higginbottom Senior Manager, Natural Resources 12th Anniversary!
Chris Wycotte Director of Self-Goverment Happy Birthday!
Julia Flinton Title & rights Coordinator Happy Birthday!
Pamela Kozak Education Supervisor Happy Birthday!
Wenona Gordon Lands Manager 6th Anniversay & Happy Birthday!
BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022 13
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 13
2022-04-01 2:49:11 PM
Council Meeting Highlights
April
The WLFN Council convened to approve the WLFN Budgets for the next fiscal year 2022/2023.
A staff presentation on the “ Fraser River Domestic Sheep and Goat Exclusion” was heard by the Council. A letter of support was approved by all members of the council.
The Council unanimously supported a donation of $5000 to Ukraine to support the needs of the individuals and families affected by this conflict.
Council supported accepting the Mount Polley Revised Participation Agreement. the mine is targeted to open in the next few weeks and will bring employment opportunities to our region.
14 BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 14
2022-04-01 2:49:11 PM
A plan for major renovations to the WLFN Arbour and surrounding area was presented by the CAO. Council is excited to have the Arbour updated.
The Proposed Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act to replace the current First Nations Land Management Act that will better reflect the central importance of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management was presented by Staff. The Council was in support.
Council is in support of Councillor Rick Gilbert representing WLFN to meet with the Pope along with other survivors who attended Canada’s residential schools.
The WLFN Council was honoured to have Prime Minister Trudeau pay us a visit, and they were proud to show him around our community.
BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022 15
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 15
2022-04-01 2:49:11 PM
APRIL 2022
Easter Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Stay up to date on all of our events by following our Facebook page: Williams Lake First Nation 16 BOO MAGA - APRIL 2022
Boo Maga April 2022.indd 16
2022-04-01 2:49:13 PM