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Volume 11 • Issue 01 FEBRUARY, 2015

SLIAMMON ELDERTALKS IN TRADITIONALBATHING FEATUREPAGES 6-9

PAGE 2

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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 1

NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS1. HALALT (250) 246-4736 [email protected] www.halalt.org2. HOMALCO (250) 923-4979 [email protected]. KLAHOOSE Qathen Xwegus Management Corp (250) 935-6536 www.klahoose.com4. MALAHAT (250) 743-3231 [email protected] www.malahatnation.com5. SLIAMMON (604) 483-9646 [email protected] www.sliammonfi rstnation.com www.sliammontreaty.com6. SNAW-NAW-AS (Nanoose) (250) 390-3661 [email protected] [email protected] www.nanoose.org7. SNUNEYMUXW (Nanaimo) (250) 740-2300 [email protected] www.snuneymuxw.ca8. STZ’UMINUS (Ladysmith) (250) 245-7155 [email protected] www.stzuminus.com9. TSAWWASSEN (604) 948-5219 chartman@tf nedc.com www.tsawwassenfi rstnation.com10. TSLEIL-WAUTUTH (604) 929-3454 [email protected] www.twnation.ca11. T’SOU-KE (Sooke) (250) 642-3957 [email protected] www.tsoukenation.com

EDITORIAL:Mark Kiemele, Editor

[email protected] | 250-246-3438

Patricia McDougall, Reporter [email protected] | 250-203-2120

Tricia Th omas, Reporter [email protected] | 250-709-2929

ADVERTISING:Manoj Sood

[email protected] | 604-723-8355

PUBLISHER:Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council

1921 Tsawwassen Drive, Tsawwassen BC V4M 4G2

Gary Reith, CAO 604-943-6712 | 1-888-382-7711

Th e Salish Sea Sentinel is published monthly, eleven times a year, by the Naut’sa mawt Tribal

Council, representing 6,500 people in 11 member nations.

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Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 15th of every month.

COVER PHOTO: Elsie Paul from Sliammon fi llets a salmon. Th is photo is from the cover of her book featured on pages 8-9.

SHINING A LIGHT ON OUR CULTURE

The photographs of a man bathing in our feature article this month are not meant to be shocking.

But when we fi rst posted one on our Face-book page a couple of weeks ago, there were comments that objected to a pub-lic photograph of someone taking a tra-ditional bath in a river and brushing off with cedar.

But others, including cultural people from Coast Salish nations, said the pho-tograph brought them joy and even tears

to their eyes for an oft en forgotten way of practicing traditional beliefs.

Th e purpose of the photos was to illus-trate the powerful words of Elsie Paul of Sliammon that is central to the feature ar-ticle in this issue. Th e words are from her wonderful book; Written As I Remember It: Teachings from the Life of a Sliammon elder. It is the start, in this New Year, of a commitment to focus on the strong cul-tural practices that are at the heart of our Coast Salish culture.

Th at commitment comes on direc-tion from Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s board of directors who recently asked for more cultural activities to be featured on

these pages. In the coming months we will continue to tell our important stories and focus on the things that has kept Coast Salish culture alive in the face of colonial thinking, even when some of our cultural practices were outlawed.

We understand that it can sometimes be shocking to see photos of things that once had to be hidden from the law in order to keep practicing; things consid-ered sacred. But as our nations values and culture begin to be revitalized, we think that it is vital to tell all of our stories in a respectful way.

Your comments are always appreciated. Send them to: [email protected]

EDITORIAL

2 SALISH SEA SENTINEL

HOMALCO LEADERS ENVISION BRIGHT FUTURE

Homalco leaders were pumped after the workshop

AROUND THE SALISH SEA

THE ENERGY WAS DYNAMIC and positive at Homalco (Xwe-malhkwu) First Nation in early

January when the new chief and council-lors laid out plans for the next three years.

The visioning workshop focused on set-ting priorities for the nation over the next three years. As the two-day session ended, this vision statement was created: “The Homalco chief and council work together with respect, trust, consistency and open communication to empower a united, culturally-grounded, proud, wealthy and healthy nation.”

Potential priorities for the coming year included governance policy and proce-dures, a housing strategy, youth council as well as healing and wellness plans.

Councillor Darren Blaney said, “Heal-ing must come first”. This comment led to an avid discussion on healing within the community, including members, staff and council. Areas of focus are organizing traditional ceremonies and workshops including sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies and culture camps.

Key elements of the visioning session in-cluded confirming roles and responsibili-ties, agreeing on a collective vision, creat-ing a draft work plan, developing principles for working together, outlining objectives for the term and building the team.

New Chief Maryann Enevoldsen ex-pressed her gratitude to the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council (NmTC) for facilitating the forum at which council could bridge and build relationships while bringing them closer together as a team.

Maryann was clear in her vision of trans-parency and wants membership to know what is unfolding during council’s first ses-sion together. “The more information our nation has, the more united we will be,” she said. The chief added that this was the first time that the full council had come togeth-er since the November election.

She said the workshop enabled council to come together as a team while hav-ing respect and personal connection throughout the discussions. “It has shown how much we really have in common and how we can move forward,” she said.

Traditional teachings were a big part of Maryann’s early years and she said that she wants to reintroduce culture back into the community…“How our ancestors taught us about our culture and beliefs.” Along with those teachings and beliefs, tradition-al healing and revitalization of culture are priorities for chief and council to initiate for the benefit of the entire community.

Other objectives during the three-year term are one-year and three-year plans that include a constitution, bylaws, capac-ity building and a youth council.

It is also important to note the prin-ciples for leadership Homalco chief and council adopted. Respect, trust, trans-parency, community-focus, policies and procedures, accountability and teamwork round out the top priorities.

NmTC staff and project managers—Valerie Cross-Blackett, Bronwen Geddes and Eric Blueschke—facilitated the event along with Jessie Hemphill who is the community-planning mentor and peer-to-peer coach for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

By Patricia McDougall


GALLIGOS IS SLOVENIA BOUND WITH HIS TOTEMWhen Craig Galligos of Sliammon was working on the totem for Powell River’s Kathaumixw choral festival last summer, travel plans were in the back of his mind.

That’s because he was going to accom-pany the pole when it was delivered to the ‘choir of the world’ named during the fes-tival’s closing ceremonies. It could have been awarded to a choir from Kenya, Rus-sia, the USA or even Abbotsford, BC.

The winning choir was from the St. Stanislav Academy from Ljubljana, Slove-nia, a country on the north Adriatic Sea bordering Italy and Austria.

Galligos, along with people from Powell River and possibly a Sliammon group, will travel with the pole to Slovenia in May.

Kathaumixw is a Sliammon word, meaning “many nations coming togeth-er.” Galligos told The Sentinel last year that his design for the six-and-one-half-foot pole was meant to represent both First Nations and Canadian imagery.

A bronze-eyed beaver gnawing on a piece of wood is carved into the bottom of the pole, while the top is an eagle.

Craig Galligos with the pole

COAST SALISH ART AT VIUWork by 14 leading contemporary Coast Salish artists is on display until April at the Vancouver Island Univer-sity campus gallery in Nanaimo.

Record, (Re)create is the name of the exhibit. It opened on Jan. 9 and contin-ues until April 12. Artists’ works in-cluded in the show include the creative Marston family from Stz'uminus (Jane, John, Luke and Angela) as well as the groundbreaking artist Susan Point of Musqueam, Maynard Johnny Jr, Chris Paul and lessLIE. Pictured is Margurit James of Penelakut.

More info at nanaimoartgallery.com


MORE THAN three years after Snaw-naw-as members first voted in favour of a new com-

munity land code policy, the First Nation on Nanoose Bay north of Nanaimo is fi-nally able to take control of their reserve’s resources and start to determine their own economic future.

Chef David Bob said the vote opens the doors for a variety of projects. “We have a whole different array of things that we can do now and to me it’s all positive.”

A land code vote in August 2011 resulted in 90 per cent approval from the commu-nity, but the process was delayed because a land surveyor’s error (made 120 years ago) needed to be corrected. But the commu-nity voiced a similar level of support in a second vote in mid-December 2014.

The new land code gives Snaw-naw-as the power to make laws in respect of the development, conservation, protection,

By Tricia Thomas

management, use and possession of its land as stipulated in the First Nation Land Management framework agreement. De-cisions on these matters no longer require approval from the Federal Government.

Snaw-naw-as joins several other Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council nations who have signed on to the framework agreement. Others include Sliammon, Stz’uminus, Tsawwassen and Tsleil-Waututh.

Chief Bob said that developing a gas station on the Island Highway is the first step for his community. “The vision is to

SNAW-NAW-AS TAKES ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS SOVEREIGNTY

LAND CODE VOTES

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MALAHAT VOTERS GIVE THUMBS UP TO CODE Voters overwhelmingly approved the Malahat First Nation land code in bal-lots cast on Jan. 12.

The vote was 78-10 in favour of the final version of the land code and the agree-ment between Malahat and the federal government.

“This is a significant step towards our own self-governance,” Chief Michael Harry told the community last November after chief and council voted unanimous-ly to present the code to eligible voters. “When Malahat nation controls our land, the nation controls our own future…the federal government will no longer have a say in how we govern ourselves as it re-lates to our reserve land.”

“This land code will give our commu-nity the tools to make our own land use decisions,” said councillor Russell Harry. “We can ensure a community-driven pro-cess so that all voices are heard. And we can base our decisions on what works best for us as a community.”

have gas, diesel, propane and a charg-ing station for electric vehicles and offer a place to occupy time while consumers wait,” commented Bob. “The commu-nity has wanted a gas station on reserve for 30 years, and with the new land code, that dream will soon become reality.” Info at http://www.labrc.com

Traffic on the busy highway at the turnoff to Snaw-naw-as


CALENDAR

TFN SKYLINE GROWS UP… AND DOWN

TRAVELLERS on Hwy 17 going to or from BC Ferries have been watching the massive retail de-

velopments being built on Tsawwassen First Nation treaty lands.

But just north of the two new malls, scheduled to open in 2016, another sort of development is underway—the Tsaw-wassen First Nation Farm School. It is a collaboration between the nation and the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at Kwantlen University.

Applications are now being accepted for the school that will operate on a 20-acre parcel of Tsawwassen traditional

lands. Th e school fuses sustainable agri-culture and traditional indigenous food systems. Coordinator Corine Singfi eld said: “Th e school program is open to all with curiosity on how to feed a growing population while restoring the land.”

More info at www.kpu.ca/tfnfarm or by emailing [email protected]

Mall development photo by Kama Sood

February 11-12

Matrimonial real property toolkit training workshop for leaders and managers at the Coast Bastion hotel in Nanaimo. More info from Kirstin Sware at Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 1-888-382-7711 or [email protected]

February 16

Deadline for students to apply for Indspire bursaries and scholarships. htt p://indspire.ca

February 18 & 20

First Nations Housing Symposium – Feb 18, Smithers; Feb 20, Vancouver. CMHC and AANDC event exploring alternative housing options. Contact Kirstin at 604-943-6712 or toll-free at 1-888-382-7711 or [email protected]

February 19-20

BC Aboriginal Women in Business conference at UBC Sauder School of Business. Details on Facebook.

March 2-4

Exploring Self-Government workshop for up to three representatives from Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council communities. Relevant to administrators, managers and elected leaders. At the Coast Bastion hotel, Nanaimo. More info at www.nmtcevents.com

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TRADITIONAL CLEANSING CUSTOMS have existed throughout time, in virtually all cultures around the world. Along with medici-

nal herbs and rituals, bathing practices often play a role in spiritual, emotional and physical healing. They may be used in times of depression, stress, illness, anxiety, grief and insomnia as well as to strengthen and promote a sense of balance, vitality and overall wellbeing.

Staying healthy through this simple, ancient practice would benefit most people, but very few are aware of the traditional teachings. With advancements of modern medicine, lifestyle changes, and disconnection from community and family, traditional ways have lost their value in everyday life.

Isaac Jack from Penelakut, who agreed to be photo-graphed for this featured article, believes bathing rep-resents not only a cleansing of the physical self, but also the mind. “I go in the water because it helps me to dis-rupt my ‘normal’ patterns, and altering my normal pat-terns is a way of expanding my awareness of self. It helps to strengthen the relationship between body and mind.”

Snuneymuxw Chief John Wesley said: “In order for you to find out what really heals you, you have to under-stand your Coast Salish culture and traditional values.”

As Canada’s fast-growing Aboriginal population be-comes more urbanized, younger people need to know where they can go to stay connected and to learn tradi-tional values while living in this changing world. Years

By Tricia Thomas


of mistrust and disrespect for our culture have led to much protective secrecy by those guarding the old ways. Who will keep traditional knowledge fl owing if it is not being shared?

Darren Blaney, a councillor and former chief of Homalco First Nation, said he supported public discus-sion of topics such as traditional bathing in this maga-zine and on our social media sites.

“In our part of the Salish Sea, there are many who have lost these traditions and our elder is wanting to teach this in her book. It is the young people who have lost these ways and they can be reached in social media…If they are inspired by material like this in social media and they heal, what harm is there in that? Without these

teachings, they are susceptible to alcohol and drugs…Got to reach the kids. Got to help them.”

Halalt Elder Judy Wilson said: “You have to really be-lieve in our culture and what you are doing…but nowa-days, with the industry and population growth, some of our bath waters are disappearing, so using your house water will also work."

Many of us who live in cities away from nature are at risk of losing touch of our cultural roots. We need more ways of sharing traditional knowledge so that we are able to develop a sense of belonging—of being naut’sa mawt—and connecting to each other and all living things around us. Whatever form those teachings take, we are grateful for them.

CLEANSING FOR MIND AND BODYWho will keep traditional knowledge fl owing if it is not being shared?

ELSI E PAU L TALK S ABO U T CLE ANSI N G , PAG ES 8 - 9


Here are excerpts from the book by Elsie Paul—Written As I Remember It: Teachings (ʔəms tɑʔɑw) from the life of a Sliammon Elder. With her permission, we used her words to off er our read-ers a look at an important part of our cultural heritage, traditional bathing and cleansing.

Th ere are many strong elders in our com-munities who credit daily bathing for liv-ing long lives on the right path. Whether as a daily practice or dealing with grief or other life challenges, mindful bathing is important. But, as Elsie realizes, many people have lost touch with the old ways. Others learned to keep such things hidden because of restrictions placed on our cul-ture by others’ laws and ways of thinking.

Elsie’s book is a symbol of a life well lived in the service to others, much of it dedicat-ed to the well-being of First Nations people and as a cross-cultural communicator. Our hands are raised to her for allowing her words to be shared.

IT’S LIKE OPENING THE DOORS

ß WE HAVE DIFFERENT TRADITIONAL practices, styles of practices. We use diff erent tools in how we practise our traditional ways. Our spiritual kinds of ceremonies are diff erent in how we do it where I come from, through the teachings of my ancestors, my grandparents especially. Th at we practise diff erently than other tribes or bands of people. Th eirs is diff erent, diff erent style. But unique to them. And it’s important to remember to respect all of the other practices and how they do it, the tools they use.

ß YOUNG MEN WERE, right from puberty, brought to the river for morning baths and brushin’ and cleansin’ themselves. Cleansin’ their minds—not just their body but their minds. To focus on what do you want in life.

It’s like opening the doors. It’s like thinking about what you’re gonna do today. Not only today but your future. How are you going to be strong? How are you going to toughen yourself up, to be able to go out there and be a provider? Whereas if you’re laying back in your bed by a cozy fi re, you’re never ever going to fi nd your strength.

ß SO IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT when you go to the river to—in your mind and in your thoughts and in your prayer, you’re brushing that away. sohoθot. sohoθot. You would send your cedar down the river, and your cedar will drift away. It’s taken all that tiredness and the grief and the sadness. It’s gone down the river. Th at’s why they use the river a lot.

But if you’re not near a river or anything, you just use the shower. And while you’re in the shower you think those same thoughts. You know, all the negative energy—if there’s negative energy on you, it’ll go down that drain.

So you have to keep that in mind and talk to yourself. It’s so important to do this. Not just go in there to take a shower so you will be clean in body. You have to be clear in mind. You’re clearing your mind. You’re clearing your inner self. Th at grief, you’re let-tin’ it go. You’re allowing it to go. So those are really important teachings, ʔəms tɑʔɑw.

E XCERP TS O N BATH I N G AN D CLE ANSI N G F RO M ELSI E 'S BO O K . . .


“

Th is is ~ ELSIE PAUL

Elsie Paul was born in 1931 to Gilbert Francis and Lily Timothy. Her grandparents, Jim and Molly Timothy, raised her in Sliammon. She married William Paul in 1948 and the couple had nine children.

In her early years, Elsie worked at various jobs from hospital housekeeping to oyster shucking. Her fi rst job with Sliammon was in social development and she spent weekends attending UBC for her certifi cate in social work.

She was an original board mem-ber of Tsow-Tun Le Lum (helping house) at Snaw-naw-as when it opened in 1988. Elsie also served as a justice-of-the-peace.

She became Dr Elsie Paul in 2010 when she was awarded an honorary doctor of letters from Vancouver Island University.

TUESDAY, FEB 24 7-8:30 P.M.Vancouver Public Library

Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level350 West Georgia Street

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 2-4 P.M.UBC Museum of Anthropology6393 Northwest Marine Drive

Elsie Paul will be speaking about her book, along with collabora-tors Paige Raibmon and Harmony Johnson, at the following locations:

IN HER OWN WORDS

ß WHEREAS THE CEDAR is just pretty much for cleansing. It’s more spiritual, spiritual purposes. Yeah. Brushing off any negative or evil spirits around you, you use the cedar branches. But the hemlock was more to give you strength. And men use that. I think it’s a little rougher. It’s got kind of piny needles on it.

So, that’s the importance of the brushin’, and with women, it wasn’t necessary for women to go to the river, but they did their own cleansing at home. In, like, a basin of water. Or if they have access to a little creek or something, that’s where they would go and use that cedar boughs to brush themselves too, and especially if they’re grieving, going through a hard time with diff erent losses.

ß AND SHE WOULD TALK TO US: “You must have heard me cryin’ out there. But I do that. Th at’s my medicine. I have to release my pain in the morning. Otherwise, it’s too heavy. It’s a burden for me to carry that. Th en I brush myself. I sweep myself with a cedar bough. I even take some of that water and I gargle, and then spew it out.”

And that’s not only cleansing the surface of your body, your outer surface of your body, but you’re cleansing your mouth—you’re spewin’ it out. You say, “Leave me. Go away.” And you spew it in diff erent directions, some of that wa-ter. So that’s releasing? Th at was good medicine for her. And she’d come in and, “I’ve done what I needed to do,” and get everybody up and get busy. And she would say, “It’s okay to grieve. It hurts, because I’ve lost someone I love. But we don’t stay in bed and cry all day.

Life goes on. You have to get up and get things moving. So you brush yourself…So you have to, at a time like that, take that back. Th at’s why you do the brushing.

WIN a copy of Elsie's new book!

Th e Sentinel is giving away copies of Elsie Paul's book to some lucky (and observant) readers. To be eligible, simply answer the following question:

Q: Elsie says the branch of another tree, beside cedar, is sometimes used for cleansing. What is that tree?

SEND YOUR ANSWER plus your full postal mailing address to: [email protected] by February 20th. Winners will be chosen from those sending in the correct answer.


TLA’AMIN TREATY DATE DRAWS NEAR


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SLIAMMON FIRST NATION is putting in place a new game plan in the run-up to the Tla’amin Treaty becoming eff ective in just over one year.

Th at’s the word from Roy Francis who is the nation’s chief treaty negotiator and president of the Sliammon Development Corpora-tion. Part of the new plan is informing and sharing with mem-

bership the variety of services and programs that are available to the community.

It also means the many departments in the nation—from housing and emergency services to education and language—mov-ing into self-government mode outside the Indian Act. Francis said moving towards self-determination means “being bold, being responsible, and being decisive as there is no security living under the Indian Act.”

Currently law making and creating trusts for future genera-tions is underway in preparation for the treaty eff ective date in the spring of 2016. Th e focus is on managing fi nances in a responsible sustainable way.

Treaty lands and resources have increased by 6,000 hectares, 70 kilometers of that are waterfront. Th ere are 120 leases of wa-terfront property that will generate about $15 million in revenue.

With a land use plan endorsed by the com-munity, business de-velopment in forestry, minerals and fi sheries will start to create a sustainable future for generations to come, Francis said. Development for minerals, gravel, fi sheries, busi-nesses and forestry are underway. A new governance building will be built along with new residential subdivisions.

Sliammon will become the taxation and law making authority through its governance and election laws when treaty comes into eff ect. Th e legislative arm will be the law-making body consisting of fi ve executives.

All these things are parts of the new game plan, said Francis. He added that Sliammon is leading by example, already sharing and networking with other member nations on their own paths to treaty.

ONE BUILDING, MANY USESTh e new community building at Snuneymuxw First Nation is beginning to take shape. Chief John Wesley said the multi-use structure looks to be on schedule for completion this summer. It will include a gym, multi-purpose room, kitchen and store all with the purpose of promoting the nation’s culture, traditions and ceremonies.

Roy Francis

All these things are parts of the new game plan.

By Patricia McDougall



HOMALCO ROCKS FOR ITS YOUTH

SOME OF OUR NATIONS have little or no formal relationships with their neighbouring munici-

palities or regional districts. And some-times relations can get downright ornery when it comes to service agreements and

other matters. Not so with Stz'uminus First Nation and the Town of Ladysmith.

That’s why all eight members of the na-tion’s chief and coun-cil were on hand to celebrate the water and sewer agreements that will see Lady-

smith extending services to the Stz'uminus #12 Reserve that borders the Island High-way 2 kms north of the town.

But the celebrations were really about the decade of working together by the two governments. And one of the key peo-ple—former mayor Rob Hutchins—was recognized, along with his wife Sue, in a blanketing ceremony.

Back in 2005, Mayor Hutchins heard about the accord between Sliammon and its Powell River neighbours. He and his council met with then chief Terry Samp-son and the Stz’uminus council. Those regular meetings led to a 2007 accord that was updated in 2012.

Stz’uminus singers sang and councillor Tim Harris drummed as the blanketing took place.

Meanwhile, Chief John Elliot raised his hands to Hutchins’ relationship-building skills and said the new services coming to IR#12 will be a big improvement for residents as well as the core area for future economic development at the nation.

STZ’UMINUS, LADYSMITH ARE ACTING NEIGHBOURLY

Rob Hutchins

Things were rockin’ in the Homalco First Nation community centre when famed gui-tarist George Leach played for a concert/dance supported by two local musicians.

Leach, from Sťáťimc (Lillooet), won a Juno award for the Aboriginal album of the year in 2014 for Surrender. Currently living in Regina, Leach stopped by Homalco for the concert as part of his Island tour.

Opening the show was Larry Hanson from Homalco who featured some of the songs off his Rez Warriors album. Johnny Hanuse, from Klahoose First Nation, followed him.

Curtis Blaney, the Homalco councillor who coordinated the event, said it was a great success and all proceeds would go to youth programs in the community.

Johnny Hanuse played his guitar and harmonica

George Leach with young fans

NAUT'SA MAWT NEWS & EVENTS WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE

Governance coordinator Valerie Crosse-Blackett talks with directors.

AN IMPRESSIVE LINEUP OF EXPERTS will be on hand when Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council hosts a work-shop entitled ‘Exploring Self-Government’ for leaders

from its 11 member nations on March 2-4.Regional Chief Jody-Wilson Raybould from BC’s Assembly of

First Nations as well as former Tsawwassen chief Kim Baird will be on hand to help provide participants a vision for self-gover-nance and the tools to help get them there.

Other featured guests at the three-day workshop at the Coast Bastion hotel in Nanaimo include: Gwen Phillips from Ktunaxa Nation and Westbank councillor Chris Derickson and Dr. Tim Raybould. Th e latter two worked on the Westbank agreement in

2005, the fi rst stand-alone self-government agreement under Canada’s inherent right of self-government policy.

Th e multi-day workshop is geared toward administra-tors, governance managers and elected offi cials. Participants are asked to attend with exist-ing community materials relat-ed to self-governance including vision statements, nation objec-tives, and existing plans and priorities.

In addition to developing tools for self-governance, the

workshop will also be an opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned from nations who are already self-governing.

NmTC’s governance coordinator Valerie Cross-Blackett is a Tsawwassen member and was involved in her nation both before and aft er its 2009 treaty came into eff ect. She said: “Th e tribal council is pleased to support its member nations in working to-wards their respective visions for self-government. Within the 11 member nations, one has a completed modern treaty and anoth-er’s treaty comes into eff ect in April 2016.

“Other member nations have completed comprehensive com-munity plans (CCPs) or have their own land management codes.

BOARD MET AT HALALTNaut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s board of directors heard about

plans for the coming fi nancial year when they met for a quarterly meeting at Halalt First Nation in mid-January.

Strategic planning and a program of work for 2015/16 were on the agenda for directors as well as discussion of fi nances for the current and coming years. Th ey also heard about the plans for NmTC’s AGM scheduled for late January.

Directors include: chair Chief James Th omas, Halalt; Chief Maryann Enevoldsen, Homalco; councillor Russell Harry, Mala-hat; councillor Kevin Peacey, Klahoose; Chief Clint Williams, Sliammon; councillor Lawrence Mitchell, Snaw-naw-as; Chief John Wesley, Snuneymuxw; councillor Terry Sampson, Stz’uminus; councillor Deanna George, Tsleil-Waututh; Chief Bryce Williams, Tsawwassen; and Chief Gordon Planes, T’Sou-ke.

NmTC can provide a platform for sharing the experiences of these and other nations and supporting member nations in the devel-opment of a vision for governance and a plan for how to get there.”

She said space at the workshop is limited, so those interested should apply as soon as possible.

Contact Valerie Cross-Blackett at 604-329-6815 or Bronwen Geddes at 778-999-5924 or by email at either [email protected] or [email protected]. More information is on the NmTC Events site at www.nmtcevents.com

SELF-GOVERNMENT FOCUS OF MARCH WORKSHOP

Developing tools, best practices

Regional Chief Jody-Wilson Raybould

NAUT'SA MAWT NEWS & EVENTS WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE

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