January/February 2014

Volume 10 . Issue 1January-February 2014

CELEBRATING

30 YEARS OF NmTC

10 YEARS OF KLAHOWYA

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Coast Salish Development Corporation is developing Stz’uminus land

Oyster Bay Development a master-planned community - a place to live work and play

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RCR Miningdeveloping a mine through a win-win partnership

BAYYSTERDEVELOPMENT

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WELCOME

SALISH SEA SENTINEL • 1

Welcome to the fi rst issue of the

Salish Sea Sentinel. We sincerely

hope that this monthly magazine, fi lled

with the positive, forward-looking articles

from our eleven First Nations, will carry on

the ten-year legacy of Naut’sa mawt Tribal

Council newsletters.

Th e decision to publish the magazine

came from our board of directors late last

year. Th ey heard a strong message from

their communities that people missed the

printed version of Klahowya, the name of

our previous newsletter that ‘went digi-

tal’ in March 2012. While many said they

missed the feel of a printed publication in

their hands, others said that an online only

publication was not as convenient.

So, we have gone ‘back to the future’, but

we will continue our online presence with

an upgraded web site. Th e name change to

the Salish Sea Sentinel refl ects a new direc-

tion for the tribal council as an organiza-

tion. At the recent annual general meet-

ing, our directors unanimously supported

a refocusing of NmTC’s mandate to better

serve our nations in the core areas.

Th e year ahead looks very exciting for

everyone at NmTC. Th e Salish Sea Sentinel

will continue to celebrate all things Coast

Salish, highlighting the enormous achieve-

ments in terms of economic development,

community planning, fi nancial manage-

ment and other areas in our nations.

In the coming year, we plan to make

the Salish Sea Sentinel required reading

in our communities and amongst deci-

sion makers in business and government

around coastal BC. Our mandate remains

the same. Naut’sa mawt means Working to-

gether as one and, with your help, we will

continue to do just that.

Th e Salish Sea Sentinel is looking for reporters from our 11 na-

tions. We would like to include your words and photos in this new

monthly magazine.

What kind of stories? Well, you will get a good idea by reading

this issue. But what we would really like to see are stories about

people, events and achievements from your nation that you think

should be shared with our readers around the Salish Sea.

We will work with you on your ideas, and your writing, if need-

ed. Th ere is nothing like the help of a good editor to help get your

message across in a clear and concise manner.

Our reporters will be paid for their submissions; not a lot, but it

could lead to regular work in doing what we do best… storytell-

ing about the wonderful things happening in Coast Salish country.

Watch… and write for us

For more information, please email us at [email protected]

The Salish Sea Sentinel will continue to celebrate all things Coast Salish, highlighting the enormous achievements

WELCOME TO THE SALISH SEA SENTINEL

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COMMUNITY

YOUR

www.salishseasentinel.ca

Publisher: Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council

Gary Reith, Chief Administrative Offi cer

(604) 943-6712

1-888-382-7711

Salish Sea PublishingEditorial Inquiries:[email protected]

(250) 246-3438

Advertising inquires:[email protected]

(250) 510-9853

Th e Salish Sea Sentinel is published

monthly, eleven times a year by the

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council. NmTC

was incorporated as a non-profi t society

in 1983 and is governed by a board of

directors from each of our eleven

member First Nations.

Our nations are located around the

Salish Sea (see map on inside back

cover). Th ere are about 6,500 people

who hold membership in our nations.

Th e word Naut’sa mawt means working

together as one. Th e NmTC mission is

to support and strengthen the capabili-

ties of our Coast Salish member com-

munities by developing skilled leader-

ship, strong governance, resiliency and

self-suffi ciency.

NmTC is charged with providing

advisory services in fi ve delivery areas:

• Economic Development

• Financial Management

• Community Planning

• Technical Services and

• Governance.

On the cover:Children from many First Nations

explored Botanical Beach at Port

Renfrew and had a feast at Pacheedaht

First Nation from the bounty collected.

It was all part of the Traditional Foods

of Vancouver Island First Nations project

that started in 2008 and continues today.

We’ll take a close look at economic success stories at our Nations.

In the March issue...

NEWS

2 • SALISH SEA SENTINEL

Th e fl ying heron logo that you see on

our cover was created by Mark Gauti, a

Coast Salish artist from T’Sou-ke First

Nation.

Chief Gordon Planes suggested us-

ing the heron during discussions, by

Naut’samawt Tribal Council directors,

about the Salish Sea Sentinel and its

mandate. He talked about the Great

Blue heron being a watchman and a

guardian around the shores of the Sal-

ish Sea.

It turns out that Mark Gauti has ‘a

thing’ for herons. On his website at

markgauti.smugmug.com there are

several heron designs. One is from

2009, a logo for the T’Sou-ke Smart

Energy Group.

Mark worked as an environmental

scientist for several years for T’Sou-

ke where he was involved mapping of

endangered species and gathering tra-

ditional ecological knowledge on tradi-

tional uses of native plants for food and

medicine.

For the past ten years, Mark has been

involved in Coast Salish culture by

participating in drumming, language

programs and the Tribal Canoe Jour-

neys, as well as researching traditional

art and storytelling. He is also the cre-

ative director of SunDrm.org, a project

whose goal is to create the next genera-

tion of aboriginal business leaders.

Mark considers his art to be ‘trickster’

art leading to changes. Th is is because

he is an environmentalist who sees the

way we are treating the earth as wrong

and uses art as a form of environmental

and cultural education.

Mark uses a wide range of mediums

in his art, including: paint and canvas,

glass acid etching, drum making, wood

carving, photography and digital art.

Mark Gauti

Chief Gordon Planes talked about the Great Blue heron being a watchman and a guardian around the shores of the Salish Sea.

THE HERON IS A SENTINEL

Below: Two of Mark Gauti’s designs from his web site markgauti.smugmug.com

Mark is an environment-alist who sees the way we are treating the earth as wrong and uses art as a form of environmental and cultural education.

NEWS


Key staff at Naut’sa mawt Tribal

Council nations got special insights

into Xyntax financial management

software in January.

Dwayne Lewis, creator and CEO

of Xyntax Systems, and his son

Bryson (business development and

customer support) visited several

NmTC nations to give a hands-on

demonstration of the software to

administration staff in housing, fi-

nance, social services and other de-

partments.

The Xyntax ‘road show’ intro-

duced the capabilities of the soft-

ware that is close to the heart of all

NmTC nations. The tribal council

purchased 80 per cent of Xyntax Sys-

tems in 2012. At the time, NmTC di-

rectors saw an opportunity in own-

ing a company that makes financial

management software exclusively

for First Nations. Xyntax software

is used by more than 80 organiza-

tions across Canada, including four

NmTC members.

Gary Reith, acting CEO of NmTC,

said: “Our member nations will

be the direct beneficiaries of the

growth and profitability of Xyntax

Systems. It only makes sense that

staff learns about the many benefits

that come from using the software.

“Xyntax offers compelling advan-

tages over generic software. It can

enhance the effectiveness of an or-

ganization. That’s why we are sug-

gesting that all NmTC members de-

cide to make Xyntax their financial

management software of choice.”

Dwayne Lewis said that Xyntax’s

“only business is with First Nations

and band owned organizations. I

have seen many positive changes

and growth in First Nations’ fi-

nancial management requirements

since the company was created 29

years ago. Sometimes those require-

ments were thrust upon the nation

by external funding agencies. Other

times, change was due to a First Na-

tion becoming more proactive in

controlling and managing their fi-

nances.”

That was certainly the message

received from the 150 delegates

from across Canada who attended

the Xyntax Summit last September

in Victoria. Software users from

Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island at-

tended the event to learn about new

modules for human resources and

accounts receivable. And they heard

the message: “Help us design this

for your use.”

That has been the spirit of Xyntax

since the start – listening to users in

administration departments of First

Nations and designing components

based on suggestions from users.

Xyntax System users are a mixed

lot, from financial controllers and

band administrators to social assis-

tance managers and economic de-

velopment workers. But what they

have in common is a passion for

their work and a belief in the con-

tinuous improvement of themselves

and the tools like Xyntax that they

use.

“Our member nations will be the direct benefi ciaries of the growth and profi tability of Xyntax Systems. ”

XYNTAX ‘OWNERS’ GETTING THE MESSAGE

Dwayne Lewis, creator and CEO of Xyntax Systems, works with Xyntax users.

The spirit of Xyntax since the start has been listening to users in administration departments of First Nations and designing components based on suggestions from users.

NEWS


T’Sou-ke First Nation is going

green… really green… green like was-

abi.

Th e nation has become widely known

over the past fi ve years for generating

electricity from 440 rooft op photovol-

taic solar panels along with solar hot

water panels on many of its homes; not

to mention the sun-powered electric

car charging station outside the admin-

istration offi ces. Or the $750 million

wind power partnership it signed on to

last October.

But early in January, work began on

a project that will put a green tinge on

economic development at T’Sou-ke. On

wasteland near the nation’s Ladybug

garden and nursery, three 35-by-150-

foot greenhouses are being built to grow

wasabi, a plant best known as a spicy

condiment for sushi.

Th anks to a franchise agreement with

Pacifi c Coast Wasabi, T’Sou-ke will

soon be supplying not only sushi lov-

ers with wasabi, but also the herbal di-

etary supplement and biomedical mar-

kets. Once the greenhouses are built,

wasabi rhizomes will be planted and, in

about one year, the fi rst harvest will be

shipped to buyers.

Th e T’Sou-ke greenhouses will be one

of six Pacifi c Coast Wasabi operations

in BC, Washington and Oregon. Th ere

are already three greenhouses operating

near Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island

where some of the photographs accom-

panying this article were taken.

“We will be providing training and

jobs both in the construction of the

greenhouses and in the growing and

harvesting of the wasabi and other

foods,” Chief Gordon Planes said when

he announced last year that the Nuu-

chah-nulth Economic Development

Corp. had awarded his nation $175,000

for the project.

“There is an appetite for change and I really believe that the next generation is the one that is going to make positive changes.”

T’SOUKE GOES GREEN WITH WASABI

Chief Gordon Planes

What is wasabi?

• Wasabia japonica is an herbaceous perennial native to the wet banks of Japan’s cool mountain streams. It has been cultivated for more than 1,000 years.• Health benefi ts of wasabi include: anti-allergies, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-biotic (ulcers), anti-infl am-matory, immune boost and anti-coagulant.• The wasabi that is often served with sushi is an imita-tion product based on horse-radish, Chinese mustard and artifi cial food colouring.

Continued on the next page

NEWS


T’Sou-ke began its journey to become

a sustainable community in 2008 with

a comprehensive community planning

(CCP) process that involved everyone,

including children. Th e guiding prin-

ciple for the planning was based on the

Seventh Generation, planning 100 years

ahead. T’Sou-ke realized that in order

to achieve true sustainability, it needed

to embrace traditional values including

deep respect for Mother Earth.

Four priorities emerged from those

CCP sessions: energy security, food

security, cultural renaissance and eco-

nomic self-suffi ciency were identifi ed.

“We are setting the table for future

generations,” Chief Planes said. “Th ere

is an appetite for change and I really be-

lieve that the next generation is the one

that is going to make positive changes.

Th e Creator provided the resources for

us to take care of ourselves. We are do-

ing that a lot… I see huge opportunity

for all of us and I encourage others to

get in the canoe with us to build a stron-

ger, sustainable economy. All of us can

prosper together.”Economic development at Halalt

First Nation took a big step forward

on Jan. 16 with an overwhelming

vote in favour of designating some of

its lands to be leased commercial, ag-

riculture or light industrial uses.

Nearly 90 per cent of voters sup-

ported the designation of three par-

cels on Halalt’s main reserve in the

ballot run by Aboriginal Affairs and

Northern Development Canada.

Chief James Thomas said the posi-

tive result opened the door to faster

action by Halalt.

“As economic opportunities can

often arise quickly, any lease that

complies with the terms of the des-

ignation can now be approved, or re-

jected, by chief and council instead

of awaiting approval from Ottawa.”

Nearly 90 per cent of voters supported the designation of three parcels on Halalt’s main reserve

HALALT VOTERS SAY “YES” IN LANDS VOTE

Halalt administrator Caroline Gladstone, councillor Patricia Thomas and Chief James Thomas discuss the future as votes are counted.

Wasabi rhizomes.

Climate change is on the minds of

many these days. That is why more

than half the nations that make up

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council have

supported NmTC’s application to

coordinate a new program: the Cli-

mate Change Adaptation Program

(CCAP).

It was designed by Aboriginal Af-

fairs and Northern Development

Canada to assist First Nations to as-

sess risks and challenges posed by cli-

mate change impacts.

Band council resolutions (BCR)

had been passed by six NmTC coun-

cils as the Sentinel went to press. The

BCR said the nation “recognizes the

importance of climate change adapta-

tion in order to address the nation’s

current and potential vulnerabilities

to climate change”.

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is

eligible to receive funding from the

CCAP. The BCRs supported a fund-

ing application to the CCAP for

2014-2015 fiscal year that will be

coordinated by NmTC.

NATIONS SUPPORT NEW CLIMATE PROGRAM

From previous page

NEWS


The main reason for the trip to

Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island

during the week before Christmas was

to see the Klahoose First Nation saw-

mill in operation and to talk about the

nation’s large-scale forestry work on

Cortes and in the traditional territory

of the Toba Valley.

But, as so oft en happens when

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council commu-

nities, things got turned on their head.

‘She’ was there. Just about everyone

refers to “Her” or “She” when talking

about the newest addition to the com-

munity.

‘She’ is a chunk of Balsam fi r, about

15 feet long, that was helicoptered,

trucked and barged from Toba to

T’oq (the Klahoose language name for

Squirrel Cove) a few weeks earlier.

Forestry work was going on apace

in Toba with winter shutdown loom-

ing, when ‘She’ was noticed by workers

Rob Reynolds and Keith McCrea. Th ey

work in the woods for Fireball Con-

tracting owned by Klahoose members

Bill Brown and John Reedel.

Th ey spotted a face carved into a

tree and immediately knew it was

something special. Klahoose forestry

manager Kim Olney informed the na-

tion and on Nov. 15, councillor Kathy

Francis and a team of professional and

cultural leaders made way to Yekwa-

men (Toba Inlet).

Th e group made the journey to per-

form a traditional ceremony for the

relocation of the culturally modifi ed

tree (CMT) to T’oq. Except that the tree

is not a normal CMT, but something

known as an arbor glyph (Google that),

a quite unusual fi nd in the forests of

B.C.

Th e Klahoose web site said: “Cultural

leader Norman Harry Sr. and a Tla’amin

cultural leader Erik Blaney witnessed

and performed a ceremony to ensure

cultural protocol was observed. Th e

heartfelt moments before the tree was

harvested was both moving and surreal

on that snowy winter Friday. Needless

to say, the emotional event was a histor-

ical moment for those who witnessed.”

Th e sidelong-looking face is carved

into a balsam in a stand of trees that

had begun growing around perhaps

more than 200 years ago. Th e carving

was done in the late 1800s.

Archaeologist Dr. Quentin Mackie

–qmackie.com – of the University of

Victoria calls such trees “extraordi-

narily rare” and said: “Now that the

Klahoose have created a (web) page

for it, we can all see this remarkable

fi nd. It’s really moving to see the face

being swallowed by the living centu-

ries of healing lobes.”

Th e location of the tree was about

57 kms from the Toba River estuary. It

was removed by helicopter for 30 kms

and from there a crane truck carried

it to the estuary. From there, it was

barged to Squirrel Cove. It now rests

in a specially built shed where it will

dry and cure for several months.

“Th e tree is a signifi cant fi nd for

the Klahoose and continues to prove

our occupation of the land and use of

the area.” said Kathy Francis. “We are

looking forward to housing the fi nd in

our administration building to share

with our membership.”

Chief James Delorme credited a

number of Klahoose members as well

as forestry and helicopter crews who

work for the nation in Toba for bring-

ing ‘Her’ to her new home.

The tree is not a normal CMT, but something known as an arbor glyph, a quite unusual fi nd in the forests of B.C.

‘SHE’ TELLS THE HISTORY OF KLAHOOSE

PHOTOS Above left: Erik Blaney and Norman Harry Sr. Above right: Kathy Francis and Tracy Dimitrov with the tree.

NEWS


Late December was special in many ways

for Devin Pielle of Sliammon First Nation.

She celebrated a birthday and enjoyed her fi rst

Christmas with her baby daughter.

Th is is what she told her friends on Face-

book: “Th ank you everyone for your birthday

wishes! I feel so loved. I’m not sure if it’s be-

cause I’m 22, because I get to celebrate with

Amaya for the fi rst time or because the fi nal

edit of the documentary is done! But I have

cried many happy tears today, lol. Th ank you

again.”

Th e documentary she referred to was “We

Are Still Here”, part of a Canada-wide project

called Resonating Reconciliation. Th e radio

program was made for Powell River’s commu-

nity radio station CJMP. She was assisted by

Shelby George, Courtney Harrop, Emma Bell

and Zoë Ludski.

Th e program refl ected the stories of six

Tla’Amin survivors of the residential school

experience and two others fi ghting for lan-

guage revitalization. Th e Sliammon commu-

nity turned out for a special preview of the

radio documentary on Dec. 21 at the Salish

Center gym.

Resonating Reconciliation is a project that

engages community radio stations to help rec-

oncile all Canadians with the history of resi-

dential schools and to provide a lasting record

of survivors’ experiences. It also is designed to

help build grassroots skills among communi-

ty-based broadcasters in respectful reporting

on the ongoing legacy of residential schools.

Music heard in the documentary was by the

Cheech Lem Chi Chia Canoe Family.

Listen to a podcast of the program at http://

podcast.cjmp.ca.

Th ree Naut’sa mawt Tribal Coun-

cil nations held council elections re-

cently with leadership at two being

re-elected.

At Malahat, on Jan. 13, Chief Coun-

cillor David Michael Harry as well as

councillors Russell Harry and Dean

Harry was voted in again. A fourth

councillor, Tom Harry, was also elect-

ed because of the rise in population at

the nation since the last election.

“Th e last four years we have not

had time to talk about what we have

done, we have only had time to de-

liver progress,” Chief Harry said. “It

has been amazing progress for us all

moving together.”

On Jan. 14, Snaw-naw-as (Na-

noose) voters returned Chief David

Bob along with councillors Brent Ed-

wards, Lawrence Mitchell, Gordon

Edwards and Natasha Bob.

In December, voters at Snuney-

muxw (Nanaimo) elected former

Chief John Wesley in a close vote in

which he defeated Douglas White III.

Councillors elected included James

Seward, Erralyn Th omas, Michael

Wyse, Paul Wyse-Seward and Wil-

liam Yoachim.

Stz’uminus members voted over-

whelmingly to reassume jurisdiction

of their lands on Dec. 5.

A total of 96 per cent of registered

voters said a resounding ‘Yes’ to a

framework agreement on First Na-

tion Land Management (FNLM). Th e

vote in favour of land

governance means that

the nation is now ready

to regain control over

1,200 acres of lands on

four reserves and their

resources.

Th e nation, with

about 1,300 members,

has been talking about

FNLM and its implications for more

than a year. Crucial to the success

vote was the work of a communica-

tions committee that held meetings

for the entire community as well as

with families to inform them about

what FNLM means.

At the same time, the economic

development company owned by

Stz’uminus, Coast Salish Develop-

ment Corp, held a series of high-

profi le events that attracted business

and political leaders from First Na-

tions around BC and neighbouring

communities.

One of those

who attended was

Chief Robert Lou-

ie of Westbank

First Nation. Aft er

getting news of

the vote, he said:

“I am extremely

pleased for the

Stz’uminus com-

munity who overwhelmingly voted in

favour of their land code. I off er chief

and council and the Stz’uminus com-

munity my heartiest congratulations!

I am confi dent that with Stz’uminus

land management jurisdiction, they

will succeed in every respect at the

highest level. Well done Stz’uminus!”

Devin Pielle resonates on radio

STZ’UMINUS LAND VOTE “YES”

THREE NATIONS ELECT LEADERS

Chief John Wesley

With Stz’uminus land management jurisdic-tion, they will succeed in every respect at the highest level.

NEWS


Some of the best examples of Naut’sa

mawt (working together as one) have

come at the workshops and other net-

working events that have been held

over the years. Whether it is gover-

nance, housing, comprehensive com-

munity planning or other topics, peo-

ple fi nd that getting together to share

ideas and experiences in valuable in a

number of ways.

Th e most recent example of this ex-

change took place in December at a

gathering of the housing networking

team. Housing, capital works and other

staff from several Naut’sa mawt Tribal

Council members, as well as guests

from Cowichan and Penelakut nations,

gathered for the daylong session in

Vancouver.

At the top of the agenda was a pre-

sentation made by Rick Sabiston, se-

nior capital advisor from Aboriginal

Aff airs and Northern Development

Canada (AANDC). He spoke about the

new approach to housing in the BC Re-

gion that is on tap in the coming year.

“What we’re doing here today could

very well eff ect new national housing

policies in next few years,” Sabiston

said.

Th e new approach was developed

from a series of nation-to-nation dia-

logue sessions with AANDC during

2013 and will be rolled out during the

coming year. “It is application based as

opposed to the existing continual hous-

ing subsidy model,” he said. Th e new

initiative will run concurrently with

the old model over next two years and

it will be assessed during that period.

“We are trying to get First Nations

to have a direct role in the applications

rather than just hiring a consultant,”

Sabiston said. Th e application will also

be the basis for reporting to AANDC.

He signaled out Malahat First Nation

where new homes were built for about

$100,000 each when he talked about

“the creative discussions in alterna-

tive fi nancing methods and alternative

housing designs”.

Th e new approach should provide

fl exibility for nations’ housing along

with a certainty of commitment from

AANDC, Sabiston said. “Current sub-

sidy programs push you into a box. Th e

new program provides certainty.”

Th e housing discussions held by

AANDC has generated conversations

that we’ve never had before,” he said,

adding that learning took place on all

sides. Such as:

• “As soon as council steps out of

the picture, housing policies begin to

work” and

• “Success depends upon whether a

nation sees housing as an asset or hous-

ing as a liability.”

“We are not trying to sell you on this

new approach,” Sabiston said. “It has to

work for you.” But he added, “Th e an-

swers are here in this room”.

“What we’re doing here today could very well effect new national housing policies in next few years”

NETWORKING WORKS ON HOUSING

Chief Gordon Planes (far left) talks housing with other team members.

Next workshop – Feb. 19The First Nations Market Housing Fund will be on the agenda at the next NmTC housing networking team meeting at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo on Feb. 19.The fund is the fi rst of its kind to support fi nancing arrangements for hous-ing on reserve and settlement lands, while respecting the communal owner-ship of reserve land. Building on the expertise and success of innovative First Nations communities and fi nancial institutions, the fund is a new approach, providing easier access to homeownership, rental and renovation loans in First Nations communities. In addition to a presentation about the fund from Earl Commanda, there will also be a group exercise fi lling out an actual application.For more information, please contact Kirstin Sware, NmTC’s assistant project manager, at our Tsawwassen offi ce. Phone 604-943-6712 or toll-free 1-888-382-7711 or email her at [email protected]

NEWS


Carleen Th omas of the Tsleil-Wau-

tuth Nation Sacred Trust made a pre-

sentation on the proposed Kinder Mor-

gan pipeline to Naut’sa mawt Tribal

Council’s board of directors meeting in

late 2013.

Her talk and slide show generated

much discussion around the table as

she explained that Th e Sacred Trust

is mandated to oppose and stop the

Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipe-

line project

On Jan. 15, Canada’s National Energy

Board (NEB) issued an application to

participate notifi cation about the hear-

ing process for the Trans Mountain

Expansion Project. Th ose who wish to

participate in the NEB hearing must

apply to participate. Th e application to

participate is on the NEB’s website at

www.neb-one.gc.ca where you should

click on ‘Major Applications’ and ‘Proj-

ects’ and then ‘Trans Mountain Pipe-

line ULC - Trans Mountain Expansion’.

Applications to participate in the NEB

hearing are due on or before noon on

Feb 12.

“Th is is not just for us, but for ev-

eryone,” Carleen said about Tsleil-

Waututh’s opposition to the project.

“We have to put aside any diff erences

we have. When an oil spill happens, we

will have nothing left to fi ght over… no

salmon or anything else.”

Aft er the presentation, Chief Gor-

don Planes of T’Sou-ke said that he

has heard of other First Nations who

have met with Kinder Morgan and ac-

cepted consultation funding. “Th ey ap-

proached us and we said ‘No, we are not

drinking that Kool-Aid.”

Chief Bryce Williams of Tsawwassen

said: “I already felt passionate about

this issue, but once I saw this presenta-

tion, it is extra confi rmation for me. I

can’t stand this project.”

SACRED TRUST VOWS TO STOP PIPELINE

Th e following article is from the March

2005 edition of Klahowya.

When construction began on

Stz’uminus First Nation’s sewage works in

2003, no one realized that history would

be in the making.

As excavation began around the site of

a pumping station at Shell Beach, the fi rst

artifacts began to be uncovered… a stone

box, tools made of stone and bone, foun-

dations for posts for ancient longhouses.

As work on the project nears comple-

tion several kilometres from Shell Beach

at Kulleet Bay, the community is still

learning about the discoveries that tell a

story of their ancestors from thousands of

years ago.

In all, more than 2,000 artifacts have

been collected. But more importantly, the

remains of over 120 individuals, all iden-

tifi ed as aboriginal, are awaiting reburial

during a special ceremony scheduled for

later this spring.

Archaeologists working for the engi-

neering company who designed the proj-

ect have carbon-dated some of the fi nd-

ings as being about 5,500 years old.

“Th is is a very big thing for us,” said

capital and public works manager George

Harris as he gazed into a pipeline excava-

tion in which four or fi ve skeletal remains

lie.

As the archaeological team clears away

soil and debris with brushes and hand

trowels, nearby community members

work as rakers and screeners, checking

all excavated soil for bone fragments and

artifacts. Heavy machinery and dump

trucks idle on the roadside as the work

painstakingly progresses. Th is is not your

run-of-the-mill highball construction job.

For Lawrence Harris Jr. and Dale Fren-

chy, their work sift ing through the soil has

become a treasure hunt of the fi rst order.

Th ey anticipate their daily fi nds and speak

excitedly about past discoveries.

A small animal bone fragment of an

intricately-carved human face with a

tear drop falling from one eye… an in-

tact stone hearth with remnants of fi res

from before the time of Christ… a green

translucent stone shaped into a wedge

with its edge still almost chisel sharp… a

siltstone carving of a seal… hammers, an-

vils, bowls, clubs, sinkers, anchors, hooks,

harpoons and arrow heads, all tools used

daily by ancestors… and decorative items

made from the bones of bear, wolf, deer,

fi sh and birds.

Archaeologists discovered much about

the ancient Stz’uminus peoples as they

catalogued not only the above artifacts,

but also the remains of the animals with

which they shared their lives… seal and

sea lion, whale, vole, beaver, otter, mar-

mot, elk, deer and grey wolf.

Among the fi nds, a small animal bone fragment of an intricately carved human face with a tear drop falling from one eye.

ANCIENT DISCOVERIES

Left: A foundation for a longhouse.Right: Infrastructure work exposed the ancient articles.

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

LOOK BACK – FEBRUARY


There were tears of joy in the BC

Legislature on Valentine’s Day as the

Tla’amin Treaty was presented to law-

makers for approval.

High school student Ryan Pielle’s

words visibly moved everyone at the

ceremonies. As the young man’s voice

faltered, Les Adams who was Sliam-

mon’s chief in the early 1960s com-

forted him.

The youngest member of Sliam-

mon, one-month-old Tobin Leblanc,

was the star of the show, however. He

was introduced to the crowd by Ab-

original Affairs Minister Ida Chong

and later was cradled in many arms

while sleeping soundly. An admirer

was Premier Christy Clark.

The premier referred to “the peo-

ple who have been here since the ice

age… very much the founders of this

country.” She said the treaty settle-

ment was “making good on our ob-

ligation” to all citizens. “This treaty

represents a commitment to full

inclusion.”

“This treaty represents a commitment to full inclusion.”

TLA’AMIN TREATY SIGNED AT LEGISLATURE

The spirit of Wilson Bob

Th e spirit of Wilson Bob was in the

room on Feb. 26 as the fi ve Te’mexw

treaty nations signed pre-treaty agree-

ments for land with the BC govern-

ment.

Each speaker from the nations hon-

oured the achievements of the late

Snaw-naw-as leader, saying that they

would have liked him to see the results

of 15 years of negotiations. T’Sou-

ke, Scia’new, Songhees, Malahat and

Snaw-naw-as each acquired parcels

of land. Some were transferred im-

mediately with others to follow when

a treaty agreement-in-principle (AIP)

is signed.

“He would have been very proud

to be here today to see this happen,”

Chief David Bob said of Wilson Bob.

Snaw-naw-as acquire two parcels –

one 3 hectares and the other 3.4 hect-

ares – that will be transferred in fee

simple in three years. Malahat acquired

64-hectares immediately and will get a

120-acre parcel next to the fi rst upon

signing the AIP. T’Sou-ke acquired 60

hectares on Broom Hill with another 60

hectares to come with the AIP.

Spring arrives early at T’Sou-ke

Th e fi rst day of spring may be weeks

away for most of us, but at Ladybug

Garden & Greenhouse at T’Sou-ke

First Nation, there are defi nite signs of

a new season.

Christine George, who is the nation’s

administration receptionist, also fi nds

the time to coordinate the activities at

the garden. Christine has produced a

new report entitled Our Traditional

Food Gatherings.

Th e sharp-looking report was pre-

pared for Seedy Saturday in Sooke on

Feb. 23. Ladybug is one of the ‘veteran’

vendors at the four-year-old event at

the community hall that celebrates lo-

cal foods. As Ladybug sells its plants, it

also tells people about the all-inclusive

T’Sou-ke vision for sustainability.

LOOK BACK – FEBRUARY


Wilson Bob would have been very proud to be here today to see this happen.

LOOK BACK – MARCH


The blessings were bountiful for

the new Snaw-naw-as health centre

on March 15 as a special ceremony

was held for community members.

After the cleansing, Chief David Bob

said the building was a new home for

community members. “This place has

character. It stands out on its own. It

belongs to Snaw-naw-as. It belongs to

us. As of today, it is ours.”

It has been 16 months since the

ground was broken for the $2 million

facility that will offer modern treat-

ments and traditional healing meth-

ods. The 4,000-square-foot health

centre is located on the hillside over-

looking Nanoose Bay and is adjacent

to the Tsow-tun Le Lum treatment

centre.

“We built this place, but we can’t

make you come,” told community

members. “I hope you will all utilize

it. If it wasn’t for all of you, this build-

ing wouldn’t be here.”

Chief Bob said that the centre’s lo-

cation and layout was intentional in

order to make sure that it would be

well used. “We eliminated the excuse

that there will be no privacy. If you

want to, you can make an appoint-

ment and they will be able to let you

in the back door.

“This place has character. It stands out on its own. It belongs to Snaw-naw-as. It belongs to us. As of today, it is ours.”

SNAW-NAW-AS HEALTH CENTRE COMPLETE

We built this place, but we can’t make you come. I hope you will all utilize it. If it wasn’t for all of you, this building wouldn’t be here.

New library for Halalt

Books – both paper and digital – fi ll the new library that had

its grand opening at Halalt First Nation on March 13. Th ere

are 1,750 books, to be exact. But already some people are talk-

ing about expanding the facility for which Halalt and its neigh-

bours Lyackson are all so proud.

Th e library is at the edge of the trees between the health and

daycare centres on the main Halalt reserve about midway be-

tween the towns of Duncan and Chemainus. Th e project is the

result of the partnership between BC’s Lieutenant Governor’s

offi ce and Rotary Clubs.

BC’s new Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon has taken

the work to heart. During her remarks to a crowd in the for-

mer Halalt school building, she said more libraries are in the

pipeline.

New housing for Malahat Nation members

Th ere are 24 people living in new homes at Malahat First Na-

tion and more housing units are on the way. Th at is evidence of

“a commitment to make housing a priority for the community,”

says Councillor Dean Harry.

Four of the two-storey, single-family homes are along Jesken

Road in the upper part of the community. Th ey were all built

under the traditional Canada Mortgage and Housing Corpora-

tion (CMHC) program. Th e fi ft h was self-fi nanced by a com-

munity member.

Land deal for Snuneymuxw

Snuneymuxw First Nation has taken ownership of large sec-

tions of forest lands near Nanaimo and made other deals with

the BC government that is expected to lead to both economic

and job opportunities for the nation.

Th e government termed the deal a “reconciliation agreement”

when Chief Doug White and Aboriginal Relations Minister

Ida Chong got together for the announcement in Nanaimo on

March 27. Th e long-awaited agreement sees 877 hectares (2,100

acres) of land in the Mt. Benson area west of Nanaimo trans-

ferred to Snuneymuxw. Also announced was the transfer of a

small but culturally important piece of property in Departure

Bay.

In signing the deal, the province recognized an 1854 treaty

with the the Saalequun Trib of whom the Snuneymuxw people

are successors.

Chief Douglas White III said: “Th is agreement… is a positive

step forward in our relationship with the province. It builds on

many years of eff ort by our elders, leaders, and members who

have stood in a strong and principled manner in trying to forge

a better future for our children and youth.

LOOK BACK – MARCH


Chief Doug White

Dean Harry at his new home.

Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon and Chief James Thomas.

WE ARE COAST SALISH


Coast Coast WE ARE

YOUTHOUR

Whether they are enjoying fresh foods from the sea, taking part in canoe races, inspecting fi sh from our riv-ers or marching in the annual Coast Salish Games, our chil-dren are connecting with our culture and traditions.

WE ARE COAST SALISH


Coast SalishSalishSalish

OURCULTURE

Photos from the past decade show our culture is strong. Right: master canoe carver Elmer Sampson of Stz’uminus works on a project. Be-low left: Stz’uminus drummers in a canoe welcome the Olympic torch to Ladysmith. Below right: Murray Mitchell of Sliammon meets Maori relatives on the Salish Sea. Bottom, the Snaw-naw-as community tries carving when the Spirit Pole visits for the 2008 Indigenous Games.

Th ere were a few surprises in

store on April 25 when leaders

from First Nations, local gov-

ernments and business attended

the Power In Numbers event at

Stz’uminus First Nation. And the

big one came fi rst.

Chief John Elliott and Don Hub-

bard, operations manager for RCR

Mining, kicked off the standing-

room-only event by signing a

memorandum of understanding

(MOU) for what could become a

major revenue generator for the

nation in the years to come. Th e

proposed Sognidoro mine, west

of Ladysmith in Stz’uminus tra-

ditional territory, had the poten-

tial to produce minerals, jobs and

wealth for many generations.

For Chief Elliott, the MOU

was “an opportunity to build a

partnership”. And that was pre-

cisely the sort of relationship

that the second annual Power In

Numbers was all about.

‘Mr. Positive’ – Th ere are many things the leader of a small

First Nation can be called, but the name oft en used to refer to

the chief of Klahoose First Nation, James Delorme, is a pretty

good one.

He is starting his second term following the nation’s vote for

chief and council on Saturday, April 13. Th e message he sent out

on Twitter that evening shows a bit of his attitude. “A big eff ort

by all the candidates at the Klahoose general election. Th e next

council is: Mavis Kok, Kathy Francis and Kevin Peacey. Yes!!!”

Th e voting was really just for members of council. Delorme

had been acclaimed chief more than a month before when

no one else was nominated to run against him. Not bad for a

Cree kid whose people are from Cowessess First Nation in

Saskatchewan.

LOOK BACK – APRIL


Cross-country support for Halalt

Dirty hands, a green thumb and new careers

It was a rainy April day at the community garden

at Snaw-naw-as First Nation, but the dozen youth

from through Vancouver Island did not seem to

mind. Many knelt in garden beds, planting vege-

tables. Others made a trek to the beach along Na-

noose Bay to gather truckloads of seaweed to be

used as mulch and fertilizer. A few sat dry inside

the gazebo, shelling hazelnuts and walnuts for

roasting.

Th e day was a hands-on-and-get-dirty part of

a 16-week program designed to introduce First

Nation youth to potential careers in agriculture

and the agri-food industry. “I am particularly

excited about this program,” said Natasha Bob

from Snaw-naw-as. She is the leader of the Na-

naimo Youth Services Association project that

is supported by the First Nations Agriculture

Association.

Big numbers for Stz’uminus

Chief James Delorme drums at Klahoose.

Planting garlic… with a beat.

Chief John Elliots signs the mining MOU.

Powerful support is coming Halalt First Nation’s way as it awaits the Su-

preme Court of Canada decision on its leave to appeal application over the

Chemainus River aquifer case.

Th e Union of BC Indian Chiefs council has passed a resolution in sup-

port for Halalt’s asserting Aboriginal rights to groundwater. Th e UBCIC has

joined the offi cial interveners in the case – BC’s First Nations Summit and a

group of Alberta First Nations – in backing the appeal to the country’s high-

est court. Th e Assembly of First Nations has also supported Halalt in the

legal battle.

Halalt fi led its appeal documents to the court in late January. It should

take “three or four months” for the court to announce its leave to appeal

decision.

Election another step for ‘Mr. Positive’

Bannock battle on menu for Malahat

A fried bread competition, raffl es,

seeking sponsors and a whole lot of pad-

dling. Th ose are just a few of the things

on the agenda as Malahat First Nation

prepares to take part in its fi rst Tribal

Journey – Paddle to Quinault.

“Our community is very interested

and excited about this journey,” said

Randy Daniels, the nation’s language

and culture coordinator. “We have 20

adults and 12 youth signed up for the

Tribal Journey. Some have paddled and

trained before and for some this is their

fi rst time on a canoe.”

Paddlers have been getting into shape

– and into synch with one another –

through daily aft ernoon workouts. Ev-

ery Wednesday, the community gets to-

gether for potluck dinners at the canoe

shed.

Support is also coming from neigh-

bouring nations. At a recent practice,

George Seymour of Stz’uminus First

Nation attended to share his long expe-

rience as a paddler on racing canoes as

well as on past journeys.

LOOK BACK – MAY


“Th e revitalization of ocean culture

through canoes is coming to life.”

Th at is Guy Capoeman speaking about

Paddle to Quinault, the 2013 version of

the annual Tribal Journey. He is the proj-

ect coordinator for the Journey that will

end at his nation, more than 100 kilome-

ters south of Neah Bay on the west coast

of the Olympic Peninsula, in late July.

Ocean-going canoes from several

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council nations will

join about 100 others that will journey

to Quinault Indian Nation this summer.

Th ey will travel from Bella Coola, along

the west coast of Vancouver Island and

through the Salish Sea. Paddlers from

Sliammon, Snuneymuxw and Malahat

will join the Journey as it heads south,

meeting their relations from Puget Sound

in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Th e T’Sou-ke First Nation canoe will

cross the strait, landing near Port An-

geles for the last legs of the voyage, west

to Makah and the open Pacifi c Ocean,

and then south, visiting the tribal com-

munities of Ozette, Quileute, Hoh River

and Queets before the fi nal landing at

Quinault.

“The revitalization of ocean culture through canoes is coming to life.”

PADDLE TO QUINAULT

Another journey begins for Leah

Th is morning (May 22), a long

journey will end and another will

begin for Leah George-Wilson of

Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

Last night, she posted this

message on Facebook: “Th ink-

ing about tomorrow because I’ll

be walking across the stage to ac-

cept my law degree!! – feeling ex-

cited at Tsleil-Waututh… where

my ancestors are.”

She explained that she had

fi nished the degree at the Uni-

versity of BC’s law school last

December, but since there were

no graduation ceremonies for th

winter term, she had to wait un-

til today. “It kinda seems unreal

because the stress from exams

is long over. Of course, articling

(training with a law fi rm) brings

its own stress.”

Leah was the fi rst female chief

elected at Tsleil-Waututh in 2001.

She also won elections in 2005

and 2007 and returned to school

aft er her unsuccessful 2009 cam-

paign. She previously earned a

bachelor degree in anthropology

from Simon Fraser University.

This huge pole was erected at Quinault at the end of the Journey.Randy Daniels and George Seymour.

LOOK BACK – JUNE


Another geoduck battle is brewing

today as the Stz’uminus community

prepares for the harvest of the pricey

shellfish in Kulleet Bay. Chief John

Elliott, who is barred by an injunc-

tion has warned that he will be forced

“to stand up for what is right”.

That came in a letter to the federal

fisheries minister, Keith Ashfield,

sent late last week after Stz’uminus

learned more details of the planned

geoduck harvest by members of the

Underwater Harvesters Association.

“The monopoly the UHA holds

over this resource is not an effort

of sustainability and conservation;

rather it is a profiteering scheme

that has gone on long enough,” El-

liott wrote about the UHA in his

letter.

The injunction against the chief

was sought by the UHA after the

2010 blockade of the commercial

fishery within sight of homes on the

reserve. More than 100 turned out in

boats and along the beach, frustrating

geoducks divers and the RCMP until

the harvest was called off.

More than 100 turned out in boats and along the beach, frustrating geoducks divers and the RCMP.

GEODUCK PROTEST LOOMSVictory on the shores of Kulleet Bay.

The monopoly the UHA holds over this resource is not an effort of sustainability and conservation; rather it is a profi teering scheme that has gone on long enough.

“Grave concern” and praise over pipelines

Tsleil-Waututh Nation – Th e People of the Inlet – has

praised the BC government’s stand on the northern En-

bridge pipeline while laying out its worries over Kinder

Morgan’s plans for an oil sands pipeline in its own backyard.

Chief Maureen Th omas said: “Today we raise our hands

to Premier Clark and the Government of BC for making

the right decision.” Th at comment came aft er BC said that

it does not support Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project –

from Alberta to Kitimat – because it has not been able to

address the province’s concerns about the environment.

But she also scolded Kinder Morgan’s plans to triple oil

storage tank capacity in Burnaby, directly across Burrard

Inlet from her nation, and the company’s plans to signifi -

cantly expand its Westridge Marine terminal. “Kinder Mor-

gan’s plans should concern us all,” she said.

New Tsawwassen chief looks ahead

Tsawwassen First Nation Chief Bryce Williams thanked

his community for participating in the third general elec-

tion in Tsawwassen First Nation’s self-governing history af-

ter he won a re-run of last year’s vote.

“I appreciate that the last several months have been a try-

ing time for our community,” he said. “We have continued

to move forward in the face of uncertainty and tragedy.

Now that this election is over, we look forward to healing

and getting on to the important tasks at hand.”

He said at the top of the list was “building a sustainable

economy and revenue base to secure a healthy, promising

future for our community. I wish to thank the 73 per cent

of eligible Tsawwassen members who took the time to vote

and participate in building their community.”

LOOK BACK – JUNE


“That’s the way to do it,” Chief Gordon Planes says of the cooking salmon at the water blessing ceremony on the beach at Siaosun.

Chief Bryce Williams

The T’Sou-ke community hosted a water blessing cer-

emony on the beach at Siaosun on June 22 with many young

members as well as six guests from England and other coun-

tries.

As the morning mist was burned away, people gathered

at the waterside, their bellies full from a feast that included

fresh Spring salmon, crab, chowder and salad from the na-

tion’s Ladybug Nursery.

Shirley Alphonse guided the ceremony as Chief Gordon

Planes beat the drum. Cedar branches were dipped into

waters from around the world and prayers were said by ev-

eryone, acknowledging the connectedness of all things. At

the same time, a similar ceremony was taking place at the

Tanashi Shinto temple in Tokyo, Japan where several people

from T’Sou-ke had visited four years ago.

The day was in recognition of National Aboriginal Day on

Friday and in honour of a Shinto priest who died earlier this

year. It began with a smudge ceremony and prayer. Then the

young people were off down the beach, helping to gather

clams as adults cooked crab and prepared salmon for cook-

ing in the traditional way, on cedar sticks above a maple fire.

IN THE WATER,A BLESSING

LOOK BACK – JULY


Races about many things

Th e annual war canoe races that take

place around the Salish Sea every sum-

mer are about many things… competi-

tion, family, the elders, the traditional

arts of canoe carving and much more.

Th at was the case last weekend when

Tsleil-Waututh Nation hosted its an-

nual Whey-ah-Wichen Canoe Festival.

Whey-ah-Wichen is the Tsleil-Wau-

tuth name for Cates Park in North

Vancouver. Th e backdrop for the races,

hosted by Th e People of the Inlet, was

the ‘oil tank farms’ of Kinder Mor-

gan and Chevron across the water in

Burnaby. Hundreds of race visitors

from Washington State, Vancouver Is-

land and around the Lower Mainland

were able to see fi rst hand what worries

Tsleil-Waututh about bitumen from Al-

berta being shipped through its waters.

Erik’s fast boat

Rapid response… that pretty well

sums up both Erik Blaney and his boat.

Erik’s new business – I’Hos Cultural

Tours based in Lund – takes culturally-

inspired tours throughout Desolation

Sound in the traditional territory of

Sliammon First Nation.

Tourists get on board his pride and

joy, a fast Zodiac Hurricane powered

by twin 150 hp Yamaha outboards. Th e

speedy rigid-hull infl atable boat that

travels upwards of 42 knots also allows

him to carry out other work.

He is coordinator of the Tla’amin

Guardian Watchmen program, part of a

First Nations network that protects cul-

turally sensitive sites along the BC coast.

He also does work for the provincial

government, including BC Parks. Th is

summer, he also ferried archeologists

from Simon Fraser University as they

explored sites in Sliammon’s territory.

He shoots, Halalt scores

Chief James Th omas showed off

his basketball moves and amazed the

crowd during the grand opening of Ha-

lalt First Nation’s new gymnasium and

community centre.

Aft er a local mayor, a Halalt coun-

cillor and others took the fi rst shots at

the new basketball hoops – and missed

– he calmly walked to the three-point

line and let loose his unique two-hand-

ed overhead shot. Th e ball swished

through the net and the crowd erupted

in cheers.

“I haven’t shot a basketball in years,”

the chief said aft er his performance.

It was a fi tting end to a perfect day.

It was National Aboriginal Day, aft er

all, and local dignitaries as well as First

Nation leaders from throughout Mid-

Vancouver Island turned out. So did

the people for whom the $2 million

structure was built, people of all ages

from the Halalt community.

Hanuse from Klahoose

Th e annual Cortes Island Music Fes-

tival takes place on the northern Salish

Sea this weekend. And two Klahoose

First Nation members named Hanuse

will be at centre stage.

Th ere’s Ken Hanuse, who is oft en seen

at community events in and around his

nation, opening ceremonies with his

drum and a song. Th en there’s his neph-

ew Johnny. Th e singer-songwriter will

be performing on stage at 1 p.m. Sun-

day. “Th ere are so many talented people

on Cortes it’s crazyyy,” the festival said of

MUSIC, SPORTS & A NEW BUSINESS

Paddlers at the Whey-ah-Wichen Canoe Festival race through the water in North Vancouver.

Erik Blaney

LOOK BACK – AUGUST


Johnny’s addition to the lineup.

When Klahowya last spoke to Johnny,

he was heading from his T’oq home,

leaving Cortes for the bright lights of

Victoria and the bachelor of fi ne art at

Camosun College’s Landsdowne cam-

pus. Now, a year later, life is changing

again for Johnny.

“Sooooo, it looks like I found myself

as an intern for the Ministry of Environ-

ment--BC Parks, for a year!” he told his

Facebook friends on July 12.

Marina makes waves

Klahoose First Nation may learn this

week what the Strathcona Regional Dis-

trict thinks of its plans for a marina at

Squirrel Cove. Not that it particularly

cares.

Th e SRD board is due to make a de-

cision on a rezoning bylaw following a

public hearing on Cortes Island on July

24. But even before that meeting, Chief

James Delorme sent a blistering letter to

the regional district saying, in part: “Th e

SRD Board and its committee have sul-

lied the process by inferring Klahoose

First Nation would use intimidation and

coercion to sway public opinion.”

Th e Klahoose Resort Limited Partner-

ship, wholly owned by the nation through

its Qathen Xwegus Management Corpo-

ration, has already received provincial

and federal approvals for its plan to build

a world-class marina at Squirrel Cove.

QXMC says it “considers the marina

project an asset to self-suffi ciency, and

has dedicated many hours of planning to

create a secure investment for our future”.

Coast Salish youth learn soccer skills from a Whitecap player.Johnny Hanuse

Th e stars came out for hundreds of young

Coast Salish soccer players this week.

Th ey got tips from the pros as Vancouver

Whitecaps players and coaches came to La-

dysmith for the second annual Hope and

Health soccer extravaganza. Th e event was

designed to reach children in care through

the partnership with Kw’umut Lelum

Child and Family Services and Lalum’utul

Smun’eem Child and Family Services.

Dancers from Snuneymuxw and Co-

wichan Tribes led the Whitecaps in a

moving ‘Evening of Champions’ open-

ing ceremony at the amphitheatre at

Transfer Beach that overlooked the

traditional territory of Stz’uminus First Na-

tion.

Th e next day, about 300 players were

hosted by the ‘Caps in a day fi lled with

soccer skills, drills and games as well

as coaching and goalkeeper clinics. But

the centre of attention, especially for the

younger players, was the Whitecaps’ pop-

ular mascot Spike.

Soccer stars came out

Three canoes, one goal

Paddlers from three nations

took their canoes on a journey

from the past into the future, trav-

elling from Orford Bay in Bute

Inlet, the original Homalco vil-

lage, to Squirrel Cove, the home of

Klahoose, and to Sliammon nation.

It is said the Coast Salish tribes

Sliammon, Homalco, and Klahoose

are at a crucial point when it comes to

preserving the traditional language.

All three nations speak the same dia-

lect and there are only a dozen fluent

speakers among the communities.

Imagine heavy rain, lightning, and

thunder smothering you before you

even enter the canoe for your jour-

ney. The two canoes that started from

Orford Bay go by the name of Cheech

Lem Chi Chia, which means dancing

grandmother. The other canoe’s name

is Gunnos, a cedar dugout that was

created in the vision of the late Chief

Joe Mitchell. He wanted a canoe for

the youth to enjoy the waters of the

coast.

Stz’uminus plans ahead 20 years

Most people know Stz’uminus First

Nation for its presence along the

Trans Canada Highway just north of

Ladysmith. But blink and you will

miss two of the nation’s main revenue

earners, the Husky gas station and

A&W.

Now imagine it is 2033. Those two

businesses may still be there (if any-

one is still using gas!). So too will be

a new community of 1,000 homes

and about 130,000 square feet of re-

tail and office space, not to mention a

200-room resort hotel, a marina and

an assisted living facility.

The 20-year plan to build the

Oyster Bay Development is another

large-scale initiative from a Naut’sa

mawt Tribal Council nation that will

affect not only community members,

but also entire regions, much like the

industrial, retail and housing projects

at Tsawwassen First Nation.



Travelling to the territories.

It is said that the Coast Salish tribes Sliammon, Homalco, and Klahoose are at a crucial point when it comes to preserving the traditional language.



From the Aug. 1, 2013 online edition

of Klahowya.

Th e Tla’amin treaty could be de-

layed up to one year thanks to what its

chief negotiator is calling a “Dumb and

Dumber” situation over fi nancial bor-

rowing requirements for treaty nations.

“It’s kind of insulting,” Roy Francis

said of Sliammon First Nation learn-

ing of a hold-up in Canada approving

the treaty settlement legislation, six

months aft er BC’s lawmakers okayed

the deal and it was sent to Ottawa.

At the heart of the matter is a treaty

nation’s ability to borrow money – at

low rates similar to a municipality –

in order to improve its infrastructure.

Sliammon, for example, wants to bor-

row millions of dollars in order to im-

prove its maxed-out water and sewer

system and to build a proper govern-

ment house for the fl edgling nation. As

an Indian Act nation, it could have bor-

rowed from the First Nations Finance

Authority (FNFA).

But a treaty nation, such as both

Sliammon and Tsawwassen, has to

fi rst meet the requirements of the First

Nations Fiscal and Statistical Manage-

ment Act. Th e FNFA says: “In the case

of Aboriginal governments that are not

established under the Indian Act, en-

abling regulations may be required”.

“Th e solution is for us to rewrite our

fi nancial administration laws,” Fran-

cis said. “Th ey think that aft er treaty,

we could create a law saying we don’t

have to repay any loans. So, we have to

come up with something that will be

reviewed by FNFA. Th en Sliammon

could become a certifi able borrower.”

Now the average First Nation mem-

ber probably does not care much about

such things. In fact, many would prob-

ably ask: “Why do we need to borrow

money anyway?”

Here is what the FNFA has to say:

“Good infrastructure is needed to build

safe and healthy communities; it in-

creases the value of land and attracts

the business investments that result in

business opportunities, jobs and pros-

perity. Communities usually require

large amounts of capital to fi nance in-

frastructure projects such as: purchas-

ing land, building roads, bridges, water

and sewer systems, public buildings

and amenities.”

Th e next question a nation’s member

might ask is: “Didn’t anyone see this

coming?”

According to Frank Busch, FNFA’s

director of information and marketing,

the answer is “No”.

“Th is all may have come as a surprise

for some,” he said. “Th is problem was

not really thought of by anybody un-

til recently.” And if it makes First Na-

tion lawmakers feel any better, he adds

treaty settlements are fairly recent and

“When people are doing something

new, there’s going to be little snags.”

Busch thinks it is unfortunate that

forward-thinking nations such as

Sliammon and Tsawwassen have come

up against such a setback. “I wouldn’t

want to see progressive nations like

them get bogged down over something

like this.”

But bogged down they are. In fact,

Tsawwassen, which is facing retail and

residential developments in the hun-

dreds of millions of dollars, has to bor-

row 10-to-20 times that which Sliam-

mon needs to invest in its public works.

“It is very crucial to the development

and growth of any small community

to be able to access low-cost borrow-

ing,” Chief Bryce Williams recently told

Business In Vancouver magazine.

For now, both Naut’sa mawt Tribal

Council nations are prevented from

borrowing from either the FNFA or

BC’s Municipal Finance Authority.

Both organizations access funds from

the world’s money markets and lenders

want to been sure the funds they off er

are safe.

“A secure revenue stream gives com-

fort to the capital markets,” Busch said.

“Capital markets want to see guaran-

tees and they don’t want to see a treaty

nation that could circumvent our Act.

“Everyone has an idea of the solu-

tion, but it is a matter of getting every-

body around the table to sort out juris-

diction,” Busch said. “Regulation has to

be developed at some level.”

“I wouldn’t want to see progressive nations like Sliammon and Tsawwassen get bogged down over something like this.”

TLA’AMIN TREATY DELAY ON “BORROWED TIME”

Roy Francis

Good infrastructure is needed to build safe and healthy communities; it increases the value of land and attracts the business investments that result in business opportunities, jobs and prosperity.

LOOK BACK – SEPTEMBER


Sun’s rays power T’Sou-ke

Gift s from the sun keep on coming for T’Sou-ke First Nation.

On the same day that the nation was named Canada’s fi rst Aborigi-

nal solar community, word came of a $175,000 award for its com-

mercial greenhouse project. So, T’Sou-ke will soon be producing

electricity and hot water from the sun as well as using its rays to

grow food for international markets as well as southern Vancouver

Island.

“We are setting the table for future generations,” Chief Gordon

Planes told a group of municipal and provincial politicians and

other solar friends who gathered in the community hall. “Th ere is

an appetite for change and I really believe that the next generation

is the one that is going to make positive changes.

“Th e Creator provided the resources for us to take care of our-

selves. We are doing that a lot… I see huge opportunity for all of

us and I encourage others to get in the canoe with us to build a

stronger, sustainable economy. All of us can prosper together.

Pole tells an old story

A Stop! sign should be erected beside a

new pole that stands at the entrance to the

boardwalk along the seafront in Croft on.

Th at’s because the pole tells an important

old story from the Halalt First Nation

people about the Th underbird, Watch-

man, Sun and Moon.

Th ere is some irony that the pole,

carved by Harold Joe of Cowichan, stands

beside the latest addition to the $1.8-mil-

lion boardwalk. Th e newest walkways is

named Catalyst Paper Way in honour of

the huge pulp mill that has been aff ecting

the lives of Halalt since it opened more

than 50 years ago.

Th e Halalt First Nation logo shows Xu-

lel-hw, the Watchman Le’lumuxhun hold-

ing the Salmon. Th ere is a Th underbird

S-hwuhwas’us’ on each side of the Watch-

man, symbolizing day and night. Day and

night is identifi ed on the wings of the

Th underbirds by the Sun and the Moon.

Power to the people at T’Sou-ke.

Four people from the Naut’sa mawt

Tribal Council family are among 16

profi led in a new book We Are Born

with the Songs Inside Us: Lives and Sto-

ries of First Nations People in British

Columbia described as “a celebration of

the thoughts and hopes of young First

Nations people living Canada”.

Evan Tlesla Adams of Sliammon,

Kim Kwuntiltunaat Baird of Tsaw-

wassen, John Qap’u’luq Marston of

Stz’uminus and William Yoachim of

Snuneymuxw join former Vancouver

Canuck Gino Odjick and others who

have the strength and discovered ways

to keep themselves fi rmly grounded in

their traditional upbringing while be-

ing successful in the modern world.

Songs Inside Us

LOOK BACK – OCTOBER


Canoes from Tsleil-Waututh Nation, along with

neighbours from Musqueam and Squamish nations,

paddled across Burrard Inlet on Th anksgiving Day, past

oil tankers and other vessels to the waters of Westridge

Marine Terminal. Th at is where Kinder Morgan wants

to ship 850,000 barrels a day of heavy bitumen from Al-

berta’s oil sands.

Th e paddle and ceremony from Whey-ah-Whichen

(Cates Park) on Monday was another event in the

years-long campaign by the nation whose members are

People of the Inlet. Th e canoes could be seen from the

TWN community centre where a new totem known as

Kwel hoy’ stands. Th at pole was raised two weeks ago

and was a gift from Tsleil-Waututh’s Coast Salish neigh-

bours Lummi Nation who is carrying out its own cam-

paign against transport of carbon-rich fuels.

Forest partnership on Cortes

Klahoose First Nation has emerged as a major forest

industry player on the north Salish Sea with word of a

landmark forestry partnership the nation and its Cortes

Island neighbours. Th e Cortes Forestry General Part-

nership recently received community forest tenure for

the 3,700 hectares on the island.

Th at is a tiny forest area compared to the 230,000

hectares that Klahoose manages through its operations

in the Toba Valley. But Chief James Delorme said the

Cortes deal is signifi cant because it has two commu-

nities working closely together toward building an ex-

cellent forestry enterprise. And he credited councillor

Kathy Francis, who was also instrumental in the Toba

agreement, with much of the behind-the-scenes work

on the Cortes partnership.

“Klahoose is overjoyed over the tenure for the Cor-

tes Forestry General Partnership,” Delorme said. “And

once again Kathy, as co-chair of the partnership, has

served both our community and the greater Cortes

community very well.

Kinder Morgan wants to ship 850,000 barrels a day of heavy bitumen from Alberta’s oil sands

to the waters of Westridge Marine Terminal.

DRAWING A LINEIN THE INLET

Raising the pole at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Community Centre. It was a gift from the Lummi Nation.

TFN to build own sewer

Tsawwassen First Nation announced today that it is going

ahead on its own to build a sanitary sewer treatment plant to ser-

vice Tsawwassen Lands. Chief Bryce Williams said the decision

“secures Tsawwassen’s future by ensuring the capacity to provide

sewer services to support Tsawwassen’s growth and development”.

TFN will collaborate with one of Canada’s largest construction

and engineering companies – Maple Reinders – to build a system

that will service the huge residential, retail and industrial proj-

ects at the nation. Today’s announcement eff ectively ends several

years of negotiations with the neighbouring Corporation of Delta

to supply sewage services to the nation. Delta said it could not ac-

commodate TFN’s long-term sewage needs.

“I am delighted to confi rm that TFN is building its own sani-

tary treatment system, and has entered into a contract with a ter-

rifi c partner, Maple Reinders, to design and build the plant,” Chief

Williams said. “TFN carefully explored its options with respect to

the provision of sanitary sewer service and is convinced that this

direction, and our choice of partner, is a sound choice from an

environmental and an economic perspective.”

LOOK BACK – OCTOBER


Ellen White and Geraldine.

Ken Baird at the Tsawwassen First Nation sewage plant in 2008.

Geraldine quietly teaches

Geraldine Manson of Snuneymuxw

First Nation, the fi rst full-time elder-in-

residence at Vancouver Island University,

is using her unique talents to provide guid-

ance and support to both Aboriginal and

other students. Her appointment comes

aft er years of serving her own community

and part-time work at the Nanaimo cam-

pus of the university.

Elders from Snuneymuxw fi rst urged

Geraldine over a decade ago to use her

skills and ingrained compassion to train

as a ‘pre-elder’. Geraldine’s quiet presence

has been felt everywhere, from the coun-

cil table at Snuneymuxw to community

gatherings. For 17 years, she served as the

elders’ coordinator for the community.

Eight years ago, she began to work part-

time at VIU.

Geraldine’s quiet presence has been felt everywhere, from the council table at Snuneymuxw to community gatherings.

LOOK BACK – NOVEMBER


Our nations have been leaders in

clean, green alternative energy proj-

ects. Th is week, the BC government an-

nouncement that $1.3 million has been

put on the table for other nations to

do the same. Sliammon, Homalco and

Klahoose have been earning revenues

for more than fi ve years from their

agreements for the run-of-river hydro

projects in their traditional territories.

In 2009, T’Sou-ke First Nation put

up its solar panels on roofs throughout

the community to generate electricity

and provide hot water. Th is summer

it connected a solar-powered charging

station for electric vehicles outside the

administration building and recently

signed a memorandum of understand-

ing for a huge wind power project in

the nation’s traditional territory.

And speaking of wind, there is Tsleil-

Waututh Nation which invested $2 mil-

lion to form TWN Wind Power almost

three years ago. Th e partnership com-

pany has installed its turbines as far

away as the USA’s Midwest.

OUR NATIONS GO GREENTsleil-Waututh sees future in the wind.

Kwumut Lelum stands out

When Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond,

BC’s independent representative for

children and youth, tabled her report

in the Legislature on Wednesday,

headlines soon followed about mis-

management of $66 million by the

government and the 23 delegated ab-

original agencies (DAAs) throughout

the province.

But hardly noticed on page 42 of the

report was the praise for one DAA,

Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Ser-

vices. William Yoachim, executive di-

rector of Kwumut Lelum spoke about

the report – “When Talk Trumped

Service: A Decade of Lost Opportunity

for Aboriginal Children and Youth in

BC.”

As he talked about the report “expos-

ing a broken system,” he also praised

his organization’s nine First Nations

who have made caring for children

their mandate for more than 15 years.

Turpel-Lafond said: “Some notable

progress has been achieved. Th is in-

cludes Kwumut Lelum Child and Fam-

ily Services that, within six months of

having its completion of comprehen-

sive plans of care tracked by MCFD,

increased its completion rate for plans

for children it serves by 97 per cent.

Th is is in stark contrast to the fi ve per

cent provincial compliance rate for

children in care of the ministry and

DAAs.”

William Yoachim, executive director of Kwumut Leluma.

T’Sou-ke First Nation invested in so-lar panels in 2009 so the community could generate it’s own electricity.

T’Sou-ke First Nation recently signed a memorandum of understanding for a huge wind power project.

LOOK BACK – NOVEMBER


Actor Adam Beach and former Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point drum during a fundraiser for the Kwunew Kwasun Centre in Mill Bay.

Publisher reserves the right to refuse ad copy.

Your ad can only be submitted

by email and must include ei-

ther your phone number and/

or an email address. Ads for

the March issue of the Salish

Sea Sentinel must be submit-

ted by Feb. 15. Send your ad

to [email protected]

BUYSELL

TRADEproducts

Do you have

something to sell,

something you

want to buy or a

service to offer?

To celebrate our new

magazine, we are offering

community members of the

eleven Naut’sa mawt Tribal

Council nations free ads for a limited time.Ads must be 75 words or less.

More than $100,000 was raised for

Malahat First Nation’s cultural resource

centre on Saturday night. But that was

almost a secondary story to what oc-

curred as 400 people gathered in Mill

Bay.

One of the stars of the show – and

there were many stars out for the fund-

raiser for the Kwunew Kwasun centre

whose name means ‘Catch a Star’ – the

former BC Lt. Gov. Steven Point. In a

moving keynote address, he said: “My

dear friends, the barriers between our

communities have been there too long.

“Aboriginal people are no longer in-

visible. We are becoming doctors and

lawyers and movie stars… Th e barriers

between our communities have been

there too long. Aboriginal people are

no longer invisible… these walls begin

to come down. Th ey came down in Eu-

rope… and you know what? Th ey are

starting to come down in Canada. Brick

by brick we’re bringing them down…”

“Aboriginal people are no longer invisible.We are becoming doctors and lawyers and movie stars”

BREAKING DOWN WALLS ONE BOOK AT A TIME

& services

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Salish Sea Trader.

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January/February 2014

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