Snuneymuxw Learning

Volume 7 Issue 35, May 23, 2014

SNUNEYMUXW LEARNING

Snuneymuxw News is published bi-weekly. We welcome your submissions: send to [email protected]

Snuneymuxw News

Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh News

We are moving into the final stretch! Wow, this year has flown by! As it is getting warmer, please remember to put sunscreen on your child before they come to school. A light jack- et is also helpful, as the weather changes quickly. This is especially important during Culture Week, when the students will spend much of the week outside. It’s a busy time—please see our list of important dates: May 26 – May 30 – Culture Week May 28—Canoeing (sunscreen, swimsuit required) May 31—Beach Day (sunscreen, swimsuit required) June 2-4 – School Assessors Visit Qwam Qwum for Recertification June 9 – Grade 2/3 Class & PM Preschool – Year End trip to Greater Vancouver Zoo June 10 & 11 – Grade 4/5 Year End Trip to Strathcona Park camp out June 12 – QQS Year End Graduation Ceremony at the Snuneymuxw Community Kitchen June 20 – Last Day of school for Preschool June 25 – Last day of school (1/2 day for Kindergarten-Grade 5)

Snuneymuxw News

Language Teacher Update: CONGRATULATIONS GRADE 4/5 SPUPTITAL TEAM! On May 13, 2014 QQS entered our Grade 4/5 class in the Annual Spuptital Hulq’u’minum Language Contest. This year it was held at the Ladysmith Secondary School. There were 19 schools and our kids competed against 8 other schools—placing 3rd overall! The kids were so excited, and were ready to compete! This was the first time that Qwam Qwum has entered, and many of the other teams have competed for the entire 11 years of the event. We’re proud of our Grade 4/5 class for entering this contest, and proud of how hard our entire school (grown- ups included!) are working to learn our Hulq’u’minum Language! From Gary Smith

Snuneymuxw News

Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh

Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program (DARE) Graduation On Friday, May 2nd, Constables Angela Lynch and Jindy Manj of the Nanaimo RCMP were here to celebrate with our DARE graduates. The students were honoured individually, and each received their certificates and DARE T- Shirts. This is the 2nd year that our students have been fortunate enough to participate in the DARE program. Under the direction of Constable Angela Lynch, the program equips our Grades 4 and 5 students with the necessary skills to make well-informed choices and to empower them to say no when they are tempted to use alcohol, tobacco or drugs. DARE helps students to recognize the dangers of violence in their schools and in the community. Throughout the 13 weeks of the program the students participate in a variety of oral and written activities to help learn these lifelong skills.

Snuneymuxw News

Annual Blanketing Ceremony

Close to 60 families and friends gathered on Sunday to ‘Welcome’ into the community Snuneymuxw babies born in 2012 and 2013. Of the babies born in those years, five women chose to have their babies take part in the event. They have been working very hard measuring, cutting, sewing, and dedicating time to creating their child’s quilt. Two women and children were unable to attend Sunday-we missed you Terri and Reggie and Shirley and Nata- leen. Please know you were honored in your absence.

The Health Centre would like to thank speaker and Council member Bill Yoachim , Council member Emily Man- son, the Snuneymuxw Dance Group, and all the family and friends of the children who came out to celebrate with us.

Photos courtesy of Dave Bodaly 250-701-9827

Snuneymuxw News

Snuneymuxw First Nation Men's Group Residential School

Honouring Ceremony by Cst Jindy Manj, First Nations Policing, Nanaimo RCMP Detachment

History and healing

For over a century, the Government of Canada and churches operated 132 Residential Schools in Canada. The last residential school did not close until 1996. The vast majority of students suffered severe physical, sexual, mental, cultural, and spiritual abuse while attending Residential Schools. During this period the RCMP’s role involved forcibly removing First Nations children from their homes and placing them in Residential Schools. There are approximately 93,000 former students alive today who are known as survivors.

On June 11, 2008, the Government of Canada issued a statement of apology to former students of Residential Schools. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established in 2008 (www.trc.ca). The goals of the commission included documenting the extent and impact of residential school experiences, providing a safe setting for survivors to share their stories, and to produce a report to the fed- eral government on the legacy of the residential school system.

In 1998, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation was created to promote reconciliation and encourage and support First Nations people and their communities to establish and support healing programs to address the physical, sexual, mental, cultural, and spiritual abuse suffered in Residential Schools and the intergenerational impacts.

Honouring ceremony

The Snuneymuxw First Nation is comprised of 1,646 members, approximately 500 of whom reside on the four reserves located in the Nanaimo area on Vancouver Island. For more than 100 years, many Snuneymuxw First Nation people attended Residential Schools. The horrific abuse which occurred at the schools continues to have a detrimental impact on the survivors and all members of the community. Some Snuneymuxw survivors and community members have taken steps towards healing.

One group which has supported ongoing healing within the community has been the Snuneymuxw First Nation Men's Group. In 2013, members of the men’s group organized and raised funds to host the Snuneymuxw First Nation Residential School Honouring Ceremony. The honouring ceremony was for living and deceased survivors of Residential School and for all members of the community who continue to struggle with the intergenerational effects of Residential Schools.

Over the last several years, the Nanaimo RCMP First Nations Policing Unit has partic- ipated in the Snuneymuxw Men’s Group meetings and has supported programs and services that address the negative impacts of Residential Schools. In providing support for the honouring ceremony, both Cst. Jindy Manj and Cst. Angela Lynch invited RCMP members, civilians, and volunteers of the Nanaimo detachment to attend the honouring ceremony. The RCMP provided a $1,000 contribution towards the honouring ceremony.

The honouring ceremony was held on September 7, 2013 at the Snuneymuxw Long- house. A total of 150 people attended the ceremony, including 20 from the RCMP. The honouring ceremony involved prayers, elders, and mask dancers to carry out the Coast Salish traditions and beliefs in regards to healing. A traditional Coast Salish meal was provided.

The Snuneymuxw First Nation Men's Group would like to thank those who attended for supporting healing among Snuneymuxw survivors and others members of the community.

Snuneymuxw News

About Chickenpox

Caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), chickenpox used to be a common illness among kids in the Canada (particularly among those under age 12). An itchy rash of spots that look like blisters can appear all over the body and be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Chickenpox is very contagious, so an infected child should stay home and rest until the rash is gone.

Chicken pox is transferred between children by coughing, by touching the fluid in the blisters. Please keep your child home until their rash has healed. Please phone the Community Health Nurse @ 250- 740-2337.

Kids can be protected from VZV by getting the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. The vaccine significantly reduces the chances of getting chickenpox. Vaccinated kids who do get chickenpox tend to have milder cases and quick- er recoveries compared to those who contract the virus and aren't immunized.

Symptoms Chickenpox often starts with a fever, headache, sore throat, or stomachache. These symptoms may last for a few days, with fever in the 101°-102°F (38.3°-38.8°C) range. Chickenpox causes a red, itchy skin rash that usually appears first on the abdomen or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, arms, legs, and genitals. The rash begins as multiple small red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites, usually less than a quarter of an inch wide. They appear in crops over 2 to 4 days and develop into thin-walled blisters filled with fluid. The blister walls break, leaving open sores, which finally crust over to become dry, brown scabs. The rash is very itchy, and cool baths or calamine lotion may help to manage the itching. In rare cases, serious bacterial infections involving the skin, lungs, bones, joints, and the brain can occur.

High-Risk Groups Certain groups of people are more at risk for complications from chickenpox, including pregnant women and anyone with immune system problems. These groups should avoid others who have chickenpox.

Prevention The chickenpox vaccine is 99% effective in kids. It’s recommended that kids receive the chickenpox vaccine twice — when they're 12 to 15 months old, with a booster shot at 4 to 6 years old. People 13 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox or haven't gotten the vaccine should receive two doses of the vaccine. Healthy kids who have had chickenpox do not need the vaccine — they usually have lifelong protection against the illness.

Snuneymuxw News

Dealing With Discomfort To help relieve the itchiness, fever, and discomfort of chickenpox: Use cool wet compresses or give baths in cool or lukewarm water every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. Oatmeal bath products, available at supermarkets and drugstores, can help to relieve itching. (Baths do not spread the rash.) Pat (don't rub) the body dry. Put calamine lotion on itchy areas (but don't use it on the face, especially near the eyes). Serve foods that are cold, soft, and bland because chickenpox in the mouth can make drinking or eating difficult. Avoid feeding your child anything highly acidic or especially salty, like orange juice or pretzels. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about pain-relieving creams to apply to sores in the genital area. Give your child acetaminophen regularly to help relieve pain if your child has mouth blisters. Ask the doctor about using over-the-counter medication for itching. Never use aspirin to reduce pain or fever in kids with chickenpox because aspirin has been associated with the serious disease Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and even death. As much as possible, discour- age kids from scratching. This can be difficult for them, so consider putting mittens or socks on your child's hands to prevent scratching during sleep. In addition, trim fingernails and keep them clean to help lessen the effects of scratching, including broken blisters and infection.

Most chickenpox infections require no special medical treatment. But sometimes, there are problems. Call the doctor if your child:  has fever that lasts for more than 4 days or rises above 102°F (38.8°C)  has a severe cough or trouble breathing  has an area of rash that leaks pus (thick, yellowish fluid) or becomes red, warm, swollen, or sore  has a severe headache  is unusually drowsy or has trouble waking up  has trouble looking at bright lights  has difficulty walking  seems confused  seems very ill or is vomiting  has a stiff neck

Call the health nurse or your doctor if you think your child has chickenpox and you have a question or are concerned about a possible complication.

If you take your child to the doctor, let the office know in advance that your child might have chickenpox. It's important to try to avoid exposing other kids in the office — for some of them, a chickenpox infection could cause severe complications.

Snuneymuxw News

QQS Registration Reminder

Registration (including registration of new students) is now open for September. The school has attempted to contact all parents to confirm returning students in September.

If the school has been unable to reach you, please contact the school as soon as possible to confirm enrollment. The school has a number of students waiting to register, as soon as we are able to confirm space.

Snuneymuxw News

The Aboriginal Nutrition Network is starting a collection of traditional Indigenous recipes from across the country. Every recipe that you contribute will be entered into a draw for prizes such as nutrition re- sources, cookbooks and an iPod shuffle. Once completed, the attached recipe template will become your ballot. There is no limit to the number of entries per person.

Please email your recipe and put “Traditional Recipe Submission” as your subject line when sending your recipes to Emily at [email protected].

Snuneymuxw News

IMPORTANT NOTICE On April 10th, 2013, a concerned resident contacted the SFN office and informed us of the damage that a B.C. Hydro con- tractor’s machinery had done to our petroglyph site near Cable Bay.

From meetings between the previous Chief and Council and BC Hydro, an agreement was reached to allow Snuneymuxw elders and membership to engage with and give guidance to their leadership in preserving this site and sharing traditional teachings that will guide them in future meetings with BC Hydro. There will be another community engagement that will include senior staff from BC Hy- dro to inform them on the importance of the Petroglyphs to our Nation. There will be door prizes and lunch provided.

When: Friday May 30th, 2014 Where: Community Kitchen

Time: 11:00am to 2:30 pm

Contact Tara or Desiree @ 250 740- 2300 to RSVP To arrange for transportation please call 250-802- th 1184 before 4:30 on May 29

Snuneymuxw News

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM NOTICE

Dear Snuneymuxw First Nation Community Members:

Please be advised that SFN is installing new security systems in the administration build- ing, QQS and the IR# 1 Youth Center. It is anticipated these new systems will be activat- ed towards the end of May or early June. SFN’s goals are to provide a safe and secure environment for all staff, members and visitors in addition to complying with legislation regarding Working Alone and Workplace Violence. SFN feels the new system will help achieve these goals.

The new security system will be monitored by Reliance Protectron who has replaced Price’s Alarms.

Beginning on May 20, 2014, all visitors and SFN community members will need to sign in and out if you are meeting with a SFN staff member, except for parents who are drop- ping off or picking up children from the Daycare or QQS. A sign in/out sheet will be at the Reception desks of the Administration Department, Health Department and Qwam Qwum. Once you sign in, you will be given a “Visitor” tag which you will wear during your visit and is to be returned when you leave.

You will also notice other changes in SFN’s buildings. A number of doors will now require security card access; however, visitors and community members can be “buzzed in” by the Receptionists if you have come to meet any of the SFN staff members.

Thank you for your cooperation! .

Snuneymuxw News

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CHANGES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2014

MONTHLY DECLARATIONS AND ALL FORMS SUCH AS BUDGET AND DECISION FORMS WILL NEED TO BE SIGNED BEFORE THE 15TH OF EVERY MONTH. TO ENSURE THERE IS NO DISTRUPTION WITH YOUR SA YOU MUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BECKY LOU KOGSTAD OR KAREN AHENAKEW TO SEE IF YOU HAVE OUTSTANDING PAPER WORK WHICH NEEDS YOUR SIGNATURES BEFORE THE 15 TH OF EVE- RY MONTH. FAILURE TO COMPLETE WILL RESULT IN YOUR CHEQUE NOT BEING PRINTED FOR THAT MONTH - ACCORDING TO SA POLICY. THOSE PARENTS WHO HAVE CHILDREN NEED TO DECLARE THEIR CHILD TAX MONEY ON THE MONTHLY DECARATION FORMS. PLEASE ENSURE BOTH COUPLES SIGN THE MONTHLY DECLARATION FORMS NO EXCEPTIONS! BEFORE THE 15TH OF EVERY MONTH. FAILURE TO COMPLETE WILL RESULT IN YOUR CHEQUE NOT BEING PRINT- ED FOR THAT MONTH - ACCORDING TO SA POLICY. NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO PICK UP ANOTHER PERSON’S SA CHEQUE OR FOOD CARDS; UNLESS THEY ARE IN THE HOSPITAL AND IS APPROVED BY KAREN AHENAKEW WITH AN AUTHORIZION LETTER TO BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PICK UP. SPOUSES CAN PICK UP THE SA CHEQUE AS LONG AS BOTH HAVE SIGNED THE MONTHLY DECLARATION. IT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE OUR COMPLIANCE FILE AUDIT BY ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND NOTHERN DE- VELOPMENT CANADA. AND THERE ARE STILL FILES NOT UP TO DATE ACCORDING TO OUR RECORDS.

YOU MAY NOT BE ISSUED A CHEQUE IF YOU HAVE FAILED TO BRING IN THE FOLLOWING. INCOME TAX FORMS FOR 2012 AND 2013 CANADA CHLD TAX CREDIT NOTICE OF STATEMENT OR GENERAL TAX NOTICE OF STATEMENT CHEQUE CASHING RECEIPTS AND OR BANK STATEMENTS RENTAL AGREEMENTS PROPER ID FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS SIGNED CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION BC HYDRO BILL EVERY 2 MONTHS IF YOU ARE NOT ON AN EQUAL INSTALLMENT PLAN BC HYDRO BILL ANNUALLY ON THE ANNIVERSARY DATE.

Snuneymuxw News

LOGO CONTEST

Snuneymuxw Native Sons Jr. Basketball team is hosting the Jr. All Native Basketball Tournament (JANT) during 2015 spring break. There will be a combination of approximately 50 boys and girls teams from all over BC coming to play basketball in our territory.

This is a huge event and we are in need of some different artwork from Snuneymuxw artists. We will choose two designs from this contest that will be used on t-shirts, sweat shirts, water bottles etc., 1st winner will receive $200 and a package of items with their logo on it. 2nd winner will receive $100 and a package of items with their logo on it. The package will not be ready until artwork has gone to the printer.

Contest Guidelines  Snuneymuxw artist only  Art work submitted on 8 ½ x 11 paper  Print Name, address, phone # on back of art work  4 color max (can be less)  Art work will not be returned  Deadline is June 19th, 2014  Art work submitted becomes property of JANT 2015

Hand in your art work by 4pm June 19th to: Snuneymuxw First Nation c/o Angie Wyse-Seward 668 Centre Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 4Z4

The winners will be notified no later than July 2014.

Snuneymuxw News

Housing Contest Winners

Thank you to everyone that entered!

1st prize – Bradley Morris

2nd prize – Sienna Point ( 8 years old)

3rd prize – Melissa point (10 years old)

Snuneymuxw News

Garbage & SFN MEMBERS— Sunday School and Recycling Notice PLEASE UPDATE YOUR Church Service Recycling pickup Wednesday CONTACT INFORMATION Garbage pickup Thursday Please call the office at: SUNDAYS IN MAY/JUNE Please have your garbage and recycling out by 8:00 am on the day of the service 250-740-2300 or email: Sunday School is not being held for the time being as Please remember that All recyclables [email protected] MUST be in a clear plastic bag or in a Pastor Cho is away. bin. The recycling depot does not Please provide your latest 7:00 pm-Church service with accept anything in a dark garbage coffee afterwards- come and bag. contact information in- enjoy! cluding address, contact Red Road to Recovery Summer Camp is coming - N.A. Meeting numbers, email and any When: Saturdays 7:30 pm August 22 to 26 at Nanoose Where: 668 Centre St. in other updated infor- Bay - be on the lookout for a Chambers mation. garage sale soon to support Who: Open to all camp! Thank you for your help! Weekly Mass at the Longhouse kitchen Blessings, Mass will not be held for this week at the Prayer Group Pastors Per and Chris Community Kitchen Knudsen, Pastor John and With Brother Mark Mira Cho, Wednesday Morning Saturdays 7:00 pm Nanaimo Native Coffee Breaks 614 Centre Street Victory Chapel At St. Andrew's United Church Reminder that the speed limit in 471 Irwin St. 10 - 11:30 a.m. Come join us! the school zone is 10 km/hr and is 250-754-7866 Live Music by Willie Thrasher (Inuit) and in effect all school days from 6:00 Linda Saddleback am—6:00 pm If you are graduating in 2014 or if Now—Dec 18, 2013, then you know of graduating Snuney- January 8, 2014 onward muxw Band Members living off Contact Madeline Bruce: 250-741-1271 reserve please contact Terena at [email protected] 250-740-2316 ASAP to ensure their names are on the Gradua- Visit www.snuneymuxw.ca for tion of 2014 list. more info!