senk'lip news - december 2016 edition
TRANSCRIPT
SENK’LIP NEWS December- 2016 EDITION - OKANAGAN INDIAN BAND 12420 WESTSIDE ROAD VERNON, BC V1H 2A4 - FREE
SENK’LIP NEWS
Editor: Shaylen Smith
Chief: Byron Louis
Councillors: Lyle Brewer, Barbara (June) Cole, Tim Isaac,
Allan Louis, Coola Louis, Dan Wilson, Raymond
Marchand, Russell Williams and Leland Wilson
Ph: 250-542-4328
Fx: 250-542-4990
Way xast sputaʔ
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
From the Okanagan Indian Band Chief, Council and Staff
Cultural Immersion School students participate in the Re-
membrance Day Celebration on November 11, 2016 at the
OKIB Veterans Monument.
Community Page 2
Okanagan Indian Band Important Numbers CUT AND PLACE ON YOUR FRIDGE!
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: Emergency OKIB Volunteer Fire Dept. Water Buildings Main Band Office Toll Free Administration Education/Training Human Resources Membership Finance Health Social Development and Training Head of the Lake Hall New Horizons Snc’c’amalta?tn Daycare and School Cultural Immersion School Public Works and Housing/Lands Territorial Stewardship/Research
911 250-542-9212 250-308-8075 250-306-1363 250-542-4328 1-866-542-4328 250-542-5094 250-558-3706 250-558-1414 250-545-2402 250-545-3800 250-260-3616 250-542-3444 250-542-7132
Council Meetings Schedule
Regular Scheduled Meetings
First Tuesday of the Month: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Second Tuesday of the Month: 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Third Tuesday of the Month: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Changes to the schedule and community meetings/emergency
meetings will be communicated to the membership in the fol-
lowing ways:
www.okib.ca
www.facebook.com/OkanaganBand
www.twitter.com/OkanaganBand
Process
All requests to be added to the Chief and Council’s agenda must be sub-
mitted to the Executive Director by Wednesday at 4:30pm the week be-
fore the next meeting. Agenda items are reviewed and approved by the
Executive Director and Chief on Thursday afternoon. Contact Stacy Yow,
Executive Assistant to Council: 250-542-4328 ext. 210, or by email at
OKIB members, if you have moved, please update your address with
Membership at 250-542-5094
Community Engagement Page 3
Socio-Economic
Survey - UPDATE
If you recently filled out an online
socio-economic survey with the
Territorial Stewardship Depart-
ment, please contact Fabian Alexis
to receive your gift certificate for
participating.
Notices were distributed to the 116
randomly selected households, but
as the survey was anonymous par-
ticipants are requested to follow up
and contact the TSD.
Fabian Alexis
Rev 6 Project Manager
Okanagan Indian Band
T: 250 542-7132
M: 250 308-8559
Membership Input
OKIB members are the most qualified and concerned with the protection, preservation and manage-ment of our lands. Over the next two years, Chief and Council will be working with the community on developing a Land Code and negotiate an Individual Agreement which will be ratified by the member-ship.
Plan of Action – Land Code Initiative
Chief and Council are committed to inform membership of the developmental process for Okanagan Indian Band Land Code.
FNLM Resource Centre
There are currently 65 First Nation communities across Canada who have successfully ratified their Land Codes under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
For more information, please contact:
Our Plan of Action is to communicate details on:
Framework Agreement on FNLM
Land Code development process
Individual Agreement negotiations
Inform membership by way of:
Mail-out: Bulletins, Flyers, Notices
Newsletters
Information Meetings
Website
Mandate of Chief and Council:
To fully inform membership
Obtain direction from membership
Nothing will be finalized without membership approval
Okanagan Indian Band
12420 Westside Road
Vernon, BC V1H 2A4
250-542-4328/ 1-866-542-4328
www.okib.ca
FNLM Resource Centre
Angie Derrickson
FNLM Support Technician
250-469-1675
www.labrc.com
Our unique culture, identity, traditions, language and institutions are rooted in our special relationship to our lands and resources.
Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) is committed to protecting and controlling our lands, which are of the utmost importance to our culture and our future.
Purpose
Currently, the Federal Government has the ultimate authority for managing OKIB reserve lands pursuant to the provisions of the Indian Act.
The purpose of First Nation Land Management (FNLM) and the development of a Land Code is to enable OKIB to develop our own rules and proce-dures to ensure the best possible use, management, and occupation of OKIB reserve lands for OKIB and its members.
Land Code Process
The Land Code would empower OKIB to control and manage our reserve lands. This includes the jurisdiction to make laws regarding land use and management, conservation and protection of OKIB reserve lands.
The Framework Agreement is a First Nation driven initiative
Land Code is developed and ratified to reflect OKIB laws, priorities, traditions, and ways of doing things
All voting members both on and off reserve are involved in ratification
Nothing is finalized without community ratification via referendum
The fiduciary relationship to the crown is retained, except the land management transferred to OKIB control
OKIB reserve land continues to be land reserved for Indians within the meaning of section 91(24) of the Constitutional Act of 1867. Constitu-
tional protections are retained
Treaty and aboriginal rights are not affected; Not a Treaty
Canada is still responsible to correct past wrongs (not including land claims) that occurred on OKIB reserve lands before the land code takes effect
No expropriation by the federal or provincial governments of reserve lands
Continued protection of individual band member and third party in-terest’s
Okanagan Indian Band First
Nation Land Management
Language Nest Page 4
E hee-a-thinaugh checkwook “tl” ap il skwook “tl” eelt
I’ll “tl” ghugh “tl” hap.
The sun rising over the hill on the fawn and the older people.
OKIB Language Nest
We have two sessions at the Language Nest, our first session is for
our 0-3 years old and begins at 9am-Noon and our second session
is for preschools and begins at Noon-3pm.
We are currently FULL for our first session and we have two open
spots for our second session.
For the month of November the children are learning all about
“inca” (me)
What is your name? Swit askist
My name is… iskist Brielle
Parents – mother and father
mother for girl –tum, mother for boy - Skuy –
father for girl mistm – father for boy lʔiw
Body parts – head, eyes, nose, mouth and ears
casyaqn, nk xƛustn, spsaqs, splimcn, tntinaʔ uɬ tinaʔ
For the month of December we will continue to add on family, body
parts colors and animals.
Our program is offering Traditional Parenting and Tupa’s Kitchen,
and continuing with Language Nights. Everyone Welcomed, bring
your slaxts!
If there is something you would like to suggest or learn from our pro-
grams please, contact us at the Language Nest contact listed below.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or are interested in enrolling
your child/ren please contact Danielle Saddleman or Marnie
Gregoire at 250-503-5593 or email [email protected]
Way’ Xast Sputa!!! From the Language Nest Staff
Danielle, Marnie, Crystal, Pauline, Virginia, Adam!
Free Nsyilxen Language Classes
in the OKIB Community
Tuesday’s 5pm-6pm with Mary Louis. (Beginners ONLY) at the Immersion School for more information please call the Immersion School @ 250-260-3616
Thursday’s 5:30pm-7:30 with Adam Gregoire – at the Lan-guage Nest for more information please call the Language Nest @ 250-503-5593
Sunday’s Noon-5pm Nsyilxen 1 with skaʔwilx – at the Lan-guage Nest for more information please call 250-503-5593.
We would like to take this opportunity
to recognize and congratulate Ethan Joe.
Ethan has been selected as a recipient of
the 2016 Premier’s Awards for Aborigi-
nal Youth Excellence in Sport – Interior
Region. This award is given in recogni-
tion of his outstanding sport achieve-
ments, commitment and dedication to
his education, culture, leadership and
community. He will be presented his
award at an Awards Celebration Ban-
quet Dinner on November 29, 2016 in
Kamloops BC.
Way to BE Ethan!!
Interior Honours Re-cipients of the 2016 Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport
Snc’c’amala?tn Page 5
Infant/Toddler
Way from the skmxist room.
We would like to wish Taneesha and Violet all the best in their futures! Both girls will begin their new adventures in Head start this month we sure will miss them here in the program! Welcome to Marshall and Wylie both boys will be here in the program full time begin-
ning this month! Also Happy Birthday wishes to both! With the cold weather among us please en-sure children have snow gear which includes warm hat, gloves, pants and coat and proper winter foot wear! Please know that are yard can get very messy so please send clothing that can get dirty!
Lim Limpt
Infant Toddler Staff
3 to 5 Year Old
Daycare
Way’
Happy Birthday Luna!
We have our playground back the children are happy to be back outside en-joying the fresh air.
Our Parent Ac-tivity Night in December we will be doing our annual Cookie Swap. We will need parents to sign up in advance for this one so every-one knows how many to bring. Please call Denise at 250-545-3800.
We would like to wish all our families a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Limlimpt,
Denise, Jordyn, Ramona, Mona and Our Tu-pa (Virginia)
Preschool
Way’ from the Speplina Room.
Happy Birthday to John!
December is always a fun month. We will be having some exciting holiday activities. We are thrilled to be back outside on the play-ground after some changes were made to the landscaping. As sk’?ay comes to and end and s’istk begins parents are reminded to send snow suits, gloves and hats every day. The last day of preschool before Christmas break is December 16
th and look forward to
seeing everyone in the new year starting January 3
rd.
Karla, Katelyn, Miranda
Kindergarten / Grade 1
Wi from the Pqel’qin room.
The weather is getting colder. Our class goes outside every day to play so just a reminder to parents to send warm coats, boots, hats and mittens every day. Report cards will be sent home December 7
th with parent teacher
interviews being scheduled for December 12
th and 13
th.
Congratulations to Alexa, Keziah and Abilynn who completed their first home reading sheets by reading a total of 30 books so far this year. Way to go!
Mrs. Alexis and Trish
Snc’c’amala?tn
Daycare/Head Start and Preschool/Kindergarten/Grade 1 Christmas Schedule
December 15
December 19 to 23
December 23
December 26 to 30
January 2
SANTA visits in the morning
Preschool/Kindergarten/Gr. 1 CLOSED Daycare and Head Start OPEN Daycare and Head start CLOSED at NOON
All Programs CLOSED
All Programs CLOSED
Community Page 6
OKIB Community Services & Social Development Departments Halloween Movie Night Party
This year the Community Services and Social Development Department were happy to host the Halloween Party for our community members. There was many prizes and fun to be had by all. Many enjoyed hot chocolate and pizza followed by and awesome display of Fireworks; a big thanks to the OKIB Fire Department member for being our igniting hero. Thank you community members who came out and enjoyed a fun family event. We look
forward to seeing the many happy smiling faces at our future events.
On Friday, November 11, on behalf of the Okanagan Indian Band, I had the honour of laying the wreath for the war veterans at the 2016 Lumby Legion Remembrance Day Cenotaph Ceremony. Afterwards, I told some people about the two medals that were pre-sented to Chief Pierre Louis: First, by King George VI; and then later by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. As a representative of the Okanagan people, Chief Pierre Louis was presented these med-als in recognition for the Okanagan’s 100% war effort, which saw 100% of the able bod-ied Okanagan people volunteer for WW1, WW2, and the Korean War. I believe that Royal Road on the Okanagan Indian Re-serve #1 is named in honour of the Royal recognition medals that symbolize the Oka-nagan’s great contribution to the Common-wealth.
Also at the Lumby event, a sto-ry about the meaning of the rock
cairn was told by Padre Kim Taylor: In days of old, the rock cairn was used as a war memorial by the Scottish people. When-ever a Scotsman went to war, he would place a rock on the cairn to signify that he was off to war. When he returned, he would take his rock off the cairn. But if he didn’t return, the rock was left where it was - in his memory forever. Today, the rock cairn is represented by the cenotaph. Limlimpt, Dan Wilson November 11, 2016 - OKIB The Okanagan Indian Band hosted a Re-membrance Day Celebration to honour OKIB veterans at the cenotaph beside the band office.
Students from the Cultural Immersion School performed and community members lay wreaths in memory of family members who served in the wars.
Remembrance Day Ceremonies
honour our Okanagan Veterans
Community Page 7
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE & THEATRE Submitted by Joan Vedan
re•stor•a•tive jus•tice
noun
A system of criminal justice that focuses on the rehabilita-
tion of offenders through reconciliation with the victims and the
community at large.
In words we can all understand Restorative Justice is an ap-
proach to justice that focuses on the needs of the victims and the
offenders, as well as a whole community.
On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 we welcomed the Justice
Theatre of the People’s Law School to perform how restorative
justice works for all people involved. Their performance was on
Cyber bullying and bullying at High school. The mock court
case took us through the court and how everyone worked togeth-
er for a positive outcome for both the victim,
offenders, their families and the community.
The show was riveting and our audience was
made up of adults and youth who had a
chance to vote on innocence or a guilty verdict. Surprisingly all
of our youth found him guilty and a few found him not guilty.
For the youth they must see acts of bullying in their schools or
online and it touched a nerve.
After we had a meal of Beef Barley stew, Fried Bread and cake.
I would like to thank the theatre group for your enlightening per-
formance. Also, to our youth group who came out and helped
clean up. For the band members who showed up to make this
event a success.
Limlimpt
Day Scholars Class Action -
Update
Vancouver - October 25, 2016
A major step forward in the Day Scholars Class
Action was taken yesterday with the announce-
ment of the appointment of a Ministerial Special
Representative (MSR) for the purpose of negoti-
ating a settlement. The Minister of Indigenous
and Northern Affairs, the Honourable Carolyn
Bennett, made the announcement appointing
Thomas Isaac the MSR at the BC Assembly of
First Nations Annual General Meeting.
Launched in 2012 by the Tk’emlúps te Secwé-
pemc and shíshálh Indian Bands, who were
joined by the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou
Istchee), the Day Scholars Class Action lawsuit
seeks compensation on behalf of all Aboriginal
Canadians who attended an Indian Residential
School, but who did not sleep there. The case also
seeks declarations regarding Canada’s role in the
failure to protect Aboriginal language and culture,
and looks for compensation for the children of
survivors, and the bands to which survivors be-
long.
Chief Fred Seymour “We are very pleased to see
the appointment of Mr. Isaacs as the Minister’s
representative. We are hopeful that Canada will
come to the table with an open heart and mind
and seek a true resolution of this tragic part of our
history.”
Chief Calvin Craigan “When this Government
was elected, it was with a mandate of resolution
of the outstanding issues from the Indian Resi-
dential Schools. We hope that the appointment of
Mr. Isaacs is a sign of Canada’s commitment to
achieving that resolution, and that he will honour
the spirit of Canada’s goal of reconciliation.”
Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come welcomes the
appointment of Thomas Isaacs as the Ministerial
Special Representative (MSR) for the purpose of
negotiating a settlement in the Day Scholar Class
Action and calls for discussions to begin quickly.
“We look forward to working with Mr. Isaacs and
we hope that we will be able to arrive at a settle-
ment which will provide justice for the Day
Scholars, their descendants and their communi-
ties." The appointment of an MSR means that the
lawsuit will take a new path forward, as both
sides prepare their positions for negotiations. Any
settlement that is reached will also have to be re-
viewed by his Honour, Justice Sean Harrington,
who is overseeing the Class Action. While the
process will take some time, both sides, as well as
the court, are committed to moving quickly to
find a solution before more survivors are lost to
old age.
The Plaintiffs remain committed to a fair outcome
for all survivors, their children and their bands,
and will work hard to ensure that the voices of all
those who attended the Indian Residential
Schools, but who were not compensated under
the Indian Residential Schools Settlement, are
heard.
For more information contact:
Jo-Anne Gottfriedson BGS/ CED
T’kemlups te Secwepemc
Day Scholar Coordinator
Co-Chair TteS & SIN Day Scholar Executive
200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way
Kamloops.BC V2H 1H1
Office: 250-828-9788 Fax : 250-372-8833 Cell:
250 318-5628
St. Michael’s Indian Residential School Demolished OKIB Chief and Council received a letter from the Namgis First Nation with a complimentary copy of a DVD entitled “Our Voices, Our Stories,” which
documents the demolition of the St. Michaell’s Indian Residential School building. The Namgis First Nation is seeking assistance with locating any sur-
vivors from OKIB who may have attended St. Michael’s, so that they can provide surviviors with a complimentary copy of the DVD.
Prior to the demolition, a healing ceremony was held at Alert Bay on February 18, 2015 to provide support to residential school survivors...to help turn
the page on this dark period in our history. Former survivors can contact Namgis First Nation by phone at 250-974-7844; by email at memori-
[email protected]; or by mail at Namgis First Nation c/o Gina Wadhams Box 210 Alert Bay, BC V0N 1A0.
Community Page 8
Letter to OKIB Editor – RE: OKIB POLICY -
ELECTION
Way’, I would first like to introduce myself. My
name is Coralie Gregoire Band member of the
OKIB, daughter of Leonard & Virginia Gregoire,
my grandparents are Edward & Ella Bonneau and
Tommy & Mary Gregoire.
I have been reviewing some of the Okanagan In-
dian Band Policies and would like to comment on
a Policy which I feel should be looked at, and re-
vamped for the benefit of the OKIB community. I
have only included parts of the policy which I
feel should be reviewed, as follows:
4.16 Public Duties Leave
1 PURPOSE
1.01 The purpose of this Statement and
Policy of Procedure is to provide employ-
ees with the opportunity to run for public
office and provide service to the commu-
nity.
2 POLICY
2.01 An Employee is entitled to up to 90
days leave without pay to run for election
to the federal parliament, provincial legis-
lature, Band Council or municipal govern-
ment or school board.
2.02 No person may be both an active
employee or member of Chief and Coun-
cil for the OKIB or running for an elected
position of the OKIB.
3 SCOPE
3.01 This statement of Policy and Proce-
dure applies to all employees.
The purpose of this policy is to provide OKIB em-
ployees with the opportunity to run for Chief and
Council and provide service to the community.
This policy provides employees with a leave of
absence for 90 days without pay from employ-
ment to run for these elected positions, the Ex-
ecutive Director must be advised of intentions to
run for these positions.
This is where I believe there is a problem. I feel
that a leave without pay for 90 days may put
OKIB employees in financial hardship for ac-
cepting a nomination for an elected position for
OKIB. As well it is my understanding that Chief
and Council are also in receipt of the same bene-
fits as OKIB staff which includes WCB coverage,
Extended Health and Dental Benefits, and partic-
ipation in the Registered Pension Plan. That be-
ing said, Chief and Council may also be deemed
as being “employees” due to the benefits
“Employee Benefits” they receive.
Thus there is an argument, that Chief and Coun-
cil are also getting paid and receiving benefits
from OKIB, they should also not accept pay from
OKIB during the nomination and election period
in order to promote Equality. Therefore , in or-
der to be equal, our OKIB employees should not
be forced to leave their job without pay during
the election process, in order to be Equal with
the current Chief and Council nominees.
There is also an undue cost to this policy, would
be the loss of an employee for the duration of
the election. Resulting in a loss of work being
completed, possible deadlines being missed,
which may have financial complications for the
OKIB. There is also the expense of temping out
the position, or overworked OKIB employees
who are required to take on the extra workload.
This can result in burnout and loss of further em-
ployees due to stress leave, from the heavier
workload.
I believe a change to the policy would be accept-
ed by the majority of community and one that
should be considered. However, as I suggested
earlier, Chief and Council should also not accept
payment from OKIB during the nomination and
election period, as well as refrain from making
substantial decisions on behalf of the Band, un-
der this policy for Equality.
The current policy deters our OKIB employees
from running for Chief and Council as they may
face financial hardship. It is also more cost effec-
tive to allow our employees to continue in their
positions during the election process, which in
turn is cost effective for OKIB. That being said, a
change may result in giving the opportunity to
very well informed members of the Community
to lead our Nation. As OKIB employees are very
aware of the Political environment they work in
and how it affects our Nation and community
members.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my find-
ings on this policy. This is all new to me, and I
welcome any comments or suggestions. I look
forward to your comments you can email me at
Way, Lim Limt’
Coralie Gregoire
Gathering Our Voices 2017
Wai Community,
Last year our youth started fundraising for the Gathering our Voices youth
Conference. A few of our youth went but not the ones not helped fund-
raise. This year the GOV is going to be held in our SylixTerritory. Ke-
lowna, BC on March 21-24, 2017.
So I phoned the down to Victoria the day that Registration opened to find
out they were already booked solid. I asked if they could put (20) on a
wait list in case someone dropped out. I received a call from last week saying our
youth had spots available. I was also asked if other band members who have seats
for the conference could get funding and I said as long as they are volunteering their
time we would love to have them come with our group.
So the seats for the youth that volunteered last year are going this year. We will be
holding a meeting with the parents on Sunday, December 11, 2016 @ 6:00- 7:00pm
at the Community Services & Development Boardroom (Health).
I will be asking both our Bottle Depots to do an ongoing bottle drive for our youth.
We have many wonderful fundraising ideas! I look forward to our families and
youth at our meeting.
I can be reached at the Okanagan Indian Band Community Services & Development
Department @ 250-542-5094. Respectfully Joan Vedan.
BOTTLE DRIVE
to support Okanagan Indian
Band Youth
CHASERS BOTTLE
DEPOT
4702 31St
Vernon, BC (By the Village Green Mall)
4205 24nd Ave Vernon, BC (Down by the sewage
plant)
Make your Bottle Donation at either Bottle De-
pot. This will be ongoing until FEBRUARY 2017.
Your support is much appreciated.
nkmapəlqs I snmamayaʔtn i kəl sqilxʷtət Page 9
We are very excited to present a little of what
we are doing at CIS
Initiatives for the Cultural Immersion School for
2016-17– again, a partial list
Our Language Program has been re-structured in order to allow staff to ac-tively participate in the program. The pro-gram has been increased by ½ hour in comparison to last year for both primary and intermediate students. As men-tioned we have Mari attending language classes twice a week in Penticton. Our program is structured in this manner. All classroom teachers join language classes with their students to a portion of the class actively participating in learning n’syilxcen. Elders participating this year are Victor Antoine on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays with Madeline Gregoire join-ing us on Wednesdays and Thursday. Band Youth Worker, Mario Richard joins the classes on Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays actively participating in language instruction and singing/drumming. Stu-dents have performed once for the Abo-riginal Education Committee of S.D. #22 to open a meeting and are eagerly pre-paring for our Winter Gathering on De-cember 6th at the Head of the Lake Hall.
n’syilxcen Adult classes for beginners every Tuesday from 5 to 6 pm.
To continue to branch out with cultur-ally based activities as we have done this year – Hunting Camp. Tea Picking, Mocca-sin Mile, Okanagan College Powwow, and so on. We want to create a balanced and successful program that can be increase each year to build on student’s skill acqui-sition. This can then be developed into a parallel program to the ministry curricu-lum we follow.
A focus will be placed on improving the use of technology at CIS. In order to ac-complish this we will complete the pur-chase of another SMART Panel that will be placed in the grade 6-7 room, which currently does not have one.
All staff will receive upgraded laptops. In turn the existing staff laptops will be reconfigured for student use to allow our students to have access to software pro-grams like All the Right Type to improve keyboarding skills and other software to improve academics. In addition this will provide student access to research and writing using approved Internet re-sources.
Each classroom will receive a sound system that will improve opportunities for presentation of materials and allow all students access to instruction, especially and current or future hearing impaired students.
Staff will be introduced to Structure of the Intellect program.
Increased support for Speech and Lan-guage programs at both the Daycare and CIS in order to support students. Our amount of support has been doubled this year.
This year we have received funding for a MAKER WAYS TRAINING, a YES 2 IT EVENT and a MAKER WAYS EVENT. These are activities related to Grade 7 top 12 COOP education with a focus on collabo-ration and coop0eration regarding hands on activities. This will be for our grade 6 and 7 students to participate in.
MAKER WAYS EVENT -Have students design an
actual new school building based on their own
design plans. OKIB has placed the request for a
new school before the appropriate government
funding agency (INAC) through the School Feasi-
bility Study aspect. This will be a real life process
with prior preparation in order to include aspects
such as considerations of Community expecta-
tions, cultural, historical, sustainability, and
lighting, acoustics, and spatial relationships, con-
sideration of new technologies for energy – so-
lar, wind and building structure. These are just
some of the components we will consider in the
process. We will include the grade 6 students as
team members to support the creative process.
YES 2 IT EVENT - Working with local community
mural artists – minimum of two - to build a struc-
ture art panel(s)) for our school that would allow
the creation of a novel and innovative mural.
This could end up being two smaller or one larg-
er one based on the artists’ input. In addition,
we will require electricians and carpenters to
work with the children.
This is YouTube video of recent project by
these artists giving a brief view of the
work that some of them do - https://
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Oxy6bNLp2ro
Interviews of the artists that painted the new Health Building mural. Artists: Sheldon Louis, Tessa Roberts (Louis), Raymond Alexis, Faith Yow, and Emma-Jane Cohen
The purpose in creating the initial panels to be
the basis of this artistic creation is to make a con-nection with the history, culture and future of the Okanagan people through education. But the panels themselves will be a learning and building experience in design and problem solving. We want the panels to be able to be detached as the school is hoping to relocate to a new building in the future. We want the theme to be impactful and truly connected to the students.
Students will be a part of the entire creative pro-cess as the design of the panels may deviate from traditional panel designs. From construc-tion to the creative process. This may result in just painting or it may be painting with a 3d qual-ity. It may be collage, it may be wood cut out de-signs each painted individually and attached. The options are basically open ended. Extensions could include wiring the panels so that they could be lit at night – in a variety of ways
This is our current classroom configuration
Three Grade 1s attend the Daycare in the morn-ing and CIS for language and culture in the infor-mation.
Teacher – Tanya Saddleman-Joe, Grade 2 -3 – Students 4 and 6 =10
Teacher – Delia Smeeth replacing Brittany Mey-ers on Maternity Leave, Grade 4 -5 – Students 3 and 4 =7
Teacher – Alysha Mihalcheon, Grade 6 -7 – Stu-dents 5 and 2 =7
Lim limt
Steve
Steve Bentley, Principal
snc'c'amala?tn
nk’mapəlqs I snmamayaʔtn i kəl sqilxʷtət
Okanagan Indian Band Cultural Immersion School
Phone: (250) 260-3616
Fax: (250) 542-1893
CIS School website https://okib.ca/departments/education/okib-cultural-immersion-school
Health and Community Page 10
COMMUNITY BATHING PROGRAM If you find it hard to bathe safely in your own home, even with
support, you may benefit from community bathing programs lo-
cated at the Golden Eagle Building. An assessment will be re-
quired for this service; to make a referral, ask questions or to
tour the facilities.
Please contact Patricia Ellis or Wanda Duncan
at 250-542-5094
SPA KITS PERSONALIZED ITEMS TO
ENHANCE BATH TIME
~ Soap/Body Shampoo
~ Liquid Soap
~ Deodorant Stick
~ Body Lotion
~ Brush/Comb Set
~Shampoo/Conditioner
~Disposable razors for the ladies if they do
Not have an electric razor
~ Light weight house coat and slippers
What to Avoid
~ Bath oils, bath beads, bath powder, bubble bath
Or heavily perfumed products
~ Products with animal fats
~ Bar soaps
Massage Outreach Program
Students from the Okanagan Valley College will be conducting a 6 session
Massage Program located at the Golden Eagle Building beginning January
12 2017.
Each session will be held on Thursdays at 8:45 am and 10:15 am, there
will be 4 appointments for each time frame. If you are interested and able
to commit to attending 6 sessions please contact Wanda Duncan at 250-
542-5094 to apply. There is no fee for this service.
Application Deadline is January 4th 2016 at 4:00
If there are a high number of applicants’ selections will be made based on
medical condition, ability to commit to all 6 sessions, first time partici-
pants.
UXO Update Page 11
Here’s what has been happening with UXO clearance ef-
forts at Madeline Lake UXO Range:
Fall work at Madeline lake Range Nov 15th– Nov 23rd,
2016
Data collection on steep slopes of Madeline Lake Range
Work performed was machine only effort, a snow cat with
a Electric magnetic unit attached
Non– UXO tech
No digging was performed
Security supplied by OKIB
Notra Inc. DND\DCC contractor
Work to resume spring of 2017
UXO Steering Committee Meeting scheduled for Ottawa
Jan 2017
Security:
Quint Pierro, Trent Jobin
Donnie Isaac, Mark Oppenheimer
Madeline Lake Range uxo
Reminder: OKIB will be sending
three band members for UXO
Technician Training in 2017.
UXO Technician, Level 1 Training Description:
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) developed the first
civilian UXO Technician I course in 1999 and remains the only program to
have ever been certified by the Department of Defense Explosive Safety
Board (DDESB). In 2012 the National Association of Ordnance Contrac-
tors (NAOC) recognized this course as meeting, and exceeding, all UXO
Tech I training requirements established by DDESB Technical Paper 18,
Minimum Qualifications for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technicians
and Personnel.
This course provides participants with comprehensive, hands-on training in
the safe detection, location, identification, and disposal of unexploded ord-
nance using the techniques and emerging technologies of today’s UXO re-
mediation industry
Topics:
Overview of UXO Environmental Remediation
Explosives and explosive effects
Ordnance Safety, Identification and Characteristic (Grenades, Landmines,
Sub-munitions, Projectiles and Mortars, Projectile Fuses, Rockets, Guided
Missiles, Bomb Fuses, Aircraft Bombs, Dispensers, Dispenser Sub- muni-
tions, Pyrotechnics, Chemical Agents and Compounds, Chemical Ord-
nance)
Fuse functioning and identification
Firing devices, other explosive devices, and miscellaneous hazards
UXO disposal techniques
Use of UXO detection equipment and ordnance location techniques
Electric and non-electric demolition procedures
Requirements:
Minimum of 18 years of age
Pass a five-panel drug screen within 30 days of class start date
Valid Driver’s License
Physician’s Statement and Health Status/Medical Report
Criminal Record check
Valid Canadian Passport and ability to
travel to the US
Recommended:
Physical examination in accordance should
physically able to walk, stand and bend for
extended periods; lift a minimum of 40 lbs.
without assistance. Capable of working
safely in stressful situations and extreme
weather conditions (heat, humidity, cold,
rain, snow, etc.).
For application process and information
contact:
250-542-3444
Community Happenings Page 12
Do you have questions for Service Canada?
Would you rather talk to a person instead of an
automated telephone recording? Two (2) staff from Service Canada will be on location at the Social
Development Office to answer questions and explain services.
When: December 13th**, 2016 (**Note date change)
Time: 9:30am to 11:00am
Where: Health Building - Social Development
Office (downstairs)
Service Canada staff will share information on:
The Canada Child Benefit
My Service Canada Account – on-line services
Canada Pension/Old Age Security
Social Insurance Numbers
My Canada Revenue Agency will share information on:
The Canada Child Benefit
Canada Revenue Tax Credits
The Volunteer Tax Program
Tax benefits for Seniors
Okanagan Nation welcomes Grand Chief Ed
John’s report on Aboriginal Child Welfare Stq’aˀtxʷ niw’t, Okanagan Nation Territory: The Okanagan Nation Chiefs
Executive Council welcomes the much anticipated report from Grand
Chief Ed John, Special Advisor on Aboriginal Child Welfare titled Indige-
nous Resilience, Connectedness and Reunification – from Root Causes to
Root Solutions presented to Premier Clark, Minister Cadieux and Indige-
nous Leadership on November 21, 2016.
Unfortunately, our community members have yet to experience the out-
comes that would come from implementing the recommendations from
countless reports commissioned by the Ministry for Children and Family
Development. Despite the enormous investment put into reports, none
have effectively reduced the dire statistic of 70% of children who have
been removed from their homes for “neglect”. Clearly, this gives rise to
the question, why hasn’t real and effective change occurred?
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip maintains ``Poverty kills and neglect is an
outcome of the systemic poverty that characterizes too many Aboriginal
communities. We are in the best position to keep our children safe.
Enough children have been lost, and our children continue to be the
most vulnerable from the lack of movement of the Provincial and Federal
Governments.” Reports continue to be mandated without involvement
and input from the Nations and communities, yet we are the ones
waiting to see critical changes impact the wellbeing of our families.
The Okanagan Nation Alliance calls for immediate action on the Recom-
mendations. With the roadmap set out by a plethora of reports on Abo-
riginal Child Welfare in this province, the path is clear. Recognition, re-
sources and implementing jurisdiction is paramount. If we are truly in
the business of seeing improved outcomes, the actions must follow.
The Okanagan Nation has never relinquished its inherent right and re-
sponsibility to ensure the cultural integrity, safety and well-being of all
our children and families. Chief Harvey McLeod states, “The longer we
talk, the less opportunity we have to make change.” Our Nation will con-
tinue to do the necessary work required for our future generations as we
continue to witness the detrimental impact the BC Liberal government's
'culture of indifference' on the wellbeing of our children and families.
Want more information on what is
happening at OKIB? Check out the website:
www.okib.ca
The employment section is continually updated with new
jobs and the Calendar is updated with community events.
Council meetings and agendas are available in the
“Members Only” section...Register today to access this
information.
Contact Shaylen Smith for more information, or if you
have questions about registering; phone 250-543-4328
ext 211 or [email protected]