Boo Maga January 2022

Councillor’s Message

Weyt-kp xwexweytep, Shae Chelsea ren skwekwst (Hello everyone, my name is Shae Chelsea). “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. The time of year that brings families and friends together and the start to a new year. For me, it’s also a time to be mindful about those that do not have family or are struggling. This is the time to be grateful for one another, and gift back to others that might not have what they need. In this unfortunate time of sickness, sadness, and greed; let us remember to hold each other up and help those families. Let’s do more for our neighbors, strangers, and those in our lives. I want to challenge all of you that can give back, to do so. Even if it is a small amount, everything counts.

I have been busy in the past few months; time moves quickly when you are having fun. In August, I celebrated my first year being on Chief and Council. This first year has been a whirlwind to say the least, I am still so blessed for my fellow leadership who continue to educate me on things every day. I am also thankful for the sqlelten (salmon), we were able to fish this year down at the river. I was able to go dip netting (for the first time) with my brother, his partner, and an elder from the community. I was humbled that day, we were up at 5am, fishing until about 11am, then off to clean all the salmon. This was an all-day event, and I had so much fun being with family the entire day.

~Trigger Warning~ In the month of August, I also attended the ceremony for the St. Joseph’s Mission. This event brought us back to the realization of the tragic events that residential schools forced on the many children that they were imprisoned there. I say imprisoned because the children who were forced to attend these school were no longer children, they were prisoners. As a member of our future generation, we need to ensure this tragedy is never forgotten, and the people responsible are held accountable. We, as leadership and staff must continue to fight every day for our members and we must continue to stand with them in their battles against the trauma’s they endured at the residential and day schools.

As I sang and drummed that day, I could feel the healing and the land acknowledging our presence. Every time our people sing, drum, and practice our culture, we heal and become resilient. As our language, culture and traditions continue to grow and come back to us, the stronger we become. We will continue to work hard on getting results for your questions, as we carry on the search for those missing. Thank you for your patience, as extensive work takes time.

In September, the kids returned to school and the leaves began changing, fall was here. I had the privilege of accompanying the elders for sage and swamp tea picking. I spent two whole days laughing, learning and harvesting good medicines from the lands.

At the end of the month, we hosted our annual Orange Shirt Day. This was an incredible turn out. People from many nations and our Non-First Nations allies were in attendance. We stood in solidarity and held each other up that day. We offered prayers, songs, drumming and, we were together. Thank you to everyone that attended the event, we were truly honored.

During October, we traveled for our annual Chief and Council Strategy Session in Osoyoos, BC. Leadership worked tirelessly every day in our strategy sessions for the benefits of our community and, future decisions we made for the upcoming year.

Williams Lake First Nation also hosted a 2-night premier, to honor two of our members who starred in the film “Portraits from a Fire”. This event went spectacular, everyone in this film did an incredible job, I really enjoyed it. If you haven’t seen this film yet, I highly recommend you see it because it is a masterpiece.

November was a busy time for everyone, I brought my family to the Remembrance Day ceremony. We honored my grandfathers, Bill Sellars, Douglas Tait and others who served in the wars they were in. It gave us a chance to reflect on the future they gifted to us with their bravery and the sacrifices they made to provide us with the lives we have now.

I also had the pleasure of attending the Motherhood/ Fatherhood is Sacred training in Phoenix, Arizona. Through this training I was educated in using traditional methods to reconnect families, assisting them in healing from their traumas, and bringing families closer together. I will be able to offer this program to our members, as well as members from Xatsull First Nation and Canim Lake Indian Band. I am very excited to have the opportunity to assist others in finding a healthy, happy and safe path for their families within a safe space.

I was happy to see the turnout for the Membership vote happening that happened on November 25, 2021. This is where we bring members home, and vote for the new WLFN life being born. As I went to vote, I have considered how I am voting and why I voted for those individuals. I have made sure the votes I made are for people who have ties within our community. As our community is moving forward, we want all our members to benefit and thrive. Our community continues to grow with members moving home and members having babies. We have to be vigilant in our work and decisions so that they will have a bright and strong future.

As we move past the holidays, I will continue to volunteer within the community. Unfortunately, due to the Covid restrictions, we could not have a community Christmas dinner which I find sad. I was not able to see everyone laughing, smiling, and visiting with one another. We were able, however, to host a drive thru Christmas dinner for all the members to be able to enjoy a Christmas dinner and the kids got some joy.

I am hopeful in this New Year the restrictions will change and we can embrace one another again soon. For those that are struggling or just needing company, reach out to me and one another, so we can help where we can. For our people to succeed, we need one another and we need to help one another. We must remember this time is not about giving back, it’s about time with loved ones and teaching one another. Let’s continue to hold each other up and continue to be grateful for everything we have.

I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year, once Covid restrictions ease. May good times and treasures of the present, become the golden memories of tomorrow. Wishing you lots of love, joy, and happiness. Happy New Year to all!! Yeri7 skukwstsetetsemc!!

Shae Chelsea