Welcome to the another issue of Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin!
Welcome to the twelfth issue of Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin. Each month, we will focus on an Indigenous language in our region. This July, we are focusing on the Witsuwit’en language and using Witsuwit’en words throughout.
Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin means "it's good for you to stay home" in Nisga'a. In the Witsuwit’en language we say TSIYÏH’ YIKH OH’ DÏZIWLHTSIY: Stay home everybody!
With British Columbia moving into phase three slowly and safely, we are happy to see that the North has been able to stay physically safe from any further cases. We are happy that you are all safe at home and doing your part to protect yourselves and your loved ones, especially your Tsets yu (Grandfather), Cha’/Tso’ (your Grandmother), bah (your father) and Ne’ (your mother), during this COVID-19 pandemic. With your safety bubble having the ability to increase by a few more people, hopefully you can see you Tsets yu, Cha'/Tso', and other loved ones!
We hope you enjoyed National Indigenous History Month with our newsletters that have great Indigenous based items to enjoy such as movies, books, language, and activities! We go through each item and ensure that it has the Indige-love you need during this time. We certainly think of all of you while we curate these items. We acknowledge the power you hold as Indigenous people and allies. Stand tall and know that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you.
We hope you find something to connect with and that you do things this month that make you feel balanced in your mind, body, spirit, and soul. Now, let us continue to celebrate each other, all Indigenous people, and make every month Indigenous history month!
Enjoy, Take care, and Stay Safe!
Jillian Stephens, Terrace jstephens@coastmountaincollege.ca
Veronica Waechter, Terrace vwaechter@coastmountaincollege.ca
Sharon Oskey, Prince Rupert soskey@coastmountaincollege.ca
Kellie Nyce, Hazelton knyce@coastmountaincollege.ca
Katie Humphrey, Smithers khumphrey@coastmountaincollege.ca
Arnica Salve Making Workshop with Katie Humphrey
August 20 | Online
Join us for another virtual workshop series!
Smithers FNAC Katie Humphrey facilitates this series where we will learn the teachings of arnica harvesting, preparing, and how to make salve!
Arnica kits will be made available. You must register to participate and space is limited.
Contact your local FNAC to sign up!
What Would Cha’/Tso’ Do
Check out one of our language spotlights with Dolly Alfred from the Witsuwit’en Nation! T'ooyaḵsiy̓ n̓iin Dolly for sharing Witsuwit'en Wednesday on Facebook as well! We challenge you to practice these words at home. Find more of her language lessons here.
Cha’/Tso’ is happy to see that you can come a little bit closer to her now. She would say Dzïn honzu Good day and to 'Asliyez sendeh Sit for a while (but at a distance!). Cha’/Tso’ has been picking berries lately. Check out some of these words you can use and practice during berry season!
Kots (nidïzisge) I've been walking around picking berries
Ma', yin tatilk'in' ïn'alh Yes, you may eat strawberries.
Nik ’ac’indinïnle There’s a garden up there.
Nit'ay siggï ha'wenïnzin? Do you want dried berries?
Tabï nk'ësiy' I really love you
Sne kal yëgh witsanye Thank you for coming.
So' ghundlï. Take care of yourself.
You can find more Nisga'a, Wet'suwet'en, and many more languages to practice at firstvoices.com.
Are you jelly?
Learn how to make fireweed jelly! This recipe is shared by Katie and is derived from a friend, Deanna Holee. Deanna first noticed the recipe published in the Nome Centennial Cookbook.
Pick approximately one large grocery bag full of fireweed tops (disclaimer: there will be bugs!). Outside or in the kitchen sink pull blossoms and buds that are about to open and put them in a colander. 1 grocery bag full of fireweed tops makes about two batches.
- 1 ½ Cups Tightly packed fireweed blossoms
- 2 ¼ Cups Water
Boil water. Add fireweed blossoms. Boil until all color washes out. The flowers will turn gray. Strain fireweed and liquid in a strainer with cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher. Discard flowers and bugs. The liquid is called fireweed tea.
- 1 ¾ Cups Fireweed Tea
- 2 T Lemon Juice
- 3 ½ Cups Sugar (do not use sugar substitutes or reduce amount)
- 1 pkg Liquid Certo Pectin (3 oz.). Check expiration date
DO NOT DOUBLE THIS BATCH. The tea will be purple/brown in color. In a saucepan, add fireweed tea and lemon juice. The tea will turn fuchsia in color. Add sugar. Cook at medium high heat. When liquid boils, add pectin and return to boil for one minute. Remove from heat. Pour and seal in clean jars. This recipe makes about four 8 oz. jars or eight 4 oz. jars out of each batch.
*Tip on sealing jars: After cleaning jars. Pour hot liquid, put caps and bands on. Screw bands on tightly. Turn jars upside down and let it set for three minutes. Turn right side up. Your jars have been sealed and sterilized because of the hot liquid. Jars will seal after some cooling.
Watch this video from Nomemade Recipes for a step-by-step facilitation!
Jelly n' Chill
While your jelly is jellifying, check out these fun activities for yourself and to do with your family!
Indigenous in Media
FREE Film! This month, check out The Road Forward, a feature-length musical documentary!
Shot in Vancouver, this musical documentary by BC Métis/Dene filmmaker Marie Clements connects a major turning point in Canada’s civil rights history – the beginnings of Indian Nationalism in the 1930s – with the powerful momentum of First Nations activism today. Stunningly shot musical sequences, performed by an ensemble of some of Canada’s finest vocalists and musicians, seamlessly connect past and present with soaring vocals, blues, rock, and traditional beats. You can watch this for free at nfb.ca!
FREE book! Song of the Earth: The Life of Alfred Joseph written by Ross Hoffman while be the side of the late Alfred Joseph himself. Available through the CMTN Library.
When your culture is banned and your land and resources stolen, it takes a special individual not only to survive but to thrive. Grounded in the wisdom of his elders, Gisdewe Alfred Joseph wove respect, kindness and courage into his years of service to the Witsuwit’en people of northwest British Columbia. As an artist, teacher, chief band councilor, house chief and lead plaintiff in Delgamuukw-Gisday Wa v. BC – one of the most important Aboriginal title cases in Canada – Alfred relied on the lessons he learned as a boy to deal with a pervasive colonial reality.
Written in collaboration with Alfred Joseph, Song of the Earth brings us inside the heart and mind of a man who grew up in the heart of Witsuwit’en culture and lived to see it transformed. But he was no passive observer; he initiated and participated in legal battles that have reshaped how Canada addresses its colonial past and struggles to find ways to reconcile with Indigenous nations. In the face of current Witsuwit’en attempts to block pipeline construction across their territories in northwestern BC, this book provides insight into the people standing up for the rights that Canadian courts have affirmed.
FREE podcast! Coffee with my Ma is an Indigenous podcast created by Kaniehtiio Horn. This podcast invites you to sit down at the kitchen table with her and her ma, Kahn-Tineta Horn.
Grab a cup and listen to the stories being shared of bravery, adventure, and laughter! The voices here are true and Horn hopes to inspire you to voice your truth too.
Find this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Listen Notes, and Stitcher!
Photo courtesy of CBC Unreserved.
Your weekly meme
Self-Care is Essential
Check out Revolutionary Self-Care on Facebook. It's a great resource for community building and peer support.
Wellness Gift for Students
Open to registered and returning students!
Email any First Nations Access Coordinator with your name and address to receive a free wellness gift by mail. Find our emails above or below in this newsletter.
Don't forget about Wellness Bingo! The second card is still available and so is the prize! Contact your local FNAC for a card and work on getting the BINGO! If you are the first to get a bingo, you could win $50 for the campus store!
CMTN President's Message to Students
Justin Kohlman, President at Coast Mountain College, provides an update to our students. CMTN's courses and programs are offered via Distributed Learning in Fall 2020 and are open for registration on June 1. Feel free to contact a FNAC if you require assistance with registering for your courses. We can also assist you with renewing your Adult Upgrading Grant for the Fall 2020 semester.
Please also see Justin Kohlman's statement on racism here.
Student support
Are you facing challenges with lack of equipment or support? Contact your local FNAC and ask about the Indigenous Wellness Assistance Fund and the Lending Library.
Wondering about bursaries? Check out the CMTN FInancial Aid page to find out more about upcoming awards and bursaries.
Are you interested in tutoring? The FNACs want to hear from you! We are calling for interest for any tutors who may be interested in peer-to-peer tutoring for the 2020 Fall semester. This will be a paid position based on hours provided. Contact your local FNAC if you're interested!
Want to hear more from your peers? BCcampus is hosting an Indigenous Speaker Series on July 15th at 11:00am-12:00pm PDT. The topic of this session will be the importance of land acknowledgements, specifically from the view points of students at BC Post-Secondary institutions. Including one of our own CMTN students, Lynzee West! Registration is free and open now. Registration closes two hours before the event starts. You can find out more and register HERE!
Mental Health Check-in
Are you needing support in Prince Rupert? Check out a new service available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society!
Check out this article on Self-care during COVID-19.
Foundry BC is now offering virtual drop-in counselling for young people ages 12-24 and their families. To access this service, call 1-833-FØUNDRY (yes, that’s FØUNDRY with a zero! or 1-833-308-6379) to book an appointment. Sessions available through chat, voice-only calls or video calls.
Here2Talk connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a B.C. post-secondary institution have access to FREE, confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.
The Keep Me Safe program is available 24/7 through multiple formats (call, chat, email and videoconference) for you! Go to coastmountaincollege.ca/counselling for more info.
Other resources you can reach out to:
Youth Online Chat at crisis-centre.ca or text 250.564.8336 or call 1.888.564.8336. A confidential, anonymous peer support service operated by trained youth answering calls from other youth. Available 24/7.
Northern BC Crisis Line A safe, confidential and non-judgmental crisis line to discuss anything troubling you available 24/7. Call 1.888.562.1214.
BC Suicide Line 1.800.SUICIDE or 1.800.784.2433. If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may, please call! Available 24/7.
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. Call 1.866.925.4419.
COVID-19 updates & FAQs
At Coast Mountain College we monitor the COVID-19 situation very closely and are guided by the Provincial Health Officer as we work with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. For updates and FAQs please visit our website here.
Have something you want to contribute for next month's issue?
Feedback, story ideas or pictures to share? Contact us:
jstephens@coastmountaincollege.ca
vwaechter@coastmountaincollege.ca