akis nuk First Nation Community News

Transcription

1 akis nuk First Nation Community News Page 1 Nistamu Nov. 22 to Dec. 3, 2010 Remembrance Day: Frank Sam, Samantha Sam, Brandon Sam, and Pierre Sanchez lay a wreath at the Invermere cenotaph on Remembrance Day, November 11, akis nuk First Nation events of interest Akisqnuknik Development Corporation AGA: Please note that the ADC AGA has been rescheduled. It is now planned for Thursday, December 9 Wednesday, November 24: Cake at the Band Hall, 3 p.m., to celebrate November birthdays in the community. All welcome Wednesday, December 1 Healthy Community Team meeting, 10 a.m. at the Health Centre Saturday, December 4: Ktunaxa Child and Family Christmas Party, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Christ the Servant Parish, th Ave. S., Cranbrook. If you need a ride call (250) Tuesday, December 7: Band meeting, 7 p.m. at the Band Hall Tuesday, December 7: Men s Circle, 6 p.m. at the Health Centre Tuesday, December 7: A.M. foot clinic at the Health Centre Wednesday, December 8: P.M. foot clinic at the Health Centre Sunday, December 12: Community Christmas Bingo, 1 p.m. at the Band Hall Sunday, December 19: Community Christmas Party, 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 21: Christmas hampers go out to the community Youth group: The group for youth in grades five to seven goes every Tuesday, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Band Hall Happy Birthday: A big happy birthday to Wilfred Teneese. Wilf is 75 on November 23 Play therapy sessions: At the Eva Joseph Centre. Sessions help children with separation and divorce, grief and loss, trauma. Fees for Aboriginal children are covered by KKCFSS. Call Elizabeth Stuart, (250) for information. Announcements: Please get any birthday or other good news announcements you d like in the newsletter to Adrian. Otherwise I have no way of knowing some of the good news in the community that should go in the newsletter Please come and help the youth groups. A community member is sought to volunteer his/her time running a craft table for a craft night, December 15. Things like jewellery, dream catchers, Christmas decorations are needed. Contact Kristine ( ) or Angelle ( ) for info. Yoga: Yoga classes with Maureen Thorpe go every Tuesday and Friday at the Band Hall. All welcome Council meetings: Council meetings are open to Band members. While you are not allowed to participate, you may sit in as an observer. Council meets every two weeks. The last Council meeting of 2010 will be on December 7. The first Council meeting of 2011 will be on January 4. KNC employment: Mike Guarnery of KNC employment is at the Band hall to help AFN members with employment issues the third Thursday of every month. Mike can be reached at (250) Christmas Bureau Band Meeting December 7 The Columbia Valley Christmas Bureau is once again distributing food and gift hampers to families in need. To apply you must fill out the form found at the back of this newsletter. You can return your competed form to the Band office. Deadline to apply is December 10, but early applications are encouraged. Pick up is December 17 at the Invermere Hall. The next Band meeting will be held December 7, 7 p.m. at the Band Hall. Upcoming: Aboriginal BEST business training sessions are planned for December and January. This course is designed for Aboriginal people who are committed to starting a business or becoming their own boss. See back of newsletter for info.

2 Page 2 Of the approximately 60 Ktunaxa Nation members who made the trip to the Legislature in Victoria on November 15, several were from the Akisqnuk First Nation. Band Councillors Beatrice Stevens and Marguerite Cooper were joined by Emilia Danyluck, and Virginia Fisher and her daughters Brandy, Jasmine, and Jessica. Former Band resident Francis Jimmie also joined the others on the trip to Victoria to explain in person to the B.C. government the significance of Qat muk and the Grizzly bear to the Ktunaxa. A bus charter was organized by the Ktunaxa Nation to take Nation members from the traditional territory to Victoria the territory of the Coast Salish people. All groups were represented, said Emilia of the Ktunaxa Nation members that made the trip. from the Elders right down to the babies. The trip was largely organized by Troy Sebastian, treaty negotiator for the Nation. Jumbo has always been a spiritual place, said Emilia. We ve known that since childhood and we can t just allow someone to come in and desecrate it. When the Ktunaxa delegation entered the legislature, they were led by Florence Alexander and her family, the Sukni Drummers. The thing that really got me was listening to the drumming, said Beatrice. It was our songs that we sang and it was so powerful. Marguerite had a similar reaction upon entering the legislature. When the feeling really hit was when the drum was inside, she said. Such a beautiful feeling lifted right through me. Florence really has a akis nuk First Nation Community News Akisqnuk represented in Victoria for Qat muk Declaration Community Bus: Tickets for the bus that goes from Canal Flats to Invermere and from Invermere to Edgewater are available at the Band office. Come in and speak to Linda at reception. Cost is $2 for a trip between Radium and Fairmont and $2.50 to get to Odd s n ends Canal Flats or Edgewater. Kids under five get in for free. Packs of ten and monthly tickets are also available. Snow clearing: Tom Cope has been hired to do snow removal this winter. Tom has also been hired to clear Band members driveways. strong voice, she said. I ve never heard her sing so strong before. Inside the Legislature, the Ktunaxa were welcomed by Ida Chong, B.C. Minister of Science and Universities. Also on hand to welcome and support the Ktunaxa were Chief Andy Thomas of the Esquimalt First Nation and Chief Doug White of the Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo, representing the First Nation Summit. The occasion was marked by Minister Chong as the first time the Ktunaxa flag had entered the legislature in Victoria. The declaration (on facing page) was read out loud by Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair Kathryn Teneese. I was glad to be there because it means a lot to me that the government accepted our declaration, said Emilia. Computer monitors available: two older but still functional computer monitors are available at the Band Hall. Come and pick one up if you're interested. First come first served. If they are not picked up by Dec. 3, the monitors will be recycled. To me that was really important, said Marguerite of the trip to Victoria. The Grizzly is very special to us. Beatrice encouraged Ktunaxa Nation members and youth to talk to older nation members to find out about the significance of Qat muk. If you want to know talk to an Elder, talk to your grandparents, she said. Another highlight of the trip for many was a visit to the Royal B.C. Museum, a place where several Ktunaxa artefacts are held. A particular highlight for Marguerite was seeing a very old Ktunaxa headdress. Qat muk is online To learn more about Qat muk and the declaration, visit For those of you on Facebook there is also a Qat muk Facebook group. Door Prize winners: From the flu clinics (October 28 and November 4) hockey tickets, Gayle Michel; stone plate, Darla Nicholas; Tim Hortons certificate, Jennifer Nicholas; stone vase, Marguerite Cooper, Water bottle, Dwayne Burgoyne.

3 Nistamu Page 3 Qat muk Declaration we, the Ktunaxa, have lived in our territory since time immemorial and have a deep spiritual connection to the animal world and, in particular, to the grizzly bear. Qat muk is a very special place where K aw a Tuk u ak is, the Grizzly Bear Spirit, was born, goes to heal itself, and returns to the spirit world. The Grizzly Bear Spirit is an important source of guidance, strength, protection and spirituality for the Ktunaxa. Qat muk s importance for the Grizzly Bear Spirit is inextricably interlinked with its importance for living grizzly bears now and in the future. The Ktunaxa have a stewardship obligation and duty to the Grizzly Bear Spirit and Qat muk. Given the importance of Qat muk, the Ktunaxa Nation Council, on behalf of the Ktunaxa Nation: Affirms that having been created in interdependence with the land, its living things, and the spirit world, the Ktunaxa possess and are entitled to enjoy our inherent and preexisting sovereignty over our land and our lives thereon; Affirms that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples supports the Ktunaxa Nation s right to: (a) manifest, practice, de- velop and teach our spiritual and religious traditions, customs and ceremonies and to maintain, protect, and have access in privacy to our religious and cultural sites [Article 12]; and (b) maintain and strengthen our distinctive spiritual relationship with our traditionally owned or otherwise occupied and used lands, territories, waters and other resources and to uphold our responsibilities to future generations in this regard [Article 25]; Emphasizes that the Ktunaxa have never consented to the developments and desecrations that have occurred within Qat muk; Asserts that we will not agree to any further development or sale of land associated with Qat muk that would result in irreparable and irreversible harm to this sacred place and our spiritual connection with it; Affirms that the Creator gave the Ktunaxa covenants, one of which is to protect, honour, and celebrate what the Creator has given us; Reaffirms that our Law, aknumu tiŧiŧ, requires the protection of our sacred places for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren; Recognizes that the Ktunaxa language does not translate well into other languages and consequently our spiritual relationship with Qat muk may not be fully understood by others; Affirms that we are strong, as we have maintained our cultural connection to our land, language, and spirituality; Reaffirms that we are of one heart and one mind to protect Qat muk from desecration; Insists that we will strengthen and revitalize the Ktunaxa Nation through our spiritual connection to Qat muk; Invites other governments, nongovernmental organizations, business proponents, local communities, and others to support and respect our spiritual traditions and practices linked to Qat muk, and to help protect it against desecration and destruction. Proclamation The Ktunaxa Nation Council, on behalf of the Ktunaxa Nation, hereby proclaims, on this date: That Qat muk is the home of the Grizzly Bear Spirit and is the unique and proper place to celebrate and honour this spirit; That Qat muk includes the entirety of the Toby- Jumbo watershed and the uppermost parts of the South Fork Glacier Creek, Horsethief Creek and Farnham Creek watersheds; That, to fully protect the most sacred core of the Qat muk area, a refuge area consisting of the upper part of the Jumbo valley is hereby established; That a buffer area consisting of the remainder of the Jumbo watershed is hereby established so that the Grizzly Bear Spirit, as well as grizzly bears, can thrive within and around Qat muk; That the Ktunaxa Nation will share Qat muk with non-ktunaxa when such use is respectful of Ktunaxa spiritual values and consistent with our Qat muk Stewardship Principles; And that the Ktunaxa Nation Council will prepare a management plan for the refuge and buffer areas based on the Qat muk Stewardship Principles and in consultation with other governments and stakeholders. November 15, 2010 Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair on behalf of the Ktunaxa Nation Executive Council

4 Page 4 akis nuk First Nation 3050 Highway 93/95, Windermere, B.C. V0B 2L2 (250) This newsletter is published by Adrian Bergles, Communications Coordinator, akis nuk First Nation Your thoughts are welcome. If you have a story you d like to put in the newsletter or anything for Adrian to add, adrian@akisqnuk.org Get your newsletter online at: Support the Ktunaxa Economy! Most Ktunaxa citizens make all their purchases outside their own communities because there aren t Ktunaxa-owned businesses on their reserve. Money spent outside Ktunaxa communities contributes to the wellbeing of others and not to the Ktunaxa. This feeds the cycle of dependency on other communities and other levels of government. In order to build a Ktunaxa economy it is vital to support communitybased entrepreneurs and businesses. To keep money in the community use Ktunaxa goods and services whenever you can! akis nuk First Nation Community News From Kathy Clarke: Time to stop with diet pop? Hi everyone, Winter is upon us and I am hoping you and your family are staying healthy in spite of the many flu bugs circulation in the communities. Flu shots are still available. Call your nurses ( ) to make an appointment to get yours. SOME NOTES Hit the hay: American researchers studying 153 healthy adults found that sleeping fewer than seven hours a night almost triples the risk of catching a cold. Eight hours is protective and so is sleeping soundly. Diet pop, time to stop: Diet pop may have fewer calories than regular soft drinks, but even sugarfree sodas are linked to health problems. An American study has found that people who drink one diet pop daily increase their risk for such conditions as high blood pressure, elevated insulin and cholesterol levels, and belly fat. Further their risk for Type Two diabetes by increases by 67 percent compared to people who don t drink diet pop at all. Interesting is it time to stop with diet pop? National Aboriginal Aids Awareness Week December 1 to 5: Watch for displays and information in your community. In Cranbrook, meet on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Spirit Square at 7 p.m. for a walk then afterward at Street Angels for refreshments. Dr. Page is back at Akisqnuk. Don t forget to book your yearly exam both men and women. Call Dr. Page s clinic or Happy Birthday, Frank. Frank Sam celebrated his 85th birthday with his family at a lunch held Monday, November 15 at the Health Centre. call Danny for an appointment (tell them if it is for a physical as she will need more time.) Coming in January: At St. Mary s, Around the Kitchen Table - a program for women that incorporates traditional activities and learning about healthy sexuality. Contact Chrystal Williams at SMB for more information. SMB-Options for Sexual Health Clinic: next clinic will be Tues Jan. 18, from four to six p.m. in the log house. Contact your nurses for more information or to book an appointment, either at the health office or at the clinic in January. Youth and adults welcome. Have a safe and happy Christmas. From Kathy and Myanne, your Community Health Nurses. Spay and neuter vouchers akis nuk has spay and neuter vouchers available for sale to Band members at cost ($60 for dogs and $40 for cats). They are accepted at the Invermere Veterinary Hospital. Call Adrian Kootenay Ice tickets: The Band has purchased 2010/11 Kootenay Ice tickets for distribution to members. For tickets come and see Adrian. First come, first served.

5 It s that time again! The Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child & Family s Annual Christmas Gathering December 4, :00am 2:00pm at Christ The Servant Parish th Avenue South All are Welcome Bring your Christmas Spirit! If you are in need of a ride please call KKCFS and we will be happy to arrange one (250)

6 Kootenay Aboriginal Business Advocates Society is pleased once again to deliver Aboriginal BEST (Business Entrepreneur Skills Training). Aboriginal BEST is FREE and targeted at all Aboriginal people who are interested and committed towards pursuing self- employment and entrepreneurship as a career option. Aboriginal BEST includes 12 training sessions and one- on- one business counseling. Aboriginal BEST workshop sessions are designed to help participants identify viable business ideas and determine their feasibility. Participants will also conduct market research, write a business plan, and explore financing options. In the past 6 years, Aboriginal BEST have been held in 58 communities across BC and has trained over 800 participants. Lori Pocha - Cranbrook - I found this program was critical to preparing my business plan. It made me aware of areas (funding, etc) that are available to small business. I also enjoy networking with other small businesses and look forward to seeing these people, while I m out and about doing business. Free Course Includes: The Sessions are scheduled for: December 8-9, January 7, , 20 All Sessions begin at 9:00 am Location College of the Rockies, Invermere Campus Come out and learn to fine tune your business idea Personal Coaching Lunches Workbooks Local Aboriginal Business Guest Speakers Door Prizes Daycare Subsidy available if required To Register : The College of the Rockies, Invermere Colleen Weatherhead, , e:cweatherhead@cotr.bc.ca Office hours 8:30 am to 4:30 closed at noon. Located at th Ave N, Cranbrook BC V1C 3W3

7

8