Welcome to another issue of Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin!
Welcome to the seventeenth issue of Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin. Each month, we will focus on an Indigenous language in our region. This month, we are focusing on the Nisga'a language.
Aam ji luu-x̱hln̓aa-t'aatgwin means "it's good for you to stay home" in Nisga'a.
Time has gone by so fast, we are already in the month of Ha'lisuwiliinks (January) and starting a new 2021 Winter semester. Classes have been in session for the last few weeks; no doubt you are very busy learning how to use virtual learning tools and starting assignments.
Did you celebrate virtually over the winter semester break? Make any snow angels or snowman, go tobogganing or skiing? I enjoy getting out in the winter air and doing winter wellness activities! Please share any photos of any winter wellness activities you enjoy doing to be featured in future newsletters.
Feel free to reach out to us if you need any assistance. We are here for you! We will do our best to support you in every step of your educational journey.
It is also important to find balance in your mind, body, spirit, and soul. Connect with family! Connect to the ango'oskw (territory)! Take some time to just be mindful of the beautiful space we live in. It will rejuvenate you. We hope you enjoy this edition that focuses on the ango'oskw (territory for hunting/fishing) and all that it has to offer.
Please stay safe, keep your physical distance from people outside your home, wear a mask while shopping, use hand sanitizer, and keep washing your hands. We will get through this together. Above all: be kind to one another!
FNACs loved getting together with students to discuss their holiday plans and get ready for the new year. Here are some captures by our team getting all merry and bright!
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
Acknowledgements
Bill McLennan
A tribute to long time supporter of the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, Bill McLennan. An online memorial took place on December 12th, 2020. Many of the FNFA students and alumni have made positive connections with the museum (MOA) because of the good work from Bill.
“Bill was a great man. His contributions to our art forms are immeasurable, and his contributions to our school too.” - Master Carver Dempsey Bob, Senior Advisor for the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art
The CMTN’s Professional Cook students had a bake sale on December 17th, 2020. Congratulations to each of the students that celebrated the completion of their Professional Cook program last semester with some delicious treats!
Student Spotlight
Mary Martin, Tla-o-qui-aht
Mary Martin is a second year student in the Freda Diesing program, she has worked hard all semester to paint these beautiful birch panel designs. Mary is also an incredible jewelry designer and weaver. T'ooyaḵsiy̓ n̓iin Mary for sharing your artwork with us and your kind smiles. If you are a student and would like to share some of the things you are learning or creating, email fnac@coastmountaincollege.ca, we would love to share your story!
Upcoming Events
Join us for our annual International Indigenous Film Extravaganza! Now we can watch Indigenous excellence in film together online in our own spaces. The following is a list of our upcoming showings.
Monkey Beach (2020)
A young woman with supernatural abilities reflects on profound events in her life as she awaits news of her brother, who has gone missing at sea under questionable circumstances. *Disclaimer: strong emotional content, scenes of violence*
We watched, listened, and shared meaningful discussion about this groundbreaking film. We are sorry if you missed the show! Monkey Beach is available on Crave if you want another opportunity to watch!
- Date: January 21
- Time: 5:00 pm
To register for event email: fnac@coastmountaincollege.ca
Students can also request gift cards for movie snacks!
Maliglutit Searchers (2017)
In 1913 in the Canadian Arctic, Kuanana returns from hunting to find his wife and daughter kidnapped and sets off to find the men who did it.
Join us to watch, listen, and share meaningful discussion about this groundbreaking film. *Film Disclaimer: strong emotional content, scenes of violence*
- Date: February 4
- Time: 5:00pm
To register for event email: fnac@coastmountaincollege.ca
SGaawaay K’uuna: Edge of the Knife (2018)
SGaawaay K’uuna retells the old Haida tale of Gaagiixiid — the Wildman.
Join us to watch, listen, and share meaningful discussion about this groundbreaking film. Bring your device to watch from, your ears for listening, your cozy blankets and - of course - the popcorn!
- Date: February 18th
- Time: 5:00pm
To register for event, email: fnac@coastmounaincollege.ca
Red Dress Beading with Wise Woman Creations
Join the FNACs and Shalane Pauls (Wise Woman Creations) to create your very own beaded red dress pin or earrings.
- Sign up by February 3 to receive kit prior
- Date: February 10th & 12th
- Time: 11am-2pm
Limited spots available for beaded kits! Email fnac@coastmountaincollege.ca to secure your seat.
On Friday, February 12th at 1pm, we will be ending our session with Gladys Radek who will speak on the on-going epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls(MMIWGB2S+) in Canada. Open to all, please join us for these important learning opportunities.
Recent Workshop Highlights
The Button Blanket Wall Hanging workshop is going great with our guest facilitator Bobbi Morgan! Our next session is January 27th; we can’t wait to share the finished creations with everyone- talk about a next-level video conferencing background!
Our painting with Michelle Stoney workshop was held on December 2nd, 2020. We loved learning about Michelle’s art practice and following along her steps and tips to painting her fish design. Each fish came out unique and beautiful in their own way! T'ooyaḵsiy̓ n̓iin, Michelle!
For more information on Michelle's artwork, check out her Facebook page: Michelle Stoney, Gitxsan Artist or her website, here!
Winter Wellness!
This fun Jam activity was from our Stressbuster Wellness Day at the end of November! Have you done any activities this winter that has boosted your mental health? Let us know and we would be happy to feature student spotlights! ---> fnac@coastmountaincollege.ca
What Would Nits'iits' Do?
Nits'iits' would say Amaa Sii K'uukhl (Happy New Year)! She would ask how you are doing with the beginning of the new year. She would say siip'iniy̓ n̓iin (I love you) and wish you good luck in your studies. Tell you that she believes in you and to saa'aamhl wilin (keep up the good work)! Simgit wilsim̓̓ (be steadfast). Sim hagwilook'hl n̓iin (work hard)! She would tell you will be ok and to stay safe out there! Dim huxw ga'ay̓ n̓iin. I will see you again.
We challenge you to practice these Nisga'a phrases at home:
Amaa Sii K'uukhl Happy New Year
K'oom̓̓axgwiy̓hl dim luu'aamjl goodin. I wish you happiness!
Siip'iniy̓ n̓iin I love you
Saa'aamhl wilin Keep up the good work!
Simgit wilsim̓̓ Be steadfast
Sim hagwilook'hl niin Work hard!
Aamhl jabin! Well done!/ Good work!/ You did very well!
Dim huxw ga'ay̓ n̓iin I will see you again.
To find more words to practice in Nisg'a'a, please visit this First Voices Page or download the Nisga'a Language app in Google Play or the App Store!
Traditional Harvesting
Ha'lisuwiliinks (January) is a time for getting clams, cockles, and mussels. With the changing of the season, we are also getting nets ready for oolichan fishing and hunting seal. Our traditional harvesting wheel include the months and time of year our traditional foods and medicines are ready to be harvested.
Si Cake Ksim Spiksoot (Port Essington Cake)
The late Ida May Russ (nee Stewart) submitted this recipe to Prince Rupert Daily News column- Letters to the Editor along with this little note: A lot of women couldn't read, so when a woman learned a new recipe, she shared her knowledge with the other women of the community, so this recipe was shared amongst women of Port Essington in the mid 1920's when my mother was a little girl.
- 1 cup Sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- Raisins/nuts optional
Directions
Preheat the oven & Grease the pan. In a mixing bowl: Cream together butter and sugar, beat in eggs & stir in the vanilla.Combine flour and baking powder and add to the creamed mixture and mix well.Stir in the milk a little at a time until the batter is smooth.Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Butter icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla
- 1/3 cup butter(softened)
- 1 to 2 tbsp milk
- Sprinkle with shredded coconut
We are collecting recipes! Email FNACs one of your family recipes and we will add it to our Eats With Jiits’ recipe booklets we are working on. Each person who adds to it will receive the collective recipes. This project came about when we were discussing the importance of sharing traditional foods knowledge at our Eat’s with Jiits’ online cooking session as well as Cookies and Lidi drop-in social, where FNACs and students talked about their family recipes, new ones, and the tea we enjoy with it.
Are you interested in learning more about traditional food and harvesting? Learn more with First Nations Health Authority and read their fact sheet with brief information about the Northwest goodness.
Bake n' Chill
We know waiting for your Si Cake Ksim Spiksoot (Port Essington Cake) to bake is a long wait! Check out these fun activities to try with your family and friends virtually!
Indigenous in Media
Nisga'a researcher spearheads new effort to repatriate family house pole from Europe. Check out this great article about Amy Parent, a Nisga’a citizen, who is using her research to develop a project — called the Raising Nisga’a Language, Sovereignty, and Land-based Education Through Traditional Carving Knowledge — and won $250,000 in funding through a grant from the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council of Canada: New Frontiers in Research. The project will also commission a new pole from two emerging Nisga’a carvers, and use virtual reality technology to document the process, and provide a new learning tool to support the revitalization of Indigenous languages.
Check out this great book! From feasts to Facebook and back again : technology, media, and belonging among urban Nisga'a and Tsimshian youth / by Jennifer Marie Wolowic. For urban Tsimshian and Nisga'a youth in Prince Rupert, cell phones, cameras and Facebook are among the latest tools used to connect with families and friends across geographical distance as well as address the historical, cultural, and economic gaps created by processes of displacement. Traditional Northwest Coast First Nations' social practices and feasts are expressed in intensely public ways; that visibility construct and maintain their social relationships and communities. Although the youth I met sometimes feel alienated from larger Canadian society as well as from village communities and feast protocols, traditional ideas of public participation embedded in social activities are sometimes successfully remediated to digital technology and Facebook
During the time of COVID, the Nisga'a nation has taken many strides to keep community programming alive virtually and physically distanced! Take time to celebrate to the fluid nature of Indigenous people and the ability to adapt to our environments without sacrificing the important knowledge sharing to the youth.
Available through the CMTN Library and BC Libraries Catalogue online.
Shop Jada Creations! Looking to invest in some beautiful handmade jewelry made by a local Indigenous artist? Jaimie Davis is a Gitxsan and Nisga’a artist, cedar weaver, jewelry designer, sculptor and painter. She is also a CMTN alumnus who graduated from the Freda Diesing program in 2019! Shop Jada Creations, made locally in Terrace area and available online here.
Your weekly meme!
Self-Care is Essential
We know self-care can take the back burner during semester starts! We want to make sure that you are still taking time to decompress and breathe. Try this new winter theme colouring sheet released by Michelle Stoney, Gtixsan Artist!
Colouring has many great benefits for our mental, emotional, and intellectual health. Learn more about those benefits HERE!
Wellness Bingo!
The new Bingo card is available and so is the prize! Contact your local FNAC for a card and work on getting the BINGO. Send us your submissions to fnac@coastmountaincollege.ca and we will let you know if you won! If you are the first to get a bingo, you could win $50 for the campus store! Short answers, photos, and links accepted as submission, good luck!
On-Campus Safety Guidelines
Due to our COVID-19 response, things look a bit different this year at CMTN. Take a tour of our Terrace campus to learn more about how what kinds of changes to expect this year if you need to visit any of our campuses for the practical training component of your program.
****PLEASE NOTE****
We have a No Visitors Policy. Access is granted to staff, students and others upon special approval.
Some of the changes we have implemented include:
- Limited face-to-face activities: Only approved face-to-face activities will take place on CMTN campuses this academic year.
- Self-assessments: How are you feeling? Only come to campus if you are healthy and not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Wash your hands. People are encouraged to wash hands with soap and water frequently, particularly before and after entering new spaces.
- Physical distancing. Stay 6 feet - or ONE MOOSE - apart.
- Face coverings are now required in all spaces on campus. CMTN strongly encourages the use of face coverings while on campus. It is recommended that they be worn when indoors, and in any circumstance where safe and consistent physical distancing is not possible.
Find more information HERE on our website or you can connect through info@coastmountaincollege.ca
If you are needing assistance with MyCMTN, Brightspace or other IT related issues, please contact the above email or phone. You can also visit the CMTN website for information on IT Services.
The Waap Galts'ap longhouse at the Terrace Campus is a designated study space for registered CMTN students, all COVID precautions in place. Masks are mandatory and cleaning supplies are provided. Contact a FNAC or member of the student services team to request this access.
Student Support
Golnoosh Namazi, Organiser for the Coast Mountain Students’ Union, is here to support students with events, services, and advocacy. If you’re having trouble understanding your rights as a student, navigating through school procedures and policies, or engaging in campus life, the Students’ Union is here to support you. We want to hear from you! To learn more about what we’re here for or just to say hello, email us at organiser@mycmsu.ca or visit our website: mycmsu.ca
CMSU APP now available on the Google Play Store or iTunes Store, download the APP to check out virtual community boards, services and supports in your region. You can also visit their website here: http://cmcsu.campusapp.com/
Are you facing challenges with lack of equipment or support? Contact your local FNAC or 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. There are many listed bursaries and awards that are open for applications right now. Make sure to apply before the February 15th, 2021 deadline. Bursaries like: Alma Van Dusen Bursary, Dr. Jacob McKay Award, and more! Contact your local FNAC for more information!
Student Financial Aid Emergency Assistance now on our webpage visit here for more information!
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 2021 winter semester. This will be a paid position based on hours provided. Contact your local FNAC if you're interested!
Having a hard time academically? We can connect you with the Learner Services team to make sure you have the tools to complete your studies successfully.
For the Learner Support Team & Accessibility Services, email: las@coastmountaincollege.ca
For Education Advising, contact ea@coastmountaincollege.ca
FNACs have food and housing resources for each of our regions, connect with us to find out more.
Mental Health Check-in
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.
Keep Me Safe connects CMTN students to a councillor, available 24/7 through multiple formats (call, chat, email and videoconference) for you! Go to coastmountaincollege.ca/counselling or www.mystudentsupport.com 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.
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