S Y I L X NATION E-NEWS

January 2012

Table of Contents The Chief Executive’s Council

FNHC 1 and the would like to wish CEC 2 you a Healthy and Happy New Wellness 3 Year Update

Child & Family 4 First Nation Interior Health Governance Update FNHC Interior Region Governance R’Native Voice 5 Caucus

The two day meeting on December 15 & 16, Critical 6 2011 for the FNHC – Interior Region was co‐ Response Team hosted with the Okanagan Nation Alliance.

Counselor Mic Werstuik, WFN and ONA Health 3. Draft Resolution 2011‐01 Work plan Salmonids in the 7 representative chaired the two day event. Mover: Chief Cheryl Casimer, St. Mary’s Classroom Wilfred (Grouse) Barnes provided the opening Band

prayer and four Okanagan youth; Tony Pulido, Seconder: Chief Mike LeBourdais, Okanagan 8 Sacheen Lindley, Cloudy Kinbasket, and Tara Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band Language Stanley, performed the Okanagan Song. There 4. Motion Immersion were 75 participants in attendance on day one, Be it resolved that the First Nation Health Training and 68 participants in attendance on day two. Authority membership be comprised of the Taxation 8 There were four resolutions passed over the 203 Chiefs, and further be it resolved that Seminar course of two days in support of moving forward the First Nation Health Society board in the Health Governance process. They were members be selected by the members in a What’s 9 the following: process decided by the 203 Chiefs. Happening 1. FNHC Interior Governance Entities Terms Mover: Chief Mike LeBourdais, Whispering of Reference Pines/Clinton Indian Band Mover: Verna Miller, Cooks Ferry Indian Seconder: Chief Rick Deneault, Skeetchestn Band Indian Band Toll Free Seconder: Chief Mike LeBourdais, 1‐866‐662‐9609 Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band Thank you to the Okanagan members and staff 2. Interior Caucus and Nation Meeting who provided support and input during these Budget important discussions and especially to Chief

Mover: Chief Ann Louie, Williams Lake Robert Edward who lead the team and provided Indian Band the entire group with prayers each day. Seconder: Chief Bev Sellars, Soda Creek

January 2012 ONA E‐News 1

CEC Quarterly Meeting

The Chief’s Executive Council met for two days to focus on the current challenges and opportunities currently confronting the Okanagan Nation. The Retreat facilitated by Robert Breaker engaged the CEC in two days of dialogue and discussion on the number of priorities facing the Nation but the work that is on‐going given the legal and political complexities that are day to day. Strategic direction being the focus to best articulate the work and priorities of the ONA CEC .The outcomes following demonstrate a bit of the work ahead of our political leaders throughout the Nation including the CCT: Okanagan Nation’s Chief and Council Included in Photo

1.January 26th, 2012 Chief Clarence Louie, Chief Dan Manuel, Chief Jonathan Governance Technical Working Group ToR to be reviewed Kruger, Chief Charlotte Mitchell, Chief Robert Edward, Ernie CEC Meeting Williams, Harvey Moses Jr., & Robert Breaker ONA Carrington Boardroom 4. CEC Quarterly Meetings (Tentative) March 21‐22, 2012

2. January 31 ‐ February 1, 2012 Location: TBC Special CEC Meeting with Colville CCT Business Council on 9am to 4:30pm (two days) st Day 1m January 31 2012 to continue discussion focused Please contact Matilda Allison via email: on CCT tabled paper, "Concepts Paper and Proposed mallison@.org Protocol “Stuart Rush, QC; Day 2 Feb 1, 2012, CCT presentation on 'Columbia River Treaty' 5. ONA Member Band Referral Tracking Processes

Location: B.C. Showcase Workshop Purpose: Information sharing and discussion regarding

3. February 10th 2012 the current Referral Tracking processes being implemented by respective ONA Member Bands Special CEC Meeting ‐ "Revenue Sharing Options Off‐ Reserve Projects" Location: TBC Dates: April 26‐27, 2012 Location: ONA Carrington Boardroom 9am ‐ 4:30pm Please contact: Matilda Allison [email protected] or Kathy Holland [email protected] Community Christmas Photos

We are looking to compile photographs from the various communities showing the spirit of giving and family this Christmas Season.

If you have any photos from your community that you would like to have in our February E‐Newsletter, please send these to

Tara Montgomery, Communications [email protected]

January 2012 ONA E‐News 2

Wellness Update

Community “Information Sharing OKANAGAN NATION HEALTH Community Engagements are an opportunity for hub MANDATE community’s to showcase what they have been working on in their communities in regards to Health, in “To advocate for Syilx control and management of their partnership with the Okanagan Health Hub, as well as a

health, programs and services” place for external Health programs and services to share information and provide updates to the local Hub

community members, leadership and staff. Upcoming Dates

Okanagan Nation

HEALTH MEETING SAVE THE DATE January 30 & 31, 2012 Day 1 – Wellness Committee ‐Health Day 2 – Health Hub Committee Agenda coming soon

There are a total of 11 sessions that can be held within SAVE THE DATE the seven member bands, three friendship centers, and April 25 & 26, 2012 one urban organization. To date there have been three Okanagan Nation Wellness Forum sessions completed to date and there are five sessions currently in planning stages. This process is ongoing in

SAVE THE DATE order to support hub representatives to increase May 15 – 17, 2011 communications and distribution of information. Gathering Wisdom V For more information or to schedule a meeting, please Hyatt Regency, Vancouver BC contact:

Next Interior Region Caucus Meeting February 2012 Vanessa Mitchell Exact Date TBD Health Hub Coordinator [email protected].

Health Links

http://www.bccdc.ca/audience/aboriginal BC Centre for Disease Control Aboriginal Peoples

www.bcaafc.com/initiatives/asrpa‐partners‐council BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centre Aboriginal Sports, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council

January 2012 ONA E‐News 3

\ Child & Families Update

Syilx Children and Family Service Initiative Aboriginal Family Group Conferencing

Background: The 2011 year has seen many successes for the Okanagan In 2007‐2008 with the support of the ONA Wellness Nation Alliance ‐ Aboriginal Family Group Conference Committee and each Band and the Chiefs Executive Program (ONA ‐ AFGC). This year the program has worked Council the ONA had undertaken planning activities for with over 30 families and held 40 new and follow up Syilx Child and Family Services. The VISION is to develop conferences. The referrals were received from Okanagan a Syilx centred Framework (based on Captikwl (stories); families, MCFD Aboriginal Team, MCFD Kelowna NsyilxcenOOKANAGAN (language); community NATIONengagement and HEALTHbest Intake KANAGANTeam, MCFD Penticton NATION Aboriginal Team, Scwexmx practices research) to deliver child and family services Child and Family Services and Ki‐Low‐Na Friendship (supportHEALTH family systems and child rearing practices) to all Society. We look forward to a successful 2012. Aboriginal people residing within Okanagan territory. Maternity Leave Framework: Cricket Testawich, our AFGC coordinator will be off on

This framework will guide further planning activities and maternity leave from January 2 ‐ March 5, 2011. We are negotiations with the Provincial and Federal Government requesting that only urgent family conference referrals be for funding of Syilx Child and Family Services. This is submitted at this time. based on Syilx Principles, teachings and is a living framework; ready for further development. Through this The primary contact for families and professionals will process Principles have been described such as local be Jennifer Houde, Child and Family Lead. She can be knowledge equals local authority; enowkinwixw reached at [email protected] or at (250)707‐0095 ext 158 principles of inclusion, consensus and respecting and If you have any questions or concerns please do not including diversity of perspectives. The framework also hesitate to contact Jennifer. includes sample descriptions of Nsyilxcen, describing the Families that are currently involved with the ONA AFGC language as holding our roles and responsibilities and program can also contact Jennifer Houde for support and the actions that are attached with that. This is in the information. process of being completed and will be shared soon. Family circles and follow up conference will be held during For more information contact: this time on a limited basis.

Jennifer Houde For more information please contact: Children & Family Services Lead Phone: (250) 707‐0095 (ext 158) Jennifer Houde Email: [email protected] Children & Family Services Lead Cell: (250) 215‐9399 Phone: (250) 707‐0095 (ext 158) Email: [email protected] Karen Frazie Cell: (250) 215‐9399 Children and Family Services Program Assistant Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Phone: (250) 707‐0095 (ext 153) Email: [email protected] Please forward any questions that you may have about the Okanagan Nation Alliance, Aboriginal Early Childhood Development to: Jennifer Houde. Children & Family Services Lead Phone: (250) 707‐0095 (ext 158) Email: [email protected] Cell: (250) 215‐9399

January 2012 ONA E‐News 4

R’Native Voice

Curriculum topics include: • Orientation • Depression and

• Okanagan History Suicide • Nsyilxcen • Nutrition • Self‐Esteem • Sexual Health • Lateral Violence • Community • Beliefs and Values Project

• Physical Fitness • Wrap Up

Our program has been working closely with the school districts and we have been successful in getting the R'Native Voice

Happy New Year! Program accredited in the Merritt School District, Penticton

School District, and Okanagan Similkameen School District for Wishing everyone an amazing start to 2012 from the youth participants from grades 8 ‐ 12.

R’Native Voice Team. R'Native Voice is running the program in the following If you have any questions in regards to the program please

communities: contact:

Sookinchoot Youth Centre Lower/Upper Similkameen Indian Band Amanda Montgomery R'Native Voice Coordinator Ooknakane Friendship Centre 250‐707‐0095 ext 159 [email protected] Starting in February R'Native Voice will be starting up in: Westbank First Nation Indian Band

ONA would like to Kelly is the founder and previous Executive Director of welcome Kelly Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association, (KAYA). L’Hirondelle to the KAYA is a youth driven organization that advocates for Wellness team as youth voice, youth representation and participation. the North R’Native KAYA has been operating since 2003. Voice Coordinator. Kelly L’Hirondelle Kelly is also the founder of the Urban Aboriginal Youth is of Cree/Métis Governance Initiative for United Native Nations, (UNN). decent and was He has helped spearhead an Aboriginal youth raised on governance strategy in policy development for this Vancouver Island province as well helped develop the Provincial Aboriginal in the Comox Youth Internship program.

Valley. Kelly will be in the community to help facilitate the

He graduated from the Family and Community R’Native Voice program.

Counseling program at the Native Education College in Vancouver in 2000. Kelly and his family have recently relocated from the Lower Mainland to Westbank.

January 2012 ONA E‐News 5

Okanagan Nation Critical Response Team

th th The Team will be meeting on January 18 & 19 in The Bands that are currently looking for one new team Vernon for a training booster. The training will be member are the following: OIB, WFN and two

focused on integrating the three new team members. members for USIB.

We would like to welcome Kevin Gabriel, Anona Kampe and Lynn Terbasket to the ONRT Team. When dealing with Suicides or suicide attempts we The Team leader along with five team members has have to remember that suicide is EVERYBODY’S been invited to Health Canada in Vancouver on January business. 31st and February 1st, 2012 to meeting with the five It’s okay to talk about Suicide. other existing crisis teams. The purpose is to discuss suicide in our communities and learn new strategies for Suicide Hotline: 1‐800‐784‐2433 supporting our Nation. Kelowna Hotline: 1‐250‐763‐9191 The ONRT Team currently has the following people as members: The Team has two functions to respond to crisis and to provide prevention within community. Anytime UNIB: Ivan Lindley trauma happens within community the Team can be WFN: Wilfred Barnes called into support. There are Protocols for each Band OKIB: Cindy Brewer Gary Bonneau as to who can call the ONRT Lead (Kim Montgomery) into support community. There is also the prevention LSIB: Jackie Tallio Lynn Terbasket piece which is community or staff training in the OIB: Hubert George following: lateral violence, suicide prevention and PIB: Elaine Kruger Kevin Gabriel awareness; grief; self‐care. Anona Kampe ONA: Inez Pierre Ali Butler Kathy Michel Joanie Gabriel Leon Louis

New Staff

The ONA would also like to welcome another The Okanagan Nation Alliance has two positions still member to our team is Matthew Bonneau who is open. our new Accounting Assistant. The Community Development Coordinator and the Matthew is from the Okanagan Indian Band. His Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Coordinator experience has been numerous. He has worked with both under the Wellness Department are still accepting Round Lake Treatment Centre for 6 years, with the applications. Okanagan Indian Band for 16 and a half years and also with Let, Trickey and Company for 13 and a half To apply, please follow the link years. http://www.syilx.org/ona‐‐opportunities/

We would like to wish him a warm welcome to our staff.

January 2012 ONA E‐News 6

Salmonids in The Class Room

Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries Department is pleased to support salmon incubation in cultural schools within the Okanagan Nation, and various surrounding public schools. Raising salmon in the school provides an opportunity to teach the students and teachers about the ONAFD mandate to conserve, protect the aquatic resources within the Okanagan Territory. We are able to demonstrate this through the rearing of the sockeye and Kokanee salmon.

This educational journey begins in October when spawning occurs. The Nkmaplqs i snmamayatn kl sqilxwtet Cultural Immersion School and the Sensisyusten House of Learning plan a field trip to their local creeks to collect the eggs and milt of the kikanee. The eggs are The ONA provides the schools with the following: carefully transported to the schools for fertilization and placed in the tanks for incubation. • 29‐33 gal tank • Stand

Outma, Sen Pok Chin, Ntamtqen Snm’a?aya?tn, • Chiller Sensisyusten, Cawsten Primary School, Queens Park • Start up supplies: gravel, filter, filters, Elementary School, Elementary School, and thermometer, and siphon Columbia Elementary School are currently participating in The ONA provides the new schools and teachers to the the rearing of sockeye. The eggs are collected in October program with technical support throughout the year from the Okanagan River. They are carefully transported via phone, emails, and in person visits. We are also to the Shuswap River Hatchery where they continue to available to the schools to provide the class with grow. In December they are at the eyed stage and are learning opportunities by having an ONA staff come ready to transport to their new homes at the above and visit the classroom to discuss salmon life cycle, and mentioned schools. The eggs hatch in February, and they dissection. are called alevins. Alevins continue to feed off of their yolk sac until it is all gone. About 1 month later the This program would not have been made possible alevins become fry. The students feed the fry for about 1 without the funding support of the Pacific Salmon month and then participate in the Salmon fry release in Foundation, the Watership Foundation, technical May 2012 at the Penticton Channel. support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the ongoing commitment of ONA fisheries staff.

If you are interested in having the Salmonids in the Classroom at your school, or wish to have an ONAFD staff come to present on fisheries please contact:

Julie Richard Fisheries Administrative Assistant (P): (250)707‐0095 [email protected]

January 2012 ONA E‐News 7

Okanagan Language Immersion Training

A Journey to Learn and Revitalize our Language February 9‐10, 2012 Spirit Ridge Resort, Osoyoos, BC

Instructions led by Sarah Peterson and Larae Wiley

Learn Interactive Songs: how to use them in programs and how to teach them to children, parents, and caregivers. You are given an introduction to children’s songs to use in your home and classrooms. Registration fee: $300.00 Space is limited: 25 seats available

For more information, please contact: Shelly Boyd (Canada) (P) (250) 499‐7176

Danica Parkin (USA) (P) (360) 528‐9669

www.interiorsalish.com

First Nations Taxation Seminar

January 20th, 2012 There is a $25 registration fee. Students with a valid ID will be waived of this fee.

Sensisyusten School You must register to attend this event. The agenda and 1920 Quail Lane, Westbank BC registration forms can be found at: 8:30 am – 2:00 pm http://www.syilx.org/events/first‐nations‐taxation‐ seminar/ J Peter Ranson, B.C., CA of KPMG in Kelowna, BC will be hosting a seminar on First Nations Taxation. Topics will cover: For more information Contact: • Understanding Section 87 of the Indian Act • Application of Section 87 to Specific Types of Income Dominique Alexis, Events Planner • Application of Section 87 to Transaction and Other Okanagan Nation Alliance

Taxes [email protected] • P (866)662‐9609 How to Structure Business and Investing Activities • Income Tax Exemptions Available to First Nations F (250) 707‐0166

This event is Co‐hosted by Westbank First Nation and the Virginia Leach, Corporate Executive Assistant Okanagan Nation Alliance. Westbank First Nation [email protected] P (250) 769‐4999

January 2012 ONA E‐News 8

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Invitation to an Aboriginal Small Business Roundtable 12th Annual Chief Atahm School Aboriginal January 19th, 2012 Language Conference th th Vancouver Convention Centre February 24 & 25 , 2012 Coast Kamloops Conference Centre

The Small Business Roundtable was established to engage the small business community around the province to Guest Presenters: Eomailani Kukahiko – Hawaiian identify opportunities to strengthen the small business Lanugage Immersion; Bruce Starlight – Tsuutina sector. Gunaha Institute; Dorothy Lazore – Mohawk Immersion; Mike Willie – Gwa’sala‐Nak’waxda’xw th RVSP by Monday January 16 , 2012 to [email protected] School; and First Peoples’ Heritage Language & Culture (250)828‐9834 or (250)828‐9833 Council

For more information contact Assembly of First Nations National Justice Forum Kim Dennis [email protected] February 21st ‐ 23rd, 2012 Tel: (250)679‐8837 Vancouver, BC

th This forum will bring together national and regional First InSIGHT 7 Annual Aboriginal Health Forum Nations organizations, frontline justice workers, key February 27‐28, 2012 stakeholders, and representatives from federal and TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary AB provincial governments with the goal of developing a

National Aboriginal Justice Strategy. The Forum has been developed to provide timely information on recent developments in healthcare For more information contact: programs and services available. The intent is on Marshall Ballard promoting dialogue with the faculty and conference Email: [email protected] participants. ONA Executive Director Pauline Terbasket (613)241‐6789 ext. 225 and Wellness Director Tamara Fritzsche will present on February 28th, 2012 on Syilx Wellness Perspective.

Information & Communication Technology Summit For more information contact:

February 23‐ 25th, 2012 1‐888‐777‐1707 Vancouver, BC www.insightinfo.com/Aboriginalhealth2012

Participate in Canada’s largest ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Summit for all communities.

http://ictsummit.ca/ ONA February E‐News DEADLINE FOR

ONA Fisheries Forum SUBMISSIONS January 20, 2012 February 21st, 2012 If you have a story or event that you would like Westbank, BC included in our E‐bulletin please email: [email protected] More information to follow

January 2012 ONA E‐News 9