Ha-Shilth-Sa April 18, 2013

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Pole a healing symbol of students’ survival By Carla Moss Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Tofino–More than 200 people gathered with pride and some sadness March 29, a misty coastal morning, to witness the raising of a totem pole called “Ticswiina”. Translated, the pole’s name means “We Survived.” Ticswiina, raised on the ocean side of the Tin Wis Resort near Tofino, was created to honour the children who went to residential schools from 1906 to 1986 in Ahousaht, Kakawis, Kamloops, Mission and Port Alberni. “Today I feel both pride in the work that is being done and sadness for the recent losses in our community and the loss of our family member, Agnes Martin, who was also a survivor,” said Tla-o-qui-aht Chief Councillor Moses Martin. “Due to the death we had in our community on Friday, it was decided we would also dedicate the pole to Agnes Martin,” said Project Coordinator Nora Martin. “She was a big promoter of healing. She was very traditional and cultural.” Ticswiina carved by Tla-oqui-aht master carver Joe Martin “represents the teach-

ings of natural law,” he said. “On this pole the crests all represent ceremonies that were ceremonial teachings of those natural laws. They reflect teachings all the children, even though they were from different villages, would have been familiar with.” He said the sun or the moon represents the first teaching, the first law, which is the law of respect. “All children were taught about this law from the time of conception.” The crest at the bottom of the pole teach about boundaries and fear. “They are not at the bottom of the pole because they’re the bottom, but because people of these teachings had a responsibility to point out if a law was broken. Then that law breaking was dealt with immediately. For example, it was against the law to molest women or children. Natural law is like having a sliver in your eye; you won’t leave it there. You will remove it immediately. If you leave it there it will fester and you won’t be able to see anymore.” Joe said the wolf on the pole represents teachings about fear. “Traditionally, when a young person between the ages of six and eight years old was initiated into the Wolf Society, they would be taught to let go of fear, because if you’re not

afraid you can learn anything.” The bear also speaks about boundaries. “We know not to get too close to a bear in nature, especially if it’s a mom with her cub. Those are natural boundaries. In those schools, the children’s natural boundaries were broken again and again.” The salmon represents water; valuable and sacred to all for survival. “The mouse is small and at the bottom of the pole to remind us to listen to even the smallest creatures. Many tribes have stories about the earthquake in the 1700s

and how the mice warned them. Those people that listened and prepared survived. The same goes for people. We may think we don’t need to listen to someone, but, in fact, they may have something to say that’s very important for our survival.” The serpents at the top of the pole represent the difference between right and wrong. If someone broke a rule they didn’t debate all day if it was right or wrong, said Joe. Continued on page 14.

Master carver Joe Martin addresses the crowd gathered at Tin Wis Resort on March 29 to witness the raising of a Totem Pole that honours the children who went to residential schools between 1906 and 1986. Photo by Carla Moss

Inside this issue... AIRS students reunited with childhood art..............Page 2 Haiyupis featured in anti-discrimination exhibit.....Page 4 Place devoted now to honoring vets..........................Page 6 Tseshaht celebrates recovery .....................................Page 11 Swan family receives Kou-us names........................Page 13

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Page 2 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - April 18, 2013

AIRS students reunited with childhood art By Debora Steel Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni–A “fireworks display of possibility.” This is how Dr. Andrea Walsh describes the legacy that has come from the repatriation of residential school children’s paintings done in a ceremony held March 30 at Alberni Athletic Hall. “I was struck by the way in which the stories of the paintings move on,” she said. If they had stayed within the university, then the paintings’ story would have ended there, Walsh explained. Walsh, a visual anthropologist with the University of Victoria, has been the one responsible for the safekeeping of the paintings, produced by students attending the notorious Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS) between 1959 and 1966. Stuck in a drawer away from the public, the paintings may have been preserved, but that’s it. Now there is a momentum to the paintings, said Walsh. There are “profound implications” as their story becomes part of the larger discussion about residential schools, and a part of individual families’ histories, Walsh said. The repatriation, she said, “was the right thing to do.” The university had been given the collection of paintings—47 in all—after the death of volunteer art teacher Robert Aller. He had asked each child in his class to give him one of their paintings to keep. Those paintings were reunited with their now-adult artists, or their representatives, during a ceremony filled with emotion. The original paintings were walked into the hall beside their artists and behind Nuu-chah-nulth drummers. The originals were then placed beside framed copies of the art that lined one wall of the gym. After the protocols of welcome were done, each of the artists was called up to receive his framed copy and to say a few words to those who had come out to wit-

Photos by Debora Steel

From left to right: Ilene Thomas, sister of Tyee Ha'wilth Maquinna Lewis George, and his stepmother Josephine George, enter the Alberni Athletic Hall on March 30 with original works of art Maquinna did as a student in Alberni Indian Residential School. ness the event. The artists were also asked to tell Walsh what they would like done with the original. They could either return it to the university where the paintings have been stored for some years, or they could keep the art work for their own purposes. For two years Walsh has been trying to find the artists and learn more about the work. Not all the paintings are happy, she said, but the work springs from the individual, self-determined thoughts of the children in that class, some having endured such terrible violence in the school. Walsh said some of the artists remembered in great detail their reasons for choosing what to paint. There are landscapes and fishing boats, cultural items like a hinkeets headdress, and representations of the natural world. Some students hardly remember attending the class at

all. Huu-ay-aht Ha’wilth Jeff Cook was first to receive his framed copy of his art, choosing to leave his original painting of a black duck with Walsh, on the condition that he can access it when he wants; “no questions asked.” Ron Hamilton, who spoke for the Ha’wilth, explained that Cook was somebody who came from somebody. “These were made by people who have a history,” Hamilton said of the paintings. The black duck is important to the people of the west coast, he explained. “We get happy when we see them… joyful.” “He must have missed duck soup,” Hamilton said. Cook has said that he became very emotional when he saw the painting. Residential school children have little but their own memories of their school years.

The organizing committee that worked to reunite residential school artists with their work.

Nothing brought home to hang on the fridge. Nothing to keep in a box to show the grandkids. So important is the painting to the chief that he intends to reproduce it on his curtain, which will become part of the family’s legacy and talked about whenever that curtain comes out. “That was huge,” said Walsh about Cook’s announcement at the ceremony. Tyee Ha’wilth Maquinna Lewis George of Ahousaht will also leave the originals of his artwork with the university, at least until the Nuu-chahnulth build their own museum or cultural centre where the paintings can be housed. But there was also another condition that the university must adhere to. His story of that time, in his own words, must accompany his paintings, one of a Halloween pumpkin and one of his father’s fishing boat. “The best time of my life—the best time in my life—was fishing with my dad,” Maquinna said. He said he wished he had the painting when Ahousaht was fighting the government, as part of the larger Nuu-chah-nulth litigation to recognize their right to a commercial fishery. “Because we are fishermen.” Maquinna had never told his story about residential school publicly. He wasn’t done with his healing, he said, but he wanted to share. When he was about six years old and attending AIRS, he got up early one morning to use the bathroom. A supervisor decided to teach Maquinna a lesson about school rules. Maquinna said the supervisor told him to never, ever go to the bathroom again without his permission. “He said ‘pull down your pajamas,’ and he strapped me. That’s the story that goes with (his paintings),” said Maquinna. “It’s been a long time…Trying to be strong, but it’s OK to let the tears flow,” he said composing himself. “When you want to go and use the washroom, nobody can say you can’t.” Continued on page 3.

April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 3 Author Eden Robinson was welcomed into Tseshaht territory on March 20 where she read from a selection of her short and long fiction, including her landmark novel Monkey Beach. About 60 people gathered in the Tseshaht Great Room for the event, organized by North Island College through its Write Here Readers Series, and from many accounts the event was filled with warmth and good humour. Dawn Foxcroft had just finished reading Monkey Beach the night before the evening with Robinson, who is a member of the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations, currently living in Kitamaat Village. “I appreciated her writing style, her insights into her community and really looked forward to meeting her,” said Foxcroft, and the author didn’t disappoint. Foxcroft said Robinson filled the room with her contagious laughter, “so much so my cheeks hurt when I left.” Even though Robinson’s writing can be very dark with very serious subject matter, the author was incredibly friendly, Foxcroft noted. Author Thomas King has said about novelist’s work “Monkey Beach creates a vivid contemporary landscape that draws her reader deep into a traditional world, a hidden universe of premonition, pain and power.” Robinson also read a passage from Sasquatch at Home. She explained that this had actually been taken from her first keynote speech, said Foxcroft. Had Robinson realized the speech was going to be published, she said she would have been more serious. The turn-out for the reading at Tseshaht was great with a “wonderful mix” of Tseshaht community members and the general public, said Foxcroft. “It felt good to have this event hosted in our building, overlooking the river. I would love to see more of these types of activities taking place bringing our communities together,” she said. Foxcroft said Robinson’s reading has inspired her to read more of the author’s work. Photo by Nicole Watts “She is a talented author and an inspiring First Nations woman who gives voice to Author Eden Robinson and Tseshaht Chief Councillor Hugh Braker on March the issues and magic of our communities.” 20 in the Tseshaht Great Room.

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Photo by Debora Steel

Chuck August was reunited with his childhood artwork, done in a class with volunteer art teacher Robert Aller. A repatriation ceremony was held March 30.

AIRS artwork returned Continued from page 2. “It’s critically important to him, that along with those paintings go his story— unchanged—in his words, not prettied up in any way,” said Hamilton on behalf of the Tyee Ha’wilth. “They will be his words and no one else’s.” Walsh said the story of all the paintings has likely deepened the understanding of residential schools in the general public, the dominant narrative of which is one of government policy, assimilation and abuse. It is about thousands of students, rather than individual experience. The paintings engage people differently, allows communication on a different level. “Art does that,” Walsh said. The family of art teacher Robert Aller was in attendance to witness the repatriation, and Walsh said they were deeply moved on hearing the stories of the paintings, telling her that Aller would have “really approved” of what was done March 30. He had always spoken so well of the children, Walsh said, and he would have approved that their work had gone back to them. Aller provided a safe space for the First Nations children from AIRS to create; to see something in their mind’s eye and put it down with paint on paper without fear of reprisal.

Charlie Max Lincoln of Kincolith in Nisga’a territory said Aller had told him to ‘draw whatever your heart feels.’ His picture was brightly colored with rockets heading to the moon, an eagle for his mother, and the boat of his father. The art classes allowed the children to remember the people they came from; unlike the school environment where children were strapped for any infraction, including speaking or singing in their traditional languages, he said. Not all the former students survived to have their paintings returned to them. Shelley Chester never knew her mom, Phyllis Tate, who gave her up for adoption right at birth. Still, seeing Tate’s paintings was an emotional experience. Chester choked up when declaring she didn’t know what she wanted to do with the originals. “To touch something that she created is really something,” Chester said. For those who would like to see the paintings, but missed the repatriation ceremony, they will be on display at UVic’s Legacy Art Gallery located at 630 Yates St. starting May 8. It will be a mix of originals and copies of the work that individual artists have decided to take home with them. An honoring ceremony will be held for the artists at Legacy in June.

Page 4 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - April 18, 2013 Ha-Shilth-Sa newspaper is published by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council for distribution to the members of the NTC-member First Nations, as well as other interested groups and individuals. Information and original work contained in this newspaper is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from: Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2. Telephone: (250) 724-5757 Fax: (250) 723-0463 Web page: www.hashilthsa.com Facebook: Hashilthsa Ntc Twitter: @HaShilthSa

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Nuu-chah-nulth artist’s work featured in anti-discrimination exhibit By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Nanaimo—Two pieces of art created by Ahousaht artist Sam Haiyupis are being shown in an exhibit that explores racism, discrimination and inclusion. Annually, March 21 commemorates the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is also the day that the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society hosted a reception at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre for Journey to Inclusion: Moving from Racism to an Inclusive Society, an art show that runs through the month of April at the theatre. Art pieces were created in partnership between professional artists and community participants. The pieces reflect an amalgamation of the artist’s technique with the community participant’s experience with discrimination. The idea was to explore what inclusion looks like through the participant’s eyes. Haiyupis is an artist whose work has been displayed by the Royal British Columbia Museum, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and in the pages of Contemporary Art of the North West Coast book publication. He first heard of the Journey to Inclusion project through a family support worker at Tillicum Haus Native Friendship Centre in Nanaimo. Haiyupis submitted his application along with his portfolio and was eventually selected and paired with a community member. Mamadou Ndiaye is from Senegal, West Africa. He was paired with Haiyupis and their task was to get to know one another. They would discuss their experiences with racism, their cultures and then they would decide on an art piece that reflects their mutual thoughts about the subject. “We are similar in our backgrounds and culture,” said Haiyupis. Through their visits they learned that each culture placed a strong emphasis on respect for elders, respect for others and each culture practiced ceremonies that celebrate the

Photo by Denise Titian

Mamadou Ndiaye is from Senegal, West Africa and Sam Haiyupis from Ahousaht were matched up to create art that spoke to their mutual thoughts on the issue of racism. milestones of life. Haiyupis said each cer- izes a shared cultural belief in spiritualiemony has a name but most use the word ty and a higher power. “Some people make the mistake of potlatch when it comes to Nuu-chah-nulth believing that culture only means drumcultural celebrations. ming and singing,” said Haiyupis, “As we were getting to know one adding culture goes far deeper than that. another Mamadou would start telling his “We both recognize the importance of story but then it would always come back to racism against First Nations people and nature in our cultures and our work reflects that,” said Haiyupis. he would say the whole world knows When it comes to racism Haiyupis about it,” said Haiyupis. recalls his first experience at the tender “He seemed more concerned that our young age of six. stories needed to be brought out.” “We had just moved from Ahousaht to The pair finally decided on a subject when they answered the question, how do Port Alberni and I would get teased at school for being dark; I would come we think we can move forward (away home crying,” he recalled. from racism) as a community? Sam remembers sitting in the bathtub “We agreed that we need to continue to educate the younger people about culture scrubbing and scrubbing as he cried. When his mother Daisy asked him and respect,” said Haiyupis. what was wrong he asked her why his Their piece would be a wooden rattle skin had to be so brown. Daisy took her carved in the shape of a Nuu-chah-nulth dugout canoe. Both cultures have canoes, young son to his grandmother Pawatsquii where he would learn a valurattles, drums and masks. The back of the canoe features an older able lesson. Pawatsquii asked young Sam several person with a paddle steering the canoe. It symbolizes an older person guiding the times if he loved his grandmother, to which he would always reply yes. younger generation. At the bow of the canoe is another figure with arms held Continued on page 10. high in praise to the Creator. It symbol-

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April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 5

BC First Nations News By David P. Ball Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Vancouver—First Nations from across the province gathered on Musqueam territory to mark World Water Day March 22, launching discussions on a new B.C. declaration on the protection of water. With the United Nations declaring this year to be an “International Year of Water Cooperation,” the combined leadership of B.C. Assembly of First Nations, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and First Nations Summit came together to hammer out a plan to cooperate across tribal lines. Several speakers argued for the importance of asserting inherent rights and title in any efforts to protect Indigenous resources such as water–specifically citing the successful six-year B.C. Supreme Court effort by five Nuu-chah-nulth bands, leading to a 2009 ruling upholding First Nations’ it remains healthy, culminating, after right to harvest and sell fish. nearly a decade of talks with government, Climate change, oil pipelines, safe with the purchase of a new water treatdrinking water, and mining were also ment plant, constructed recently for $6.5 on the day’s agenda. “How can we use our water resources million. “The Harper Government is currently to bring benefit to our communities, and to protect it from contamination, to fast-tracking Bill S-8, Safe Drinking Water for First Nations, where they will do what we can to minimize water force First Nations to comply with federquality damage?” asked Grand Chief al standards and accept all liabilities Ed John of the First Nations Summit. without all of the necessary infrastructure “There’s a lot of concern about climate in place,” Chamberlin warned. “In the change and global warming. spirit and intent of the UN Declaration on “What are our strategies to address those? Climate change is not something the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, there is no true and meaningful cooperation from happening down the road; it’s happenthe Harper Government on Bill S-8.” ing now... There’s a lot of pressures on Myriad concerns around water include water, but who’s standing up for the everything from the health of fish populawater?” tions—whose decline led to the Cohen For Kwicksutaineuk/Ah-Kwa-Mish Commission, which released its report First Nation (KAFN) Chief Bob last year–to asserting tribal title and Chamberlin, water remains a vital conrights over waterways, to the perceived cern for his nation, especially since its territories in the Broughton Archipelago risks of oil spills from tankers and piplelines, and to transforming Indigenous span a large marine area and fishing is economic approaches on their territories. an essential industry. “Water is our life-source,” Chief Judy Even on the question of safe drinking Wilson of Neskonlith/Secwepemc Nation water, his band has struggled to ensure

World Water Day marked by launch of BC water declaration talks, cooperation Chief Bob Chamberlin of the Kwicksutaineuk/Ah-Kwa-Mish First Nation speaks to the water issues within his territory on World Water Day March 22.

Photo by David P. Ball

told Ha-Shilth-Sa. “I think everybody agrees on that. But the biggest challenge is what are we doing as caretakers of water? “We’ve been working in our community on a water declaration similar to the declaration here today at the forum on water. What’s more important is that it involves everybody; if we’re going to protect our water, it means being responsible. We have to identify how we can not endanger our sources of water, or how can we clean them up. We need that water to survive.” Wilson described her band’s fears about the potential impacts of several mines on the Secwepemc water supply, which environmentalists have warned could contaminate waterways with toxic tailings and pollution. Protecting water, she warned, might sound obvious to many, but it is not an easy task in a capitalist market. “Our whole economy is based on exploitation,” Wilson said. “There’s several mines in Secwepemc territory, and, of course, mines need water and energy, and they’re near our water sources.

“When the mines destroy or potentially harm our water, it harms all of us. Very clearly, these mines have no business being in our sacred headwaters. There should be some sort of process that prevents them from mining in some of these key critical areas–maybe a moratorium or something... We’re also getting more pressure from global warming and climate change. Now we all have to be at the table.” The efforts to build consensus among the province’s First Nations on water protection come amidst a heightened international push for cooperation on the issue. The United Nations has warned that nearly half the world’s population could face water shortages in the next two decades. And a combination of climate change and industrial impacts are exacerbating the crisis, the body added. “We need to give equal consideration to the environmental dimension of sustainable development,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement on World Water Day. “We cannot prosper without clean, plentiful freshwater. “…I appeal for heightened cooperation. Water is a common resource. Let us use it more intelligently and waste less so all get a fair share.”

Swan’s dark perspective lightened by love By Debora Steel Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter It was a packed house March 17 for the “soft” opening of a little gallery on Main St. in Tofino with friends and family of Marika Swan and Norma Dryden invited in to warm the space up for the artists. Swan had promised organizers of the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival that she would have a show for this year’s event held March 16 to March 24 on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. One result of that promise is the show Becoming Worthy, an exhibit of the Tlao-qui-aht artist’s woodcut prints. The bigger result, however, is the creation of the gallery—they are currently toying with the name HUB—housed in The Shore complex on the town’s watery edge. Carver Joe Martin, who was pleasantly surprised to be featured in Marika’s work, welcomed the guests to the evening event with some songs. Swan then talked about the three-anda-half year journey to create the pieces in the show. Four years ago she had been involved

Chris Seitcher, model for a number of the works on display at HUB, and Marika Swan, Tla-o-qui-aht artist. territory where the whales would be with a media outlet and became overbrought to share among the people, she whelmed by the stories of struggle and said. Whales were a gift given to the worchallenge facing First Nations people, thy. She thought deeply about the love Swan said. and dreams her parents had for her when “I was really afraid, really full of she was small. Swan said she then deterfear.… I climbed deep inside a bottle.” mined that she should use her art to disShe said it took a lot of love, and cover more about her people and their strength and coaxing to convince her to traditions. climb out. Becoming Worthy is a celebration of She had been born on a beach in the

what she sees alive in her people today, she said. The lessons and the teachings remind us to be ready for the big gifts in life. When she was ready to show her work, she said, there was nowhere for her to go, so that started the next phase of the journey. “This community needed a place to celebrate our artists.” Dryden and Swan had worked together on the Carving on the Edge festival which celebrates carvers of all stripes. At the end of last September they dared dream about a gallery space. “It’s Marika’s vision,” Dryden told HaShilth-Sa. The idea is to provide shows and workshops; something new every three months. The artists were actively seeking input from the many people who attended the opening. Even the name of the gallery is not set in stone, so suggestions were being sought. When Swan and Dryden first entertained the idea of opening a gallery, Dryden talked to people about the notion. “Surely someone would tell us that we are crazy,” she said. But no. People said it was a very good idea, so plans went ahead. Continued on page 7.

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Place devoted now to honoring Nuu-chah-nulth vets By Debora Steel Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni—If you’re a frequent visitor to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council offices on Mission Road in Port Alberni, you’ll notice a new feature has been installed to honor Nuu-chah-nulth participation in the Armed Forces. The wall in the main hall is now sporting photographs of Nuu-chah-nulth veterans as a start of the Wall of Honor, a project initiated by Ken Watts, vice-president of NTC. After watching news coverage of Remembrance Day ceremonies last November, Watts started to think about Nuuchah-nulth service in the Armed Forces, and he realized he didn’t know a lot on the subject because it’s not discussed much. He felt, however, it was important to honor the Above: Private John (Jack) Nuu-chah-nulth contribuH. Watts, Tseshaht First tion. Nation. Born April 25, 1919Watts started to gather June 25, 1972. Served in the some photographs and Seaforth Highlanders of brief stories about those Canada in World War II, who had served, either in Overseas and in Canada wartime or in peacekeepfrom August 28, 1941 to ing. So far there are curFebruary 27, 1946 rently four photos on the Wall of Honor—George F. Clutesi (Jr.) of Tseshaht First Nation, James Francis Swan (Jr.) of Ahousaht First Nation, John (Jack) H. Watts of Tseshaht First Nation, and Edward John Clutesi of Tseshaht First Nation—with a couple of more photos still to go up. With each photograph there is a plaque that gives some details about their service. Two of the people in the photos, Jack Watts and Edward Clutesi, never made it home, said Ken Watts. Clutesi is buried

Above: Private Edward John Clutesi, Tseshaht First Nation Born August 12, 1918-August 8, 1944. Served in the Calgary Highlanders, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (R.C.I.C.) in Europe during WW II and has been laid to rest in Normandy, Germany. Right: James Francis Swan (Jr.), Ahousaht First Nation. Corporal with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. (Army/Reservist) from 2007-Present

at Normandy. “It’s a big humbling experience,” said Watts of the sacrifices these Nuu-chahnulth-aht made to create the world we live in today. So Watts is not done yet. He’s got a list of other names who he’d like to get information about, and if people would like to see their relatives up on the wall, he’s encouraging them to get in touch and send information. Watts is looking for anyone who served

Important Notice for readers of

Above: George F. Clutesi (Jr.), Tseshaht First Nation. PO2 NWT (Petty Officer 2nd Class, Naval Weapons Technician). Served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1962-1992.

either in Canada or the U.S., or those who are currently serving. “It’s a good start,” he said of what he’s been able to pull together so far.

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The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, publishers of Ha-Shilth-Sa, Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper, has restructured the Ha-Shilth-Sa department and will now publish once per month. For those who have paid for subscriptions, we have adjusted your subscription expiry date so that you will get all of the issues that you have paid for. Letters have been sent to the subscribers with their new expiry dates. If you are a paid subscriber and you have not yet received your letter, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at hashilthsa@nuuchahnulth.org The following is a list of publishing dates for the year 2013. Mailing April 18 Mailing May 16 Mailing June 13 Mailing July 18 Mailing August 15 Mailing September 19 Mailing October 17 Mailing November 14 Mailing Decembr 19

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April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 7

Message from the VP

Ken Watts Vice-President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

Accountability and working towards our goals The following is a report on the work I have undertaken over the past several months, work I plan to get underway over the next several months and why I believe it is important in my role as Vice-President. Since my acclamation as VicePresident in September 2012 I have either started or completed the following work: · I have written a variety of letters to both the Provincial and Federal Governments regarding Tsunami Debris Management, Float Home Management, Education Legislation, and Education Jurisdiction and Own Source Revenue, letters of support templates for our Nations and supporters, and other letters letting governments know our frustrations to an array of issues. · Since October I have attended and chaired several Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program (NETP) advisory committee meetings and brought forward the need to engage with our communities to see what their needs are. · I have attended several provincial meetings around the issue of Child and Family services and have made officials aware that USMA, Family and Child Services for Nuu-chah-nulth, is ready to receive Enhanced Prevention Funding. BC First Nations are one of the last provinces to receive this funding. · It has been my honour to work with the BC-Assembly of First Nations and the AFN nationally on resolutions that direct our regional chief and national chief to bring forward the issues we

have with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), such as funding cuts to our Tribal Council. I have also attended several First Nations Summit meetings where we had the opportunity to hold up our National Chief A-in-chut. I also raised the issue of our people being involved and engaged in the upcoming BC General Election and in current political issues. · As a board member of the Nuu-chahnulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) I have attended several board meetings and expressed my desire to have a conference where our Nations can connect with potential business partners. I will continue to work with NEDC on hosting such a conference. · Since September 2012 I have been to many of communities for various events, including a walk to raise awareness about violence against women and the murdered and missing women in BC; a walk to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and Hep C with Toquaht; a visit to Nitinaht where I participated in a protocol signing with USMA, and I joined Ahousaht in welcoming home our National Chief. I also attended our Nuuchah-nulth Quu-asa urban gatherings, Feeding and Giving from the Heart in Victoria, a National Fisheries Forum, Council of Ha’wiih meetings, the First Nations Fisheries Council AGM, and the BC Court of Appeal for the Nuu-chahnulth fishing rights case. · I am currently working on several Nuu-chah-nulth All-Candidates forums for the Alberni-Pacific Rim and North

Island constituencies. · I have worked on the creation of our Nuu-chah-nulth Tsunami Debris and Emergency Response Working Group and we have had our first conference call. · Finally, I have worked with our Nations, NTC Executive and staff to raise awareness and have met with government over a number of concerns we have with AANDC in terms of important issues for NTC, our Nations and more importantly our people. · I have also created a Wall of Honour to show our appreciation for our Nuuchah-nulth veterans and those who served or continue to serve in the Armed Forces. Over the next five months I plan to work on the following: · Continue to work closely with NEDC on an Economic Development conference later this year; · Carry on work with our interested Nations and appropriate NTC staff in submitting proposals to various funders to help with capacity building and development within our communities; · Seek and advertise funding opportunities for our Nations in the areas of language and culture; · Look at ways for our Nations to really work together and share best practices (i.e. create a best practices networks, inter-Nation communications, etc.); · Push for Enhanced Prevention Funding for USMA Nuu-chah-nulth Child and Family Services. I have recognized over the past several months the interconnectedness of all of our work. We need to create as many employment opportunities as we have members within our communities, but we also need work on any social or mental

health issues we have challenging our communities. I am also aware that for some communities it isn’t as easy to create large-scale economic opportunities without a large economic investment from our communities, so the need to seek potential and credible business partners is at an all-time high. In terms of capacity building/development, I am a strong believer in the fact that we need to help create a strong base within our communities so that one day each Nation will not rely on any other organization or funder and each Nation will truly be economically independent, self-determining; then the only finger we can point is to ourselves. Breaking the cycle of dependence is never easy, but I hope to support capacity building within our communities as a step in the right direction. It was an honour at our last NTC Budget Meeting to see our Nations stand up one by one and show their support for our language, and as Vice-President I will look for other opportunities and funding for our people to help keep our language alive and strong. Finally, I hope that USMA Child and Family Services through the Tribal Council can be one of the first delegated agencies in BC to receive Enhanced Prevention funding. We need to do the work with the appropriate resources to do everything in our power to keep our children out of care in the first place. We live in a world where it becomes easy to get caught “putting out fires” and being reactionary, but we need to take the appropriate steps so that we can be proactive for our child and children’s children.

Tla-o-qui-aht artist’s dream Continued from page 5. “We have had so much fun the whole time,” said Dryden. On hand for the celebration, with their own works gracing one wall of the gallery, were Swan’s parents, artists Joe David and Paula Swan, both beaming with pride at their daughter’s accomplishment. Paula, a photographer with an avid love of art, shared something from Marika’s past. “Please mommy, don’t take me to any more galleries,” Paula said a young Marika once told her. But there is no escaping the art scene now. Marika is also the artist of this year’s Pacific Rim Whale Festival poster. Allie Bonner, Whale Festival

Coordinator, attended Becoming Worthy. She said people are “absolutely blown away” by the work. “People stop me in the street to talk to me about your poster. They are absolutely stunned by it.” Joe Martin

Page 8 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - April 18, 2013

It is your right to vote! A message from the NTC President Cliff Atleo and Vice-President Ken Watts RE: BC General Election May 14, 2013 Are you aware that our people were not “granted” the right to vote here in British Columbia until 1949? Did you know that First Nations (“Indian”) people were not granted the right to vote in Canada’s Federal Elections until as recently 1960? Did you also know that they had to give up their “Indian Status” if they wanted to become Canadian Citizens and vote in Federal Elections? Although the above timeline is somewhat disturbing, one thing remains true. It is our right to be engaged and vote in the BC General Election (May 14, 2013) and Canadian Federal Election (tentatively scheduled for October 19, 2015). Many of our people and leaders from our communities fought for the right so that you and I can have a say in our future and what happens in this province and country. Not only are the dates appalling, but according to a recent study by Elections Canada they discovered that only 45 per cent of our people living at home (“onreserve”) in Canada voted in the 2011 Federal Election, as opposed to 61 per cent of the general population. One of the most interesting turns of events over the past year is the coming together of our grassroots people through the Idle No More movement. But one thing is certain, our people’s frustrations over the provincial or federal governments will only change if more of

our people and all Canadians get out and participate in the vote. In particular, our young people/youth need to realize the power which is in their hands as the fastest growing segment of the population anywhere in Canada; they have the ability to create real change from the ground up. As the leaders of not only tomorrow but the leaders of today, our young people have the right to a brighter future and for those who are 18 years and older, they have the right to vote which our ancestors fought for. So over the next month we ask you to engage yourself in what is happening provincially in the upcoming BC General Election (MAY 14, 2013), educate yourself about the issues of not only our people, but issues that affect all British Columbians and finally we would ask that you simply get out and vote because it is your right to do so. Below are interesting websites for your information or resources we have utilized for this article: Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ric-grenierhigher-native-turnout-could-havereduced-harper-to-minoritygovernment/article7340793/ AANDC Fact Sheet for Aboriginal rights in BC: http://www.aadncaandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100016383/1100100 016384 BC legislation: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/treaty/legislation.html Elections Canada, Turnout for Onreserve voting: http://www.elections.ca/res/rec/part/fvt/fv t_en.pdf Apathy is Boring-YouTube video about voting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzsL4

We are now on the Web at www.hashilthsa.com and on Facebook too!

April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 9

Nuu-chah-nulth Language Festival May 9 and 10 Maht Mahs, Port Alberni Watch for details at www.hashilthsa.com

We are now on the Web at www.hashilthsa.com and on Facebook too!

Page 10 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - April 18, 2013

Ahousaht Crime Prevention Program upcoming events By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ahousaht–Crime is a problem every community faces and many implement crime prevention programs in an effort to keep citizens and property safe. Ahousaht leadership is also taking a proactive approach by hiring a Crime Prevention Coordinator. Last summer they hired Jacquie Adams to take the lead in this initiative. Adams has been busy familiarizing herself with the issues in the community and is planning upcoming events and activities for the people. She believes the root cause of most of the cases handled by the local RCMP is alcohol abuse. “If we could enforce the intoxicant bylaw I think most of the violent crimes would stop because most of them are alcohol-related,” she said. The isolated village relies on volunteers to care for the community. Locals may receive training for firefighting or First Responders; in turn they are called upon to answer emergencies. The local RCMP satellite station provides policing for the village but another volunteer group played an important role. They called themselves Ahousaht Security and they would patrol the streets and answer distress calls. Their role is to assist in keeping the people, property and community safe and secure. It has been more than a year since Ahousaht Security has been in service. According to Adams, they became inactive after a particularly traumatic incident. “I hope to find ways to support their emotional needs,” said Adams. The leadership in Ahousaht recognized the value of the service Ahousaht Security volunteers delivered to the community and have set aside training dollars for them. Adams hopes to bring in resource people to support the emo-

tional needs of the volunteers as they recover from troubling experiences. The training program is still in the planning stages but the community members will be notified when a date has been set. A community safety feast took place in Ahousaht on March 25. According to Adams, people gathered to celebrate sobriety. The dinner was paid for through the Crime Prevention Fund. Adams is planning other community events. National Victims of Crimes Awareness Week takes place April 21 to April 27 across Canada. Ahousaht will host its own conference, which will feature information booths from service providers in the area, including the West Coast Transition House, the RCMP and more. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘We All Have a Role.’ The event is open to everyone including neighboring communities. Unfortunately, there is no travel funding for those living outside of the village to attend. This event will be funded by the Department of Justice. Finally, in May a professional theatre company will host a six-day workshop culminating in an interactive play. Headlines Theatre Company based in Vancouver works with many groups. They are called upon to work with communities on subjects like family violence, racism, suicide, residential school issues and more. From May 6 to May 12 Headlines Theatre Company will be in Ahousaht and will work with participants on the theme of family violence. Following a week of healing work participants will perform in an interactive play. The audience will first see the play, which will depict a family violence situation, in its entirety. The play will be performed a second time. This time members of the audience will be allowed to interject and direct the actors to perform an alternate, healthy response.

Art exhibit promotes inclusion Continued from page 4. “Look at my dark skin; it’s the same as yours; the blood in your body is not only yours but it comes from me, too,” she told him. “I don’t remember her exact words but she told me to take the love I had for her and put it in myself for me, and after that the teasing didn’t really bother me anymore,” said Haiyupis. Sam, wanting to share a different perspective about the races, told a story about his grandfather, whose name was Haiyupis. There was a time when the District of Indian Affairs was recording names of all the Aboriginal families. “When they couldn’t figure out a way to spell a name they gave the person an

English name that they could spell,” Sam explained. Grandfather Haiyupis was standing in line looking worried. When asked what was wrong he said he could not think of a name to give the DIA agent. “His friend from Scotland offered to use his name, Sutherland,” said Sam. To this day some of the Haiyupis family still uses the name Sutherland. Haiyupis is grateful for his experience with the Journey to Inclusion Project. He gained something positive. “I went in as an artist then realized I sometimes had tendencies to stereotype, to joke around about these things. Now I’m reluctant to partake in that,” he said.

The NTC Access Awareness Committee is pleased to announce the:

2013 Health Ability Fair will be held

May 29, 30, 2013 at Maht Mahs, in Port Alberni. This will be our committee's 15th year of activity and we are looking forward to another informative and fun filled event! Please mark the date on your calendars.

Everyone welcome! More details to follow closer to event. Chuu, Florence Wylie DAC Coordinator NTC Executive Director

April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 11

Tseshaht celebrated recovery, sobriety and community Tseshaht First Nation hosted a gathering April 5 at Maht Mahs gym that celebrated sobriety. The event, organized by Gail K. Gus, was called Relapse Prevention and Recovery Celebration Day. The idea began to gel for Gus after a couple in the community, who had been struggling with crack addiction, said there was little aftercare for those who are trying to kick addictions. Gus said she grew up in Tseshaht in a different time when there were many issues with drugs and alcohol, and the family violence that goes hand in hand with addictions. But today, she can point to many homes in the community that are sober homes. “Tons of houses,” she said are filled with home-grown resource people that others can rely upon during their journey. She thought to herself, ‘Well, if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem’ and so she decided to gather people together to celebrate sobriety, whether it’s been a day or decades, those in recovery were invited to the day. And those who were taking the steps, making better choices in their healing journey were also encouraged at the event. It was a very informal event with soup and bread, hotdogs, tea and coffee served for lunch. A number of people were blanketed and acknowledged for living sober, and helping others through difficult times with sobriety. Gus purchased a roll of paper and participants could draw human shapes on them to represent people who have been lost to alcohol and drugs, family violence or suicide. A couple of years ago, her son Ryan Peterson committed suicide. Gus remembered him, fed him some soup and thanked him for spending the time he did with her. Others were remembered that same way. It’s a day for people to see there are resources in their own backyard. There was singing and cedar bark weaving. Quu?asa was on hand for brushings and to help with blanketing.

Community members were blanketed to honor their committment to recovery, sobriety and a good life.

Reg Sam (left) blanketed his mother Anne, thanking her for raising him in a sober house. Reg is 30 now, and he said his mom decided on a sober life 33 years ago. He said it meant a lot to him to have come from that home environment.

Tyrone Marshall, Tseshaht’s recreation coordinator, was blanketed for being worthy of the trust that parents have in him for the care he takes with their young children. Participants drew out the shape of friends or family who have been lost to alcohol or drug related incidents.

Tseshaht children inspire community clean up By Debora Steel Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Out of the mouths of babes, is how the old saying goes, and for a caring group of Tseshaht, that’s how a community beautification initiative began. Tasha Sam had taken 10 kiddies from the Taatnee?is Daycare for a walk to see the new homes construction on reserve, and the children, all between the ages of two-and-a-half to five, and began to notice that there was a considerable amount of garbage lying around. ‘Why is there so much garbage,’ one little girl asked Sam. “And I didn’t know what to say to her,” Sam told HaShilth-Sa. So when Sam next got on Facebook, she decided to post the children’s comments on the Tseshaht grassroots Facebook page. The reaction was swift and a group of community members put together a plan for a spruce-up that saw the removal of 290 kg of garbage from community roads. Continued on page 17.

Photos courtesy of Anne Robinson

Page 12 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - April 18, 2013

Lightening Snake train unveiled for UVic feast By Carla Moss Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor Victoria–The First Peoples House at the University of Victoria was packed with people March 26 for the Everyone Welcome year-end feast. There, Tla-o-qui-aht artist Hjalmer Wenstob, who has just completed his second year towards a Bachelor’s of Arts degree at UVIC, showcased the Lightening Snake feast bowls he and many, many of his friends carved this spring. “The bowls belong to everyone,” said Wenstob. “They belong to all the people here; people at home.” The Lightening Snake feast bowls consist of five large segments, all on wheels, that can be divided with cedar planks to create additional bowls. The head of the Lightening Snake includes a long red tongue, which doubles as a very large serving spoon. “I believe this is the first feast train that’s been carved in 100 years,” said Jessie Masso, Wenstob’s mom. “Charlie James made one in Alert Bay in the 1900s. It’s kind of funny, but Hjalmer didn’t know this till afterwards.” Salmon, clams, fish soup, potatoes and bannock were served from the full set of feast bowls. “I thought it was so cool how the food stayed hot,” said Masso. “Cedar is a great insulator for food. The soup stayed hot right till the last serving.” Many of Wenstob’s family members traveled from the West Coast of Vancouver Island for the event. An auntie brought clams from Washington State for the feast. “I think the biggest thing was all the kids helping make bannock,” said Masso. “We started around 12, but there was some confusion about the oven, so the first bannock took about three hours to cook,” she laughed. “It looked like a pancake but, in the end, we pulled it off.”

The feast train project was started at the end of January with a portion of a log donated from Tla-o-qui-aht’s Canoe Creek Hydro Project. Wenstob used another portion of the log to carve a totem pole for the Vancouver International Airport as part of a university scholarship project. “He had so much fun with the totem pole, he wanted everyone to have the same feeling so everyone who wanted to, could help,” said Masso. “He set off to do something and he did it.” More than 300 people were involved in carving the bowls, she said. “Everyone came and carved. Hjalmer goes to high schools in Victoria and talks about First Nations’ culture, going to university and what students have to take to get to university. So when he did this he also invited them to come carve and then these schools would start showing up (at the carving tent at the First People’s House in the central part of the UVic campus.). One day when I was there, there were two schools there with 30 kids. One came all the way from Port Alberni. Then anyone from UVIC was welcome to come carve. So one day the anthropology class would come and another art class would come out. There were so many people involved. It was awesome. Someone like Hjalmer can pull it off because he’s so welcoming.” Wayne Wenstob, Hjalmer’s grandfather, went to help with the head piece for the last three carving sessions because Hjalmer can’t use a chain saw due to a medical condition. Hjalmer’s proud auntie and Tla-o-quiaht council woman Anna Masso said, “When I went to that last event, the totem pole in Vancouver, I thought, ‘Wow, he’s out-done himself.’ He’s so amazing. It’s so hard to put into words, his enthusiasm, his love for his culture.

Photos by Carla Moss

Top: The head of the Lightening Snake feast bowls has a red-serpents tongue lashing out. The tongue also doubles as a serving spoon. Bottom: Carver Hjalmer Wenstob serves up soup with the tongue out of a train of feast bowls. He doesn’t outdo anyone else. He outdoes himself. “At the event there were all ages there

and there were a lot of students and his friends there. You could see all ages came out to enjoy.”

Attention Commercial Fishermen

Ottawa launches online system for fishing licences

By Debora Steel

There was a very long line and a lot of smiling faces when Tseshaht distributed a special treat on April 4. Herring roe (Siix-muu) on kelp had some dreaming of a dish, lightly cooked with a little butter. Mouths were watering all around.

Commercial fishers across Canada will soon be required to register and pay for their fishing licences online. On April 1, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) began transitioning to a national online licensing system. The system replaces the in-person service previously offered at regional offices across the country. In order to use the system, fishers will need to have email addresses and bank accounts. The site accepts both credit and debit cards, though fishers may also pay in person at a national bank providing they have an invoice for the fees owed (printed from their online account) or their online licensing account number. To access the site for the first time, fishers will need an individual pass code. DFO will mail these pass codes to commercial and communalcommercial licence holders (including fisher registration card holders) and to an appointed person in organizations that hold commercial fishing licences. DFO will mail the passcode to harvesters in a phased approach, so not all fishers will receive their codes at the same time. During the phase-in,

DFO licensing personnel will be available as usual at existing DFO offices. After harvesters receive their passcodes, however, they should use the online system. (Pass codes will only be valid until June 30, 2013.) Upon registering with the new online system, each fisher will be able to view their holdings, pay licensing fees, and renew and print their licences. The new system is available 24-hours a day and is one of several changes being introduced in 2013 as the federal government transfers the cost of managing the fishery from taxpayers onto the industry. Fishers unable to access the internet may designate an alternate person to access their accounts and make payments. Instruction manuals and video tutorials are available online through the DFO Web site at: http://www.dfompo.gc.ca/fm-gp/sdc-cps/licence-permiseng.htm. Help is also available at 1-877-535-7307 or by e-mail at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. In-person support for using the system is available by appointment.

April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 13

Swan family members receive Kou-us names at feast By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ahousaht—Dozens of Swan family descendants had their family ties recognized as Chief James Uukwaqum Swan bestowed traditional names to more than 40 loved ones on March 29. After a luncheon, the party started with Chief Kanopit’s (Rocky Titian) welcome dance which involves a canoe with honoured guests seated inside. Uukwaqum said his wife Heather and daughter Heidi were seated in the canoe while Chief A-in-chut Shawn Atleo led the paddlers. He stood in the canoe holding eagle feathers. Welcome songs were sung and opening protocols were taken care of including acknowledging families who recently suffered losses of loved ones. The Thunderbird Hall was filled to capacity as people feasted on a rare treat, kwakmis (herring eggs). There was plenty of roast turkey and other courses for guests to choose from. After the tables were cleared away Uukwaqum began naming family members in groups between celebration or fun songs. Uukwaqum explained that the names that were given out to Swan family members came from his grandfather Luke Swan’s tapes. He said the names were very old and he spelled them according to how they sounded on the tapes. More than 40 names were given out; names that allow the bearer to know that they have a place in Uukwaqum’s family (house). Special guests included Melody Whalley and Julie Speers who have been friends of James and Heather since they moved to Victoria in 2006. Because they are a big part of the Swan’s life, James

adopted them and gave names to their daughters Another highlight of the evening was when Uukwaqum’s mother Rosie Swan was given a name. “She has never had a name all her life and so I gave her her first Kou-us name, Kla-kla-qi-nis-ap,” Uukwaqum said. Rosie was honoured by her in-laws after she was named. Son-in-law Angus Campbell thanked her for being who she is. He pointed out that she will drop everything and goes anywhere she is needed when her grandchildren are sick or injured. Swan noted there were special guests, his wife’s parents, who travelled from Ontario. There were also some friends from the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Army). Uukwaqum thanked special guest A-inchut and his wife Nancy for attending the party. “I didn’t know Shawn had a collection of my work so I decided to make a drum for him,” said Uukwaqum. When the drum was finished he painted a thunderbird and whale design on it. He said the thunderbird’s wing and the whale’s tale each make a mountain. “I call it Our Ha-hulthi because it symbolizes the ownership of land, air and water,” said Uukwaqum. The following Swan family members received new names. Jackson Swan: Klitsa-at Seseni Swan: Ch’ikn’ath-aqsa Marlayna Swan: Hilthwi’in-aqsa Helen Swan: Naxwakis-aqsa Farrah Ann Swan: Ma-uusaht-aqsa Holly Miller: M’ackwii,aqsup Andrew Miller: Kwatiiaakshilth Sabrina Frank: ?upnit-aqsa Aliyah Frank: Aaupyou-kuu-us Lewis Frank: Nii-kiish Matthew Frank: Kwa-tiiat Gilbert Frank: Naa-naas-ee-tuah Louie Frank: Kooks-in-aka

March 29 was a special day for the family of James Swan when they received traditional names during a feast in Ahousaht. Gloria August: Ts’ahsnuw’as-ath-aqsa Roxanne Touchie: Ch?ikn’ath-is James Swan and Heather’s one year old daughter Heidi Swan: Qwatyatiik Carla Webster: Clayshclayquahlksup Traci Swan: Kwatiiaakup Jacob Sabbas and Justine Frank’s boys Andrew: Hiishkupanshiith Ali: Mauusaht Doreen Sabbas’ daughter Paris: Klaklakis-is Terrence Sabbas: Klashclayqualt (the original name of Manhousaht before it was changed) Francis Campbell’s grandchildren, Ali: Ma-uusaht-is Suan: Tutuxwintln,a Carmen: Kishnikwn-is Elizabeth Thomas children: Skylar: Nacuu,as aqsa Adam: Kiishhnikwus Peter: Suhomlth

Shisuuk: Suhomlth-aqsa Fred: Nu nuukm’aa_uhk Bennet: T’int’inis Sophie Campbell: Ca-kwaas-aqsa Vinson Campbell: Tsa naakis Chief Uukwaqum said he would like to thank everyone that made this ceremony possible. “Thank you to the cooks, kitchen staff, singers, dancers, helpers, guests, family and friends that picked up tables, chairs, or even a broom.....kleco,” he said. “A very special thank you to Hudson and Janet Webster for helping with some of the names. Kleco, kleco,” he continued. Uukwaqum had a special message for Louie Frank Sr: “Our father James Swan Sr. gave you a task-and-a-half of watching over us. We would like to say thank you for your soft and meaningful words.

Page 14 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - April 18, 2013 Tla-o-qui-aht raises commemoration pole

We will stay vigilant so it never happens again Continued from page 1. “If it was wrong, it was wrong. We had poles in front of our villages to remind us how we were expected to behave... and the Elders would talk about the teachings on the poles for hours.” Joe thanked the many people who took part in carving the pole. He posted on Facebook, “A huge thank you to John Hayes, George Manson, Carl Martin, Tim Paul and Joe David, Mark Mickey and his son Marcus Mickey.” Several others spent time working with Joe on the pole, including Alice George, Katie Fraser, Louise Martin, Tammy Dorward and Nora Martin. “It was really healing to put my own hands to this symbol that acknowledges what happened as real after so many years of being faced with disbelief by the general public, and commemorates the experience and suffering of the generations of children that attended those schools, including myself.” Barney Williams Jr. read out the commemorative plaque that sits beside the totem pole. It reads, in part: The Government Indian Agents, RCMP, Social Workers & Religious Orders forcibly removed children as young as 2 from their mothers and fathers and placed them in residential schools for up to 15 years. Many were innocent victims of sexual, psychological, mental, spiritual and physical abuse. Most, if not all, faced child labor, loss of culture, loss of language, loss of identity & lack of education. Many children’s lives were lost due to suicide, murder & neglect while in these schools. Today we welcome all these children home. We are grateful to you that under great threat and intimidation, you carried as much language and culture as you did from the past to today. We want you to know we will remember what happened to you and all that you endured was not in vain. We will stay vigilant and do everything we can so it never happens again. At the luncheon after the pole raising, Gisele Martin shared a story to express her gratitude and hope with the residential school survivors. “There’s a story Julia Lucas shared at the Carving On The Edge Festival,” Gisele said. “There was a big storm, with a big wind blowing from the southeast. Forests were falling over. The animals gathered together and were shivering. ‘We don’t know if we can survive.’ They found a big cedar and carved it into a plug to plug the hole in the sky. But then they had to get that plug up to the hole in the big wind. “First they picked the strongest animal, the elk, to take the plug, but he couldn’t do it. The wind tumbled him over and over. It was too hard. Then they looked to Chims (bear)... He couldn’t do it. One by one every animal tried except seagull. No one thought seagull could do it. She was handicapped, but she kept saying ‘Let me try.’ Finally they gave her the plug. She was zigzagging back and forth in the wind. She took a different approach than all the other animals. She got there, going back and forth. So that’s why we’re still here today. Everyone has a special contribution to make. “Survivors, you may sometimes feel down but you survived this far and brought language and culture with you to today. You will be remembered for what you did. When I’m walking the beach in

Photos by Carla Moss

Tla-o-qui-aht's oldest residential school survivors were recognized with the gift of knitted shawls from Ruth D'Hollander (left). Pole project coordinator Nora Martin was among those recognized. a storm I still watch the seagulls going back and forth.” Gisele then shared a song she’d composed in the Nuu-chah-nulth language to honour the residential school survivors. Many Elders commented how Gisele’s dedication to learning and her increasing fluency in the Nuu-chah-nulth language gave them hope. Stan Matthew, Quu?asa Coordinator and emcee for the pole raising, shared history about the origins of the residential school system. He said, “residential schools were put into place because the Canadian government wanted to take control of the ‘Indian Problem.’ Sir John A. MacDonald went to the United States to see what they were doing and brought it home to Canada... and now our people are coming forward and telling the truth about what happened and how it continues to impact our communities.” Richard Lucas said he and so many others were taken from their parents at a very young age. “I was taken away for 10 years from my parents. It was the law. We had to be taken away.” He said he hates ivory soap to this day. “We got beat, had our mouths washed out with soap for speaking our own language.” He said a lot of people can’t talk about their experiences yet. “We had 100 years of residential schools and five to heal. We are going to survive.” “Our innocence and trust was taken from us by those that were supposed to care for us,” Lucas said. “I work with survivors. I’m one that listens to their stories, so I know why our people were alcoholics, drug addicts and committed suicide.” Catholic priest Father Scott Whittemore said “I’m sorry for the damaging reality that has been a part of people’s lives. I’ve also heard of many wounds and scars of people that attended schools and how it impacts those that came after. Today is a very sacred day for Christian people. It seems a very appropriate day for this. We recall this day how Jesus was arrested, whipped, beaten and nailed to a cross. Why would we call it ‘Good Friday’? He was a victorious victim. So I pray our own wounds can heal or if they can’t be, they become life giving wounds and I pray we can walk together.” Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Cliff Atleo reflected on how

good it felt when the old Alberni Indian Residential School in Port Alberni was torn down. “I have relatives that still can’t put words to what they went through. And me, being in my third marriage, is a testament to my short comings as a person from teachings that were interrupted 10 months of the year.” From the Anglican Church of St. Peter and Paul Parish in Esquimalt, Ruth D’Hollander said, “I’m chilled, and I grieve for the loss of language and culture. I’m also really ashamed it’s taken so long for the truth to come out and I still don’t think it’s out with my people. I appreciate how hard it is for some to tell their stories.” Nora Martin acknowledged Ruth for her ongoing support for residential school survivors and for the contributions she made to have residential school survivors’ travel, accommodations and meals paid for to attend the Truth and Reconciliation Conference in Victoria in 2012. Nora said the pole took two months to complete. Nora acknowledged the committee that worked towards the realization of the commemoration: Hiyoueah Seymour Seitcher, Alice George, Naomi Seitcher, Gisele Martin, Levi Martin and herself. Many others contributed in many different ways.

Gisele Martin shared a story about survival and contribution. The bear crest speaks about boundaries. “We know not to get too close to a bear in nature,” said carver Joe Martin. In residential schools, the children’s natural boundaries were broken again and again. The salmon represents water; valuable and sacred to all for survival. “The mouse is small and at the bottom of the pole to remind us to listen to even the smallest creatures,” Martin said.

On the pole the crests represent ceremonies that were teachings of natural laws. The sun represents the first law, respect.

Natural law is like having a sliver in your eye, said carver Joe Martin. “You won’t leave it there. You will remove it immediately. If you leave it there it will fester and you won’t be able to see anymore.” The wolf crest represents letting go of fear.

April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 15

&

Community Beyond Foster Parent Orientation Training

April 17, 18 and 24 Port Alberni

Training for Foster Parents will be taking place this April 2013 over a period of 3 sessions. Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm Location: 4000 Stamp Ave, Port Alberni, Usma Building (Lower Boardroom) For information on registration, contact Joni Miller @ 250-724-3232 or Toll Free @ 1-877-722-3232 Mobile Screening Mammography

April 20 Tofino

The screening will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion in Tofino from 8:20 a.m. to !2:30 p.m. You must fill in a registration form and fax it in for an appointment. Find the registration for at www.hashilthsa.com under events. Coming of Age potlatch

April 20 Gold River

On behalf of Chief Jerry Jack/Chief Steve Tom We would like to invite Family and Friends to a Coming of Age Potlatch. Start 10 am at the Wahmeesh Gym, Tsaxana, Gold River, BC Family Fun Fair

May 11 Port Alberni

attend Walter Thomas’ potlatch, “Tlaakt’uultha, to mark the end of grief period. He has endured tremendous physical, mental, emotional and spiritual suffering since the grizzly bear attack just a few short years ago, and he wants to potlatch to signify the end of the grieving for him as he puts it all behind him and moves forward in his journey. For further information call 778 421 3567. Health Ability Fair

May 29 and 30 Port Alberni This two-day event will take place at Maht Mahs gym starting at 9 a.m. daily. Hosted by the 2013 NCN Disability Committee.This will be our committee's 15th year of activity and we are looking forward to another informative and fun filled event! Please mark the date on your calendars. Everyone welcome! More details to follow closer to event. National Event TRC

Sept. 18 to 21 Vancouver The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will hold its British Columbia National Event at the PNE in Vancouver Sept. 18 to Sept. 21. This event is for survivors of the Indian residential schools to share their experiences. Memorial for Anthony Mickey

Now Oct. 12 Maht Mahs

Hosted by the Uchucklesaht Nation at the Glenwood Centre in Port Alberni between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fun for the whole family, all ages. Admission Free. Everyone welcome. See ad on page 6 for details.

All friends and family invited to come to the Maht Mahs at 12 noon. For more info please call Les Mickey at 250-2660148.

Tlaakt’uultha potlatch

Feb. 22, 2014

May 25

Port Alberni An invitation to Nuu-chah-nulth-aht to

Memorial Potlatch Nan Vi Johnson Tsaxana, Gold River, B.C. A memorial potlatch for late mom, grandmother, who everyone knew as Nana Violet Johnson set for Feb. 22,

Photo by Carla Moss

Natalie Dennis and James Martin work through a practice call with Heartsafe First Aid President and instructor Paul Stone offering guidance.

Studying to serve: EMR training held in Tofino By Carla Moss Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter “I’m doing this for my people,” said Emergency Medical Responder student Martha Martin of her newest challenge. Martha’s statement reflects the feelings of the other 12 members of her Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course, the grueling first level of paramedicine. Since Feb. 16, the students have given up their weekends to spend hours in class learning and practicing practical skills, and many more hours at home studying theory. Successful graduates of the EMR course will be certified to apply for positions as attendants with rural BC Ambulance Stations and industry. Most students, however, live in areas where it takes the ambulance 20 minutes or more to respond and plan to use their new skills in the service of the people in their home communities. Martha, a Tla-o-qui-aht member, who currently serves Ahousaht as a first responder, said they are often with a patient for an hour or two before they reach BC Ambulance Services on the First Street dock in Tofino. “I want to know I’ve done everything I can for my patients and the only way I can do that is to learn as much as I can. This is a first step,” Martha said. Students will be required to demonstrate practical skills and an understanding of the physiology and anatomy needed to recognize medical and traumatic emergencies commonly faced by rural paramedics. Students will face their first “celebration of learning” with in-class final exams on March 28. Then at the end of April students will undertake licensing exams from the Provincial Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board. The EMR course has only been possible because people from many different organizations worked together for the

common goal of making all Nuu-chahnulth communities safer. Tommyjoe Frank, lead Ahousaht first responder, worked tirelessly with Mainstream Canada and the Ahousaht Administration to secure funding for his team to travel to attend the course. Paul Dodds, general manager of Tin Wis, recognized the great need in Nuuchah-nulth communities for emergency response skills and worked with his staff to provide training space and support for all in the course. The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust heard requests from Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht first responders and Toquaht Nation and applied to the Nuu-chahnulth Employment and Training Program (NETP) for the bulk of the tuition fees for the course. NETP heard the request for training and supported it. Tla-o-qui-aht provided assistance for tuition for two students and Toquaht supported their students with travel and funding for continued studies. Tla-o-quiaht, Toquaht, Mainstream and Creative Salmon all provided intervention for unforeseen expenses that arose from the course. Paul Stone, course instructor and president of Heartsafe First Aid Training from Victoria, interrupted his family vacation in the Caribbean to put the course together on short notice after a previous instructor cancelled due to a family crisis. Tla-o-qui-aht Chief Councillor Moses Martin, Tla-o-qui-aht Administration, Toquaht Government, Tofino BCAS Unit Chief Bill Craven and the District of Tofino all provided political will to enhance our pre-hospital patient care by supporting the training request from those on the front lines. “I’m able to do this for my people because so many others worked for our people making this training a priority. This is a first step and I look forward to watching our ability to care for ourselves grow,” concluded Martin.

DIABETES EDUCATION CENTRE West Coast General Hospital Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays 8 AM – 2 PM 250-724-8824

Page 16 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - April 18, 2013

B.C. proclaims child sexual abuse prevention week April 14 to 20 is Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Week in British Columbia, a time to recognize the traumatic impacts of child sexual abuse and the importance of working together to keep children safe. Child sexual abuse is a serious social problem, with the most conservative research estimates indicating at least 10 per cent of boys and 20 per cent of girls are victimized. Sexual abuse may be associated with a host of personal, social and health problems, including the loss of self-esteem, relationship problems, mental-health problems, problematic substance abuse, economic hardship, homelessness and

suicide. The province operates Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) units, which provide specialized medical assessment for children and youth who have been, or are suspected of being sexually and/or physically abused. The SCAN units are located in every region of the province. There’s also a toll-free 24 hour helpline for children-310-1234-which can be accessed from anywhere in B.C. No area code is needed and anyone can call - children or teenagers who need help, parents in crisis or anyone who knows or suspects a child is being abused or neglected.

AGM scheduled for West Coast Multiplex Society The West Coast Multiplex Society is in need of stronger support from our Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in the Central Region. On April 23, they are having their Annual General Meeting at the Long Beach Golf Club; starting at 7 pm. Attached is the Poster announcement. This project will benefit all of our Central Region Nuu-chah-nulth Nations: Hesquiaht, Ahousaht, Tla-oqui-aht, Toquaht and Yuutu?it?ath. The

Region itself is growing in population, but our Nations are the fastest growing population. These facilities being planned are forward looking and very much needed to support the population base now and into the future. Please attend this Annual Meeting and find out what the excitement is about for the future. Clifford Atleo, President of the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council.

DIABETES EDUCATION CENTRE West Coast General Hospital Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays 8 AM – 2 PM 250-724-8824

April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 17

Children prompt clean up Continued from page 11. Two trucks were volunteered for use by Corey Anderson, and Keith Hunter to take the trash to the dump. All of the costs associated with the Beautification Day—for garbage bags, gloves, and dump fees—were covered by the members involved, about nine adults and nine children, said Sam. Participants included Tasha Sam, Amy Robinson, Tammy Lucas and her daughter Imani, Eric and Sylvia Mack and their family of children, children Cinnamon and Gerrilyn Barney, Charley Frow and daughters Mary and Amber, plus seven-month-old son Arthur, Aaron Watts’ son, Corey Anderson, Keith Hunter and Anne Robinson. A potluck for participants topped off their day of effort April 7. “I picked up garbage with my granddaughter Amber Robinson,” said Anne. “Very seriously with big eyes she made a couple of innocent comments: ‘Gramma, don’t people know where

the garbage goes?’ and ‘Gramma, how come they just throw things on the ground.’” After the clean-up, Sam went back to the daycare kids and told them that community members had heard their concerns and stepped up for a clean-up. “We talked about it during circle,” Sam said, adding that the children are taught about keeping things clean and tidy around the daycare. Sam said the beautification group picked up lots of toys in the creek and four bikes. There was metal and bottles, beer cans and diapers. Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Nursing Team Bears had dragged piles of home garbage around and that was cleaned up too. Though people have continued to pick up garbage when they can, the group is not yet finished, so there will be another Beautification Day in the coming weeks so the job can be completed. Watch for the notice on the Tseshaht Facebook pages, and join in if you can.

Bidding goodbye to a colleague Staff of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council gathered March 22 to say goodbye to long-time Ha-Shilth-Sa administrative assistant Annie Watts (right). Annie served the tribal council in a variety of ways, but for most of her near 25 years with NTC she worked with the Ha-Shilth-Sa department on newspaper subscriptions and assisting editors and reporters in a wide array of capacities. We thank her for her devotion and committment.

Tata%aa>uk (Looking after those not well or who need looking after) The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Nursing team held their Spring Quarterly Meeting on April 10, 11 and 12. The theme of this meeting was “Reflective Nursing Practice.” Reflective Practice is important because nurses must contend with their own developing self-awareness under the intense emotional strain of being with patients undergoing highs and lows of illness amid the complexities of human relationships in the work environment. Reflection is a way for the nurse to examine her emotional onslaught alone or with others to help diminish emotional burnout. The NTC Nurses were provided with a one-day professional development module on Reflective Practice and received a certificate of completion. This module is the first in a series of six modules. The other modules of professional development for the NTC nurses include: The NTC Nursing Framework, the Parse Method, Documenting in Mustimuhw, Cultural Safety, Case Conference/Management/Referral Process, and Maternal Child Templates. The Reflective Practice module included listening to Nuu-chah-nulthaht express personal experiences with the mainstream health care system. Dr. Marlene Atleo, Associate Professor, University of Manitoba, moderated the meeting and especially the panel. There were some powerful and tragic stories that were difficult for even the nurses to take in. The meeting reflected on the sad truth that racism continues to interfere with equity in health care. The NTC Nursing team were reminded that their services are valued in the NTC communities and that although we might not hear enough positive reflection on health services overall, that the continuous demand of community members to have access to NTC Nurses indicates that the NTC Nursing approach is valued by the Nuu-chah-nulth communities. The module on Reflective Practice helps to support nursing within the Nuu-chah-nulth Nursing Framework, which was first developed in 1996. The NTC Nursing framework honours the nursing professional code as required by our licensing body, but also honours the cultural code and protocols of the Nuu-chah-nulth people. Nurses need to understand the local cultural code, to respect it, abide by it, and to be guided by it. The cultural code is the main code, and the professional code is the add-on piece rather than the other way around. NTC Nursing staff are also being supported to complete the Indigenous Cultural Competency online course as part of the efforts to support culturally safe nursing care. Laurie Dokis, Registered Nurse Practice Support Advisor, College of Registered Nurses British Columbia, was also present at the meeting. Laurie described how the College of Registered Nurses of B.C. promotes relational practice and reflective practice for nurses. The nursing licensing body (CRNBC) gives special attention to the need for nurses to know the reasons for the health disparities of Aboriginal peoples. Unless you examine how the culture of western biomedical approach is often dismissive of Aboriginal knowledge and traditional practices, you will not be culturally safe. There is a huge difference between nursing with First Nations as compared to nursing with mainstream Canadians. Day two of the meeting was facilitated by Dr. Colleen Varcoe, PhD, RN, Professor, UBC School of Nursing. Colleen’s research focuses on women’s health with a focus on violence and inequity and the culture of health care with an emphasis on ethical practice. She is currently co-leader of a team conducting a longitudinal study of the health and economic effects of violence against women after women have left abusive partners, of a study examining the delivery of primary health care at urban Aboriginal health clinics, and a study of Aboriginal women’s experiences of leaving an abusive partner. On day three, the nurses learned about VIHA Returning Home Demonstration Project being coordinated by Dale Hunt. This is a tripartite relationship between the First Nation Health Authority, VIHA, and Child Health BC to work with Aboriginal children with complex health care needs as they return home from BC Children’s Hospital to the central and north Vancouver Island. Continued on page 20.

Page 18- Ha-Shilth-Sa - April 18, 2013 Celebrating Nursing Week: May 6 to 12, 2013

Nursing for Nuu-chah-nulth-aht is a family tradition By Shayne Morrow with files from Chris Lemphers, CHN supervisor The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council now has two full-time registered nurses delivering community health and home care nursing to communities in the northern region. What makes this unique is that these two RNs are a mother/daughter team, and both spent their early childhoods in remote communities of the Northern Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. Sharon Johnson is now providing community health nursing coverage in Tsaxana and the town of Gold River, while her daughter, Rebekah Johnson, delivers combined community health and home care nursing service in Kyuquot, Nuchatlaht and Ehattesaht areas. For both women, choosing a career in nursing with a focus on First Nations health was a natural progression inspired by the communities they grew up in and the friends they were surrounded with. For Sharon, it was almost pre-ordained. “My Mom Janice (Wood) Bowden became the [Red Cross] Outpost nurse in Kyuquot in 1960, not long after she married my father, Mervyn Bowden. My mom was adopted by the people and was given a very special name, Uuw’aanis, meaning Gentle Healer, by Sophie Jules, a Kyuquot elder in the 1960s,” she said. Sharon was born in Esperanza in May 1961, and has vivid memories of those days in tiny villages on the water’s edge, where most commuting is by boat. “Growing up in Kyuquot, Amai Inlet,

Left: Rebekah Johnson is pictured with Jack Johnson, a community health patient near Gold River at Tsaxana. Below: Jeremiah Mark and Mason Jack join RN Sharon Johnson for some fun time in Tsaxana.

Esperanza and various other small places, including Texada Island, were rich and wonderful experiences. I think if I was ever concerned about living in a remote community it was to feel sad for children who didn’t have all the exciting opportunities that I had.” For Sharon, a nursing career had to wait until her children were well into their own school years. “I thought of becoming a nurse just before I finished high school. I actually applied to attend BCIT, but got my application in late and was put on a waiting list. In the meantime, I wasn’t very good at waiting around to hear about what could happen and made other plans.” That fall, she was accepted into the program, but had to turn down the opportunity due to a shortage of funds. The next year, Sharon married Deane Johnson, who was also born in Esperanza, and whose mother Louise was also a nurse. The couple lived in

Vancouver, with Sharon working in a dentist’s office while Deane completed his teaching degree. Rebekah takes up the story: “My earliest childhood memories are of living in Ahousaht. My parents moved there before I was born. My dad had recently begun his career as a teacher, and he ended up getting a job at Maaqtusiis Secondary School.” That was in 1987. When they moved to Ahousaht, Sharon and Deane already had

two sons. Rebekah was born two years later and still has fond memories of her time in the island community: basketball games and potlatches and learning Nuu-chahnulth culture in the Head Start program above the gym at Maaqtusiis. She also remembers the day the Johnson family loaded their possessions onto a boat to make the move to her parents’ birthplace of Esperanza. Continued on page 19.

April 18, 2013 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 19 Celebrating Nursing Week: May 6 to 12, 2013

Stephanie McMahon–Connecting culture to care

Stephanie McMahon is going places. In fact, that’s one of the reasons she decided to go into nursing. It’s a career that can take you anywhere. This spring it’s taking her to the Philippines. When she graduates, she hopes it will take her to an Aboriginal community in rural British Columbia. Stephanie has roots in both Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Nuuchah-nulth community. “My great grandmother was Matilda from Ucluelet. My great-grandfather was named Leslee Sam from Uchucklesaht. Together they had four children Alice, Mary, Walter and Nina, my grandmother. When my Grandmother Nina was still a toddler her mother died and when she was eight her father disappeared. My grandmother was then raised by her father’s brother, her uncle Charlie Sam. “My grandmother’s uncle Charlie’s children, who my grandmother knew as her siblings, are Willie, Chuck, Ron, Maggie, and Richard Sam. Chuck’s children are Les and Doug Sam of Tseshaht. [These are the names of her Nuu-chahnulth family Stephanie knows of.] “My grandfather was Spencer Point from Musqueam, who was actually adopted into Snuneymuxw First Nation, which is where my grandparents raised their children and where I grew up.” At age 16, while working in the band office, Stephanie learned of the dire need for First Nations nurses. Subsequent employment as a long-term care aide showed her that nursing was likely a profession she would enjoy. She also learned that nurses are needed around the world, which would work well with her desire to travel. For personal reasons, Stephanie dropped out of school in Grade 12, so her first step was to do some upgrading at the Nanaimo campus of VIU in order to gain the admission requirements for a

post-secondary nursing program. She also spent two months volunteering at a hospital on the Caribbean island of Antigua. After helping out in oncology, pediatrics and the out-patient clinic, she was sure that nursing would indeed be a good career choice. When she got back home, she applied to Camosun College and moved to Victoria. Although the popular program had a one-year waitlist, she was able to start right away because of Camosun’s unique Aboriginal priority admissions policy. Now six months into the program, she’s loving the experience, and has met many new friends. “There’s a real sense of community here,” said Stephanie. “I really feel like I’ve been welcomed with open arms. The Aboriginal advisors are amazing people and my grades are better because of help I’ve received in the Writing Centre. And I’m very comfortable talking to my teachers.” Stephanie and 10 other Aboriginal students participate in a weekly gathering with Nursing faculty, who volunteer their time to ensure the students feel welcome and receive whatever cultural and academic support they may need to succeed. Offered in partnership with UVic, Camosun’s Nursing program is very demanding, and students need good grades in order to transfer to UVic to complete the final three semesters of their degree. For the first time in her life, Stephanie is excelling in her studies. She finished her first semester with three As and three Bs. “I’ve never achieved grades like this before,” said Stephanie. “It’s because it’s something I really want to do, and because of all the support that’s available.” Stephanie reflects on cherished memories and teachings gained from tribal

journeys with her family. She first participated at age 10, and her most recent experience was last summer, when she was one of 22 people in a canoe, paddling and camping from Nanaimo’s harbour to Washington State. They joined with canoes that started further north, and were joined by others as they proceeded south. In all, more than 100 canoes and thousands of people from different communities all gathered together at the Squaxin Island destination. “It’s so awesome to be part of something that big, celebrating the culture and traditions of many Nations,” said Stephanie. “The tribal journeys definitely helped me understand and appreciate my heritage.” It’s that respect for her heritage that has Stephanie looking forward to her next journey. This spring she’ll be heading to the Philippines as part of a Camosun College Nursing Field School. Eight students and one instructor will spend six weeks learning about the region and its people, while also volunteering at a local hospital. To prepare for the trip, Stephanie is reading up on the history and multi-cultural aspects of the Philippines. “I’m looking forward to seeing first-

Stephanie McMahon see travel in her future as a nurse. hand how the various cultures influence day-to-day life,” Stephanie explains. “Someday I want to work in a rural Aboriginal community, and I’ll be looking for ways to incorporate our own culture and traditions into health care practices. Much of the pain and suffering we see in some of our communities comes from losing the connection to our heritage. That’s something I hope to change.”

NTC nursing program Continued from page 18. For Rebekah, it was just as magical a place as it had been for her Mom. “Looking back at my time growing up in Esperanza, I couldn’t have hoped for a better place to live. It’s basically a kid’s dreamland,” she said. “Living in a small community also had great benefits to my overall development and outlook on life. From a young age I feel like I’ve been greatly enriched by the lives of all of the people I’ve met and have grown to know there.” For Sharon, providing her children with a good education was crucial, which led the Johnson family to relocate. “When our second oldest son was entering Grade 11 in Tahsis, he really wanted to play basketball, which was impossible with only a couple of other students his age at the school. We decided we would move out to Campbell River so that our children could have more options with sports and academics.” Sharon also made the decision to seek the nursing degree she had hoped to obtain after high school, but, this time, she had a clear vision of what she could accomplish with it. She hoped to return to the small First Nations communities like Esperanza with the necessary tools to improve the health and the lives of the people she had grown up with. For Rebekah, it was a much more direct route to a nursing career. After completing one year at the University of Victoria, she transferred into the nursing program. For a young woman who grew up in remote First Nations communities, attending school in a large city was a bit of a culture shock. It also opened her eyes to some of the disparities in the state of health between the different populations in Canada. “I was surprised to learn that there was such a gap in the overall health status of First Nations people when compared to the health of the general Canadian population. I then started looking not only at the inequities of health care delivery, but I also became quite concerned about social justice issues and the long history

of colonialism. These things became very important to me because they were issues that were directly affecting my close friends and neighbors.” After graduating, Rebekah spent one year in the cardiac surgery ward at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, then decided to make the switch to community health nursing. It didn’t hurt that her mother was already blazing a path, and when the NTC advertised for an RN to serve the northern region, it was a homecoming in every sense of the word. “I was really excited to come back to the northern region to work alongside people who are familiar to me. Already having relationships with people in the communities I work in, particularly Ehattesaht, Oclucje, and Kyuquot, has made this job quite enjoyable so far.” For Sharon, it has been a similar experience. She returns frequently to Kyuquot and Esperanza, and while communications technology has reduced the sense of remoteness since the days of her youth, the people have not changed. “Deep down, more feels the same than different with my friends in Kyuquot, especially when I have the privilege of visiting some of the elders who used to be friends with my parents or used to take care of me as a child. The stories and memories are a priceless gift.” Sharon said it is important that the NTC community nursing program incorporates traditional wisdom with conventional healthcare practice to create healthy families and communities. “I believe that community health nursing is holistic nursing; preventative health is much more rewarding as one is able to envision the long-term benefits. I’m reminded of the benefits each time I have the opportunity to discuss healthy eating and things that can be done to promote healthy growth and wellbeing in infants and children. I like having opportunities to advocate for those whose voices are not being heard, those who do not yet have the strength to speak up for themselves.”

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NTC Nursing Program Continued from page 17. Day three also included an update from the Health Outreach Program with Janice Jespersen. Her update included program activities as well as current treatment protocols for hepatitis C. The group also learned that NTC Nursing has been able to secure three year funding for the NTC nursing position at HOP (Health Outreach Program) and that the intention is to pursue a Nurse

Practitioner for this position. The meeting ended with a self-care yoga session, and an early recognition and celebration of Nursing week. Each nurse received a gift and a beautiful card designed by Sandra Ethier. Sandra had researched a few Nuu-chah-nulth words to include in the card: h=aam`ii+ (to visit the sick), +uu>h=ap (to be gentle), hupiitst’a> (to help each other), %aaph=ii (friendly)

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In Memory In Loving Memory of my mother Veronica Dick April 15,1922 - April 22,1997 On this day Mom you were called someday I will be right beside you. away, taken to the Heavens above. I miss you mom with all my heart, I Your way up there, where there is no wish still to this day we didn’t have to pain or sorrow, just lots and lots of Love. part. I miss your smiles and laughter to, I I cry for you in silence, I often speak wish today I could still visit you. your name, all I have is your picture in a I have my children with me, my grand- frame. children to, I wish they could also see you. Until we meet again The Sun is shinning, clouds a few, Love from Catherine T. Watts

April 18, 2012 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 21

Watts sees opportunity where others see heartbreak By Shayne Morrow Ha-Shilth-Sa Contributor An episode of childhood heartbreak led to a winning business plan for one Tseshaht First Nation member at the annual Aboriginal Best of the Best competition. Naas ii cu wak Lisa Watts, who is a cultural support worker with the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council Quu’asa program, travelled to Toronto for the event, which took place from March 3 through March 5. The last of nine presenters in an all-day Dragon’s Den-style slugfest, Watts claimed second-place honours for her retail business proposal, “Wide and Wonderful.” Last fall, Watts took part in the Aboriginal Best training program for aboriginal entrepreneurship, along with 20 other Nuu-chah-nulth members. To complete the program, she had to come up with a business plan. And that was when she remembered a piece of advice she had received about 10 years ago. “I was told, ‘If you want to start a successful business, you need to solve a problem,’ so I asked, ‘What problem would I solve?’” Watts said. For Watts, finding fashionable shoes in her D width has been nearly impossible. And she knows she is not alone. “At the age of 10, I found out I couldn’t have pretty shoes. I was going to a wedding – the first big celebration of my life. I went to store after store, and what I walked out with was a pair of my grandmother’s shoes. And I hated them. I lived like that most of my life, looking for shoes and coming out with ugly shoes that I didn’t like. And that is the passion behind my idea. I want to help others not feel that pain.” Watts said she was advised about the training program through the Nuu-chahnulth Economic Development Corporation. Students completed 12 modules over six weeks, Tuesday and Thursday evenings and all day Sunday, under trainer Caledonia Fred. For Watts, who puts in a full work week, much of it on the road, it was a

grind, but as a person who believes in life-long learning, it was also exhilarating. Under the Aboriginal Best program, the finalist typically proceeds to the Best of the Best competition in Vancouver. But this year, the event was held on a national stage, even though all the contestants came from B.C., according to organizer Bruce Lacroix, president of the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship. “We were asked to bring the event to Toronto as part of another national conference and summit on aboriginal entrepreneurship [I Do Business],” Lacroix said. While there was some question about why only B.C. competitors were on hand, the answer was simple: there is nothing else like it in Canada. That could change, Lacroix said. Lisa Watts solves a problem with her business idea, “We had a lot of interest and wins second place in a national competition. in it. We were the showcase of the conference. People came up askWatts said it was a “huge honour” to ing, ‘Can we bring this to Ontario, to be selected by her fellow students, and New Brunswick, Nova Scotia…?’” the next few months were a juggling act Watts said while there was a sense of of her day job, maintaining a family and competition during the fall training periputting together a business plan. od, there was also a spirit of mutual sup“I was working, living and breathing port and cooperation. It was actually one the plan until the day I left. I didn’t know of the students who suggested the name where I was going; I only knew Bruce Wide and Wonderful when she put forLacroix. I found out I was actually in ward her concept of a “wide-only” shoe Mississauga until the day we did the store. presentation (Monday).” “That’s how it started out, but it grew,” There were nine contestants drawn Watts said. from across B.C. Each one had a plan, a Watts had never needed corrective PowerPoint presentation and financial lenses, but in recent years, she has come package. to require reading glasses. And she dis“We ended up getting to know each covered it is as hard to find fashionable other and we were all running on eyeglasses frames in wider sizes as it is nerves,” Watts said. to find fashionable shoes. While some contestants made changes “So I decided I would put wide fashright up to the moment they faced the ions in my store: shoes, sunglasses, judges, Watts arrived with a plan and clothes and accessories. That’s how I stuck to it, with just a few tweaks. started, because of not having a selecDragon’s Den regular David Chilton, tion.” who was a feature speaker at the confer-

Save The Date for language festival By Debora Steel Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni—It’s time to Save The Date for the Nuu-chah-nulth Language Authority’s two-day Language Festival scheduled for May 9 and May 10 at Maht Mahs. Day 1 of the festival will be a working and information gathering day. Participants will learn a bit about the history of the language authority. What’s been accomplished on the strategy of revitalizing the language, and there will be some brainstorming on the strategy for Nuu-chah-nulth language renewal and community engagement. On Day 2 of the festival the Nuuchah-nulth language will be showcased with demonstrations and discussion of what is currently being done in different communities on language retention and language use. Take the example of Kyuquot. Daisy Hansen told Ha-Shilth-Sa that every Monday people meet for a language lesson and potluck dinner. They work on greeting each other in their language and

to add new sentences to use each day in the community. The committee organizing the festival is made up of one member from each of the Nuu-chah-nulth nations. A more dedicated group of individuals to language you will never find. Many have been working on language preservation for decades, including Kathy Robinson of Tseshaht, who began teaching and creating resources for language lessons with late Carrie Little. People learn best when they hear the language being used every day, Mrs. Robinson said. When you don’t hear it, you don’t learn it, so she makes a point of talking to her grandchildren every day in the Nuu-chah-nulth language. That’s why it is so important to her that parents learn the language. There is language being learned by the children in the schools, but the children need to be able to use it in the home as well. “They don’t learn as fast if the parents don’t learn it,” Robinson said. The language festival will tackle some of the challenges of language preservation and revitalization. Uchucklesaht has the challenge of remoteness to language classes. Community members live a long

boat ride from language classes, said committee member Deanna Robinson. She said community members have a keen interest in language and culture revitalization. Ditidaht Chief Jack Thompson said his community has been working on language since the 1990s. They have been translating what elders left in the 70s, like place names of different areas of their territory. There are not many fluent speakers left so “we have to light a fire,” said Thompson. He said the best place to start is with the small children in daycare, but the family has to be a part of the equation. Tammy Lucas said her daughter Imani, 6, smiles so big when she gets to be the teacher of language in her house. Derek Peters, Tyee Ha’wilth of Huuay-aht, said his community has worked very hard on language preservation and he’s interested in how it can be taken to the next level. He’s excited about the festival to share what Huu-ay-aht is doing, to discuss common challenges about Nuu-chah-nulth communities, and to take a serious look at coming up with a good strategy going forward.

ence, had been scheduled to be on the panel, but was unable to commit to the full day, which involved four presentations and evaluations in the morning followed by five in the afternoon. In baseball parlance, Watts came in as cleanup hitter and knocked it out of the park. “The main prop I used, other than my PowerPoint, was myself, simply because I am a wide person. I showed them my wide feet, my wide wrists, my wide face and my wide smile.” After a full hour of spirited debate (normally about 15 minutes), the panel awarded Watts second prize. Unlike the TV show, however, Aboriginal Best of the Best winners are not immediately connected with wealthy investors to put their plans into action. Watts said that is less important than the lessons she absorbed in the Best of the Best process. “I discovered how much work it is to create a business,” she said. “It’s still in the dream stage, but I see how this can work. “If I can get my plan out there I can be first-to-market with wide-only fashion accessories. It’s about self-confidence. I found that out when I was 10 years old.” Lacroix, who is of Metis descent, describes himself on his Web site () as “a terrible employee working with others.” In today’s stressed economy, creating your own future through entrepreneurship may be the only way to succeed, he believes, especially for indigenous people who hope to live and work in their own communities. “Sometimes there just aren’t the jobs, and sometimes people are not suited for those jobs,” he said. In many ways, the growing movement to foster and promote entrepreneurship among Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples is a return to traditional practices, Lacroix said. “Years and years ago, there certainly was entrepreneurship in the aboriginal community. They just didn’t call it that. Indigenous people traded extensively between nations.”

Birthdays & Congratulation Congratulation s to Ashton Ryan Louie Corfield Ashton was one of the selected youth for a Youth Health Champion award at the Gathering of Voices Conference 2013 that took place in Penticton, BC. Ashton’s mom Jackie had submitted the nomination for him. He was not aware of this and was taken by surprise. Ashton’s family are very proud of all his accomplishments towards living a healthy active cultural lifestyle. Ashton is a Grade 12 student and graduating this June from John Barsby Secondary School. He also volunteers at Tillicum LeLum Friendship Center in Nanaimo.

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April 18, 2012 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - Page 23

Campbells thank Klallam people for their help By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Lower Elwha, WA—At least 200 members of Ahousaht’s Campbell family and their friends arrived in Port Angeles, WA. on March 16 to honour the people of Lower Elwha and Port Angeles for taking care of them after an August 2011 fatal car accident. On a summer morning in 2011, Darrell Campbell, Angus Campbell and his daughter Sophie Campbell were riding in Angus’ pickup truck; they had just disembarked from the Coho ferry in Port Angeles on their way to Neah Bay, WA. They had traveled that day from Victoria, BC and were on their way to a fisheries meeting. They had driven barely five minutes out of town when the truck they were riding in was struck nearly head-on by an SUV that had crossed the highway into their lane of travel. Darrell E. Campbell, 49, Ahousaht Fisheries Manager, died instantly. Angus, 57, and his 18-year-old daughter Sophie were severely injured and both required extended stays in American hospitals. Washington State Patrol determined that the driver of the SUV, Steve W. Boyd, 48, was impaired by alcohol and he subsequently pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault. On July 3, 2012, Steven W. Boyd was sentenced to five years in prison by Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams. From the moments immediately following the accident, survivors, Angus and Sophie, were tended to by members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, in whose territory the accident happened. The grateful Campbell family planned a feast for the people of Lower Elwha which was hosted by Angus’ sister Bella and his son Francis. Francis told Ha-Shilth-Sa that his family wanted to thank the people of Klallam and Port Angeles by allowing them to take a seat and be served a meal by the Campbell family. Even though the feast ws in Klallam territory, the Campbell family wanted them to relax, stay out of the kitchen and enjoy some cultural entertainment courtesy of the Campbell family and their friends. “They helped us through troubled times and we are grateful,” said Francis. “This is our time to take care of you, so have a seat and enjoy,” Curtis Dick told the crowd. The Campbell family served up a seafood feast, then started off the cultural portion of the evening with a family procession into the gym. Men sang a paddle song as Angus and Sophie Campbell were led into the room followed by extended family members. Angus and Sophie were both seriously injured in the accident. The father and daughter were well cared for following the car accident and, while Angus now walks with the assistance of a cane, Sophie no longer shows outward signs of trauma from the accident. Ahousaht elder Harold Little stood next to Angus and he thanked the people of Lower Elwha on behalf of Ahousaht Ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs). “The Campbell family sends the best of wishes to each and every one of you,” he told them. He then called upon Francis Charles, chairwoman of the Lower

Photos by Denise Titian

The Campbell Family, including Angus (red vest) and Sophie (with paddle), victims of a terrible car crash that killed Darrell Campbell, thanked the Lower Elwha and Port Angeles peoples for caring for them after the accident and through the court proceedings that followed. Elwha Klallam Tribe, to receive a gift on behalf of the Ahousaht people and the Ha’wiih. “We cannot express how grateful we are for the things you did for our family,” said Curtis Dick as he stood with hosts Bella, Francis and Joe Campbell. “We want to express our love by sharing our culture – something we are rich in–with you,” he told the people of Klallam. Dick talked about his relative Angus, calling him the head of the Campbell family. While not all Ahousaht Ha’wiih could be in Lower Elwha that night, they gave their blessings to the Campbell family to carry on with their celebration. The festivities started with a dance that came from late Mattie Campbell, the grandmother of the clan. James Uukwaqum Swan followed up with a few of his family dances. James is closely related to the Campbell family through his sister Brenda’s marriage to Angus. With elder Louie Frank Sr. speaking for him, Uukwaqum presented several prints he had made to the Campbell family for them to give as gifts to the people of Lower Elwha. A woman named Anne Marie Fisher was described as a close friend of the family. The Campbells thanked her for coming to the party. They said Angus, who was heavily sedated at the time, still remembers Anne Marie coming to see him at the hospital. They gave her a gift, a token of their appreciation for coming to Angus in his time of need. With the accident taking place in the U.S. the Campbell family was forced to contend with reams of paperwork both for hospital care and court. They thanked the Victim’s Assistance workers that helped them through the process every step of the way. “We can’t express to you how much you mean to us; you as total strangers came to help us in our time of need,” said Tom Campbell. At one point,

Angus, Sophie and a third member of the Campbell family were called upon to receive gifts. Four people from Port Angeles wished to acknowledge the family in a culturally-appropriate way. Prosecutor John Troberg, along with three women from his office who helped the Campbells through their ordeal, blanketed them. Adriana Tilton, Victims Assistance worker at the Prosecutors office, Beverly Lee, Crimes Victims Services Center Advocate, and Forks Abuse Program Director Anne Simpson each blanketed the victims of the accident. Floyd Campbell accepted a blanket on behalf of the family of his late uncle, Darrell. “Janice (Darrell’s widow) and her family would have been here for this but it is still too painful for them to do this,” Curtis explained. “We hope our friendship will never end and we say thanks a million for everything,” he continued. A local drum group from Lower Elwha shared some songs and dances ending with a local favorite that the crowd joined in called ‘We are One’.

The Lower Elwha group asked the Campbell family to stand as their singers and dancers circled the family to honor them with song. Muckleshoot elder Les Nelson proudly accepted a beautiful, handmade paddle. The Campbells thanked him for coming to their side and praying over the family in their time of need. Curtis Dick said he was thankful to the people of Lower Elwha for their prayers and how strong they are in practicing their culture. He noted the number of young people taking part in the singing and dancing. After a prayer song led by the people of Lower Elwha, the Campbells called Mark Charles. Bella Campbell said she didn’t know him in the beginning but she got to know him because he was always there to help. “Even when he lost his own father he was still there for us and I never got to tell him I’m sorry (for his loss),” said Bella. “We want you (Mark) to know you are loved and valued by all of us,” she told him. “I am real sad about what happened to my nephew (Darrell), but I’m really glad to have my brother and niece still here and we are so grateful and appreciate this community for all you did,” Bella told the crowd. She told Mark Charles that there would now always be contact between her family and his because of the close bonds they created. “When I was in the hospital, sometimes I would come out of the morphine and I could remember my sons always talking about this Mark,” Angus said. “I am glad your shoulders were big enough and they were there for my nephew’s family and my son,” he continued. The Campbell family circled Mark, embracing him and told him he was now adopted into their family. “We will never forget what you did for us…thank you very much, Mark. You’re now a part of our family and we love you,” Angus said. The family presented another beautifully hand-carved paddle to Rian Anderson, Blackball Ferry Line Dock Manager. Angus talked about the long trips from Ahousaht to Port Angeles and how some days the court proceedings would run late. The family would rush to catch the last ferry back to their Vancouver Island home, knowing it was past the scheduled departure time. “There the Coho Ferry would be, waiting for us,” said Angus. The family was grateful that the management at Blackball Ferry Lines would support the family by holding their sailings until everybody got there. They presented Anderson with a paddle and asked him to hang it in Blackball Ferry Lines offices. Angus Campbell thanks Blackball Ferry Dock Manager Rian Anderson for their compassion.

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