In Search of Syilx Singers
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S Y I L X OKANAGAN NATION E-NEWS January 2010 Table of Contents IN SEARCH OF SYILX SINGERS Browns Creek 2 Bliss Pictures is casting for a short film “Nkwanim” as part of a series of 13 short films on Update the revitalization of First Nations languages for Knowledge network. The film is in partnership with the First Peoples Heritage Language and Culture Council and will air on Okanagan 3 Knowledge and the First Voices website. Nation Child Welfare The Roles: Living Proof 4 Syilx Man Singer Age 35‐50 NRLUT Update 5 Syilx Elder Singer (Woman) Age 65+ 2 Syilx Children Singers (one boy, one girl) Age 8 – 12 Aboriginal 6 Leadership All Actors must be able to sing, and it is also a benefit to have some experience in traditional syilx singing. We will have an experienced Syilx Singer who will work with the Health Dept 7 Update singers to help them with the song. Actors must be available for song recording, th th rehearsal & filming between January 8 – 13 , 2010 in Kelowna. First Nations 8 Health Council Please email suggestions with head shots and CVs or experience to Sharon at: [email protected] WFN Education 9 th Conference Auditions will take place on Thursday January 7 , 2010 (by appointment) in Kelowna. Okanagan 10 Nation Fisheries Sides: Come prepared to sing your favorite song. A bonus if you can sing a Syilx song. ONRT 11 R Native Voice 12 What’s 13 Happening Toll Free 1-866-662-9609 BROWN’S CREEK LOGGING DISPUTE UPDATE Judge Brown did not render a decision on December 4th as originally scheduled, but instead asked the parties to make further submissions on four questions. Two of the questions related to the Wilson proceedings ‐ the preservation order and the admitted right . We took the opportunity of describing the legal history of denial, which is the underlying conflict leading to the Wilson case, and the procedural rulings in the Wilson litigation in more detail. Under separate cover I will send an electronic copy of the written submissions of the ONA and Tolko. On December 18th, the ONA and Tolko had an hour each to make submissions in answer to the four Photo: Bouleau Lake taken Dec. 17, 2009, courtesy of Ruby Alexis, OKIB questions. The Judge has reserved her defending the jurisdiction and decision and she has given no indication Louise Mandell, Legal Counsel justification of the Province, because the when it will be ready. The case is stated, ”I want to acknowledge the Crown cannot give to Tolko a better title important and will set a precedent and success of the Okanagan in the than it it self pos s esses. for that reason we think she will achievement of restraining Tolko from doing any logging in the take the time she needs to do a Tolko argued that the Okanagan has watersheds for a year and to good job. The Okanagan have sued and Haida remedies it could have pursued honour your great commitment sought an injunction in trespass. against the Crown, and that success in a and the personal sacrifices which Trespass is a common law remedy, trespass action against the company have been made to protect your based on two principles. would cause a crisis in the Province, and land and your culture.” the Court should not grant the ONA First, title is presumed from possession injunction. There is no legal doctrine and possession is good title against a that says that a party is restricted to the challenger who cannot prove a better use of one legal remedy, but since title. injunctions are remedies decided on the The Okanagan led strong affidavit balance of convenience, this argument evidence of possession of the Browns may influence the Court. Creek Watersheds, possession The Okanagan made powerful arguments extending from antiquity to the about how the balance of convenience present. If the Court accepts that this favors protecting the Watersheds from evidence amounts to possession for the further industrial logging by Tolko. purpose of a trespass action, according Colleen Marchand courtesy of Ruby to the law aboriginal title is presumed It has now been a full year since Tolko ince Tolko Alexis, Okanagan Indian Band and the onus then shifts to Tolko to first advised that they would log the For More Information please prove that they have a better watersheds, unless the OKIB brought an contact: title. Tolko will need to show that injunction to stop them. Chief Fabian Alexis at the TFL and permits it received from (250) 542‐4328 the Province constitutes better title, which will require Tolko January 2010 ONA E‐News 2 OKANAGAN NATION CHILD AND FAMILY AND AFGC CHAPTIKWL / STORYTELLING FORUM JOB OPPORTUNITY: As a integral part of our work with the development of The ONA is seeking an Aboriginal Family Group the child and family services we are working on a Conferencing (AFGC) Coordinator. process of looking at chaptikwl that tell about child rearing, parenting roles and teachings. This is to Reporting to the Clinical Supervisor will be part of the ground the work in our stories and culture. The ONA Wellness Team and will be responsible for all administrative, logistical planning, program outcome of this forum will be presented and discussed development and capacity building related to the AFGC at the nation‐wide Child and Family Service Forum in mandate of this program. February. Key Duties and Resp onsibilities: OKANAGAN NATION CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE FORUM The Coordinator will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of AFGC, the ongoing The tentative date for the nationwide forum is development of the program (including administrative February 18‐19, 2009. To be held in Westbank. We tasks such as record keeping, filing of confidential are working on two theme’s for the forum: 1st day : documents, maintaining data collection forms, and keeping communication tools current), logistical Stim a spus (what’s on your heart, in your mind, what planning and organization of program activities, record nd is your truth) 2 day kakeen kuks skuyhyax (where keeping and report writing. are we going) ? We will be reporting on the process and work to date For the full Job posting go to: as well as sharing more information and having more http://www.syilx.org/events.php?location=Jobs&cat_id discussions. We will also be having breakout sessions =5&archive=0 with t he potential topics: Deadline for applications is 4pm January 8, 2009. 1. Governance 2. Okanagan innovation Send resume and covering letter to: 3. Potential Models of service provision [email protected] via Fax (250) 707‐0166 4. Stories Aboriginal Family Group Conferencing Program AFGC STATISTICAL REPORT 2009 In the new year the AFGC program will be working with the Bands, Friendship Centers and MCFD teams We worked with 12 families in 2009. to build more understanding, have clarity and support to utilize AFGC in the original intent of the program. 7 went to AFGC and this affected 14 children. The ONA and AFGC/Child and Family Initiative also Out of the 14 children 8 are in a family home and 4 support the learning and experience of Social Work are in the process of going to a family home. University Students. We are open to taking on practicum students and may be doing so in January 5 families did not go to AFGC for various reasons. 2010. For these families, they received information on For More Information on these Programs contact: their rights, options were discussed with them, Jennifer Houde, AFGC Program Coordinator extended family was engaged and the family was Email: [email protected] or Phone: 250-707-0095 supported. January 2010 ONA E‐News 3 LIVING PROOF by Terry Tobias The Okanagan Nation Alliance Use and Occupancy Map, created in collaboration with Chief Jonathan Kruger, is featured in Living Proof as a best practice! The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and Ecotrust Canada are happy to announce the publication of Living Proof: The Essential Data‐Collection Guide for Indigenous Use‐and‐ Occupancy Map Surveys, the much‐anticipated follow‐up to the popular Chief Kerry’s Moose: A Guidebook to Land Use and Occupancy Mapping, Research Design published in 2000. Living Proof is much more than a simple guidebook. It is a comprehensive manual of best practices and guidance for conducting land use and occupancy research. Written by Terry Tobias, the book is supported by the knowledge of practitioners across the country and the generations of experiences of many Indigenous communities within their respective territories throughout Canada, Alaska and Australia. The methodology is grounded in social science but presented in an easy to read style. Living Proof contains hundreds of maps, photos and graphics making it not just an instructive guidebook but also a beautiful book to have, read and explore. We are now taking advance orders for copies of the limited print run. We anticipate shipping to begin in late January. While we are looking to create an online, accessible version, at 486 pages with over 300 maps and images, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to have a copy for use in your work or home! For more information go to www.ubcic.bc.ca/livingproof.htm or email us at [email protected]. How To Enter 1. Find a support buddy; ask a friend for encouragement while you Quit. If you win, they win too. 2. Register your New years Resolution to Quit Register at www.quitnow.ca or phone 1‐877‐455‐2233 By Jan.4 midnight. Only one entry per person. 3. Become a NON‐Smoker.