Boo Maga - March 2022

Boo Maga Puméke7

March 2022

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - #11

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Contents Councillor’s Message

4

Chris Wycotte provides commentry on the local Wildlife and fish

Welcome to the Boo Maga (puméke7), which translates to “drum stick”.

The Osprey Nest

6

WLFN’s new and exciting project coming soon!

Student Highlight

8

Danikka

Murphy

is

studying Secewpemctsin Language

NDIT Intern Year Review

10

Jia takes us through all she has experienced in the last year!

Staff Member Highlight

12

Check in with Alyssa Alphonse in

who

the

Education

Council Meeting Highlights 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

works

Department

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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

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Councillor’s Message Wetkp xwexweytp: I thought I ‘d focus this month’s report on Wildlife and Fish. Most members probably know and understand how important wildlife and fish are to our culture and practices.

Historically, we had no reason to worry whether we’d have these resources available to us going into the future.

I remember in my younger days all the families in the community had their own hunting and fishing areas.

These areas were chosen by the families, and they would return to these sites on an annual basis to hunt and process their meat supplies for the up-coming months.

Similarly, fishing areas were treated the same way. It would eventually become common knowledge that certain areas would be the main hunting or fishing camps of specific families.

During our 1995 - 1997 Traditional Use Study interviews, many interviewees would identify specific areas as this or that family’s hunting or fishing camp. However, while the general practice was to recognize family areas, the areas would remain open to

other members to use through protocols or family ties. The use of the camping areas was not automatic but was based on our laws of respect.

If someone wanted to use another family’s camping area, the right way to approach this was to get permission from that family.

The main reason for recognizing these areas as a family area is that it took a lot of time and effort to establish the sites as a hunting or fishing camps.

Sometimes a cabin would be built along with corrals, drying racks, and sweat lodges etc.

Another important law that was practiced was ‘sharing”. At one time, our community members shared everything, and this

practice was important to our survival. I remember in my younger days multiple families getting together to go to their hunting camps or other harvesting areas like Quesnel and Horsefly lakes to hunt, pick berries and gathering other plants for medicines. They would camp out for two to three weeks at a time or however long it took to get what they needed.

The group would work together to harvest enough game or fish to ensure that everyone had enough to get them through the winter.

Today, because of major changes in our lifestyle and priorities like work and changes to our mode of travel. Vehicle use makes it a lot easier to do day trips and we are no longer going to our hunting or fishing camps. Therefore, we are BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022 3

spending less and less time using our territory like we use to, and our footprints on the land are getting smaller and smaller. This, in a lot of ways, has opened our territory for other users to use at their will.

There are many nonSecwepemc First Nations people living in Williams Lake from neighboring nations and across Canada. When they want to exercise an aboriginal right to hunt and fish, they don’t go back to their own territories to exercise these rights. Most assume that they have a legal right to exercise these rights wherever they reside.

However, this assumption is wrong, Secwepemc laws state that access to our territory is based on permission or other protocols.

Further,

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the courts have decided that an indigenous person’s aboriginal right to hunt or fish does not extend into another First Nation’s territory. They can exercise an aboriginal right to hunt or fish outside their territories, but they must follow the protocols of the First Nation whose territory they are in or provincial hunting regulations. Canada and the Province are beginning to understand and recognize that Indigenous people had laws and protocols that governed access to their territories prior to contact.

Both levels of governments have expressed a willingness to work closely with First Nations to begin recognizing and reconciling First Nations laws and protocols.

I recognized in the mid-1990s that the uncontrolled access to our territory by other First Nations was becoming a big issue, especially with the growing population of Non-Secwepemc First Nation people moving into Williams Lake. This has placed extra pressure on the wildlife and fish resources within our territory. The decline in moose and salmon populations are good examples of how the negative impacts are being felt by our people.

Overharvesting by other First Nations is not the only reason for the decline but WLFN must have a greater role in managing our territory. In 2002, I developed a hunting permit system for WLFN. The idea was to work with

the Conservation Office in Williams Lake to establish some control over who hunted in our backyard. I was hoping that they would see the benefit of our permits and develop a policy that if Non -Secwepemc First Nation hunters were caught harvesting game in our territory without our permit they would be charged. At that time, the Conservation Office had no interest in recognizing or respecting our permits.

I kept issuing the permits anyway knowing that we have an aboriginal right to do so.

Our hunting permits have been in place going on 20 years now.

On a positive note, there has been some positive changes within the Conservation Office recently.

In 2020, the Conservation Office approached WLFN with a proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. The proposal was discussed at a Council meeting and then brought to the community for further discussion and input. We liked the idea of providing better enforcement within our territory, but we were not satisfied with the language being proposed. We finally agreed to sign an interim Enforcement Agreement with the understanding that we will have the opportunity to review and revise the agreement to include language that would better meet our interests.

There were some resistance

from the CO representatives but they agreed to take this into consideration. This agreement may be short lived anyway as we are having some serious discussions at the treaty table regarding our laws, jurisdiction, management, and control over our territory. We have a lot of work to do in this area, but I am confident that we will get there.

The purpose of developing the hunting permits in 2002 might be finally getting some traction. On the January 15th weekend, a pickup was pulled over on Redeau Lake Road

by Conservation Officers as a road check. Three men were in the truck: a First Nations man from a neighboring Nation and two non-indigenous men. Two moose, a cow and a calf, were found in the back of the pickup.

Not knowing what to do about the situation, the COs called our office, our law enforcement staff went to the scene and recommended that charges be filed. Our staff met with me and other council members early in the week to confirm whether

the recommendation was the right one. We agreed that it was.

As far as I know charges against the individuals are pending. The moose was confiscated along with other property. The moose was given to WLFN for processing and distribution.

One last point I’d like to make before closing off my report.

There have been several elk sighted on our Reserve #1 lands.

I am honored that they chose our lands to return to and, in my mind, they are looking for our protection.

The Elk have been gone from our territory since approximately 1921. They moved out when the moose moved in. With the high decline in moose numbers, the Elk seem to be moving back in.

We must look after the Elk that are coming back. So, lets protect these animals and let their numbers grow so we can go back to hunting Elk in the future.

Chris Wycotte Councillor Chris Wycotte BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022 5

The Osprey Nest - coming soon!

Williams Lake First Nation has

public about our plans. This

major projects in and around

recently announced plans for

building will truly be a game-

Williams Lake. These units will

a new mixed-use development

changer for our region. It

also provide options for locum

on San Jose Indian Reserve

will consist of a stunning

physicians,

#6, near the intersection of

2000 square foot restaurant

others who we are attempting

South MacKenzie Avenue and

space with nearly a thousand

to

Borland Street in Williams

square feet of outdoor patio

There will really be nothing

Lake.

development,

space overlooking the lake

comparable

which has been given the

and Scout Island. There will

temporary

project name “The Osprey

be some incredible features

in and around Williams Lake.”

Nest” consists of a café and

like

mezzanine

WLFN IR#6 is also the site of

gathering space on the main

providing an intimate area

Unity Cannabis and Sugar

floor and four separate open

for private meetings, and an

Cane Cannabis. The 7,000

concept lofts on the second

outdoor rooftop patio. The

square

floor.

second floor will be high-end

Cannabis building, which in

“We conducted a membership

open concept loft spaces with

January received its Health

engagement session,” states

a total of eighteen feet of

Canada cultivation license, is

WLFN Chief, Willie Sellars, “and

height. The views from these

British Columbia’s first seed-

the feedback was extremely

spaces will be amazing. We

to-sale cannabis facility. Doors

positive.

to

expect to utilize these lofts

to the Sugar Cane Cannabis

now be able to provide some

to provide accommodation

Discovery Centre are expected

information to the general

to professionals working on

to open to the public in March,

The

We’re

excited

6 BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022

an

indoor

teachers,

attract

to in

this

and area.

terms

of

accommodations

foot

Sugar

Cane

with retail sales commencing in May. “We’ve

proven

that

WLFN

projects are top-notch and cutting

edge,”

adds

Chief

Sellars. “This project will be a spectacular addition to the region, and we want its quality and character to reflect its indigenous

ownership.

The

entire building will be accessible to those who are mobility challenged. It will generate numerous jobs, both during and after construction, create

we hope to really showcase

McNaught of m2 Architecture,

opportunities

what

general contractors Lauren

for

capacity

the

Cariboo

has

to

development, and provide a

offer. We’re currently having

Brothers

space for our community to

discussions with a number

and interior designer Rena

gather in proximity to the lake.

of parties with respect to the

Johnson of the Rusty Bucket.

The outdoor patios are truly

management and operation of

Construction of the Osprey

unique and offer something

the restaurant portion of the

Nest is slated to commence in

you can’t find anywhere else

building and we’re still open to

Spring of 2022 and is expected

in the city. There are exciting

talking to others.”

to complete within one year of

possibilities in terms of farm-

The Osprey Nest project team

project commencement.

to-table at the restaurant, and

consists of architect Michael

Construction,

BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022 7

Post-Graduate Student Highlight: Danikka Murphy Weytkp xwexweytp! Danikka Murphy ren skwekwst.

Te Texelc ell Xeni Gwet’in re st7e7kwen.

Ec re mumtwen ne Yucwt. Ell ec re e7elkstwen re school district 27 Secwepemc language and culture lleqmelten. Ren kike7ce Sheila Williams, te Texelc ell Xeni Gwet’in re ste7e7kwes. Ell ren qeq7etse le Ken Murphy, te Toronto re ste7e7kwes.

Kukwstsetselp.

Hello everyone! My name is Danikka Murphy. I come from WLFN and Nemiah Valley. Right now I live in Williams Lake. And now I work for School District 27 as the Secwepemc language and culture teacher. My mom is Sheila Williams, she comes from WLFN and Nemiah Valley. My dad is theh late Ken Murphy, and he comes from Tornoto.

Thank you all.

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I am a mother to three beautiful children, and a wife to Patrick Lulua.

Life gets pretty busy around here, but I try to make time for my sewing, knitting, beading, painting, any craft really.

I enjoy learning new hobbies. Currently, I am studying to obtain my Secewpemctsin Language Proficiency Certificate. It is a full time course, and

I am loving everything about it. I get a sense of belonging learning Secwepemctsin. It is my goal to teach our next generations to come. I want everyone to feel and know the joy and power when speaking Secwepemctsin.

I see myself teaching our language for many more years.

Kukwstsetselp. Thank you all!

WLFN Post-Secondary Bursary Recognitions Williams Lake First Nation would like to offer a huge congratulations to the following students who have been awarded the following bursaries.

We wish you well as you continue further in your studies.

Geraldine Bob:

Elders Bursary – Cecilia Michel, Clotilde Thomas, Tommy Wycotte Sr, Agnes Anderson Shuswap Traditional Bursary – Josephine Bob

Lori BillyBoy:

Business Administration Bursary – Isabelle Stobie

Roderick Sandy:

War Veteran Bursary – Johnny Alphonse Sr, William Moore

Michaela Gilbert:

Bachelor of Arts Degree Bursary – Joan Sellars

Savanna Sandy:

Chief George Abbey Bursary Trades Bursary – Pierro Sandy

Trinity Sure:

Bachelor of Science Bursary – Kara Michel, Ron Martell

BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022 9

NDIT Intern: Jia Zhang a year in review!

Williams Lake First Nation hosted Jia as our First Nation Government Intern this pas year, and will be hosting another for the third consecutive year in 2022-2023.

Weyt-kp

xwexweytep,

skwekwst

Jia

Zhang

ren (Hello

populated Uyghur

with

Indigenous

everyone, my name is Jia Hui

people…”

Zhang)! I am the NDIT First

It wasn’t easy for me

Nations Government Intern

to come to abroad

for Williams Lake First Nation

to study and work,

(WLFN). I have been studying

but luckily, I made

and working in Canada for

it. I am very thankful

around

to

seven

years

now,

have

had

the

after I left my hometown--

chance to come to

XinJiang Uyghur Autonomous

Canada

Region, China. I’m sure other

had this opportunity

international graduates feel

to work with T’exelc

similarly,

and

but

I

sometimes

and

explore

now

the

feel answering questions like

community.

Since

“where are you from” is truly

I

WLFN

storytelling.

last summer, I spent lots

not only helped me to gain a

“I came from Surrey, Vancouver,

of my spare time to learn

better understanding of a First

Prince George, and originally

basic Secwepemc and feel

Nation government structure,

Northwest China.”

connected

Shuswap

management and operations,

“So you are from China, but

cultures with my traditional

but also has strengthen my

where exactly?”

cultures. It reminds me of

determination

“Well, I can try and make it

the extended relationship we

about Indigenous values and

sound brief: A mountain region

share with family and friends.

community

10 BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022

joined

with

This Internship program has

in

learning

planning.

My

internship experience has been

Investigation,

open,

training

engaging,

supportive

completed

and

and fascinating. I would like

with

to say a huge thanks to my

department,

mentors and colleagues! This

land use planning and survey

experience has been incredibly

initiatives, and contributed

valuable for an intern with

to

very little practical experience

pursuit of special project

in Indigenous governments.

fundings. My current role for

Although the expectations of

the rest of the internship is

me is not incredibly difficult,

to provide capacity support

I still experienced a learning

for the Housing department.

curve due to this being my

The opportunity for me to

first

I

support Housing will allow

appreciated that WLFN and

me to experience additional

my mentors support me at

key program deliverables for

work and my professional

an Indigenous government.

development wherever they

Sustainable housing is the

can.

key

During the first few months

and wellness for all WLFN

of my internship, I assisted

members, I am very excited to

the

promote on-reserve housing

internship

St.

program.

Joseph’s

Mission

the

accreditation WLFN helped

grant-writing

to

Lands with

and

community

programs

the

health

with

my

supervisor to enhance members’ lives.

As an urban planning practitioner,

my

observation

of

an

Indigenous community comes from members’ voices

and

public

participations.

It’s

about

to

all

listening

the

voices

and

analysing those voices to make appropriate recommendations.

I

mean,

to

really

listen, not just to hear. To learn and practice indigenous community planning, I have three main approaches: to read literature, to participate in ceremonies, and to talk with Elders and knowledge holders.

Moving forward, I will be continuing to ask for feedback from my peers, mentors, and colleagues, and to focus on elements of self-awareness to drive ideal outcomes for the

organization

professional

and

my

development

goals. I look forward to using my to

planning promote

background the

priorities

of the WLFN Housing and contribute more and more to the community after my internship!

BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022 11

Staff Member Highlight: Alyssa Alphonse Q: What is your role at WLFN & what are your job duties?

A: I am the administrative assistant in the Education Dept.

Q: My job duties include day to day administration duties, keeping files up to date, providing assistance to team members and management for special

A: The hardest part is sticking to my schedule. It

projects including research & providing

is easy to get sidetracked from tasks with other

reports and documents when required.

tasks.

I also process purchase orders and other

Q: Do you have any memorable stories from

payments within the Education department

your time working here?

to finance, which includes Post Secondary,

A: I was a chaperone for a high school student

Extracurricular, and keeping the Purchase

field trip to UBC Kelowna Campus and TRU

Order log up to date.

Kamloops which was exciting. I also love

Q: What does a regular workday look like

scheduling the tours and activities. I also took

for you?

the lead drafting on the LEA agreement with

A: I am usually updating files and our

SD27. It was a huge learning experience seeing

expense sheets, or if we have meetings I will

how much work goes into them.

join and take minutes.

Q: What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Q: What is the best part of your job?

A: My vehicle and my phone to keep in contact

A: I love being able to learn about this side

with my family.

of education!

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Q: What is the most challenging aspect of

A: When I’m not working, I am usually spending

your job?

time with my family, or I am doing my beadwork.

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Staff Birthdays and Anniversaries

Lisa Camille Senior Manager, Member Services 20th Anniversary

Mavis Skerry Early Childhood Educator Happy Birthday!

Samantha Dick Housing Advisor Happy 1st Anniversary

Dylan Sellars Special Projects Coordinator Happy Birthday!

Maggie Berns Executive Assistant Happy Birthday!

Chanel Wynja Special Education Teacher Happy Birthday!

Nishitha Singi Referrals Coordinator Happy Birthday

Andrea Kobza Special Education Assistant Happy Birthday

Lillian Alphonse Language Teacher Happy Birthday!

BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022 13

Council Meeting Highlights

March

WLFN Council hosted a member engagement session during the January 13.

2022 Council meeting to discuss a loan of up to $4.3 million for new capital projects from the First Nation Finance Authority (FNFA). Council later passed a motion to proceed with the borrowing.

Council was introduced to James Bos, the incoming RCMP Indigenous Policing (IPS) Constable designated to support the WLFN community.

The Council heard a staff presentation on CommuniKit, a dynamic mobile application with Apple and Google compatibility that could provide new communication options with membership. Council supported the development of the app and looks forward to rolling it out to members on and off reserve.

Council shared energetic support for the upcoming Elders’ trip to Kamloops to see the Kamloops Blazers WHL hockey team. WLFN has rented a private suite box seating for up to 40 people.

The CAO announced that WLFN was successful in being appointed a host Nation with the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) First Nation Government Intern program. A competitive process will be hosted by NDIT to appoint a recent university graduate to join WLFN for a 12-month paid internship to support WLFN’s government in the areas of Finance and Human Resources.

Council hosted a signing ceremony with Taseko Mines Limited (Gibraltar Mine) to endorse a new Participation and Cooperation Agreement between Gibraltar and Williams Lake First Nation. The agreement will provide WLFN with additional funding, training opportunities, and enhanced environmental oversight.

Sugar Cane Development Corporation and WLFN hosted a member’s open house on February 9, 2022, at Sugar Cane Cannabis, WLFN’s farm-to-gate cannabis cultivation facility on IR6 in Williams Lake.

Chief Willie Sellars and Councillor Chris Wycotte travelled to Kamloops, BC with senior staff to meet with the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada to discuss several of WLFN’s key priorities.

14 BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022

Controlled Burn Scheduled for March Spring is on its way, and with the arrival of warm weather comes the increased risk of wildfire. The suppression of traditional burning in BC for many decades has created large amounts of vegetative fuel surrounding the Sugar Cane community and the city of Williams Lake. This has the effect of increasing wildfire intensity and the chances of wildfires harming structures and people, as well as obstructing the movement of wildlife.

Beginning in March, Williams Lake First Nation will be undertaking an effort to reduce fuel levels in these areas using prescribed burning. Our goal is to reduce fuel levels during cool weather when fire is more controllable, instead of during the summer when fire can quickly become out of control.

By calculating the different factors of weather conditions, fuel types and landscape features, we can determine the best way to safely and efficiently remove wood, grass and other natural debris from the lands surrounding our communities. This means that

when wildfire season begins, any approaching fire won’t find as much fuel to sustain it.

Wildfire intensity is reduced, meaning wildlife habitat will remain largely intact instead of being completely incinerated.

When paired with increased FireSmart activities around buildings, the chances of damage occurring to homes and businesses during fires decreases.

This spring, the Natural Resources Department of Williams Lake First Nation in conjunction with Borland Creek Logging will be conducting grassland burning in the fields between the Sugar Cane community and Pioneer Log Homes. Support in the form of technical expertise and material assistance is being provided by BC Wildfire Services, Sugar Cane Fire Hall, and the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department.

Grass fuels will be safely burnt over the course of two weeks using hand tools. We will be advertising our exact date of burning when we are reasonably sure of proper venting and fuel conditions,

however we estimate the date to be around the beginning of April.

In the future, we are planning to enhance the grassland habitat of endangered species like badger and Lewis’s woodpecker to the east of Sugar Cane through prescribed fire. This will re-vitalize habitat for endangered species and the plants and animals they interact with. We are also performing an understory burn after a thinning treatment is performed by hand in forested areas to the south of Sugar Cane.

This will enhance woodland habitat next to grasslands while reducing wildfire risk and is scheduled to occur this fall.

Removing excess fuel in the forests surrounding Sugar Cane will improve wildlife habitat and make it more resilient to wildfires.

Burning will revitalize the grassland, reducing dead plant matter and converting it into nutrients for living plants, and benefitting other parts of the grassland ecosystem that have evolved over thousands of years, influenced through fires set by First Nations. By protecting the space around our own homes, we can also protect and improve the habitat of countless wildlife species adapted to the presence of carefully managed fire.

BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022 15

MARCH 2022

International Womens Day

Daylight Savings Starts

First Day of Spring

St. Patricks Day

World Water Day

Stay up to date on all of our events by following our Facebook page: Williams Lake First Nation 16 BOO MAGA - MARCH 2022