Snuneymuxw Remembers

Volume 7 Issue 22, November 15, 2013

SNUNEYMUXW REMEMBERS

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

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Royal Canadian Legion Honours Aboriginal Veterans 2013

On Wednesday October 30th the Royal Canadian Legion hosted an Aboriginal Veteran’s Commemoration at the Depart- ment of National Defense military base where Snuneymuxw veterans, past and present who have served or are currently serving were honoured.

This presentation was to recognize and commemorate the outstanding contribution of the Aboriginal Veterans during war and peace-keeping activities. Commemora- tive pins were presented to the Veterans or their survivors.

Gordon Murcheson, past president and member who spoke on behalf of Royal Canadian Legion at the full uni- form dinner celebration.

Mr Murcheson gave a speech of commendation. ”This presentation is to recognize and commemorate the outstanding contribution of the Aboriginal veterans during wartime and peace-keeping activities. By remembering the service and sacrifices of the Veterans, we recognize the tradition of freedom they fought to preserve.

Aboriginal Canadians have demonstrated time and again their great service and sacrifice for our country through their participation in Canada’s military, particularly during times of conflict. Their courage, sacrifices and accomplish- ments are a source of pride to their families, communities, and all Canadians.” Chief White along with councillor Emmy Manson stood and welcomed everyone to the event. Chief White spoke saying,

“We are here to honour and celebrate what is going on tonight. We really want to give recognition and respect to all the different elements of the Canadian national de- fence, to all of the military and peacekeeping efforts of Canada over the course of time, to all the different units that have taken part tonight to make tonight happen and for the decision of the Legion and others to take this important step of commemorating the contribution of Aboriginal Veterans. This really means a lot to us and we want everyone to hear that. It really means a lot that tonight you are making a decision to stand up veterans, to name veterans from the past who have made important contributions to our collective

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efforts. It means a lot and it really resonates with our people and our culture when you stand up people and you recognize them in this way.

After acknowledging many of his own family who have served in the military, Chief White went on to say, “We are so proud of that fact that when our country and when our people, when our way of life was put at risk and when the call came for volunteers to participate in military efforts and actions around the world, that our people stood up with other Canadians with other Americans to put their lives forward, to make that greatest sacrifice to walk down that pathway with the greatest dignity, nobility and honour, courage.

They mean a lot to us these people that are going to be named tonight. They are role models in their families and in our community. We love them and cherish them for what they have shown us about what it means to be a man, to be part of a family, and in the context of great crisis, what is required of individuals in terms of sacrifice. We know how much those contributions have made a difference over the course of 100 years or longer.

We think back to our relations in other parts of the Country who fought alongside the British in the war of 1812 and we know that those military alliances between our peoples are at the foundation and the root of this country that we now call Canada. Their contributions mean as much to our way of life today as it does to all Canadians and it fills our hearts with happiness and pride to see you recognize them in a similar kind of way. Stand them up and name them and thank them, commemorate what they have done. We honour them as well. It means a lot to us tonight that we are gathered up.

These are people that we love; these are people that mean everything to us. The personal choices they have made for them- selves and for their families and for this nation and for the Unit- ed States of America. When I see the people and family that are here with us it fills our hearts with pride. It fills our hearts with a sense of trying to reach to live up to their expectations, to follow in their footsteps. To make sure we do everything we can to honour their memory to honour their contribution and their con- tinuing contribution today.

So with that I want to simply say hay ce:p q’a’. Thank you.”

Geraldine Manson along with the Nanaimo Legion Branch 10 President Carol Tisdale handed out the Commemorative pins to the Veterans or their survivors.

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Remembrance Day Commemoration November 11

Remembrance Day was a day to remember and show apprecia- tion for the sacrifice that veterans of all wars have made. A ceremony was held by the cenotaph in downtown Nanaimo.

After a parade of the military, armed forces, the RCMP and ca- dets, there was the official Remembrance Day ceremony. Chief White was in attendance along with Snuneymuxw Elders.

Chief White together with Josephine Good performed the laying of the wreath.

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Remembrance Day Service at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens

This event has been a tradition for many years. It was an important opportunity to honour our veterans. A parade with the Royal Canadian Legion, Cadet Corps and other many other groups was a highlight of this event.

Paul Wyse-Seward along with Andy and Mandy Jones, Garry Smith, Brianna and Julienne Wyse-Seward, Angie Seward and Vivian Paul-Seward participated in a ceremonial drum- ming to remember the ones buried at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens.

Councillor Paul Wyse-Seward also laid a wreath from Snuney- muxw First Nations in remembrance.

All Candidates Forum – November 21st Electors/Members are notified that All Candidates Forum has been scheduled for November 21st @ 5:00 PM in the Chief and Council Chambers at the SFN office.

Website: sfn-elections.ca

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250-740-2300

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Garbage & SFN MEMBERS— Welcome Becky-Lou Kogstad as the new Employment Coun- Recycling Notice PLEASE UPDATE YOUR sellor CONTACT INFORMATION Recycling pickup Wednesday Garbage pickup Thursday Please call the office at: Becky-Lou has worked with clients with resume development, goal set- Please have your garbage and recycling 250-740-2300 or email: ting, career explo- out by 8:00 am on the day of the service ration and labour [email protected] market research. Please remember that All recyclables Her training and MUST be in a clear plastic bag or in a Please provide your latest con- experience comes bin. The recycling depot does not from years spent accept anything in a dark garbage tact information including ad- in Nanaimo as a bag. dress, contact numbers, email support worker for programs such as Red Road to Recovery and any other updated infor- Supportive Apart- N.A. Meeting ment Living. On a mation. personal note you When: Saturdays 7:30 pm will find her with family, horses and Where: 668 Centre St. in Thank you for your help! students, coaching and developing Chambers horse and rider relationships, and the confidence to reach their goals. Who: Open to all Redskins softball team raffle winner was Paul Wyse-Seward. Weekly Mass at the Longhouse kitchen Drawn at Admin 12:00 pm, October Sunday School and Church 18th by Amy Wyse. Service Mass will not be held for this week at the Community Kitchen ANNOUNCEMENT: Wednesday Morning SPECIAL EVENT INVITATION Coffee Breaks National Addictions Awareness SUNDAY, NOV. 17 at Nanaimo At St. Andrew's United Church Native Victory Chapel Sobriety Dinner—Hosted by the 5:00 pm-Pre-service soup n'buns- 10 - 11:30 a.m. Health Centre friends and family; bring some November 28 at 5:30 pm Live Music by Willie Thrasher (Inuit) desert to share Chief and Council Chambers and Linda Saddleback 6:00 pm-Church service with Guest speaker: Opie Oppenheim Please call 250-740-2337 if you need coffee afterwards - come and transportation. enjoy! Oct 2—Nov 30, 2013

January 8, 2014 onward Prayer Group Blessings, With Brother Mark Come join us! Pastors Per and Chris Knudsen, Saturdays 7:00 pm—614 Centre Street Contact Madeline Bruce: Pastor John and Mira Cho, Visit www.snuneymuxw.ca for Nanaimo Native Victory Chapel 250-741-1271 [email protected] more info! 250-754-7866