yo! news - march 22/12

GWA’SALA-’NAKWAXDA’XW NATIONS YO! NEWS 20/02/2012

YO! NEWS

3 BUILDING LDRSHIP CONT.

4 PUBLIC WORKS

5 SOC. ASSIST. + TRAINING

6 FITNESS, TLI’NA + LETTER

7 PATIENT TRAVEL + TRUST

8 HOUSING COMM. + CCP

9 HALIBUT OPPORTUNITY

10 WAKAS HALL UPDATE

11-14 NOTICES

15 COLOURING

16-17 JOB POSTINGS

18 MARK YOUR CALENDAR

MAR 22

2012

BC AFN workshop:

BUILDING LEADERSHIP

IN OUR COMMUNITY

Chief and council members, hereditary leaders,

and staff of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations

spent two days with Regional Chief Jody Wilson-

Raybould and her team from the BC Assembly of

First Nations (BCAFN) at our Elder’s Centre. On

March 15 and 16 Jody and her team went over the

Governance Toolkit they developed to assist First

Nations. The Toolkit is a way for leaders, staff and

elders to explore how to re-build or reform

governance from the negative effects of things like

the Indian Act. Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations is

one of a small number of First Nations invited to

test out the Governance Toolkit. In its simplest

meaning, Governance is the rules to coordinate

our actions and achieve our goals.

Jody is a member and on council for the We Wai

Kai Nation (Cape Mudge Nation). In her early

years she attended Robert Scott Elementary

School. She is pleased to visit our community,

including the Eke Me-Xi School and the Gwa'sala-

'Nakwaxda'xw School. Her team included her

husband Tim Raybould, and staff Angie

Derrickson from Westbank First Nation and

Alyssa Melnyk. The two day workshop took place

at the Elder’s Centre with lovely meals

prepared by Janine Sheard, Linda Paul-

Henderson and her sister Rose King. We

were honored to listen to feast songs by

Gary Walkus, Ernie Scow and Buddy

Walkus.

Regional Chief Jody Wilson began the

workshop by talking about how First

Nation laws and traditions were taken

over by colonial governments. Hereditary

leader Tom Henderson explained how

historically Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw

Nations were two distinct Nations. He

stressed how the Nations were self-

sufficient, and had a strong connection to

the lands. In Tom’s words, the people did

not need towns; “we lived off of the lands”.

(Continued on pg. 3)


Yo! News is prepared by Jessie Hemphill, Gwa’sala-

’Nakwaxda’xw Executive Assistant and Communications

Officer.

This newsletter is delivered to all houses on the

Tsulquate Reserve every second week and posted to the

Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw website. If you have questions

or comments about this newsletter, contact Jessie at

(250) 949-8343 or e-mail [email protected].

The purpose of this newsletter is to keep Gwa’sala-

’Nakwaxda’xw community members informed about

what is happening in the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Band

Office and the surrounding community. Anybody is

welcome to make submissions to the newsletter,

including announcements, lost-and-found, photographs,

bakwam’kwala words, stories, legends, drawings, etc.

etc. etc.

Other ways to stay connected to the Gwa’sala-

’Nakwaxda’xw community are:

Website (www.gwanak.info)

Facebook (User: Gwasala Nakwaxdaxw)

Twitter (User: Gwasnakw)

Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations Band Office

PO Box 998, 154 Tsulquate Reserve

Port Hardy, B.C. V0N 2P0

COUNCIL

Chief Paddy Walkus: (250) 949-1486

Sits on all committees / [email protected]

Ernie Henderson: (250) 230-4198

Health & Social Development, Housing, Fisheries,

Education, Ec. Dev., Treaty, Personnel and Finance

Portfolios

Crystal Walkus: (250) 230-4649

Ec. Dev., Personnel & Policies, and Recreation Portfolios

Gary Walkus: (250) 230-2479

Health & Social Development & Ec. Dev. Portfolios

Robert Walkus: (250) 230-2155

Education Portfolio

Victor Walkus: (250) 230-2335

Health & Social Development, Housing,

Forestry, Ec. Dev., and Recreation Portfolios

Norman Charlie: (250) 902-8492

Ec. Dev., Recreation & Education Portfolio,

David Charlie: (250) 949-9413

Fisheries and Recreation Portfolios

STAFF Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Band Office

Phone: (250) 949-8343 / Fax: (250) 949-7402

Les Taylor, Band Manager

[email protected] / (250) 902-2307

Margaret Bernard, Finance


Conrad Browne, Economic Development


Pat Dawson-Hunt, Social Development


Colleen Hemphill, Treaty


Linda Paul, Treaty Administrative Assistant


Jessie Hemphill, Communications & Exec. Assistant

[email protected] / Cell: (250) 902-8221

Lorna Henderson, Housing


Nicole McLelland, Natural Resources Manager


Fax: (888) 345-5063

Grace Smith, Education


Bob Swain, Public Works

Cell: (250) 230-0087

Native Courtworker Office

(250) 902-2223

Natasha Walkus, Treaty Resource Assistant


Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Elders Centre

Janine Sheard, Elders’ Coordinator

(250) 949-7406

Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Health & Family Services

Front Desk: (250) 949-8131 / Fax: (250) 949-6811

Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw School

Front Desk: (250) 949-7743 / Fax: (250) 949-7422

Eke Me-Xi School

(250) 949-8332


We were “very powerful”, explained Tom.

The Toolkit by the BCAFN is to help

discussions and work to re-build First

Nations’ Governance from the negative

influences of the past, to become strong again.

The workshop noted that the Indian Act is

not an appropriate Governance framework for

First Nations’ people – nor for any people.

Strong and appropriate governance is

necessary if we are to reach our full potential.

The Toolkit helps First Nations to make an

“exit strategy” from the Indian Act. Topics

that are looked at in the Toolkit include:

Powers of First Nations; Citizenship, Land

Management, Financial Administration, and

Governance Self-Assessment. Self-

Assessment was the focus of the two day

workshop with leaders and staff.

Leaders and staff broke into two groups to discuss

questions in the Toolkit survey. As Jody says, “we

are in an exciting period of change”. We have an

opportunity to identify what is working well and

where there are gaps in terms of the institutions of

governance and the powers that may need to be

advanced. Chief Paddy Walkus thanked Jody for

bringing the important information to our

community. The work is not yet complete, and

another session will be held to complete the

assessment of where we are at – our unique

governance capacity, needs and priorities.

A key theme of Jody’s is that “Everybody has a role

to play”. Everyone needs to be involved. You need to

make your voice heard, whether that is in meetings,

on Facebook or other social media, or talking with

staff and leaders. Governance foundations need to

flow from the community, from the members, elders,

staff, and leaders.

We thank all of those who helped make the

workshop successful, and we will make the full

report available when it is ready which includes

next steps.

Written by Sharlene Frank, Co-ordinator/Contractor

of BC AFN Workshop, March 15 and 16, 2012 at

Elders Centre on behalf of Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw

Nations Treaty Office


PUBLIC WORKS WATER RESULTS: The chlorine reading for

this week is 0.76, which was collected at the

Elder's Centre. The chlorine is put into our

water system to get rid of any bacteria

(coliforms) that may be in our water. I will be

pleased to answer any questions that you

may have about our water.

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP: On April 4, 5 & 6

we will have our community clean up. We will

have 3 bins brought into the community at

the usual locations, by the Band Office, the

park and the old school site. I will be driving

the Public Works truck for community

members to load and unload the community

garbage. It would be nice to have a clean

community once again with everyone helping

out, especially the ones who received funds

from the Band and said that they would clean

the community.

COMMUNITY BUILDINGS: I would like to

thank the concerned community members

who let me know if any exterior lights are not

working. I have also asked staff members to

let me know when there are any problems in

their buildings.

EMERGENCY PLAN UPDATE: The

emergency planning committee meets on a

regular basis, which is the first Tuesday of

the month. We are currently working on

putting together a pamphlet for our

community which will have information on

what to do in the event of a disaster. Also I’m

looking to locate some funding to help us with

our training and equipment.

FIRE SURVEY: I will be going to each home to

check on smoke alarms and fire extinguishers

in the very near future. I will also be doing a

survey for the people who live in the tsunami

zone for our emergency plan.

BOB SWAIN

250-230-0087

Community clean-up April 4-6

Fire safety surveys happening soon!

tel:250-230-0087


SOCIAL

ASSISTANCE

You must come into renew your file! This is

for everyone that is on our Social Assistance

Program. Please bring in the hydro, both

pages please, as well as updated

identification, one must be a picture, for both

you and your spouse, and one piece for each

child you have on the file.

Make an appointment by calling 949-8343 or

come by the office to make the appointment!

Thank you & I look forward to seeing you

soon!

No cheque if I don’t see you before next

Wednesday, and you will have to make an

appointment & no cheque until after the

appointment! Please don’t get mad at the

Secretary!!!!!

PAT DAWSON-HUNT

TRAINING

OPPORTUNITY

The Gwabalis Fishing Group still has spots

available in the following courses:

Marine Emergency Duties A1 (MED A1)

o Mar 27-29

Radio Operators (MROC)

o Mar 29

Marine Basic First Aid

o Apr 4-5

All courses are offered at the North Island College in

Port Hardy. Interested candidates should contact

Florence Van Graven directly

at [email protected] or (250) 902-

0654.

mailto:[email protected]

tel:%28250%29%20902-0654

tel:%28250%29%20902-0654


FITNESS Thursdays/Fridays:

Where: Robert Scott School gym

When: 6 p.m. Thursdays and 1 p.m. Fridays

Who: 14 and over (all must follow gym rules)

Why: Diabetes prevention and management

of diabetes

What: Exercising to get fit or stay fit.

You do not have to do the boot camp.

ANDREA WALKUS

! If you want some ooligan/oolichan grease, call

Bird at 949-2743.

LETTER RE:

COMMUNITY

HEALING FEAST

When it was first announced to the community it

was talk of the whole reserve. Everyone will have a

chance to mingle & enjoy all company & listen & be

involved in our culture.

There was an elder that attended this occasion to

enjoy the events that were taking place.

Unfortunately this elder did not have the same

benefit as most of the community did. Not only was

this person disrespected at the feast but it also

happened when going home. When it comes to an

elder being disrespected what kind of healing feast

is it? How do you think this person felt about an

event that was supposed to bring our people

together? Where is this “respect your elders”? You

hear it wherever you go; when you see an elder show

respect, love & honour. There wasn’t any for this

elder that evening.

Please people I beg you whatever is heavy in your

heart let it rest. Let this hatred be of the past. It

doesn’t benefit you or the one you hurt. You can go

to healing ceremony after healing ceremony & still

be the same after you leave, what is the purpose?

Also this is a form of elder abuse…..

ANONYMOUS


PATIENT TRAVEL Hello to everyone,

We sure got a lot of sick people out there,

including our Elders.. Have to be very careful

out there. I know the nurse was given

immunazations for whooping cough, very

important you and your families

get this done. Call the front desk and they

will let you know when the nurse will be in to

give it next time.

We are still in need of escorts for mainly our

Elders to their appointment/s you need to

have a reliable vehicle to take them down and

wait for them. You can not just drop them off

you would have to take them to appt and wait

until they are done.

Because of all this snow I would like to

suggest that people who have to go down

Island to please take the bus,I know it longer

but I’m pretty sure you will get there safe and

sound if they don’t break down. I heard about

what happened a few days ago. This is just a

suggestion.

I am very sorry to all the people who are

calling me about the van that was suppose to

be used as Travel van. I believe you can call

Les and he’ll fill you in on details about the

van.

Please call me at 902-2278 if you have any

questions about the above. Our Fax is 949-

6811 or 949-8413 that is my direct fax.

Thank you to you all for your Attention.

FROM BUNNY JACKSON

TRUST UPDATE The Trust Committee would like to remind the

community that Toro Marketing (Steph & Karen)

work for the Trust to help with administration and

organization. For example, they suggest when the

Trust Committee should consult a lawyer about

things, or they advise on record keeping, where to

find information, etc. They don’t make decisions

about how the Trust funds are spent, and they don’t

have a vote at committee meetings. The Trust

Committee really appreciates all of the great work

that Steph and Karent have put in to make sure our

Trust moves ahead. Please call Robert Walkus,

Trust Chair, at 230-2155 if you have any questions

about Toro’s role with the Trust.

There are several meetings coming up in the near

future – a committee meeting, then a meeting with

Towers & Watson to discuss the new investment

strategy. We are looking at May to have another all-

band meeting, but we’ll keep you posted on that.

There are still funds to deal with bedbugs. If you

have a BEDBUG ISSUE, PLEASE call

Bernadine at the Band Office 949-8343 to leave your

name and house number so we can deal with the

bedbugs in our community.


HOUSING

COMMITTEE Hello community members,

Our next Housing Committee meeting will be

Sunday, March 25th starting @ 6pm.Meeting

will be held @ our family unit behind Eddie

Charlie's,will be open to communit. Les will

be taking part in our next meeting to help

facilitate which will be in camera...

Alrighty community members hope to see you

@ the next Housing Committee meeting...

RICKY COON

Uikpa[k

STAY WARM & DRY IN ALL THIS SNOW!

1234679

CCP MENTORING Last week I went to the Nazko First Nation (near

Quesnel) and to Cowichan Tribes in Duncan, to do

some Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP)

mentoring.

As many of you will remember, we did a CCP from

2008-2010 (and we’ve had some meetings recently)

which involved many community members and was

pretty succesful. Nazko (Racheal Chantyman, above,

is their planner) and Cowichan (with planner

Warren Johnny) are working on their own CCPs,

and I went there with planners from Penticton and

Musqueam to help them out with their CCPs, and

share some stories from our community.

In Nazko I went to a community lunch with about

10 community members, plus staff, and we shared

stories about community planning, and their vision

for their community. Then the next day, at their

band office in Quesnel, I presented at a meeting of

their staff and showed them the CCP video we

made, which they really liked.

After that I came back to Vancouver Island and

went to Duncan. I was supposed to be there for two

days, working with their planner, but because of a

death in their community and the Truth &

Reconciliation Commission being there, it was

changed to one day. We did a staff meeting, and

about 7 staff members came. I hope Aboriginal

Affairs, which funded this pilot project, keeps it

going in the future. It’s a great way to get to know

other communities and share our good ideas.

JESSIE HEMPHILL


WAKAS HALL

UPDATE

As I’m sure most of you have all noticed,

Wakas hall is sporting a fancy new paint job.

This is thanks in most part to the work of

Ernie Henderson. Johnson helped out near

the end of the project and I would like to give

a big shout out to him for lending and hand

and for a job well done. The community got

the colors it voted on and I think they look

terrific.

The next few steps in the painting project will

include touching up the paint job that was

done, having three locals artists – Walter

Brown, Danny Coon and another – put their

traditional art upon the walls and floor.

Finally, I have been approved for funding to

arrange getting sports line painted on the

floor. There will be 5 different courts. There

will be a volleyball court, an indoor soccer

court, a basket ball court, two badminton

courts and of course a floor hockey court.

Keep an eye out in Yo! News for color and

layout choices. Just like with the wall paint you -

the community - will be asked to vote from a number

of choices.

In non painting related news the basketball hoops,

badminton and volley ball uprights are on their way.

Since there were some funding ix ups they are not

yet finished as soon as they ought to have been but

are well on there way. Once they are finished they

will be headed to the paint shop so as to match up

with fancy new hall colors.

This is all very exciting and I am very glad to have

all the great community support I have been given.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to

contact me at Eke me-Xi. The number there is 250

949-8332.

JAMAINE CAMPBELL

EKE ME-XI (Volunteer coordinator)

PLEASE NOTE THAT

THE HALL WILL BE

CLOSED FROM APRIL

9-13 AND 23-27 FOR

FLOOR PAINTING!


IInnvviittaattiioonn

Mount Waddington Health Network Forum

Please join us to learn about the progress of the

Health System Stabilization Local Working Group

Participate in a small group conversation and share:

What you see are the main problems or issues in health

care?

What IS working?

If you are not using the health care system-why not?


JOB TITLE : TRANSIT DRIVERS

Company: North Island Community Services

Date Posted : 3/20/12

Full/Part-Time : Casual

Salary : $17.50/Hr

Details : Valid drivers licence, class 4

unrestricted. no more than 5 points in the past or

2 violations on driving record, no

suspensions/probation for 5 years, excellent

customer-relation skills, criminal record check.

Contact : Apply to Box 1028 Port McNeill, BC

V0N 2R0 / Email: [email protected]

JOB: DOCK WORKERS/OFFLOADERS

Company: Bear Cove Ice/ Walcan Seafood Ltd.


Full/Part-Time : Part-time

Salary : $11.50/Hr

Details : Will train. Workers must supply their

own raingear and boots. Those with

transportation will be given priority.

Contact : Fax resume or letter of interest

to 250.949.7703 or call Louise Bell 250.671.9900

JOB TITLE : HOUSEKEEPING

Company Name : Providence Place



Details : Part-time winter to full time summer.

Housekeeping staff are responsible for the

cleanliness of guest rooms, hallways, and public

areas in the hotel.

Contact : Elaine Spencer 250-949-8899

JOB TITLE : SALES CLERK

Company Name : Supreme Convenience



Salary : $9.50/Hr

Details. Evenings and weekends. Experience not

necessary will train. No phone calls please.

Contact : Submit resume in person between 6am

and 2pm to Manager/Assistant Manager, Supreme

Convenience, Port Hardy

JOB TITLE : CLERK/CASHIER

Company Name : Old Schoolhouse Store


Full/Part-Time : Full-Time

Details : Clerk, cashier and stocking shelves. Must be

flexible willing to work any shift, days, afternoons until

10 pm and weekends. Must be physically fit for duties;

have reliable transportation. We are willing to train.

Apply w/res in person.

Contact : Apply to Pat, 4950 Beaver Harbour Road, Port

Hardy, BC

JOB TITLE : PLANT PRODUCTION WORKER

Company Name : Agency Listing


Full/Part-Time : Seasonal

Location : Port Hardy

Salary : $12.50-14/hr

Details : 2-3 possible positions at a kelp processing

facility in the Tacan Industrial site. Plant workers will be

operating, cleaning and maintaining several different

types of equipment used to process kelp. Steel toed rubber

boots and rain gear required. Shift start times are

variable to fit with harvesting schedule.

Contact : Drop off resume at Port Hardy NIEFS office.

JOB TITLE : KELP HARVESTERS





Salary : $12.50-14/hr

Details : One position available to hand pick kelp from a

30 ft. skiff. Harvester must be physically fit, be willing to

start early in the morning and follow safety protocols.

Additional Info : MED A3 or PCOC certification required.

Incentives available for efficient harvesting.

Contact : Drop off resume at Port Hardy NIEFS office.

JOB TITLE : HARVEST SKIPPER


LOCAL JOB POSTINGS


tel:250.949.7703

tel:250.671.9900

tel:250-949-8899





Salary : $16-18/hr

Details : One person required to operate a 30-ft

skiff with outboard to handpick kelp in local

waters; skipper is expected to supervise personnel

onboard, follow safety protocols and maintain

vessel. Experience operating boats and outboards

required. SVOP, ROC, and MED A3 certifications

required. Early morning starts required.

Incentives available for efficient harvesting.

Contact : Drop off resume at Port Hardy NIEFS

office.

JOB: TERMINAL SERVICE ATTENDANT

Company Name : BC Ferry Services Inc.




Salary : $20.91/HR

Details : You are a dynamic team player

providing cleaning, routine maintenance &

security for the terminal, while assisting with

vessel loading, unloading, and docking, participate

in safety drills & perform routine inspections.

Additional Info : You identify and report security

breaches and potential hazards, update files and

manuals, maintain activity logs, provide

information and assistance to customers. A valid

BC Driver's License required.

Forms: http://www.bcferries.com/about/employme

nt

Contact : Please send your resume with

application form to [email protected] or fax

to (250) 339-5427.

JOB TITLE : SHINGLE SAWYER

Company Name : Gold Band Shake & Shingle




Details : Must be experienced conventional

shingle sawyer. Require CSA safety boots. Start

ASAP. Apply in person or by phone or fax.

Contact : To apply phone Scott at: 250-902-

1009 Fax: 250-949-2689 or in person: 6225 Jensen

Cove Road, Port Hardy

JOB TITLE : PACKER





Details : Must be experienced packer; require CSA steel

toe safety boots. Apply in person or by phone or fax with

resume.

Contact : 6225 Jensen Cove Road, Port Hardy BC

Phone: 250-902-1009 Fax: 250-949-2689

JOB TITLE : CUBERMAN





Details : Must be experienced cuberman; have CSA

safety boots. Apply in person or by phone or fax with

resume

Contact : 6225 Jensen Cove Road, Port Hardy BC

Phone: 250-902-1009 or Fax: 250-949-2689

All postings from www.niefs.net

RESUMÉ TIPS:

Always include at least two references.

Make sure your contact information is up-to-

date, especially cell phone numbers

Try to use words used in the job posting in

your resumé and cover letter

Make sure your resumé and cover letter are

neat (no wrinkles, handwriting or smudges)

and spell-checked

http://www.bcferries.com/about/employment

http://www.bcferries.com/about/employment


tel:%28250%29%20339-5427

tel:250-902-1009

tel:250-902-1009

tel:250-949-2689

tel:250-902-1009

tel:250-949-2689

tel:250-902-1009

tel:250-949-2689


MARK YOUR CALENDAR

MARCH

MARCH 23: Minister of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada, John Duncan, visiting

Closing date for halibut license lease applications

MARCH 25: Housing Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. @ Family unit behind Eddie Charlie’s

MARCH 26: Grief & Loss Workshop, 6-8 p.m. @ PHSS Room 615

MARCH 27: Signing of Aboriginal Health Plan, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @ Quinsam Centre, Campbell River

Mt. Waddington Regional Health Network Forum, 9:30-3:30 @ Pt. McNeill Comm. Hall

MARCH 31: Garage, plant & bake sale, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. @ Hardy Bay Seniors Centre

APRIL

APRIL 3: GN Emergency Management Committee Mtng., 10-11 a.m. @ Wakas Hall

APRIL 4-6: Community Clean-up

APRIL 6-9: Easter long weekend

APRIL 9-13: Wakas Hall CLOSED for floor painting

APRIL 13-14: Truth & Reconciliation Commission Regional Event, Victoria Conf. Centre, Victoria BC

APRIL 23-27: Wakas Hall CLOSED for floor painting

Every Monday: Council Meeting @ 3 p.m. @ Band Office

Every Thursday: Fitness at 6 p.m. @ Robert Scott School

Every Friday: Fitness at 1 p.m. @ Robert Scott School

yo! news - march 22/12

Documents

gwasalanakwaxdaxw nations

gwasalanakwaxdaxw school

gwasalanakwaxdaxw website

gwasalanakwaxdaxw band

nations bcafn

distinct nations

community chief

governance toolkit