Coqualeetza News!!
November 2007
Coqualeetza Elders Group
The Coqualeetza Elders Group travelled on a one week bus tour to Ksan Villiage. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who went. The were welcomed at all places they stopped and visited.
The Elders will be hosting their annual Christmas Dinner, by invitation only, on December 12, 2007 at the Tzeachten Community Hall.
The Nooksack Tribe invited the Elders to Nooksack for their annual Elders Thanksgiving Dinner. The Elders occasionally travel on exchange trips with other Elders Groups from different Tribal areas. The Nooksack Tribe also invited the Elders to attend their pole raising ceremony at their new Northwood Casino. They witnessed the pole raising of a beautifully carved pole which was erected at the entrance of the casino parking lot. Elders were then invited in to test run the new slot machines. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.
Halq'emeylem Instruction:
Malila's (Donna Giroux) calendar starts on October 1st with the little darlings at Chilliwack Landing Preschool. Malila teaches daily lessons to the the preschool children.
The Coqualeetza Centre just recently received funding from the First People's Heritage Language and Culture Foundation to re-transcribe audio language tapes to digital format. We are excited about completing this program as many of our Elders voices have been recorded on the old tape formats. The media centres has not been operational for several years and this grants from FPHLCC has come at an opportune time. The transfer of these valuable tapes to digital will ensure that our elders voices are maintained forever.
The Coqualeetza Centre also just reached a working agreement with the Sto:lo Longhouse Extension Program where the Coqualeetza staff will provide resources and materials.
RE Print of StoryBooks
The Sto:lo Sitel Curriculum project, headed by Shirley Leon and Joanne Archibald occurred during the late seventies and early 80's. This project developed a currciuclum for the elementary schools on the Sto:lo Nation. This curriculum is still being used in some B.C. schools in the Lower Fraser Valley.
Part of this curriculum included the printing of many Elder stories into individual story books. The Elders say that each story is owned by families and past onto younger generations. Each story has a moral or a teachings as the Sto:lo like to call them.
After all these years we have finally sold out and were required to reprint the storybooks. These have all been reprinted and are now on sale at the Coqualeetza Gift Shop. Come by and get your copies while quantities last.
FIRST NATION CONFEDERACY OF CULTURAL EDUCATION CENTRES
ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY - WINNIPEG - OCTOBER 31, 2007
The First Nation Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres hosted their annual general meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 31, 2007 and November 1, 2007. Becky Hall, Provincial Representative, Shirley Leon, Provincial Female Elder Representative, and Eleanor Stephenson, Skwah First Nation Representative (Proxy) travelled to attend the assembly.
The FNCCEC is represented by 87 cultural education centres/programs from across Canada. Winnipeg was chosen for the location this year because of budget restraints.
There were 82 delegates in attendance for the two day assembly. The highlight of the discussions was the CECP program renewal with INAC and the Treasury Board submission. The Executive Director, Claudette Commando reported that the progress of this submission is going very well and the joint effort with INAC will result in a positive submission by January 2008. It is anticipated that the CECP program will be renewed for another five year with hopefully with an increase in budget.
The other highlights of were two presentations provided by Mike Smith, AFN, CCOL Co-chair, made a report the delegation regarding the language work being done by the CCOL and offered to the FNCCEC, the development of a working relationship with the FNCCEC being the technical arm (language and culture) to the AFN.
The other presentation was provided by Bob Watts, Truth & Reconciliation Commission, Residential Schools, who also provided a chance for the TRC to work closely with FNCCEC.
TEAM MEMBER EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO THE DREAMCATCHER FOUNDATION
Jan Charlie, a member of the Chehalis First Nation, has successfully landed a spot on the First Nation Snowboard Team. His participation with the team started in 2005 and has competed in various snowboard competitions throughout the Province. He and eleven other First Nation team members, participate in intense training throughout the year, including muscle building, trampoline, fitness, nutrition, and of course snowboard techniques. This elite team is under the direction of Aron Marchant, who operates out of the Squamish First Nation.
Jan applied for funding from the Dreamcatcher Foundation, Six Nations, Ontario, for the purchase of snowboarding equipment and outerwear. His application was approved for approximately $3,000.00 to acquire snowboards, boots, bindings, pants, jacket, etc. for his career in professional snowboarding. As the training and competitions during the year take much time it is difficult to find employment that will allow time off for these events. Fortunately for Jan, the Brick, where is was employed allowed him to pursue his snowboarding career and allowed him time from work to do just that. However, time away from work means less dollars. These young snowboarders are all in the same position. They all have part time jobs and struggle to meet their daily living expenses.
With the grant obtained from the Dreamcatcher Foundation, Jan was able to purchase proper equipment and outerwear to practise and compete with. He was also able to acquire gym memberships and equip his vehicle to carry his equipment to the ski hills.
Jan wishes to extend his heartfelt appreciation to the Hill Family, Six Nations, Ontario, for funding his application to the DreamCatcher Foundation.